The 600-hour Massage Therapy Certificate Program meets the local City of San Diego educational requirements of 500 hours of training to become a licensed Massage Therapist and the California Certified Massage Therapist educational requirements. It provides a basic well-rounded education in hands-on bodywork techniques most commonly expected by employers and the general public.

Students must complete the prerequisite Essentials of Massage and Bodywork course before starting this program. Courses in this program include the Contemporary Methods of Massage & Bodywork, which expands on the basic information presented in the Essentials course, and introduces Asian Healing Arts and Clinical experience into the training. College level anatomy, physiology and pathology, client communications, business practices and ethics, an introduction to the advanced pain management techniques of Neuromuscular Therapy, additional study of Asian Healing Arts, and elective massage and movement classes are also included in the Massage Therapy program curriculum.

In addition, the program addresses the subjects covered in the National Certification Exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), a requirement for local licensure and highly recommended for individuals in the field of massage.

Program Objectives:

• To provide a basic well-rounded education in hands-on bodywork techniques most commonly expected by employers and the general public.

• To provide the necessary training to become a licensed Massage Therapist in the City of San Diego and a Certified Massage Therapist for the state of California.

• To successfully prepare students to pass the National Certification Exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

• To blend the three centers approach from Essentials with the practical application of session design, anatomy, physiology and pathology, and contraindications needed to properly assess client needs and determine appropriate bodywork applications.

• To master the bodywork techniques and skills introduced in Essentials, introduce additional modalities to the students’ repertoire, and provide students with practical hands-on experience in a professional clinical setting.

• To prepare graduates to become successful independent business practitioners or employees in a variety of professional settings.

Certificate Course Requirements
600 Clock Hours / 52.25 Credits