Associate of Science in Holistic Health

The Associate of Science in Holistic Health degree program includes all the course work required for the Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Practitioner certificate programs, and an additional 225 instructional hours (21 units) in coursework. The entire Associate of Science program may be completed by full-time students within nine quarters, by three-quarter-time students within 12 quarters, and by half-time students within 18 quarters.  Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to work as self-employed private practice therapists and as advanced level practitioners (HHP) in spas, health clinics, medical offices, chiropractic offices, hotels and resorts.

Success in the body therapy relationship is determined by the authenticity and clarity of the therapeutic relationship, and as such, the program places significant emphasis on the student’s self-exploration and transformation. Intensive experiential components of the curriculum have been designed to aid the student in self-discovery, for only by knowing oneself with insight and compassion can a holistically-oriented therapist obtain the inner wisdom necessary to help others.

We have chosen three educational methods best known to empower students as learners:

• Dialogue means that teaching centers on discussion rather than lecture. Students are expect- ed to read the materials and come prepared to discuss them. The instructor’s role is to question, evoke, and assist, rather than pass personal conclusions.

• Dynamics of Personal Learning supports students in understanding and developing their personal learning style and brilliance. The Self-Directed Learning project is planned and organized in this course.

• Self-Directed Learning means that the student actively participates in evolving his or her course of study. Students have considerable latitude in selecting the content and the way the subject matter is approached and explored.

Associate of Science in Holistic Health Program Objectives

Learn what you can expect with your AS in Holistic Health degree program

• To provide an in-depth, well-rounded education in eastern and/or western hands-on bodywork, experiential learning, and somatic awareness from a mind/body/spirit approach that prepares graduates to be advanced practitioners in a professional and effective practice.

• To provide graduates with a fundamental understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology and an introduction to business practices, including marketing, finances, legal issues, and business planning.

• To provide the necessary training to become a licensed massage therapist and a Holistic Health Practitioner in the City of San Diego and a Certified Massage Therapist in the state of California and to qualify graduates to sit for the National Certification Exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

• To provide graduates with the tools to effectively communicate with their clients, assess client needs, and design safe, effective sessions; to be perceptive and sensitive practitioners; and to be effective listeners.

• To provide graduates with superior bodywork skills, personal motivation, ethical awareness, and sustainable body mechanics in order to support a positive career, continued education, and an appreciation of lifelong learning.

• To provide graduates with a depth and breadth of knowledge in bodywork and areas of focus in a chosen body therapy for broader employment opportunities.

• To prepare graduates to expand their professional involvement in the massage and bodywork field, research, and the community at large.

• To provide graduates with the ability to further support and develop the field of bodywork through research.

• To establish educational competency in math, writing, and oral communication skills that support business and clinical success and prepare graduates for more advanced degrees.

Associate of Science Degree Program Course Requirements as of January 1, 2013

105.50 Credit Units / 1,247 Instructional Hours

Required Courses		Course Title		Credit Units		Credit Hours
EMB101		Essentials of Massage & Bodywork		10.00		120
SLL101		Strategies for Life, Learning and Career		1.50		15
CMA-1		Asian Healing Arts I		2.50		30
CMA-2		Circulatory Massage Applications		2.50		30
CMA-3		Deep Tissue Sculpting		2.50		30
CMA-4		Somatic Assimilation		2.00		20
PS102-15		Supervised Practicum		0.75		15
ANT105		Anatomy for Body Therapists – Lecture		5.50		55
ANT105AS		Anatomy for Body Therapists – Applied Studies		1.25		27
PHY203A		Physiology/Pathology: A		3.00		30
PHY203B		Physiology/Pathology: B		4.50		45
CLP206		Clinical Applications Prep		2.00		20
CMB-2		Sensory Repatterning I		2.50		30
CMB-3		Somatic Psychology		2.00		20
HS204		Hydrotherapy & Self Care		1.25		15
AHAII		Asian Healing Arts II		2.50		30
MSP304		Adapting Massage for Special Populations		2.50		30
EL204 and/or EL304		Bodywork Electives		8.75		105
COMM305-1		Communication I – Client Centered Techniques		1.50		15
NMT301		Introduction to Neuromuscular Therapy		2.50		30
CLE206		Clinical Applications Experience		1.25		40
CPP208		Creating a Professional Practice		3.00		30
EL318		Principles of Structural Integration		2.50		30
SP322		First Concentration*, OR 60 hours of Guided Massage Electives taken within one Path of Study-Clinical, Asian, or Integrative Somatics		5.00		60
SP322		Second Concentration		5.00		60
PS202-15		Supervised Practicum		.75		15
CO312		Community Outreach		1.00		30
EL205		Movement Electives		3.75		45
COMM305-II		Communication II-Elective		1.25		15
RSS404		Introduction to Research		1.50		15
DM402		Communication III – Dialogue Methods – Intro		1.50		15
DS308		Department of Success		1.50		15
DPL418I		Dynamics Of Personal Learning – Intro.		1.50		15
DPL420A-30		Dynamics of Personal Learning A		3.00		30
RSS424		Research: Case Report		2.50		30
ENG408I		English -Composition		3.00		30
ENG408II		English – Literature		3.00		30
MTH410		Mathematics for Bodyworkers		3.00		30
		Total Cumulative Units / Hours		105.50		1,247

*Some prerequisite courses may be required depending on the Specialization Path chosen.

Associate of Science in Holistic Health Program Disclosure

IPSB discloses certain information about its programs to prospective students.

Labor Information:

The Massage Therapy Program prepares students for a career as a massage therapist. The U.S. Department of LABOR’S Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code for the occupation is 31-0911. For additional information about this profession in San Diego County, please visit the State of California Employment Development Department’s Occupation Profile for Massage Therapists in San Diego.

View a Career Video for this occupation from America’s Career InfoNet.

For 2012, the State of California Employment Development Department reported median annual salary for a massage therapist in San Diego County at $34,750.

Tuition and Fees and Books and Supplies:

The tuition and fees for a student completing the program within the normal time frame is as follows:

Application fee (non refundable)	$75.00
Tuition	$18,440.00
Lab fees	$510.00
Required Textbooks (estimate)	$1,509.00
Student Tuition Refund Fee (STRF), if applicable	~$9.50
TOTAL:	$20,543.50

STRF fees are required by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education and are calculated at $0.50 per $1,000 in tuition. The fee is charged each term based upon the tuition charged for that term. Accordingly, the total charged for the program will vary student-to-student.

The College reserves the right to change tuition, including any costs and fees, and to make modifications to its programs including, but not limited to, course requirements, credits, and classroom hours. Required textbooks will vary depending upon the elective courses taken. In addition, textbook assignments may change in response to publisher updates and curriculum reviews.

Additional fees may be applied, including course withdraw fees. Please review the Catalog for a full list of other fees that may be applied.

Median Loan Debt: For students who graduated from this program during the Award Year listed below (July 1 to June 30), the median loan debt was:

Award Year	Title IV Loan	Private Educational Loan	Student Financial Plan
2009-10	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
2010-11	$3,500.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
2011-12	$10,488.00	$ 0.00	$ 201.50

 

Job Placement and Graduation Rates as reported to accrediting agency (COMTA) in its 2011 Annual Report

	Placement Rate	Completion within 150% of Published Program Length
Part-Time Enrollment Status	100%	100%
Full-Time Enrollment Status	80.00%	88.24%

National Exam Pass Rates

For the reporting period July 1, 2011 to January 1, 2012, the College pass rate for the National Certification Exam by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork was as follows:

	IPSB Pass Rate	California Pass Rate	National Pass Rate
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage	100%	68.18%	71.06%
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork	100%	61.47%	70.90%