Massage Therapy Schools
Best Massage Therapy Schools in Charlotte | Cost, Requirement & How To Apply
Those studying for a career in massage therapy can learn from qualified instructors at massage therapy schools in Charlotte that take a holistic, hands-on approach to the learning process.
At massage therapy schools in Charlotte, you benefit from learning from a passionate staff who are not only well-versed in their field, but also exceptionally knowledgeable
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Charlotte?
Yes, there are massage therapy schools in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some are completely auto body oriented, while others offer multiple career programs. There are private institutes and community colleges.
All schools offer certificates that usually take less than a year to complete. Two-year associate degrees are available at some campuses. Students attend classes and laboratories and gain real-world experience working in clinics.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Charlotte?
The total cost of massage therapy schools in Charlotte is $9,000.00, which includes an application fee ($75.00), textbooks and supplies ($300.00), and tuition ($8,625.00). Tuition is based on an hourly fee This is $17.25 per hour instruction.
What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Charlotte?
Charlotte requires that prospective massage therapists complete at least 500 hours of training at an approved massage school.
A massage therapy curriculum usually includes an introductory course as well as hands-on classes that cover various massage techniques. After successfully graduating from massage therapy school, prospective therapists must obtain a license before practicing.
Before applying for a license to practice massage therapy, students must pass the MBLEx exam administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the NCETMB/NCETM exams administered by the National Board for Certification in Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Charlotte?
Southeastern Institute-Charlotte
This for-profit facility began operations in 1994 as the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy.
It has since expanded to offer multiple programs and includes two campuses in South Carolina. The 900-hour MT certificate curriculum takes eight months full-time or 12 months part-time.
Swedish massage, cranial-sacral therapy, Thai massage and other Eastern techniques, lymphatic drainage, therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, reflexology, breathing work, Ayurvedic medicine and nutrition are taught here.
Program participants give 50-minute massages to real clients for 100 hours in a student clinic. The school provides continuous education for its graduates.
Forsyth Technical Community College
At its main campus in Winston-Salem, FTCC offers certificate and associate of applied science programs.
To earn a certificate, you must earn 37 credits over three semesters. The curriculum meets state requirements and adds classes such as Writing and Inquiry, General Psychology or Interpersonal Psychology, and an English elective.
Applicants with low SAT or ACT scores must take placement tests. The AAS program involves 69 credit hours over five semesters.
Additional courses include college student success, massage therapy management, human relations, workplace learning, and a liberal arts or fine arts elective. Students learn advanced skills such as manual lymphatic drainage and result-based massage.
Johnston Community College
This school in Smithfield has two full massage therapy programs with daytime classes and evening clinics.
The certificate curriculum consists of 32 credit hours. It covers compulsory subjects as well as ‘therapeutic approaches across the lifespan’.
Students also study results-oriented massage and massage therapy management. They provide chair massages and relaxation massages at the school’s spa and wellness clinic.
The 62-credit program adds classes in writing and inquiry, interpersonal psychology, personal health/wellness, interpersonal communication, introduction to sociology, and music appreciation or critical thinking.
Students study sports massage, soft tissue relaxation, spa treatments, oriental therapies and energy techniques.
Sandhills Community College
This Pinehurst school has one of the oldest massage therapy schools in North Carolina. Students study traditional and Asian concepts in two programs.
The three-semester, 41-hour certificate program provides standard coursework. Additional classes: Success and Study Skills, General Psychology, Writing and Inquiries, and Massage Therapy Management.
The five-semester applied science program adds general education courses; Small business management; Advanced massage skills; Massage based on the result; electives in physical education, communications, humanities or fine arts.
Students provide Swedish, sports and pregnancy massages, as well as reflexology at the on-campus clinic.
Wake Technical College
This Raleigh school offers a certificate program at its Perry Health Sciences campus.
The curriculum consists of 944 hours, including 688 hours of massage, 144 hours of science, 48 hours each of English and psychology and 57 hours of practical training.
There is also a nutrition course. Program participants provide 55-minute massages at the student clinic, as well as chair massages and sports massages at community events.
The two-semester, 33-hour program takes 12 months. This exceeds state requirements. The number of students in the class is limited to 20 people. Classes start in July. The school provides continuous education for its graduates.
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Charlotte Earn?
A typical medical practitioner in this state can expect to make an annual salary of about $39,600 or an hourly wage of over $19. That’s slightly less than the national average of about $41,400 a year, or $20 an hour.
The top 10 percent earn more than $59,100, or about $28.50 in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is less than the national average of about $78,300, or $37.60. The bottom 10 percent earn about $22,400, or $10.80 statewide, better than more than $21,300, or about $10.25 nationally.
In 2016, there were 5,100 massage therapists working in the Tar Heel state. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase to 6,560 by 2026. That would be a 29 percent jump, faster than the projected 26 percent nationally.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Charlotte?
Becoming a massage therapist in Charlotte, North Carolina starts with a high school diploma or GED. Schools with competitive admissions policies may give preference to applicants who took college-level health and science courses in high school.
- The student must enroll in an accredited high school that has state board approval.
- The curriculum must include at least 500 hours of classes and clinics, including:
- 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathology
- 200 hours of theory and application of massage, contraindications, body mechanics and hygiene
- 20 hours of training in client-therapist relationships, boundaries, communication and mind-body connection
- 15 hours of laws and ethics
- 15 hours of business practice
Much of the remaining time may include massage at a student clinic or private facility. The programs differ in the massage techniques they cover. Some teach students how to start and run a business.
Graduates must apply to the board for licenses to practice in the state. They must pass two tests to qualify.
The Massage Therapy Board Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and charges a fee of approximately $200. Students take the exam on computers at Pearson VUE testing centers.
The second requirement is passing the bar exam, which assesses the applicant’s knowledge of North Carolina laws governing massage therapy. Practitioners must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs in Charlotte
Many massage therapists choose to get a job right out of school at a spa, chain massage parlor, or medical clinic to gain some experience before becoming self-employed.
This allows you to determine which specialty you would like to develop more. A massage school will introduce you to only a few massage techniques, such as deep tissue massage, Swedish, sports massage, and others, depending on the school.
After school, when you start advanced training, you begin to deepen your studies, refine your new skills, find what you are good at, what types of clients you enjoy working with, and explore other modalities such as barefoot Ashiatsu or cupping.
Self-employment right out of massage school is possible, but it can be difficult and it can take some time to build a substantial practice with regular paying clients.
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Massage Therapy Schools In Charlotte FAQs
Once you apply to a school and are accepted, you will undergo training that includes practical and clinical parts. You will learn the techniques of Swedish massage. In addition, part of your education will consist of training in facial massage, business and ethics, laws and marketing practices. Obviously, safety and sanitation are key factors in providing massage services to clients, so you will need to be trained in sanitation.
According to the North Carolina Board of Massage Therapy and Bodywork, a student must complete a program that lasts at least 500 hours. The school must be approved for massage/bodywork. Once you have completed an approved program, you must pass a national exam before you can begin practicing as a massage therapist. National certification is accepted by the Council. However, any other national examination for which you have received Board approval is acceptable.
The program is designed for six months for full-time and twelve months for part-time. Upon completion of the 650-hour diploma program, students earn a neuromuscular certification that gives you the foundation you need to begin your career as a massage therapist.
Conclusion
Massage therapy is currently licensed in North Carolina and regulated by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (NCBMBT). To become a massage therapist in North Carolina, you must complete at least 500 hours at a board-approved massage therapy school.
Various massage therapy schools in Charlotte, North Carolina offer programs ranging from 6 to 12 months in length, depending on whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. Find a massage therapy school or college near [city, NC. with accredited massage therapy certificate, diploma and degree programs.
REFERENCES
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools in North Carolina
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