Massage Therapy Associate's Degree 
Massage Therapist Certificate                 
Massage Therapy Certificate 

ALLEGHENY
Associate of Science (443.1) 

(see Massage Therapy Degree program fact sheet (PDF))   

This program is designed to prepare students for a career in therapeutic massage.  Graduates of the associate of science degree program are eligible to apply for licensure as a massage therapist in Pennsylvania.

Licensed massage therapists may work as independent contractors or employees in a variety of health-related settings including pain management clinics, wellness retreat centers, hospice facilities, orthopedic centers and physical therapy and chiropractic offices. Licensed therapists may also be employed in athletic clubs, resorts, spas, yoga centers, golf courses, beauty salons, dance studios and on cruise ships.

Students must make separate application to the program and meet all pre-program requirements including completion of BIO-110 Introduction to Biological Sciences or BIO-151 General Biology 1.

Applicants must be eligible for all college level courses.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Plan and organize an effective massage and bodywork session.
2. Perform massage and bodywork for therapeutic benefit by way of seated (chair) massage, full body (table) massage, or floor (mat) massage.
3. Develop professional and ethical relationships with clients and interdisciplinary health care teams.
4. Evaluate forms of business ownership useful for an independent massage therapy practice, business or employment situation.
5. Identify and implement strategies for personal health, wellness and on-going professional development.

Completion of the program qualifies the graduate to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), the National Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM), the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) and/or the National Examination for State Licensing (NESL).

Because certification and licensing requirements vary from state to state, students who plan to relocate after graduation are encouraged to verify these requirements in states other than Pennsylvania.

See the graduation checksheet for this program in printable PDF form.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credits to Graduate: 62

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 Massage Therapist Certificate

ALLEGHENY
Certificate  (695.1)

(see Massage Therapist Certificate program fact sheet (PDF))

This program is designed to provide entry-level skills for students seeking a career as a massage therapist. The Massage Therapist Certificate program is designed for students without any previous health care background. Completion of the program qualifies graduates to apply for a license as a massage therapist in Pennsylvania.

Licensed massage therapists may work as independent contractors or employees in chiropractic offices, resorts, casinos, fitness centers, wellness clinics, day spas, beauty salons and on cruise ships.

Students must make separate application to the program and meet pre-program requirements including completion of BIO-110 Introduction to Biological Science or BIO-151 General Biology 1.

Applicants must be eligible for all college-level courses.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Plan and organize an effective massage and bodywork session.
2. Perform massage and bodywork for therapeutic benefit by way of seated (chair) massage, full body (table) massage, or floor (mat) massage.
3. Develop professional and ethical relationships with clients and interdisciplinary health care teams.
4. Evaluate forms of business ownership useful for an independent massage therapy practice, business or employment situation.
5. Identify and implement strategies for personal health, wellness and on-going professional development.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) and/or the National Examination for State Licensing (NESL).

Because certification and licensing requirement vary by state, students who plan to relocate after graduation are encourage to verify the educational requirements in states other than Pennsylvania.

See the graduation checksheet for this program in printable PDF form.

Certificate Requirements

Minimum Credits to Graduate: 38

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Massage Therapy Certificate

Boyce
Certificate (403.1)

This program is designed to prepare an individual with previous college experience for a health career as a massage therapist. Graduates will complete a course of study that exceeds 600 clock hours of curriculum content including but not limited to anatomy; physiology; kinesiology; human immunodeficiency virus and related risks; medical diseases; pathology; massage therapy and bodywork assessment theory and practice of sanitation, safety and hygiene; professional ethics, communication skills, business practices and law related to a massage therapy business. Successful completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid training is required.

Enrollment is limited by lab size and other factors. Students must make separate application to the program. Applicants should have a successful record of achievement in high school science courses or develop these skills prior to program admission. Students must also meet pre-program requirements, which include the successful completion of BIO-151 General Biology 1 or BIO-110 Introduction to Biological Science.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take either the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) or one of the national certification exams offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to take the licensure examination or obtain state licensure.  A majority of the states require a license to practice massage therapy.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Meet the requirements for a certificate in massage therapy exhibiting entry level competencies as a massage therapist, be prepared to pass the Massage Therapy Licensure from either the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) or one of the national certification exams offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and gain employment.
2. Display professional behaviors that are congruent with the core values, standards and ethics of the massage therapy profession.
3. Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity, lifestyle values and choices of others.
4. Communicate effectively with clients, family members and other healthcare providers.
5. Utilize reflective judgment and problem solving skills and demonstrate participation in professional development opportunities to promote health and wellness.

See the graduation checksheet for this program in printable PDF form.

Certificate Requirements

Prospective students must demonstrate a proficiency in the following courses:

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