The objectives of the 600 hour massage therapy training are to prepare students to sit for the National Certification Exam and become certified massage therapists in Maryland. It is expected that our graduates will have strong technical skills, high ethical standards, and be able to interact in a professional manner with other health professionals and the general public.

In Beginning One you will gain insight into why you have chosen this field, and your readiness for it. You will learn about the history of massage, and how that impacts the current status of massage therapists. You will learn about the history of massage, and how that impacts the current status of massage therapists. You will learn basic anatomy concepts, what constitutes wellness, and the language needed to communicate with other health professionals. You will learn about self care of the massage therapist, and the use of proper body mechanics when working, so as to work more effectively and to avoid injury. A compression routine utilizing proper body mechanics will be mastered.

In Beginning Two you will learn bony landmarks and superficial muscles, basic massage strokes, and then how to put a massage routine together. You will learn the effects, benefits, and contraindications of massage, and the physiology of the skeletal and muscular systems. You will learn how to do a client intake, and initial assessment. You will learn record - keeping procedures needed to run a successful massage practice, and design our own treatment room.

In Intermediate One you will learn the muscles of the upper extremity, vertebral column, lower back and abdomen, along with assessment and deep tissue for those areas. You will learn safety and sanitation practices, and rules and ethics for the massage therapist. You will learn about HIV and other communicable diseases. Variations on the basic massage learned will be seated and geriatric massage.

Intermediate Two :: Classes 59 :: 81 :: 92 hours (22 hrs lecture. 70 hrs lab)

In Intermediate Two you will learn the muscles of the upper extremity, head, neck, and face, along with assessment and deep tissue massage for those areas. You will learn pathology of the musculoskeletal system. By the end of this course you will understand the principles of joint design, and know how to perform joint movements. Variations on the basic massage learned will be half-hour massage and massage for headaches.

Learn about children and teens as massage clients. Learn about the integumentary, cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, and the pathology of those systems. Begin participating in the student massage clinic. Learn how to work with acupressure points: shiatsu and jin shin do. Learn about the charkas and how to balance them.

Intermediate Four :: Classes 101-120 :: 80 hrs (51 hrs lecture, 21 hrs lab, 8 hrs clinic)

In Intermediate Four you will learn the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system, endocrine system, respiratory and digestive systems. You will learn about the craniosacral system and some techniques to work with it. You will develop a business plan and learn bookkeeping skills that will be used in your massage practice. You will learn hydrotherapy techniques. You will learn special consider-ations in cases of trauma or abuse. You will continue with student clinic.

In Advanced One you will learn the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the urinary and reproductive systems. You will learn how to perform pregnancy and infant massage. You will create a marketing plan.

Advanced Two :: Classes 129-150 :: 92 hrs (12 hours lecture, 60 hrs lab, 16 hours clinic)

In Advanced Two you will gain experience with myofascial techniques. You will learn the basics of foot reflexology. You will continue with student clinic. You will complete your outreach requirement. The last two classes will be devoted to reviewing for the National Certification Exam.

The student will be in class for eight hours each week, accumulating 208 hours in lecture, 354 hours in lab and 38 hours in clinic. In addition, he or she will need to spend at least 10 hours each week preparing for class, studying the written material. During any given class, we will spend time with both practical and academic work.