Certificate
Therapeutic Massage Practitioner
Get in touch with a promising future.
A relaxing, soothing massage can relieve pain, reduce stress, and help you recover from an injury. Being able to perform that massage can lead to a rewarding career where you’re making a real difference in people’s lives.
In our Therapeutic Massage Practitioner program, you’ll learn from instructors who’ve worked in the profession and share up-to-date insight on current trends and products as you prepare to enter a field where the demand is growing right along with recognition of its physical and emotional benefits.
You’ll practice a range of techniques and protocols in an on-site massage lab that simulates real-world settings with privacy bays, massage tables and chairs, and spa products; you’ll also participate in Saturday clinics and off-site massage events, where you’ll work with the general public. And before you graduate, you’ll build not only your experience but confidence by completing an internship prior to graduation to help prepare you for earning your professional license.
We’ll work with you on modalities including chair massage, Swedish massage, and deep tissue, as well as focus on massage for special populations such as pregnancy and infant massage.
Career Skills
- Cultivate communication and interpersonal skills to obtain employment in any setting.
- Perform massage modalities to assist with a wide range of client needs.
- Understand the musculoskeletal system and its applications within the massage field.
- Assess posture, soft tissue condition, muscle strength and range of motion.
- Recognize the value of the therapeutic relationship and utilization of proper ethics and boundaries.
- Comprehend anatomy, physiology, and the disease process.
- Develop treatment plans for clients with common postural dysfunctions and/or chronic pain conditions.
- Utilize massage techniques to work with special populations, including prenatal, and geriatric.
- Maintain a safe and sanitary working environment.
- Create and maintain accurate client records.
- Distinguish between common business practices and working within a team environment.
Career Opportunities
We’ll help you get in touch with an internship opportunity. Our Therapeutic Massage Practitioner students have secured internships at organizations including:
- Allegheny Muscle Therapy & Massage Body Bar
- Massage Envy
- Evolve Massage and Wellness Center
- Hand and Stone
- Oglebay Resort and Conference Center
- Omni Bedford Springs Resort
- Osiris Wellness & Day Spa
- Russ Medical & Sport Massage
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort
- Verve360 of Wellness
Employers of PTC Graduates*
Working with our Career Services staff, you’ll enjoy the same job-search assistance that has helped our Therapeutic Massage Practitioner grads gain employment with companies like these:
- American Back Center LLC
- Body Bar
- Brennan Chiropractic
- Capra Chiropractic LLC
- Dr. Webb & Associates
- Element Day Spa
- Esthetics Salon
- Evolve Massage & Wellness Center
- Galioto Chiropractic Center
- Haczela Chiropractic
- Hand and Stone
- Health Alternatives
- Ivywood Wellness Spa
- Keystone Family Chiropractic
- Osiris Wellness & Day Spa
- Market Street Manor
- Massage Envy
- Mountaineer Park, Inc.
- Professional Massage and Bodywork
- Radiance MedSpa
- Russ Medical & Sports Massage
- Seven Springs Trillium Spa
- The Woods Spa at Gateway Lodge
- Wexford Wellness Care
- Wheeling Spine Center
*Applicants must pass a required background check. Background check and drug screening may be required prior to employment.
Program Courses
Quarter 1
- Introduction to Massage
- Kinesiology
- Swedish Massage
- Spa Modalities
- Clinic 1 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
- Steps to Career Success-1
Quarter 2
- Medical Massage
- Anatomy & Physiology 1
- Pregnancy & Infant Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Career Development
- Clinic 2 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
Quarter 3
- Anatomy & Physiology 2
- Clinical Massage
- Business Ethics
- Diseases & Diagnostic Procedures
- Clinic 3 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
Quarter 4
- Massage Seminar
- Internship
We also offer this program at night:
Quarter 1
- Introduction to Massage
- Kinesiology
- Swedish Massage
- Steps to Career Success -1 (Online)
Quarter 2
- Clinic 1 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
- Spa Modalities
- Anatomy & Physiology 1
- Deep Tissue Massage
Quarter 3
- Clinic 2 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
- Pregnancy & Infant Massage
- Anatomy & Physiology 2
- Medical Massage
Quarter 4
- Clinic 3 (4, 5 hr, Saturday clinics)
- Business/Ethics
- Diseases & Diagnostic Methods
- Clinical Massage
Quarter 5
- Massage Seminar
- Career Development (Online)
- Internship
Program Highlights
Licensure
You’ll sit for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEX) prior to graduation. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia accept the MBLEX as part of its state licensure process. If you plan to practice in another state, you may need to meet that state’s licensure requirements.
Program Outcomes
PTC’s pass rate for first-time Therapeutic Massage Practitioner MBLEX test takers as reported by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) is 76.5% for the 2018 calendar year, and 93.8% for the 2017 calendar year.
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