Is the massage therapy school or college registered with a provincial or state Department of Education, and is the curriculum recognized by the governing body for the massage therapy industry?
This is important for several reasons. If the curriculum is recognized by the massage therapy governing body, then you can be assured that by graduating you will meet the minimum standards for your home province or state. If the massage therapy school is registered with the Department of Education, most likely the program will allow you to qualify for student assistance. Also, there are safeguards in place concerning the minimum qualifications of the instructors, as well as a financial safety net should the school go out of business for some reason during the course of your study. Confirm with your provincial or state Department of Education if there is a safety net in the event that the college goes out of business before you graduate.
Is the school accredited with a massage therapy organization, or is it affiliated with a larger institution?
In the United States, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) was formed to ensure a certain level of conformity to standards by massage therapy schools. Membership with COMTA is voluntary, and massage schools must maintain a set standard in a variety of areas to remain members in good standing. In Canada, the Canadian Council of Massage Therapy Schools devotes itself to promoting the high standard of Canadian Massage Therapy education and advocating for the profession.
Please note that in the United States, some states will only license individuals who have completed a program from an accredited massage therapy school or college.
How long has the school been in business?
Choosing a more established school usually means that there is some continuity from previous years, and that the curriculum and teaching staff is relatively stable. There will be usually be graduates with whom you can speak to get a feel for the school as well as the success of its former students. This is not to rule out a newer, less established school, it just means that there may be some bumps in the road that need to be ironed out. If you are adaptable and can handle some changes, then don't let the fact that a school is newer scare you off, it could still be the perfect school for you.
How long is the massage therapy program (hours), how long does it take to complete, and how are the hours broken down?
You will want to ensure that the program in the massage therapy school you choose meets a minimum number of hours required by your districts regulatory or licensing body, otherwise you may graduate and not be able to work in the capacity you want to. For example, if you take a course of fewer hours that trains you only for relaxation treatments, but you really want to do sports massage, is this worth your time? It could be, if the foundation you have permits you to work, let's say, at a spa, while upgrading to a more in-depth program.
Depending on what you're studying, it is helpful to see a breakdown of the program curriculum by hours, just so you know what you'll be studying. Please use due diligence and investigate your provincial or state requirements so you can work where you want to when you are finished school.
What types of techniques and modalities are taught?
Most massage therapy schools offer a solid foundation of Swedish techniques, which is a great springboard into other areas - known as modalities, such as Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Deep Tissue etc. Swedish techniques are versatile, and may enable you to work while you are expanding your awareness to other techniques. In fact, a lot of specialized modalities may require you to be a licensed therapist before you can even take the courses, and being a licensed therapist already will definitely lend credibility to your repetoire of new skills.
Are there licensing requirements to practice Massage Therapy, and how do the graduates of this school usually do in these exams?
In the event that there is a licensing requirement, it is a great idea to get in contact with a governing body and request information on the pass rate of the massage therapy school you'd like to attend. While a percentage is usually provided (i.e. College ABC had a 80% pass rate), also ask how many students actually took the licensing exam. This is a great way to ensure that the massage therapy program you choose will do its part in preparing you for the necessary exams.
How many students are there, and what is the student-teacher ratio?
This is really important during hands-on, practical classes, as you want to make sure that there is enough teaching staff to help you. A 10:1 or 15:1 student to teacher ratio will ensure that, during practical classes, the instructor and teaching assistants can address any questions or concerns that students may have.
How many years of industry experience do the teachers have?
Do the teachers have any specialized skills? This is especially important, once again, for hands-on classes and classes pertaining to business development within the industry. As far as practical classes which teach techniques, this is really important, as you can learn a lot by watching an experienced instructor and listening to his or her anecdotes. What you will realize that everything they teach you is pretty much a guideline, and that real world experience requires the ability to adapt treatments to individual clients. Disclaimer: You will be expected to carry out assigned tasks in a particular way during class and exams - this is essential to help you through your learning curve, so please don't be frustrated, just do what your instructor requests.
What is the tuition, is there a payment plan, is there funding available, and what is the policy on refunds or payments if I should have to withdraw?
This will vary depending on where the massage therapy school is located. You should receive very clear documentation which outlines the policies and procedures in the event that you leave. There should also be a very clear policy on the timing of payments and interest and fees, either on late payments or installments.
What supplies, equipment and books will I need, where can I get them, and how much extra are they?
You can expect to spend upwards of $3000.00 above your tuition for supplies and books. Your books and supplies are an investment, so choose them wisely and take care of them. While you're at it, you may also want to ask what supplies are included in daily activities, i.e. linens, gels, oils, pillows etc. And just a side note: don't feel that you have to go high end right away. A well-made, serviceable table with a carrying case with fewer bells and whistles should do the job. Remember also to keep all of your receipts in the event that you can use them for income tax during your stay at school or during your first year of practice.
The points listed above are the major ones, and should help give you a short list of colleges or programs that can meet your needs. Here are some further points you should consider:
Are you able to sit in on some classes?Attend the student teaching clinic? Take a tour?
Don't be shy - get in there and get your feet wet. Experience what the students go through every day, and see how it feels for you. Do you feel comfortable, at ease? Does it peak your interest, inspire and motivate you? Feelings of excitement are a good indicator that you are in the right massage therapy school.
Is there a tutorial program in place in the event that you are struggling academically?
This could be as simple as after-school sessions, peer tutoring or scheduled tutorials. There is a lot of information to cover, and there is no shame in admitting you are overwhelmed and need help. If it's offered, take advantage of it.
Do students have the opportunity to work in a public, outreach, special needs or community clinic to practice their skills?
How are these clinics supervised, and are students evaluated on performance? A massage therapy school with a public clinic which enables students to practice their skills (without pay) on members of the public is a huge asset. A well organized clinic really shows students what it's like to practice, and hammers home lessons on conduct, time management, public relations AND hands on skills. It's also a great place for your instructors to see just how serious you are, and to learn some interesting techniques in a 'real world' situation. Don't forget that your instructors are also well connected in the massage therapy community, and if they like what they see, then they are likely to keep you in mind in the event they hear of a job opening. (the opposite is also true, which is why I always reminded my students that the industry is very small and close-knit.)
What are the facilities like?Is the equipment in good repair, and is there enough space and storage to accommodate all students?
Not all massage therapy schools are created equally. Some are very basic, some are state of the art, and while access to a wet room and water cooler is nice, this is much less important than the equipment being in good repair and safe. After that, everything is a bonus. If your program focus is on Swedish Massage, then having a wet room with spa equipment is less important than if you are in a spa program. If the school is teaching it, you have to be able to become familiar with the tools of the trade.
Are you able to contact some graduates to ask them about the program and their experience?
You should find that there are more former students who are successful and enjoyed their education than not. Don't expect everything to be perfect in the feedback you receive about the massage therapy school you'd like to attend, but if you can get a realistic idea of a 'day in the life' as a student, you can make your choice with confidence. Consider questions such as:
do you feel that the education prepared you for the workforce?
is there anything you'd do differently, or wish you had of known (about the industry or the education, both are useful to ask).
would you make the same choice again? If no,why not?
would you recommend your massage therapy school to others? If no, why not?
how much time did you have to devote to studying? how is student life here?
did you feel supported by teachers and staff in the learning process?
what did you like the most/least about the school?
Does the school often have potential employers contacting them to hire graduates? Does the college post job opportunities for graduates and current students?
Good massage therapy schools do their best to advise students of opportunities. Take advantage of this, and when the time comes, if you can speak with a former graduate about their work experience at a certain location, you can get a good idea what to expect.
A Final Reminder ...
If the massage therapy school you are considering seems dirty, unorganized or the staff is not receptive to your visit and questions, you may want to look elsewhere. If you can't reasonably communicate with your potential administrators and staff before you're signed up, it's not going to get better once you've given them your money.
The massage therapy community is quite small, with therapists keeping in touch long after schools ends and careers begin. If you decide to take the plunge and study massage therapy, remember that every therapist and student that you speak with is a potential colleague, teacher, mentor or friend. As such, please be respectful and appreciative of the time and knowledge that is shared with you, just as some day you will appreciate the respect you have earned as a professional.
Good luck, and have fun at school!
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