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Therapeutic Massage
Employed
92% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
Student Satisfaction
77% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
Technical Diploma
Program Number: 315371
Credits: 29
Area of Study: Health Sciences
Delivery Method: In Person
Financial Aid Available
Estimated Program Cost:
-
Overview
Admission
Overview
The Madison College Therapeutic Massage program (800 hours, 28 credits) is designed to provide you with a thorough foundation in the theory and practice of therapeutic massage. You will gain the knowledge you need to become a licensed massage therapist.
As an entry level training program, you will develop expertise in western massage techniques and learn to adapt those skills to a variety of clients, including pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with various other health challenges. Significant emphasis is placed on professional skills, the therapeutic relationship, treatment planning and enhanced body-mind awareness.
In the second semester, you will be introduced to clinical approaches to therapeutic massage such as trigger point therapy and sports massage. You will also explore spa therapies such as hydrotherapy, hot stone and aromatherapy. You will gain a foundational understanding of eastern bodywork theory and technique and examine a variety of specialized modalities.
In the final course of the program, you will synthesize and refine your massage techniques and treatment planning skills within a professional clinic setting. You will learn valuable skills such as appointment-scheduling, record keeping, customer service and professional communication.
Upon admission to the Therapeutic Massage program, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required-immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Education programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Education Forms and Policies.
Option 1
Complete in nine months, full-time study, fall start
Semester I (fall)
- Body Structure and Function
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- Therapeutic Massage I
- Therapeutic Massage II
Semester II (spring)
- Clinic and Business Practices
- Kinesiology
- Pathology
- Specialized Techniques
Option 2
Complete in two years, part-time study, fall start
Year I
Semester I (fall or spring)
- Body Structure and Function
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Semester II (fall or spring)
- Kinesiology
- Pathology
Year II
Semester I (fall)
- Therapeutic Massage I
- Therapeutic Massage II
Semester II (spring)
- Clinic and Business Practices
- Specialized Techniques
Option 3
Complete in one and a half years, part-time study, spring start
Semester I (spring)
- Body Structure and Function
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Semester II (fall)
- Pathology
- Therapeutic Massage I
- Therapeutic Massage II
Semester III (spring)
- Clinic and Business Practices
- Kinesiology
- Specialized Techniques
Therapeutic Massage classes are offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - Truax
Explore financial aid eligibility for this program.
To Enroll:
1. Must be admitted to the Therapeutic Massage program; see Admission tab.
2. Meet the Registration Requirements Below in order to Register for Therapeutic Massage classes.Algebra
Students must demonstrate algebra competency in one of the following ways:
1. Test Scores: Minimum test score cannot be more than two years old:
- ACT Math 17+
- Accuplacer (Arithmetic) 76+
- Accuplacer Next Gen (Arithmetic) 250+
2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Basic Algebra or higher
- Elementary Algebra with Apps (10834110) or higher
- College Math (10804107)
- Mathematical Reasoning (10804134) or higher
- Applied Math for Chemistry (77854756)
English
Students must demonstrate English competency in one of the following ways:
1. Test Scores: Minimum test score cannot be more than two years old:
- ACT English 17+
- Accuplacer Write 5+ and Sentence 86+
- Accuplacer Next Gen Writing 260+
2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Written Communication (10801195) or higher
- English 1 (20801201) or higher
- Intro to College Writing (10831103)
Reading
Students must demonstrate reading competency in one of the following ways:
1. Test Scores: Minimum test score cannot be more than two years old:
- ACT Reading 19+
- Accuplacer Reading 80+
- Accuplacer Next Gen Reading 261+
2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Written Communication (10801195) or higher
- English 1 (20801201) or higher
- College Reading Strategies (10808101) or Intro Reading & Study Skills (10838105)
Chemistry or Biology
Students must demonstrate chemistry or biology competency in one of the following ways:
- One year of high school chemistry or biology with lab components; high school chemistry classes must be college-preparatory.
- One semester of college-level chemistry or biology with lab components. Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:
- Body Structure and Function (10501153) *Preferred*
- General Chemistry (10806134) or higher
- Chemistry for Non-Science Majors (20806200)
- General Anatomy & Physiology (20806206) or higher
Note: Chemistry for the Community or similar classes do not satisfy this requirement
The Therapeutic Massage Student Clinic offers massages in the spring and fall semesters.
CurriculumAdmission
To Apply
- View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Attend an Advising, Application, Information & More (AAIM) Session to get started in the admission process.
- Visit MATC to learn more about the Madison College experience including campus tours and program open houses.
After Acceptance
Once you're admitted into your program, review the Next Steps after Program Acceptance.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or (608) 246-6210.
TransferCurriculum
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2020-2021 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current program students (including newly admitted), go directly to your Degree Progress Report (also referred to as an Advising Report or Academic Requirements) to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your report, please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterOutcomesTransfer Partnerships
There are currently no Transfer Partnerships for this program. Review our Transfer Opportunities page for information on all Madison College transfer options.
CareersOutcomes
After completing the Therapeutic Massage program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Become a licensed massage therapist through successful completion of state and national exams.
- Provide therapeutic massage services.
- Apply knowledge of human anatomy, pathology, and kinesiology in the practice of therapeutic massage.
- Prepare treatment area.
- Assess needs of clients through intake process.
- Modify massage service as a result of contraindication to treatment.
- Create treatment plan.
- Educate client on treatment plan.
- Accommodate client requests during massage service.
- Adapt skills to a diverse clientele.
- Use effective communication throughout the massage session.
- Complete post-massage assessment and educate client on future treatment plan.
- Maintain massage equipment and facility.
- Follow standard safety and sanitation precautions and emergency procedures.
- Demonstrate self-regulation, ethics, and professional appearance.
- Perform within the professional scope of practice for the state of Wisconsin.
- Abide by the recommended standards of practice and code of ethics as issued by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
- Apply mindfulness techniques for self-regulation.
- Follow therapeutic massage clinic business practices.
- Use professional verbal, nonverbal and written business communications.
- Schedule appointments.
- Maintain patient records.
- Perform financial transactions.
- Maintain office inventory.
- Utilize technology for use in promotion, scheduling and client follow-up.
Careers
Madison College's Therapeutic Massage program prepares you for valuable work as a professional:
- Wisconsin Licensed Massage Therapist
Upon successful completion of the Therapeutic Massage Program, you will be eligible for the state and national licensing exams.
After passing the state licensing exam and the national licensing exam (MBlex or NCETM), graduates will become Wisconsin LMTs eligible to work in a variety of settings:
- Massage clinics
- Health clubs
- Spas
- Integrative healthcare facilities
- Beauty salons
- Private practice
-
Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2017 2018 2019 Number of Program Graduates 26 24 18 Number of Surveys Sent 26 24 18 Number of Surveys Returned 20 14 15 Percent of Surveys Returned 76.90% 58.30% 83.30% Available for Employment 14 12 13 Percent Available for Employment 70.00% 85.70% 86.70% Not in Labor Market 6 2 2 Percent Not in Labor Market 30.00% 14.30% 13.30% Available for Employment
2017 2018 2019 Graduates Employed 14 12 13 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 12 8 12 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 85.70% 66.70% 92.30% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 4 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 14.30% 33.30% 7.70% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2017 2018 2019 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.2 2.8 3.1 Number of Satisfaction Responses 17 13 14 Very Satisfied (4) 4 3 6 Percent Very Satisfied 23.50% 23.10% 42.90% Satisfied (3) 12 6 5 Percent Satisfied 70.60% 46.20% 35.70% Unsatisfied (2) 1 3 1 Percent Unsatisfied 5.90% 23.10% 7.10% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 1 2 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 7.70% 14.30% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2017 2018 2019 Number of Primary Reason Responses 19 14 15 Preparation for Getting a Job 3 3 3 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 15.80% 21.40% 20.00% Career Change 9 6 9 Percent Career Change 47.40% 42.90% 60.00% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 0 1 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 0.00% 6.70% Preparation for Further Education 4 2 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 21.10% 14.30% 6.70% Personal Interest 3 1 1 Percent Personal Interest 15.80% 7.10% 6.70% Other 0 2 0 Percent Other 0.00% 14.30% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2017 2018 2019 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 14 12 13 Before Enrollment 2 4 1 Percent Before Enrollment 14.30% 33.30% 7.70% While Attending the College 1 1 0 Percent While Attending the College 7.10% 8.30% 0.00% After Training at the College 11 7 12 Percent After Training at the College 78.60% 58.30% 92.30% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2017 2018 2019 Number of Employment Location Responses 14 12 13 In College District 12 6 10 Percent In College District 85.70% 50.00% 76.90% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 3 2 Percent of In Wisconsin 7.10% 25.00% 15.40% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 8.30% 7.70% Employer Location Unknown 1 2 0 Percent Location Unknown 7.10% 16.70% 0.00% Salary Trend Salary Trend 2017 2018 2019 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 6 1 Average Monthly Wage $4,275 $3,311 Average Hourly Wage $24.85 $19.25 Average Work Hours per Week 39.5 35 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 5 7 Average Hourly Wage $22.02 $34.04 Average Work Hours per Week 19.5 24.7
- Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2019 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bakke Chiropractic Clinic Massage Therapist DeForest Evolve Massage Licensed Massage Therapist Sun Prairie Group Health Cooperative Licensed Massage Therapist Hand And Stone Massage And Facial Spa Massage Therapist Marquardt Memorial Manor Hospice Massage Therapist Watertown Peak Performance Massage Massage Therapist Self Employed Massage Therapist Lodi Self-Employed Massage Therapist Kewaskum Sundara Inn & Spa Massage Therapist Wisconsin Dells Vail Athletic Club Massage Therapist Vail CO * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at techconnect@madisoncollege.edu