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Best Massage Therapy Schools In Michigan | Cost, Requirement & How To Apply
Michigan has the best massage therapy schools where you can learn to become a professional. These massage therapy schools in Michigan range from private institutes to public colleges.
Some of the schools we’ll mention teach only massage therapy, while others have programs in various fields. Most schools offer MT certificate, commonly referred to as diploma programs, which usually take a year or less.
Michigan also has massage therapy schools that award associate degrees, and one university that offers bachelor’s degrees.
In these schools, students attend classroom lectures, undergo practical training in laboratories and gain practical experience in clinics.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Michigan?
There are 13 massage therapy schools in Michigan. They range from private institutes to government colleges. Some teach only massage therapy, while others have programs in various fields.
Most schools offer MT certificate (also called diploma) programs that take a year or less. Some institutions award associate degrees, and one university offers a bachelor’s degree. Students attend classroom lectures, undergo practical training in laboratories and gain real work experience in clinics.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Michigan?
The largest program at the Irene Institute of Myomasology is in Massage Therapy/Remedial Massage, with tuition and fees in 2021 of $12,250. For all massage/massage therapy programs at all professional schools in the US, the program fee is $11,333.
However, tuition is not the only cost of massage school. You will also need to buy textbooks and supplies. These costs vary by school, with some schools estimating between $600 and $750 for books and supplies.
You may also need to purchase a massage table if this item is not already included in your training. Aside from the tuition itself, massage tables are one of the biggest ticket items you’ll pay, ranging from $200 to $3,000.
Some schools also charge additional fees, such as $50, and require you to pay for student liability insurance, which is usually quite inexpensive, available for as little as $15 per year.
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What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Michigan?
To become a massage therapist in Michigan, the process begins with graduating from high school or obtaining a GED.
Science and health classes can help you get into massage school. To receive state board approval, an institution of higher education must provide a certificate or degree program with 625 or more hours of teaching and learning. This should include:
- 40 hours of pathology
- 40 hours of massage services in the student polyclinic under the supervision of a licensed physician.
- 200 hours of application and theory of massage and assessment of body work
- 125 hours of teaching the body system (including anatomy, physiology and kinesiology)
- 10 hours of Business, Professional Practice and Ethics: At least six hours of ethics
The rest of the massage therapy schools in Michigan often have different curricula. Some programs train students in many massage techniques, while others sometimes exceed the number of hours required in a clinical setting.
Before applying to any school, students are encouraged to find out which institution best meets their interests and career goals.
After graduation, in order to obtain a state license, graduates must contact the Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy to sit for the massage and bodywork licensing exam.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Michigan?
Massage therapy schools in Michigan help students gain an in-depth understanding of the field, as well as the opportunities they can take advantage of in their professional life or in running and maintaining their own business.
The educational prerequisite for a massage therapist is obtaining an associate degree from an accredited massage therapy school. Some may even apply to a bachelor’s program if they want to advance in this career.
1. Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage
The Lakewood School is well known in Michigan by students and employers for its well-prepared graduates who are ready to enter the massage therapy profession.
At this facility, students learn a holistic approach to bodywork that includes relaxation, massage, assessment skills, and therapeutic applications.
It is one of the massage therapy schools in Michigan with a creative and dedicated staff that inspires students to learn the theory and techniques of massage therapy.
2. Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc
This private school traces its history back to the 1940s. There are four campuses, including one in Bay City with a massage therapy certification program.
The curriculum includes 700 hours. The 405 hour course covers Body Mechanics, Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Maternity Massage, Seated or Chair Massage, Polar Therapy, Muscle Isolation, Reflexology, and more.
Students also study hot stones and prenatal massage, lymphatic drainage. The program lasts seven months for full-time students. Some attend classes part-time. Participants receive traditional and hot stone massages in the school’s salon and spa.
3. Carnegie Institute
Founded in 1947, CI School of Allied Health Technology is a for-profit organization in Troy. It offers 11 medical career training programs.
The 57-hour certified massage program takes 12 months of full-time study. The program “emphasizes the proper application of body mechanics by both the client and the practitioner, the proper use of massage therapy equipment, and the creation of a safe massage therapy environment.” Classes start in September, January, March and June.
The school pays for the student’s membership in the American Massage Therapy Association and the Massage Therapy Association.
4. Dorsey-Saginaw Business School
Dorsey Business Schools-Saginaw offers massage therapy programs that are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the field.
At this school, students can participate in supervised training in a massage therapy clinic where students can apply what they have learned.
For the 2020-2021 academic year, undergraduate tuition and fees at the Dorsey School of Business-Saginaw is $31,080.
5. Irene’s Myomassology Institute
Massage therapy is the only program at this Southfield private school that also offers community education classes. Students can earn certificates in less than a year.
Myomasology is a comprehensive approach that balances the body, mind and spirit.
In addition to state-required courses, students complete client assessment, communication, CPR, muscle mechanics, Swedish massage, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, reflexology, and cranial massage.
Electives include therapeutic bodywork, oriental practices, personal development, complementary healing and energy work. Students gain work experience in the clinic and at community events.
6. Douglas J. Aved Institute
Owned by a cosmetics company, this school offers four certificate programs at six locations. Massage therapy students are located on campuses in East Lansing and Ann Arbor.
The 625-hour program is based on Ayurvedic massage techniques. Along with the mandatory curriculum, there is training in aromatherapy, spa procedures and body movement techniques.
Students can attend classes during the day or in the evening. Aveda, which operates salons and spas, prides itself on its business training. Students learn how to start their own practice.
They also receive job placement assistance and meet potential employers at job fairs.
7. Community College of St. Clair County
Known as SC4, this public school in downtown Port Huron offers certificates and degrees in about three dozen fields. Programs include an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy.
The 65-hour curriculum includes classes in microcomputer programs, English composition, political science, sociology, business mathematics, and psychology.
A student may transfer 32 credits from the Lakewood School of Massage Therapy certificate program to the AAS program.
Class sizes are small, with only two to four students completing the program in final years.
8. Siena Heights University
A Catholic institution in Adrian, SHU offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. The program is designed for professionals certified by the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
It is a “flipped major” with an individualized class schedule based on the practitioner’s previous degree.
Students can transfer up to 90 semester hours from other institutions to earn the BAS in less than two years. They receive additional credit for two years of relevant work experience.
Many classes are online. They cover health care management, professional communication, social sciences and other subjects.
9. Baker College
Founded in 1911, this not-for-profit school is the largest independent institution of higher education in Michigan. It provides more than 100 programs at eight locations across the state.
The Massage Therapy Accreditation Commission recognizes the certificate and associate of applied science programs at Baker’s campuses in Allen Park, Cadillac, Clinton Township, Jackson and Muskegon.
The curriculum of the certificate meets the state requirements. A student pursuing an AAS degree must complete 1,130 hours of study in addition to clinical practice during the final semester.
10. Lansing Community College
This public school boasts a certificate program approved by the Massage Therapy Accreditation Commission.
The 736-hour program is available during the day for three semesters or in the evening for four semesters.
There is an alternative to part-time employment. In addition to required coursework, classes teach polar therapy, clinical massage, sports massage, special techniques, medical elements of massage, and research literacy. Some courses can be taken online.
Students provide one-hour full-body massages to community clients at an on-campus clinic. They also do chair and sports massage at community events. The school’s career department helps you find a job.
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Michigan Earn?
Most massage therapists in Michigan have an hourly wage of $19.35 and an annual salary of $40,260. Nationwide, the average is about $41,420, or nearly $20.
The top 10% of massage therapists in Michigan earn about $63,570, or $30.55 USD, which is not as much as the U.S. average (about $78,300, or $37.65).
Also, the lowest-paid 10 percent earn about $19,830, or more than $9.50, which is less than about $21,340, or $10.25 across the country.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 3,600 job openings for massage therapists in Michigan in 2016. However, the industry will see steady growth, leading to 4,630 jobs in 2026, according to the federal government forecasts.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Michigan?
To become a massage therapist in Michigan, the process begins with graduating from high school or obtaining a GED. Science and health classes can be useful for getting into an MT school.
To receive state board approval, an institution of higher education must provide a certificate or degree program with 625 or more hours of teaching and learning. This should include:
- 200 hours of massage and theory of bodywork assessment and application
- 125 hours of body system training (including anatomy, physiology and kinesiology)
- 40 hours in pathology
- 40 hours of massage services in the student polyclinic under the supervision of a licensed practitioner
- 10 hours of business, professional practice and ethics training (at least six ethics hours)
The rest of the school programs often do not match. Some programs teach students many massage techniques, while others exceed the required number of hours in a clinical setting. Students should find out which institution best meets their interests and career goals.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs In Michigan
A career as a massage therapist in Michigan offers opportunities for a stable career. For example, the combined cities of Holland and New Haven rank 5th among all metropolitan areas in the country for the highest annual average salary.
Massage therapists there earn an average of about $63,870 a year, or about $30.71 an hour. According to the 2020 BLS report, licensed massage therapists in Michigan earn approximately $46,330.
The national average salary for massage therapists is $42,880 per year. We encourage you to check out some of the quality professional massage therapy schools in Michigan to see if this career is right for you.
Massage therapists work diligently to improve the quality of health of their patients. These patients come to a massage therapist to help with muscle problems that ache due to stress or heavy physical work.
They often work alone as independent therapists or as part of larger medical organizations. After graduation, professional massage therapists in Michigan can work for a variety of companies, including:
- Main Street Massage Therapy – Ann Arbor, MI.
- Elements Massage – Troy, MI.
- West Michigan Massage Therapy – Grand Rapids, MI.
Massage Therapy Schools In Michigan FAQs
To obtain state licensure, graduates must contact the Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy to sit for the massage and bodywork licensing exam. The test, known as MBLEx, is administered at Pearson VUE assessment centers. There is a fee of about $200 to take the computer-based exam, which is available in English and Spanish.
Every three years, physicians in the state of Michigan must renew their license. They must earn 18 continuing education credits from board-approved providers.
The field of massage therapy has strict regulations and training requirements in Michigan. The state requires completion of 500 hours of training, with at least 200 hours of massage and body assessment and practice. You can then apply for a license by inspection, which requires a fee of $95.95. After passing the licensing exams, you can become a massage therapist.
The massage therapy field in Michigan is undergoing significant change and has the potential to be a dynamic, exciting career for years to come. The number of job vacancies for massage therapists is projected to increase by 29% over the next few years. That’s faster than most other job sectors, according to a 2010 US Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Once you are licensed, you will need to renew it every three years and pay a $225 fee, which will be processed by the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy. You will also be required to complete 18 hours of continuing education each renewal period.
Conclusion
To obtain a license in Michigan, a person must graduate from high school or obtain a GED. Schools may require prospective students to show proof of a degree or, if they have not yet graduated, proof that they intend to do so.
Other core academic requirements may be imposed by programs hosted in the college environment (eg, test scores).
With so many facilities, students are sure to find what they are looking for without going far. Individuals can receive their elementary education almost anywhere and be eligible for a Michigan license as long as the education meets all the criteria of the state code.
REFERENCES
- educationplanetonline.com – 13 Top Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan|Tuition&License Requirements
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan
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