Massage Therapist

• Apply to the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
• Take the CCAC Placement Test

• • Applicants who have college-level credits from other institutions must submit OFFICIAL transcripts to transcripts@ccac.edu.
  • Applicants MUST include an UNOFFICIAL transcript and copy of your transcript evaluation summary with your Allied Health application.

• Meet with an Academic Advisor

• Applicants for the Massage Therapist programs must meet the following requirements:
  • CCAC cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above for all college level courses
  • Completion of all Developmental courses as required by College Placement Test results (ENG 090 Fundamentals College Writing, ENG101L Basic Principles Composition1/Tutorial Writing), and MAT 080 Arithmetic Fundamentals and the (DVS) Developmental Studies Series.
  • Students must be eligible for ENG 101 English Composition 1/ENG 101L English Composition 1/Tutorial Writing and MAT 195 Business Mathematics.
  • Students who have enrolled in the same developmental course more than three (3) times will not be considered for acceptance in an Allied Health program.
  • Students who have enrolled in the same science course more than three (3) times will not be considered for acceptance. A "W" or "I" grade also count as an enrollment.
• Submit application to the Massage Therapist Program using the online Allied Health application

Applicants will also be required to submit:

• Evidence of original Act 33 and 34 Clearances (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and PA State Police Criminal Record Check)
• A signed and dated Essential Functions Form

In order to meet the program competencies and for successful completion of the objectives for each Massage Therapist course, a student must be able to:  

• Demonstrate tactile ability sufficient to assess a client's muscle tonicity, as well as changes in a client's physiological status (i.e. changes in skin temperature, edema, etc.);
• Smell odors that indicate changes in physiological status of the client or unsafe environmental conditions;  
• Read and cognitively comprehend written course materials, patient care documents and health care institution policies and procedures;  
• Write utilizing a legible and concise documentation style, (SOAP Notes) which is readable and in the English language;  
• Move freely to observe and assess client and perform emergency client care: this includes having full manual dexterity of the upper extremities, including neck and shoulders and unrestricted movement of both lower extremities, back and hips in order to assist in all aspects of client care and the ability to touch the floor to remove environment hazards;  
• Demonstrate cognitive learning in relation to new procedures through clinical application. Interpret physician orders accurately through verbal and written communication and carry through with appropriate psychomotor clinical application.  
• Visually observe changes in patient's status, as well as unsafe environmental condition. Visual Acuity must process a) near clarity of vision at 20 inches or less, and b) far clarity of vision at 20 feet or more;  
• Hear sounds of spoken verbal communication, as well as sounds that indicate changes in the patient's physiological condition (i.e. breath sounds, slurred speech);  
• Speak to clients and members of the health team utilizing effective verbal communication skills.  

If a student should present with any physical, cognitive or behavioral limitation, each case will be reviewed on an individual basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made if possible.

Massage Therapist students must be able to meet the following physical and mental requirements to perform essential functions of a massage therapist student:  

• Demonstrate manual dexterity and adeptness using the hands to massage.  
• Lift, handle and carry massage therapy equipment, including table, chair which weigh up to 50 pounds.  
• Assist with transfer and skillful positioning of clients who may weigh up to 300 pounds or more.  
• Give and receive clear verbal communication to and from client.  
• Must be sight corrected, so as to be able to observe client from a distance of up to 20 feet.
• Hearing must be corrected, so as to be able to hear the client at a distance of up to 10 feet.
• Must not be chemically dependent.  
• Must react rapidly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Be poised, neat and well groomed, tactful, diplomatic, discreet, flexible, versatile, ethical, professional, reliable and dependable.  
• Be able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions completely in academic setting and in routine and emergency clinical health care setting.
• Demonstrate the capacity for calm and reasoned judgment in a health care environment.
• Be free from health or medical disorders (physical or mental) that limit the ability to completely and efficiently perform the duties of a student massage therapist.  
• Be emotionally stable because work is physically strenuous and emotional.  
• Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all matters.