This article contains comprehensive pieces of information about the best massages schools in the world and why you should be trained in one of the best massage therapy schools offering top programs in the field.
Everyone loves body massage because it heals the body from stress and pain. Using their special instruments; “Magic Hand” and “Magic Touch”; massage therapists help individuals feel better. Discover the 10 best affordable massage schools in the world.
Check out these 10 best massage therapy schools in the world to become massage therapists in our growing culture that demands relaxation therapies and techniques different from the past.
Body massages often help relieve discomfort, minimize tension, and loosen constricted muscles, making people feel better. The massage therapy industry is constantly growing, offering good benefits such as competitive pay and healthy job development, as well as a rewarding healthcare career.
According to the United States of America. News & World Report ranked massage therapy No. 13 on its 2019 list of the best healthcare support workers.
So, this article will give you an in-depth look at the 13 best massage therapy schools in the world and their costs to help you succeed in your massage therapist career. And valuable details about the field of massage therapy, including why you should study and pay for a massage therapist.
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is a dimension of medical speciality in which practitioners apply manual techniques and may use complementary therapies with the aim of positively impacting the health and well-being of clients.
Therapeutic massage is dimensional of massage therapy that involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue structures to prevent and relieve pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, and stress, and to promote health and well-being.
Massage therapy is effective in improving the function of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems – this will also help to increase the speed at which the body recovers from injury and disease.
Who is a massage therapist?
Those so-called massage therapists are professionals who treat clients by manipulating the muscles and other soft tissues of the body by touch. If they massage you, the pain will be lessened, the injury will heal, the blood circulation will be improved, the stress will be lessened, rest and help the general client.
Why study massage therapy?
Are you still considering a career as a massage therapist? Here are some reasons why you need to study massage therapy;
- Greater independence and control over your time
- Helping others pays off
- Unlimited job opportunities
- Huge income potential
- Balance and happiness
How long does it take to learn massage therapy?
It takes approximately 7.5 months (30 weeks) to complete a full-time massage therapy course. In some cases, it may also take about 12 months or more to earn a massage therapy training certificate.
However, the duration depends on the number of hours or the credits of the course.
For example, the National Holistic Institute’s 800-hour hands-on massage therapy training takes only 8 months.
As of now, it takes about 1 year for the National University of Health Sciences to complete the 705 hours of massage therapy certification.
However, in some schools, it will take you a longer period to complete a massage therapy program. For example, it will take you about 2 years to complete the OVCMT massage training program.
It takes approximately 7.5 months (30 weeks) to complete a full-time massage therapy course. In some cases, it may also take approximately 12 months (24 months) or more to obtain a training certificate in massage therapy.
How Much Does a Massage Therapy School Cost?
According to an article published by Natural Healers, the cost of education in massage therapy schools ranges from $6 to $17 an hour, with an average of $9 to $10 an hour. It infers a situation where if there is no/minimum requirement in your state (US), you may choose to enrol in a shorter program which will cost less during massage therapy.
However, most states with massage licensure standards typically require 500-600 hours of massage therapy training. This equates to your certificate program costing between $6,000 and $10,000, depending on the location and location of the school.
A given example is the National University of Health Sciences, which charges $14,934 for its 705-hour massage therapy certification program. Also, some courses include the cost of a massage bed (approximately $500), but not all.
Are there massage therapy schools online?
Yes, some schools offer online massage therapy courses. Online massage therapy programs are definitely perfect for learners who may be juggling the responsibilities of a family with work that relates to education.
They are also a great option for those who are preparing for a new career while still working in their existing jobs.
However, aspiring students are advised to ensure that the course is approved by an accredited accrediting body that is well recognised.
Which agencies are responsible for accredited schools’ massage therapy programs?
There are currently more people working in the field of massage therapy. This in turn has increased the number of schools offering massage therapy programs. However, in order to obtain a license to practice, prospective massage therapists and chiropractors must be certified by an accredited massage therapy school.
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is the accreditation body that is recognised nationally that is dedicated to massage therapy and the profession. However, there are other accreditation bodies that accredit health programs and/or business schools that are recognised nationally.
Below is a list of agencies responsible for accrediting massage therapy schools in the United States and around the world.
- National Accrediting Commission of Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET)
- Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
- ThinkFree
- ITEC
- Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT)
- CThA
- International Institute For Complementary Therapists (IICT)
Does the USA have massage therapy schools?
The United States of America maintains its position at the top of the list in various fields, including education. In the United States, several schools offer massage therapy training programs.
According to Wikipedia, massage became popular in the United States in the mid-19th century and was introduced by two New York doctors, George and Charles Taylor, based on a technique developed in Sweden by Per Henrik Ling. Since then, the massage therapy industry has grown steadily.
Students who are interested in this field are advised to attend a school that offers an accredited massage therapy program, as massage therapist licensure is required in all but 6 states. This license requires applicants to undergo training at a school that is accredited and pass a well-structured exam.
Furthermore, those states that require licensure often also require continued education in massage techniques and ethics.
How much does a massage therapist earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the normal annual salary for a massage therapist is $41,420. In other words, they make $19.92 an hour.
Also Read: What are the Physical Therapist Education Requirements
Best Massage Therapy Schools in the World
Here is a review of the best cheap massage therapy schools in the world. these massages schools are top-notch and offer the best programs in the field of massage therapy. All you need to do is read about these schools and apply to any of the schools that appeal to your interest.
1 National Holistic Institute
The National Holistic Institute (NHI) is one of the best massages schools on this list and one of the most well-known and respected massage therapy schools in the United States. In fact, NHI has been a leader in massage therapy since 1979.
As the first nationally accredited massage therapy school in California, the school is committed to developing the best massage therapists in the world while simultaneously promoting the integrity and positive development of the massage therapy profession.
With ten campuses in California, NHI is truly one of the largest and most respected massage therapy schools in the United States.
- Tuition: $15,588.00
- Number of programs: 3
2 London School of Massage
The London School of Massage is one of the UK’s leading massages schools offering advanced certificate, sport and postgraduate courses in the massage therapy field of study. It is also a supplementary training school that is very effective in the UK committed to the provision of quality advanced massage and body therapy training, assessment and practice.
This is one of the massage therapy schools that offer certificate programs in Massage, Sports Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Anatomy and Physiology, Healthy Touch Kinesiology, Thai Massage, Indian Head Massage, Ayurvedic and CPD programs.
- Tuition fees: £1450.00
- Number of programs: 3
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3 Utah Texture Academy
Since 1987, the Myotherapy College of Utah has offered a systematic clinical approach to massage therapy, teaching more than 20 styles and modalities. To achieve a more personalised education and focus, the school offers smaller and tailored programmes.
This is one of the massages schools that position students to be eligible to take the Post-Graduation Massage and Bodywork Licensure Exam (MBLEX). To be licensed, the MBLEX is issued by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
- Tuition: $13,394
- Number of programs: 2
4 National University of Health Sciences
Located in Lombardy, Illinois, the National University of Health Sciences is one of the best massage therapy schools in the United States. Basically, the massage therapy program at the National University of Health Sciences provides students with comprehensive practical training so that they can provide the highest level of therapy to their clients.
Students learn anatomy and different massage methods here, including deep tissue work, Swedish massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy. The school also offers introductory and advanced courses in massage techniques and theory, including business and communication skills.
Also, the National University of Health Sciences is one of the massages schools that offer not only a massage therapy degree program but also an applied science massage therapy assistant program.
In addition, you can earn a massage therapy certification in 3 semesters or just 1 year in a convenient evening program. That is, it takes about 1 year to complete a 705-hour massage program. On state licensing exams, 84.6 percent.
- Tuition: $20.97/hour
- Number of programs: 2
5 Miami-Dade College
The Miami-Dade College Medical Campus in Miami, Florida is one of the massages schools that offers a quality massage therapy program that has a three-track vocational certificate.
The school also offers an associate program that is for current physical therapists or assistants to physical therapists, and there are transfer options for other healthcare professionals. Students will use these pathways to skip various introductory wellness courses and go directly to basic massage therapy courses.
Basically, the massage therapy program at Miami-Dade College Medical Campus takes about 2 months to complete.
- Tuition: Resident – $82.78/hour; Out of State – $331.11
- Number of programs: 3
6 Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage Therapy
Cortiva Institute is a network of massage therapy and skin care schools, the schools are all united by a shared mission and values, to aid the advancement of students, clients and the environment.
As a foundation, one of the massages schools that offer a well-rounded educational experience with a focus on the arts of massage therapy and science. For continued professional development and success, the massage therapy school also provide continuing education and career services.
- Tuition: $12,587
- Number of programs: 2
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7 Southwest Institutes of Healing Arts
On this list of Massages Schools, the Arizona massage school, located at the Southwestern Institute of Healing Arts is one of the 7th positions – the massage therapy school offers one of the best massage therapy programs in the United States. SWHI is committed to encouraging individuals to discover their talents and charisma, and the school also provide support for students to share their talents with the world in a caring and profitable way.
Basically, SWHI is one of the massage therapy schools that provides personalized massage software where you can choose your speciality at your own rates and points of interest. All of their services also qualify students to sit for the National Licensure Exam and the National Qualification Exam.
- Tuition: $75/36.25 hours
- Number of programs: 3
8 Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy
Founded in 1994, OV Massage School is one of the top massage therapy schools in Canada. The school also has Canada’s first nationally recognized licensed massage therapy program.
Massages program at the school requires two styles: practical (hand) and academic (mind) instruction.
This is one of the massages schools where students can learn massage theory and practice, hydrotherapy, sports massage, clinical examinations and more in on-site training. On the other hand, they study anatomy and physiology, communication, musculoskeletal anatomy, ethics, etc. during mental training.
- Tuition: $30,365
- Number of programs: 2
9 Canadian College of Massage and Spa, Toronto
The Canadian College of Massage and Spa has been providing premier massage therapy education since 1946. It is actually one of the best options for massage therapy education in the world. CCMH is one of the massages schools that operates globally, with campuses in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario, as well as its sister institution, West Coast College of Massage Therapy.
Located in downtown Toronto, this CCMH campus has approximately 120 students and more than 30 faculty members. In addition to academic and practical education, this is one of the massage therapy schools that includes a busy public trainee clinic, open 5 days a week.
Furthermore, in addition to more than 330 hours of practical clinical instruction, the school’s renowned mastery-level massage therapy program is structured to learn about the human body through a variety of courses in anatomy, neurology, pathology, and kinesiology.
- Tuition; Domestic Students – $10,294.00 (1st Year); $10,301.00 (2nd Year), International Students – $12,480.00 (1st Year); $12,020.00 (2nd Year).
- Number of programs: 1
10 New York College of Health Professions
One of the best massages schools in the world is the New York College of Health Professions. The Massage Therapy Program offered by the school is top-notch. This is one of the massage therapy schools that offers a 72-credit advanced degree program for the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS).
In addition to the massage school core curriculum of European massage therapy based on Eastern medical concepts, which focuses on traditional Western anatomy and physiology and Asian bodywork, the massage program offers a number of current research modalities of massage therapy.
In addition, people who graduate from this program are required to take the New York State Licensure Exam, as well as the National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
- Tuition: $390.00/credit
- Number of programs: 1
Conclusion
Basically, everyone loves a massage from time to time. The services of massage therapists are on the rise as a way to treat physical tension or discomfort. So, the massage therapy profession is a very very promising career.
In addition, most massages schools also offer different massage therapy courses to train world-class masseuses and chiropractors.
Plus, we’ve provided basic information on the 10 best massage therapy schools in the world to help you decide.
