
Certificate
Therapeutic Massage Practitioner
Therapeutic Massage certificate program overview
Gain the skills to help others live happier and healthier lives—and do so in just nine months.
At Pittsburgh Technical College, our Therapeutic Massage certificate program equips you with the knowledge and know-how to have an impact on the well-being of others—providing them with pain relief, injury rehabilitation, and stress reduction. You’ll learn different massage options—including chair and deep tissue massage—as well as gain therapeutic massage tools and techniques to work with expecting mothers and infants.
Our Therapeutic Massage certificate is approved by Pennsylvania’s State Board of Massage Therapy and the State Medical Board of Ohio. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to sit for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), which is an accepted form of licensure in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Therapeutic Massage certificate highlights
At PTC, we partner with you to help you pursue your professional goals. Our Therapeutic Massage certificate program stands out because we offer:
Top-notch facilities—Gain expertise with the same therapeutic massage tools and techniques you’ll use as a professional. We offer nine massage bays with hydraulic tables, as well as the equipment needed to perform aromatherapy, chair massages, and more.
Experienced faculty members—All faculty members are either licensed in therapeutic massage or hold Doctor of Chiropractic credentials. Many of our massage education experts also own their own businesses—helping bring real-world expertise to your studies.
Flexible course options—As you pursue a rewarding career as a therapeutic massager, you can take coursework in a way that works for you. We offer both daytime and evening course options.

Therapeutic massager careers: Your future is in your hands.
Did you know that jobs as a massage therapist and therapeutic massager are expected to grow 20 percent over the next decade* , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is far faster than many other career options, which is why now is an ideal time to pursue the therapeutic massage tools, skills, and techniques you need to join this rewarding career path.
- Allegheny Muscle Therapy & Massage
- Amber Capra Chiropractic
- Evolve Massage & Wellness Center
- Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
- Massage Envy
- The Body Bar
Our industry needs experts. Like you.
Our Career Services team will work with you to pursue your internship. Because many of our faculty are working professionals, that means they are well-connected throughout the profession. Our students have interned at Omni Bedford Springs Resort, OSIRIS Wellness and Day Spa, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and more.


A massage education that delivers.
In 2021, the median pay for massage therapists and therapeutic massagers was $57,060 per year.**
96 percent of available 2022 graduates are working in their fields after graduation.*** That means we measure success by our grads who are working in their chosen fields and not just “fully employed” like other colleges and universities.
What you’ll learn in our therapeutic massage program
In just nine months, our therapeutic massage education program will equip you with the hands-on experience to succeed. Through both your classes and clinicals, you’ll gain the therapeutic massage tools and techniques to perform:
- Aromatherapy
- Chair massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Hot stone massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Pregnancy massage
- Sport massage
- Swedish massage
Through our Therapeutic Massage certificate, you’ll also gain the ability to:
- Assess posture, soft tissue condition, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Comprehend anatomy, physiology, and the disease process.
- Create and maintain consistent and accurate client records.
- Develop treatment plans for clients with common postural dysfunctions and/or chronic pain conditions.
- Perform massage modalities to assist with a wide range of client needs.
- Understand the musculoskeletal system and its applications within the massage field.
- Utilize massage techniques to work with special populations, including prenatal and geriatric.

Massage certificate curriculum
Beyond learning various therapeutic massage tools and modalities that employers expect, you’ll also gain expertise in areas such as anatomy, kinesiology, and physiology. View our course catalog to learn more about our therapeutic massage certificate courses.
Tuition & financial aid
At PTC, we offer grants and scholarships to help you take the next step in your professional aspirations. We offer several ways to help you afford your education and work with you to find other ways to fund your massage education.
Re-entry application
We encourage students who have withdrawn from an academic program to reapply to complete our Therapeutic Massage certificate and successfully graduate.
Tuition & financial aid
At PTC, we offer grants and scholarships to help you take the next step in your professional aspirations. We offer several ways to help you afford your education and work with you to find other ways to fund your massage education.
Re-entry application
We encourage students who have withdrawn from an academic program to reapply to complete our Therapeutic Massage certificate and successfully graduate.
