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 clinical experiences and off-site massage events, where you’ll work with the public. Clinicals 1, 2, and 3 are held offsite on Wednesday evening and/or Saturday, so please plan for transportation to these offsite locations.
You’ll learn modalities including chair massage, Swedish massage, and deep tissue, as well as focus on massage for special populations such as pregnancy and infant massage.
Before you graduate, you’ll build not only your experience but confidence by completing a capstone prior to graduation to help prepare you for earning your professional license.
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
Employers of PTC Graduates*
Working with Career Services staff, you’ll enjoy the same job-search assistance that has helped our Therapeutic Massage Practitioner grads gain employment in a variety of settings, including established businesses and franchises, or in independent businesses.
- Evolve Massage & Wellness Center
- Massage Envy
- Body Bar
- Hand and Stone
- Amber Capra Chiropractic
- Allegheny Muscle Therapy
*Applicants must pass a required background check. Background check and drug screening may be required prior to employment.
Program Courses
For course descriptions, visit our catalog.
Quarter 1
- Steps to Career Success 1
- Introduction to Massage
- Kinesiology 1
- Kinesiology 1 Lab
- Spa Applications
- Swedish Massage
- Clinical 1
Quarter 2
- Anatomy & Physiology 1
- Anatomy & Physiology Lab
- Kinesiology 2
- Kinesiology 2 Lab
- Clinic 2
- Integrated Swedish Massage
- Business Ethics
Quarter 3
- Anatomy & Physiology 2
- Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
- Diseases & Diagnostic Procedures
- Clinical 3
- Adaptive Massage Modalities
- Massage Seminar
- Capstone
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):
2021: 71.4%
2020: 57.1%
2019: 100%
2018: 76.5%
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