Massage Therapy Schools
Best Massage Therapy Schools In Maryland | Cost, Requirement & How To Apply
There are several educational opportunities and schools in Maryland for those seeking state board certification as well as those seeking to further their education in massage therapy.
There are a variety of massage therapy schools in Maryland that offer informative clinical courses, specialty-related courses, and other specialized programs for MT.
Those studying massage therapy have a wide variety of schools as well as online schools to choose from, many of which offer MT certification programs, graduate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.
Individuals hoping to become massage therapists in Maryland have several options and resources when it comes to obtaining a degree or continuing education.
In massage therapy schools and programs in Maryland, you will take courses in subjects such as anatomy and physiology, learn massage and bodywork techniques, and receive business advice and training as a self-employed professional.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Maryland?
There are more than half a dozen massage therapy schools in Maryland, including those that specialize in MT and others with many career programs. Choices range from small private institutes to large public colleges.
Most schools offer certificates or diplomas that take less than a year to complete. Some award associate degrees, which involve two years of study. Classrooms, laboratories, and clinical experiences make up the curriculum.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Maryland?
The average tuition for a massage school — tuition alone, not books, massage tables, equipment, etc. — was $13,605 in 2014, with the average cost of attending corporate and commercial activities.
Programs (programs with multiple campuses in different states that are part of a larger corporate organization) are aimed at the higher end of the spectrum.
The type of institution can affect the total cost, but the length of the massage therapy program and the number of credit hours included can also make a difference.
More expensive programs may be longer and offer a wider range of coursework to allow students to learn more specialized techniques such as hydrotherapy, sports massage or trigger therapy.
On the other hand, less expensive programs may involve fewer hours of instruction and focus on the fundamentals of massage therapy.
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What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Maryland?
A Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in Maryland can work anywhere, including in the health care – massage industry.
Those who live in Maryland must meet certain regulations (mandated by the Maryland Massage Therapy Advisory Committee in Baltimore) and other criteria before being certified or licensed to practice massage therapy in the state.
The requirements to become a licensed massage therapist in Maryland are as follows:
- A minimum of 60 credits of college coursework
- Successful completion of an accredited MT program, completion of 500 hours of coursework and transcript verification (Program must be approved by Maryland Massage Therapy Advisory Committee) — Submitted to Maryland State Board
- Submission of proof of successful completion of the National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork OR by the National Certification Commission in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Submission of proof of successful completion of the Maryland Massage Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (MMJE). The MMJE is an exam based on the Maryland State Massage Therapy Regulations.
- Those wishing to become a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) or Registered Massage Practitioner in Maryland must also complete the NCE in addition to the above requirements.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Maryland?
Looking for massage therapy schools in Maryland? Maryland has some great schools, so getting licensed and practicing in that state is a great idea.
Below is a list of some of the best massage therapy schools in Maryland. Browse or use the field above to view the most recent listing by zip code.
1. Allegany College of Maryland
A public community college in Cumberland, ACM has two programs approved by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.
The one-year certificate curriculum prepares students for work in health and spa centers. Thirty credit hours include classes in manual lymphatic drainage, trigger therapy, stretching techniques, medical terminology, and self-care.
Students also study Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage. The two-year associate degree program is designed for those planning to work in medical offices.
It covers the certificate curriculum with 30 additional credit hours. There are courses in mathematics, English, psychology, speech; as well as more clinical tasks.
2. Community College of Baltimore County
About 25 miles east of Baltimore is Essex, the location of this public school. CCBC’s Applied Science Program Fellow is certified by the Massage Therapy Accreditation Commission.
Students may attend classes full-time or part-time to complete the 60-credit requirement. Courses include Communication Basics, College Composition, Terminal Mathematics and Modeling, Multicultural Psychology, Assessment and Self-Care Skills, and Introduction to Business and Industry.
In the student clinic, real clients receive a Swedish relaxation massage, as well as therapeutic treatments such as deep tissue massage and myofascial release. Admission to the program is “competitive and selective,” according to the school.
3. College of Southern Maryland
This community college’s campus in Hughesville has three MT programs. Obtaining a certificate for therapeutic massage requires 795 contact hours.
In addition to the required subjects, there are courses in composition and rhetoric, therapeutic massage, clinical application of massage, and client assessment.
Graduates can progress to a 542-hour advanced certificate curriculum that includes classes in massage therapy in health care and trends in massage therapy.
Students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree take all of these courses, plus general psychology, first aid, three general education electives, and one vocational elective. The 1,035-hour program takes two years.
4. Holistic Massage Training Institute
This private school in Baltimore offers an 810-hour certificate program that takes either 11 or 17 months. Day, evening and Sunday classes available.
Students receive business training as well as training in massage techniques such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, shiatsu, prenatal massage, infant and child massage, geriatric massage, hot and cold stone massage, and Thai massage.
There are also classes in acupressure, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, reflexology and chakra balancing. Students are members of the American Massage Therapist Association.
They receive employment assistance and attend job fairs. The percentage of graduates who pass the licensing exam is significantly higher than the state and national averages.
5. Columbia Institute
An extension of Columbia College in Virginia, this Silver Springs for-profit school offers certificates in massage therapy. Students can complete the required 600 contact hours in as little as 30 weeks, although it can take up to 45 weeks.
In addition to state-required coursework, there are classes in medical terminology, business and ethics, and energy fundamentals.
Students receive 100 hours of massage technique training and participate in a 100-hour practicum at the end of the program. The school serves its graduates in continuing education classes that
National Board for Massage and Bodywork Therapy Certification approved.
6. Fortis Institute-Towson
Part of a private network of medical schools and colleges, this school offers a certified massage therapy program three times a year. The curriculum, consisting of 720 contact hours, involves 25 weeks of full-time classes.
Along with the main courses, students undergo additional work with the body, adaptive massage and professional career development.
They study Swedish massage, sports massage, hydrotherapy, various body treatments, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy.
Sixty hours are spent in the student clinic, doing massage for the public. An externship provides an additional 75 hours of practical experience upon completion of the program.
7. Cortiva Institute-Baltimore
The company operates skin care and massage schools in five states, including a campus 17 miles south of Baltimore in Linthicum Heights.
The MT program, which is recognized by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, is 720 contact hours. It lasts 7.5 months, with day and evening classes available (full-time or part-time).
Courses include Swedish massage, sports massage, sports assessment and bodywork, reflexology, deep tissue massage, myofascial techniques, neuromuscular assessment and documentation.
Students also attend classes in professional communications, business and career development.
8. Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage
Graduates of the Northern Virginia School of Massage Therapy will be thoroughly prepared to take the massage and bodywork licensing exam.
The Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage is proud to offer several types of massage, including Swedish massage and sports massage.
The Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage (NVSTM) is nationally accredited by NACCAS and NACCAS is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
NVSTM is accredited by the State Board of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV).
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Maryland Earn?
Licensed massage therapists in Maryland earn an estimated annual median salary of $37,020 before tips. Now may be a good time to visit a massage therapy school in Maryland.
This will help you learn the techniques and gain the experience you need to succeed in a natural wellness environment and spa therapy.
Massage therapists in Maryland may also work at spas, sports clinics, or in private practice. To jumpstart your career, consider one of the top quality massage schools in Maryland above.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Maryland?
The path to becoming a massage therapist in Maryland begins with a high school or college education. Post-secondary education must be at an accredited institute or college offering an MT program that meets the board’s requirements.
Curricula must include a minimum of 600 contact hours of classroom instruction, including 100 hours of anatomy, pathology, physiology, and kinesiology; and 500 hours in massage therapy theory, technique, supervised practice, and professional ethics.
In addition to the basics, some programs include courses in a wider range of massage techniques. Others teach students how to start their own massage business or provide more extensive hands-on training in clinics.
There are two classifications of Maryland professionals. A licensed massage therapist must complete 600 hours of study and 60 college credits, as well as pass a massage and bodywork licensing exam.
A registered massage therapist can only work outside medical facilities. All licensure applicants must pass a state law bar exam.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs In Maryland
Massage therapists in Maryland have a wide variety of options, especially regarding the settings in which they can work. The state is filled with spas, hotels and fitness centers that hire massage therapists.
The state of Maryland also offers many other jobs for a qualified massage therapist, including acupuncture offices, athletic training centers, college athletic centers, medical facilities, chiropractic offices, a physical therapist’s office, or even in your own home.
Maryland University of Integrative Health – Massage Therapist Subcontractor
Four Seasons – Massage Therapist
Remedy Wellness – Massage Therapist
Mend Acupuncture – Massage Therapist
EQUINOX – Licensed Massage Therapist
A Perfect Face Day Spa – Massage Therapist
Ojas Wellness – Massage Practitioner
Life Time – Massage Therapist
Community College of Baltimore County – Program Director, Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy Schools In Maryland FAQs
In Maryland, the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners administers massage therapy licensing. The state recently instituted a requirement that all applicants for a massage therapy license pass a bar exam from the Board. This exam covers the laws and regulations governing massage therapy in Maryland.
Maryland has strict educational requirements for those who want to become a licensed massage therapist. Prospective therapists must complete 60 hours of college coursework in addition to a minimum of 600 hours of massage therapy training at an approved school. This ensures that massage therapists in Maryland are highly professional and well-educated in a wide range of disciplines.
After completing the program and passing the written exam, you will be able to obtain your license, which will cost $450. After that, you will renew your license every two years for a fee of $200. Maryland also required massage therapists to complete 24 credits of continuing education every two years to keep their license in good standing.
Urban areas such as Baltimore and Annapolis are good areas to start your search for massage therapy schools in Maryland, although there are strong massage schools located in the Old Line State. Massage therapy is becoming increasingly popular and the demand for these health and wellness services only seems to be increasing.
Conclusion
Upon completion of the program, you will need to obtain your license as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) or Registered Massage Therapist (RMP).
To do this, you will need to pass the Maryland State Bar Exam administered by the Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners of the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Before taking the bar exam, you must have already passed the National Certification Exam in Massage Therapy and Bodywork, also known as the NCETMB.
References
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools in Maryland
- beautyschoolsdirectory.com – Massage Schools in Maryland
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