Massage Therapy (certificate)

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Official Title of Certificate: Massage Therapy, Certificate

Award: Certificate

Code: CRT.IHE.MASS-THRPY

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 35

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.

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)

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 Occupation Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Occupation Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (refer to 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 Occupation Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.

Entrance/Admission Requirements

Entrance Requirements

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening

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

Certificate Graduation Requirements

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

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses

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Massage Therapy Course Sequence

Certificate Requirements: 35 credits

Program Requirements: 35 credits

All MAS courses require a grade of C or better.

MAS 100 - Introduction to Massage 1 credit hour
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 117 - Kinesiology and Clinical Assessment for Massage Therapists 3 credit hours
MAS 118 - Business Fundamentals for Massage Therapists 2 credit hours
MAS 119 - Massage and Bodywork Specialized Modalities 3 credit hours
MAS 213 - Advanced Massage Therapy 6 credit hours
MAS 120 - Massage Therapy Clinic 1 1 credit hour
MAS 220 - Massage Therapy Clinic 2 1 credit hour
MAS 225 - Licensing Exam Prep 1 credit hour

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

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.

8. Integrate knowledge of pathology, medical devices, and functional and environmental limitations to develop a treatment plan for safe and effective clinical massage in a healthcare setting.

This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.

Related Offerings

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

Massage Therapy (A.A.S.)

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