Massage Therapy (5700)
Creating competent, ethical, confident entry–level health care practioners committed to professional development through life–long learning in a positive, non–discriminatory and supportive learning environment.
This program prepares students for employment as massage therapists. This program is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy to allow graduates to take the certification examination and to apply for licensure in the state of Florida.
This program will cover the theory and practice of massage, theory and practice of hydrotherapy, hygiene, practice demonstration, human anatomy and physiology, legal and ethical aspects of massage practice, allied therapies, leadership and human relations skills, health and safety, and employability skills.
The student will develop skills in manipulation of superficial tissues of the body through instruction by demonstration. Student practices will include massage techniques, use of hydrotherapy such as sauna, steam room treatment tables, local and full immersion baths, whirlpool baths, hot and cold packs and paraffin baths.
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, median full-time annual earnings are $29,000.
Graduates will be eligible to take the Board of Massage Therapy certification examination and to apply for the required licensure in the state of Florida.
To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Massage Therapy program, students must:
- Submit massage therapy application
- Have Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) scores
Physical exams are required of admitted students.
Estimated tuition is $1,484 (for Florida residents, as of 7/06). Estimated cost of books, materials and fees is $500.
Florida State Massage Therapy Association
| Professional Courses |
Contact Hours |
Workforce Credits |
| *VPI 0100 |
Basic Reading Skills |
|
|
| *VPI 0200 |
Basic Mathematical Skills |
|
|
| *VPI 0300 |
Basic Language Skills |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| MSS 0156 |
Anatomy and Physiology for Massage Therapy |
150 |
5.00 |
| HCP 0001 |
Health Careers Core |
90 |
3.00 |
| MSS 0215 |
Statutes/Rules and History of Massage |
10 |
0.50 |
| MSS 0254 |
Massage Therapy and Clinical Practice |
155 |
5.00 |
| MSS 0315 |
Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy |
15 |
0.50 |
| MSS 0274 |
Pathology for Massage Therapy |
45 |
1.50 |
| MSS 0601 |
Professional Development |
25 |
1.00 |
| MSS 0283 |
Allied Modalities in Massage Therapy |
100 |
3.50 |
| MSS 0336 |
Advanced Clinical Training |
160 |
5.50 |
| |
Total Contact Hours |
750 |
25.50 |
*Students who have satisfactory TABE scores are not required to take these courses.
Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.
A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.
Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.
The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is a major criterior in a student’s completion of Post Secondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) programs requiring 450 or more contact hours. Students who fail to meet the State of Florida’s designated exit score will be required to complete Vocational Preparatory Instruction (VPI). In order to complete the program successfully, students must achieve or surpass the designated exit score(s). (See Standards of Academic Progress.)
