Massage therapy schools in Massachusetts offer a course of study that includes at least 650 classroom hours of instruction.
Massachusetts is one of the few states in the country that does not currently require a national certification exam for therapists, although this is always subject to change.
Massage therapists seeking licensure in the state must submit two professional letters of recommendation to the Massachusetts Board of Massage Therapy Registration.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts?
There are about 10 massage therapy schools in Massachusetts. Among them are private institutes and beauty schools, as well as state colleges.
Programs consist of classroom lectures, practical laboratory classes and real clinical experience. Graduates receive certificates or diplomas in less than a year of study.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Massachusetts?
Massachusetts’ 750-hour program takes about a year. This is a part-time job and is scheduled mostly at night and on weekends. Base tuition is $13,800. However, you will need to apply along with the $225 fee for the first license.
Once approved, you will renew your massage therapy license each year and submit a $150 fee with your application to the Massage Therapy Registration Commission.
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What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts?
Massage therapy schools limit enrolment to applicants who have a high school diploma or GED. Some recommend taking extra health and science classes during high school.
Choosing the right higher education institution is crucial. The state licenses only graduates of accredited schools with programs that meet the board’s requirements.
Applicants must have 650 or more contact hours, including 550 hours of academic coursework and 100 hours of clinical experience.
The curriculum must include 100 hours of anatomy and physiology; 45 hours in pathology; 45 hours of kinesiology; 60 hours on ethics, professionalism and business practices; and 300 hours of supervised massage theory and technique.
Certificates and diplomas give future specialists the right to apply to the board for licenses. They must pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or the National Certification Examination in Massage and Bodywork (MCBTMB).
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the first step toward starting a career as a massage therapist usually begins with enrolling in a state-approved massage school.
Before becoming licensed, students must complete at least 650 hours of massage therapy training and obtain an associate’s degree or diploma from an approved institution.
If you want to become a massage therapist in Massachusetts, you must graduate from an accredited massage school. Below are some of the best massage therapy schools in Massachusetts and related programs near you.
1. Bancroft School of Therapeutic Massage
Founded in 1950, this independent institution in Worcester offers a 720-hour degree program with students studying full-time or part-time in the evenings.
The curriculum combines Western health care models with Eastern approaches. In addition to state-required courses, classes include Asian massage techniques, wellness massage, regional massage, sports and repetitive strain injuries, sit/lie massage, and spa techniques.
There are practicums and internships. The student clinic serves the general public with one-hour Swedish, regional deep tissue massage and relaxation massage.
Bancroft provides employment assistance and professional development courses.
2. Spa Tech Institute-Ipswich
This private school has three massage therapy programs in Ipswich and Plymouth that last between six and 14 months. There is a daytime, extramural and evening schedule of classes.
The therapeutic massage program consists of 650 contact hours. They teach Swedish massage, trigger therapy, deep tissue massage, positional relaxation, foot reflexology, range of motion, chair massage, and professional development and empowerment.
The 770-hour holistic massage program provides a “broader skill set.” Students attend courses from another program as well as Polar Therapy and RYSE Energy Modality classes.
3. Mildred Elley-Pittsfield Campus
Mildred Alley, a for-profit institution founded in 1917, offers an 833.5-hour certificate program in less than one year. Day and evening class schedules begin every eight weeks.
Two courses in Western massage techniques teach Swedish massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, hydrotherapy, essential oils, seated massage, client communication and assessment, and self-care.
Students also study body mechanics, sports massage and integrative massage techniques.
The curriculum includes four rotations of Swedish, prenatal, hot stone, myofascial, craniosacral, and deep tissue in the student clinic. The school has career services and lifelong help with employment.
4. Elizabeth Grady School of Aesthetics and Massage
This private institution’s Medford campus offers four MT degree options. The 650 contact hour program is available full-time during the day and part-time in the evenings and on Saturdays.
The alternative is 750 hours per day, either full-time or three-quarter time. There are Swedish language lessons, deep massage, sports and prenatal massage.
Other classes focus on myofascial release, trigger point therapy, energy practices, spa therapy and body wraps, as well as personal growth and awareness.
Students entertain audiences at events such as the Boston Marathon. The school offers continuing education in spa therapy, essential oil therapy, Reiki and sacred stone massage.
5. Berkshire Community College
Located just outside of Pittsfield, BCC is the state’s oldest community college. It primarily serves students from Berkshire County.
The 29-hour certified massage school program includes one year of courses and clinics. Classes are held part-time in the evenings, beginning in the spring of every other year.
In addition to state-required courses, students take Introduction to Complementary Care and Integrative Health, Fundamentals of Human Disease, and two massage therapy classes.
The training program concludes with a 100-hour clinical practicum. The school accepts applicants for the program subject to availability.
6. South-Eastern Technical Institute
The South-Eastern Technical Institute has a long tradition of producing highly qualified specialists since its foundation in 1968.
The courses are adapted to the needs of employers and last 800-900 hours each, extended to a flexible schedule of evening classes and clinical hours for medical and vocational training programs.
All programs require a high school diploma and transcript for admission, applicants must pass a specific test for the desired program, and in some cases a GED or HiSET with included scores may be required.
7. Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Institute of Technology, opened in 1946, is known for its signature slogan, “Careers That Build America.”
The Massachusetts campus offers professional careers specifically in the health sciences, with classrooms equipped like doctor’s offices and laboratories for a fully immersive work environment.
Programs can be completed in 40-60 weeks, depending on whether classes are taught full-time during the day or part-time in the evening.
Programs offer 4 to 8 weeks of clinical practice, and some classes are blended, meaning a percentage of them can be taken online and the rest in the classroom.
Total tuition, including enrollment, textbooks, equipment, and student fees, ranges from $18,500 to $19,000 for physician assistant and dental assistant programs and $15,871 for massage therapy.
8. Peterson School
Since 1946, Peterson School has offered a certified installation technician program, and with extensive experience and a wide range of professional training, the school’s mission is to ensure that graduates successfully pass their state licensing exams.
In fact, this school can be singled out for its approach to providing support and giving students access to the labor market, with an updated job listing tool on its website with categories specific to the programs it offers.
The school has three different locations: Woburn, Worcester and Westwood. Courses offered range from short-term courses of a few weeks to full 300-hour programs completed over 15 weeks.
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Massachusetts Earn?
According to a 2019 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed massage therapists in Massachusetts earn an average annual salary of approximately $51,180, excluding tips.
The national average salary for massage therapists is $42,820. The metropolitan area near Nashua, New Hampshire and parts of Massachusetts ranks 10th in the nation for average annual wages among all metropolitan areas.
Licensed therapists in this field earn an average annual salary of $59,400, or approximately $28.56 per hour, well above the national average.
Southwestern Massachusetts also ranks first in the nation for the highest concentration of massage therapist jobs and massage therapist jobs of all non-metric areas.
The region also ranks 3rd in the country for the highest average annual salary for massage therapists working outside metropolitan areas. The median wage in Southwestern Massachusetts is $63,090, or $30.33 an hour.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Massachusetts?
In order to obtain a massage license in Massachusetts, massage therapists must meet educational requirements.
Whether you live in Boston, Worcester, Cape Cod, or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started.
Licenses are granted by the Massachusetts Board of Massage Therapy Registration. A license applicant must complete a minimum of 650 hours in an appropriate licensed massage therapy program.
No exam is required for licensure unless the 300-hour massage theory and technique requirement is completed. In this case MBLEx or NCBTMB may be accepted.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs In Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to many oceanfront resorts looking to hire talented massage therapists. You can work in a salon or spa, in a doctor’s office, on a sports team, or work as an independent practitioner.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group – Massage Therapist
Chatham Bars Inn– Massage Therapist – Seasonal
inBalance Chiropractic and Wellness– Massage Therapist
Relaxation Works Wellness Center and Spa – Massage Therapists
Brigham & Women’s Hospital(BWH) – Craniosacral/Massage Therapist
Beth Israel Lahey Health – Massage Therapist, Per Diem
EQUINOX – Licensed Massage Therapist
exhale® Spa at Battery Wharf Hotel – Massage Therapist·
Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts FAQs
Massage therapists in Massachusetts treat each patient individually, based on the specific needs and concerns of the client, with a completely individualized approach to each person. Therapy goals may include rehabilitating from an injury, combating stress, or improving the immune system among the many other benefits of massage.
The field of massage therapy is growing as people focus more on disease prevention and wellness. A qualified massage therapist can become an effective partner for the patient to maintain health for a lifetime. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this occupation are expected to grow by 19% over the next few years, faster than many other occupations.
To obtain a massage therapy license in Massachusetts, you must complete a program that includes a minimum of 650 hours of hands-on training. In this state, you will not need to take the written exam. However, you will need to apply along with the $225 fee for the first license. Once approved, you will renew your massage therapy license each year and submit a $150 fee with your application to the Massage Therapy Registration Commission. Massachusetts has no continuing education requirements.
In total, the student will need 650 hours. The curriculum will include at least 300 hours of theory and technique. Of these, 150 must conform to Western techniques or what the Council calls the “statutory definition of massage.”
Salary and career prospects for massage therapists in Massachusetts are favorable. The average massage therapist in Massachusetts earns just over $40,000 a year. Most massage therapists tend to find work in areas such as personal care services.
Conclusion
Some programs offer training in their own treatment methods. Some participate in other disciplines. One of the options is a combination of aesthetics and massage. Students can attend an open house to learn about a specific program and have their questions answered.
The school may even provide contact information for students who have attended in the past. Programs are often designed for six to twelve months. Students may attend part-time for a longer period of time; some schools offer programs designed for busy professionals.
References
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools in Massachusetts
- beautyschoolsdirectory.com – Massage Schools in Massachusetts
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