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2024-2025 University Catalog

Massage Therapy

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Massage Therapy programs is to educate therapists as leaders in the field, to elevate the standards of practice and to advance the profession through scientific research. We prepare massage therapists who are committed to service and lifelong learning, and who are qualified to practice both independently and as members of integrated health care teams. Graduates of the Massage Therapy programs will ground their work in scientific knowledge, clinical proficiency, and the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior.

 

Programs of Study

Students seeking a rigorous professional massage therapy curriculum will find quality and excellence in Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Massage Therapy programs. The Certificate in Therapeutic Massage program 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. 

The Massage Therapy programs at NWHSU 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 patients/clients and the public. Students may enroll in day and evening scheduling options. Students receive a professional certificate or Associate in Applied Science degree in massage therapy and/or Shiatsu upon successful completion of the program. 

 

Program Learning Outcomes

 

Students who successfully complete either the certificate or degree programs of study offered by the Massage Therapy programs will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively with clients and the general public.
  2. Effectively and accurately assess the structure and function of the human body in health and disease, the presenting condition of a client, and create and implement a therapeutic plan relevant to the client’s needs and preferences.
  3. Demonstrate ethical standards of practice by respecting professional boundaries, honoring confidentiality and valuing diversity.
  4. Direct clients, when appropriate, to a spectrum of other resources.
  5. Acquire, appraise, and apply current and relevant scientific information to practice in an evidence informed manner.
  6. Actively manage and maintain one’s own health and wellness, including the use of effective biomechanical practices.
  7. Demonstrate an appreciation to maintain the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior by actively setting clear lifelong learning goals, pursuing them, and apply the knowledge gained.


In addition to the above objectives, students who successfully complete the Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) will be able to:

8a. Demonstrate the writing, critical thinking, reasoning and oral communication skills expected of a graduate of an associate-level degree program.

In addition to objectives 1-7, students who successfully complete either the East West Therapeutic Massage or the Shiatsu certificate programs of study offered by the Massage Therapy programs will be able to:

 

8b. Effectively and accurately assess the structure and function of the human body in health and disease and the presenting condition of a client, and create and implement a therapeutic plan relevant to the client’s needs and preferences using acquired skills and knowledge from both Massage/Western and Shiatsu/Eastern perspectives.