Massage Therapy (certificate)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Special Admission Requirements - Rolling Admission

Official Title of Certificate: Massage Therapy, Certificate

Award: Certificate

Code: CRT.IHE.MASS-THRPY

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 31

Learn more about the Massage Therapy Certificate program

Purpose: To provide a new career path for students wishing to practice as a licensed massage therapist or a registered massage practitioner.

AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need additional information regarding professional licensure, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.

Range of Occupations

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP)

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a minimum final grade of C in all massage therapy courses, in order to progress in the sequence of massage courses.

Students enrolled in the massage therapy course sequence are required to comply with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) Code of Ethics.

Special Conditions

Health Manpower Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Manpower Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (see the Tuition, Fees and Payments section of this catalog) enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this program still maintains a Health Manpower Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.

Anne Arundel Community College and/or the School of Health Sciences reserves the right to revise requirements for admission into the Health Sciences programs, the selection criteria and procedures, and the required courses for programs of study as deemed necessary without prior notification.

Special Conditions

Financial Aid: This program has not been approved by the U.S. Department of Education for eligibility for federal student aid. Students enrolled in this program may not be eligible to receive financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education (Pell Grants, SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Direct Loans or PLUS loans) or the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Educational Assistance Grants, Senatorial Scholarships or Delegate Scholarships). For current information on eligible programs, contact Financial Aid by calling 410-777-2203, emailing finaid@aacc.edu or stopping by a Financial Aid office.

Entrance/Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

To view all entrance/admission details, please go to the Apply & Register page and click on the Requirements link for the program.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening

This program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and possible drug screening. For complete details, see Health Sciences Criminal Background & Drug Screening.

Certificate Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a certificate, students must have demonstrated eligibility for ENG 101 , ENG 101A , or ENG 111 . Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements .

Massage Therapy Course Sequence

Certificate Requirements: 31 credits

Prerequisite: 1 credit

MAS 100 - Introduction to Massage 1 credit hour
MAS 100 must be completed with a grade of C or better or be currently registered prior to submitting an application. If currently taking MAS 100, must complete with a C or better in order to gain full acceptance into the program and register for MAS 110.

Program Requirements: 30 credits

All MAS courses require a grade of C or better.

MAS 108 - The Science of Massage Therapy 4 credit hours
MAS 110 - Fundamentals of Massage Therapy 7 credit hours
MAS 111 - Intermediate Massage Therapy 6 credit hours
MAS 113 - Advanced Massage Therapy 6 credit hours
MAS 117 - Kinesiology for Massage Therapists 3 credit hours
MAS 118 - Business for Bodyworkers 2 credit hours
MAS 120 - Massage Therapy Clinic 1 1 credit hour
MAS 121 - Massage Therapy Clinic 2 1 credit hour

Program Outcomes

1. Integrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, and massage theory to use critical thinking skills to plan and organize an effective massage therapy session tailored to each client’s specific needs.

2. Perform therapeutic massage demonstrating the use of massage therapy principles and a variety of techniques.

3. Develop and implement a self-care strategy.

4. Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior, cultural sensitivity, boundaries and effective communication with clients and professionals in the massage therapy profession.

5. Develop a strategy for a successful practice, business or employment situation.

6. Document massage sessions according to industry standards.

7. Prepare to pass the MBLEx and Maryland jurisprudence exam.

Related Offerings

Students may wish to also review requirements for the related majors or programs linked below.

Massage Therapy (A.A.S.)

Career and Educational Advancement Resources

Career, Workforce Certifications, Education, and Transfer Resources