Massage Therapy Schools
Best Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri | Cost, Requirement & How To Apply
Massage therapy can be your career if you are interested in helping people while earning a respectable salary for your professional services. Be sure to check out these Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri discussed in this page.
Massage students in Missouri study to become qualified to provide professional health and wellness services in a variety of settings such as spas, sports medicine clinics, spas, or as independent business owners.
Missouri massage therapy schools can provide you with the education and training you need to become a licensed massage therapist. After graduation, there are employment opportunities in massage clinics, spas, or many medical facilities, among others.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri?
There are seven massage therapy schools in Missouri. They can be found in Kansas City, Springfield, Jefferson City, and the St. Louis and Joplin areas.
Private institutions offer certificate programs that exceed state requirements. Curriculum includes classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. Full-time students take seven months to a year to graduate. They are eligible to apply for a license to practice in Missouri.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Missouri?
The time to complete this educational training ranges from 3.1 months to 6 months depending on the qualification, with an average completion time of 6 months. The cost to attend massage therapy schools in Missouri is $10,000.
As accredited institutions by the Accrediting Commission for Professional Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), these massage therapy schools in Missouri offer a full range of financial aid options and payment plans to help you cover your tuition.
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What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri?
Prospective students can choose programs based on their career goals, which may or may not include pursuing specialized or advanced certifications.
A Missouri licensing agency may accept any of several certification or licensing exams. After all, there are many special credentials that a massage therapist can compete for.
This can improve skills and capabilities even if the Massage and Bodywork Basic Licensing Exam (MBLEx) is used for licensing purposes. A student who wishes to take the MBLEx does not need to meet any additional educational requirements
A student who wants to take the national certification exam through the National Certification Board for Massage and Bodywork Therapy (NCBTMB) will need to graduate from a “designated school.”
There are now six in Missouri. All of them are located in large cities (or on the outskirts). St. Louis boasts two schools; there is a third located a little further away in Maryland Heights. The NCBTMB also sets a minimum length of service requirement.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri?
Below is a list of some of the best massage therapy schools in Missouri. You will find schools in all major cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Independence, Columbia, Lee’s Summit, and more.
Find one of these massage therapy schools or colleges in Missouri with accredited massage therapy certificates, diplomas and programs.
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Springfield
This school in Kansas City and Springfield offers a 750-hour program that takes approximately 11 months. There is an option of part-time employment. Daytime and evening/weekend class schedules are available.
The curriculum teaches reflexology, hydrotherapy, and the following types of massage: Swedish, sports, perinatal, elderly, neuromuscular, integrative, hot stone, oriental, and medical.
There are also classes in CPR certification, practical communications, general health, nutrition and lifestyle management. The program provides practice in a student polyclinic.
Almost 90 percent of graduates pass the state exam. The school provides employment assistance and career services throughout life.
Healing Arts Center
It is the oldest and largest massage school in the St. Louis area. The 600-hour MT program is one year full-time with the option of part-time. There are daytime and evening class schedules.
Courses include traditional therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, energy medicine, sports recovery therapy, Reiki, and stress and anxiety relief.
Students complete several rotations at an on-campus clinic that serves the general public.
Tuition includes books, clinical scrubs, portable massage table with accessories, licensing exam fee, background check fee, and membership in Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (which provides liability insurance).
Metro Business College-Jefferson City
This school in the state capital offers a program that most students complete in three 11-week semesters.
The 720 hours of curriculum include three courses in anatomy and physiology and three courses in massage therapy with laboratory work.
Other courses include personal development, career management skills, word processing programs, English basics, medical terminology, kinesiology and professional business development.
Students practice their skills in their own clinic. The school accepts about two-thirds of applicants. Prospective students must pass an entrance assessment.
City Pointe Beauty Academy
A private institution in Webb City, CPBA is the Redken School of Beauty. Its 600-hour program involves 26 weeks of full-time study.
Students learn Swedish, deep tissue, athletic and sports techniques, side lying and seated chair massage techniques.
They also have an introduction to craniosacral, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, an introduction to lymphatic drainage and healing.
In the school salon, students perform massage of the whole body, massage in certain areas, in chairs, hot stones, hand and foot massage. They also offer reflexology, paraffin dips and cupping.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City
This for-profit school, which dates back to 1953, has six certificate programs. MT students graduate after seven months.
The 750-hour curriculum consists of 280 hours in classrooms, 350 hours in laboratories, and 120 hours of “external training.”
The state clinic provides an opportunity to gain practical experience. The Kinesiology and Restorative Therapy course covers neuromuscular therapy, myofascial relaxation, and stretching techniques.
In the Complementary Modalities, Special Populations, and Business Practices class, students explore treatments for pregnant women, the elderly, and other groups, as well as energy concepts, hydrotherapy, hot stone massage, body wraps, exfoliation practices, and aromatherapy.
Midwest Institute
MT students at this vocational college attend classes at the North Campus in Earth City, just outside of St. Louis. The program, which has more than 846 contact hours, lasts less than seven months.
In addition to the state-required courses, there are classes in health communication; HIV, safety, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid; Kinesiology; Medical terminology; and career development.
Students learn massage techniques for the elderly, pregnant women, people with physical and mental disabilities, athletes, infants, and the chronically and terminally ill.
Program participants spend 160 hours in a student clinic giving massages to real clients.
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Missouri Earn?
An annual salary of nearly $36,600, or about $17.60 an hour, is typical for medical practitioners in the state — less than the national average of about $41,400 a year, or $20 an hour.
The highest-paid 10 percent in Missouri earn about $57,900, or $28, less than the national average of about $78,300, or $37.60. The lowest-paid 10 percent earn nearly $18,500, or $9 statewide, and more than $21,300, or about $10.25 nationally.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 1,520 massage therapists employed in the state in 2016. The agency predicted that number would increase to 1,840 by 2026, representing 22 percent job growth, which compares with a projected national average of 26 percent.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Missouri?
To become a massage therapist in Missouri, the first requirement is to either graduate from high school or obtain a GED. Taking extra health and science classes in high school can help you gain admission to some higher education institutions.
The prospective practitioner must graduate from a school with an MT curriculum that meets state requirements.
The Missouri Board of Massage Therapy recognizes schools certified by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or accredited as an institution of higher education by a regional accrediting agency.
The board requires the program to include at least 500 hours of study. This will include 100 hours of anatomy and physiology courses, 300 hours of massage theory practice, 50 hours of instruction in complementary therapies, and 50 hours of classes in subjects such as ethics, business practices, hygiene and public law.
Graduates are eligible to apply for state licensure, but must pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). The Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy administers the exam, which Pearson VUE Testing Centers administers on computers.
Massage therapists in Missouri must renew their licenses every two years, which requires 12 hours of continuing education.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs In Missouri
Job opportunities can be found in beauty salons, spas, physical therapy offices, senior living facilities, hospitals, one of Missouri’s many sports teams, and more.
There are many spas and resorts in Branson and the Lake of the Ozarks region, as well as major metropolitan areas. These facilities employ many therapists from Missouri massage therapy schools.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed therapists in Missouri earn an average annual salary of $38,070 excluding tips. The massage therapy industry is projected to grow by 22% in Missouri over the next few years.
Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri FAQs
The Missouri Board of Professional Registration for Massage Therapy administers the licensing process for massage therapists in the state. Prospective licensees must complete at least 500 hours of coursework at an approved Missouri massage therapy school. Alternatively, they may document 500 hours of mentoring or apprenticeship with an approved provider in the state. They must pass one of five national certification exams: NCETMB, NCETM, MBLEx, etc.
To become a massage therapist in Missouri, you must first complete a training program that includes 500 or more hours of hands-on experience. You will also have to take a written exam and pass a background check. Your initial application will cost $238. Missouri requires massage therapists to renew their license every two years and include a $50 fee with the application. You will also have to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education courses to maintain good standing.
The number of massage therapists in Missouri is projected to grow by 14.9% between 2014 and 2024, from a baseline of 2,320 to 2,660. With employment rates on the rise, massage therapy is a great career choice for many people.
One of the best massage therapy schools in Missouri is Metro Business College. The program takes three quarters for the average student. Practical training is completed in an on-site clinic. To graduate, students must successfully complete all of their core classes. Students can also visit the St. Charles School of Massage Therapy.
Conclusion
The Show-Me State has many great massage therapy schools in Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis, as well as other locations around the state. Missouri massage colleges can provide you with the training and education you need to become a licensed massage therapist. Employment opportunities in the state are as diverse as the state itself.
References
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri
- beautyschoolsdirectory.com – Massage Therapy Schools In Missouri
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