About the Massage Therapy Programs

Students seeking a rigorous professional massage therapy curriculum will find quality and excellence in Northwestern’s Massage Therapy programs. The certificate program in Massage Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

The Massage Therapy Programs admitted its first group of students in September of 2000. The Massage Therapy Programs are dedicated to advancing the public’s perception and acceptance of massage therapy as an important health care option. Massage therapists fill an increasingly important role in the health care field. A growing number of medical doctors and doctors of chiropractic are referring patients to massage therapists all around the United States.

This 44 minimum trimester-credit certificate program (972.25 minimum hours) and 62 credit Associate in Applied Science program emphasize a solid foundation in the basic sciences, long a Northwestern hallmark; more than 400 hours of hands-on lab experience; and a structured clinical experience within the DeRusha Learning Center and other community sites. The massage therapy program has sought to provide widely experienced and prominent practicing therapists as instructors for the program.

The massage therapy program at Northwestern will challenge and inspire students towards becoming integrative health care providers, while instilling the importance of actively managing and maintaining one’s own health and wellness. Students are educated in interpersonal communication skills and in the necessity of communicating effectively with clients and the public.

For those wishing to practice both western massage techniques as well as eastern, Northwestern offers the Certificate in Chinese Medical Massage. The add-on certificate allows students to take courses from the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine program with no needling requirements.

There are three large massage labs equipped with a minimum of one massage table for every two students. The programs also make use of multiple lecture halls located throughout the University for classes held in a lecture format. Students receive a professional certificate or Associate in Applied Science degree in massage therapy upon successful completion of the program. Students may enroll in day and evening scheduling options. The Associate in Applied Science degree requires three to five academic trimesters to complete depending on the individual student’s schedule.