Massage Therapy
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ChattState is a proud member school of these national massage therapy organizations:
Massage Therapy is a two semester certificate program that requires 650 clock hours for completion. Graduates are prepared to take the MBLEx test required by the State of TN Massage Licensure Board. Class size is limited and students are required to have a face-to-face interview with the instructor before being approved to register for the class. Students must also be 18 years or older on the first day of class.
Employment Stats
- Program Length 2 semesters (Certificate)
- Job Placement 100%
- Average Earnings $48,390/year
- Cost $4000 approx.
About Program
Massage therapy is the systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissue with the intent of positively affecting the health and well-being of a client. Although some aspects of massage are instinctive, modern massage therapy is also a profession that requires licensure in most states. As a health care profession, the education of a massage therapist requires basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, pharmacology, business, self-care, nutrition, hydrotherapy and many other related topics. There are dozens of massage therapy modalities ranging from therapeutic to relaxation (spa). Some of these modalities include Swedish massage, sports, reflexology, medical massage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial massage therapy, and pregnancy massage. The program includes training in both scientific and therapeutic application of many of these modalities.
Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to work independently or work for others in performing a full body relaxation or therapeutic massage session.
Upon completion of the massage therapy program the student will also need to pass a state licensure exam in order to begin the process of applying for licensure. The content in the program is designed to provide the required information for this examination.
Job Expectations
Massage therapy is a physically demanding profession. One typically stands for long periods of time (hour or two is common per session) and must use their hands, arms, and legs in performing the service. Many physical or mental conditions may preclude one from easily performing this work. Allergies to products, lifting issues, carpal tunnel, contagious diseases, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and many other conditions all have ramifications for massage therapy. Work is usually performed in areas with subdued lighting.
Good personal hygiene is a must in the health care industry. Hair must be restrained. Fingernails MUST be no longer than the tips of the fingers.
Both men and women are in the classroom and you may work on or receive massage from any one of the students. Modesty is always maintained. Draping is always used and required by law. No more of the body is exposed than if one was wearing a bikini.
Students are exposed to various analgesics, oils, aromas, lubricants, hot objects and cold products.
Expected Earnings
Massage therapy like so many other professions will usually provide income commensurate with effort put forth by the therapist. Massage services in the Chattanooga area range from $45 to $80/hour (in spas or more urban areas). The massage therapist will only earn a portion of this if working for another. The U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau Statistics data show that the mean wage for massage therapists is $23.27 per hour (May 2023). The median annual income was $48,390 per year with $70,130 for the top 10% of therapists and $25,570 for the bottom $10% of therapists. (May 2020)
Course Schedule
Students are selected through a competitive admissions process for enrollment in each cohort.
- Full-time classes
- Day & Night Classes offered
- Enrollment is limited to 18 students in each class
Full-Time Program Schedule |
||
|
Semester (Hours) |
Day Class |
Days |
|
1st Semester (325) |
8:30am – 2:40pm |
Tuesday – Friday |
|
2nd Semester (325) |
8:30am – 2:40pm |
Tuesday – Friday |
Tools
Quantity |
Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Portable Massage Table (Optional, but keep in mind that there are out of class assignments for which it can be helpful to have your own table.) |
| 2 |
Scrubs - Hunter Green tops, and Black Scrub Bottoms |
| 2 | Set of Twin Sheets (Not white or off-white, but a solid color and a print set to mix for visual ease.) |
Cost
2 semester – *Tuition will increase every fall semester
| *Fall 325 hours | $1,383 |
| Spring 325 hours | $1,383 |
| Tools (estimate) | $750.00 |
| Books (estimate) | $400 - $550 |
Other Costs
| CPR Training | $55 |
| Liability Insurance | $11.05 (This is purchased through the school) |
| Practice Massage Table | $113-$700 (Depends on type, style, manufacturer, and from where you purchase.) |
| HESI Test | $45 |
| MBLEx (Licensure Test) | $265 |
After Graduation Costs
| Licensure (First time) | $280 |
| Fingerprinting | $36 approximately |
| Liability Insurance (Yearly) | $99-$229 (1st year is discounted with both ABMP & AMTA due to being student members.) |
Special Fees Charged in Addition to Maintenance & Tuition
- GED Testing Fee - $65.00
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00 (Refer to Admissions Policy)
Under extenuating circumstances, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, at his/her discretion, may grant an exception to these fees.
TCAT Special Fees
Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
- Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00. Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)
Books
1st & 2nd Semester
- $49 - Massage Mastery from Student to Professional
- $39 - Boundaries: The Foundations of Ethical Massage Practice
-
$63 - Trail Guide to the Body (6th ed.)
$42 - Trail Guide to the Body – Student Workbook (6th ed.) -
$57 - Trail Guide to Movement (2nd ed.)
-
$94 - A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology (7th ed.)
-
$52 - Business Mastery (5th ed.)
Curriculum
The massage therapy program is approved by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board.
First Semester:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Ethics
- Pathology
- Kinesiology
- Swedish massage
- Medical Terminology
- SOAP Charting
- TN Laws & Regulations
- Massage History
- Clinic
- Self-Care
- Selected Massage
- Business
- Hydrotherapy
Second Semester:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Therapeutic massage
- Pathology
- Rehabilitation Bodywork
- Business Information
- HIV/AIDS
- Deep Tissue Modalities
- Massage of the Medically Frail
- Therapeutic Communication
- Therapeutic Clinic
- Special Populations
- Myofascial Massage
- Hospital-Based Massage Therapy