Massage Therapy

Program Prerequisites:

• BIOL 109 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 Credits.
• MASS 101 - Introduction to Massage 2 Credits.

General Education - 24 Credits

Program Requirements - 45 Credits

• ALHL 115 - Medical Terminology 3 Credits.
• HLTH 212 - Stress Management 3 Credits.
• MASS 110 - Musculoskeletal System: Structure and Function 3 Credits.
• MASS 210 - Level I – Massage 5 Credits.
• MASS 220 - Level II – Massage 6 Credits.
• MASS 221 - Massage Modalities 4 Credits.
• MASS 222 - Pathology for Massage Therapists 3 Credits.
• MASS 223 - Foundations in Massage Therapy Research 3 Credits.
• MASS 225 - Client Assessment 3 Credits.
• MASS 230 - Level III Massage 6 Credits.
• MASS 240 - Seminar in Massage Therapy 3 Credits.

Total Credits Required for Degree 69*

*A new college orientation requirement, completion of the one-credit ACDV 101  course, Transitioning to College, went into effect spring 2010. If you are a credit student who is new to college (meaning you have not successfully completed college coursework at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101  during your first semester at CCBC, thereby increasing the number of credits required for the degree to 70 credits. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

Program Description:

The Community College of Baltimore County Associate Degree Program in Massage Therapy adheres to the mission of the college by providing a quality education to students and recognizing individual learning needs. The Massage Therapy curriculum is designed to be completed in two years for full-time students or longer for part-time students. Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Massage Therapy.

Graduates of the program are prepared as skilled and responsible therapeutic massage providers and are eligible to take the NCETMB. Graduates meet the qualifications for and may apply for Maryland licensure through the Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners. For qualifications for other states students must check with the appropriate licensing or certifying agency for that particular state.

This program was approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission in November 2000. The CCBC Essex Massage Therapy Program is approved by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners and is accredited by the Commisssion on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

The Community College of Baltimore County does not discriminate against any individual for reason of race, sex, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or conditions of handicap in the admission and treatment of students, educational programs and activities, scholarship and loan programs, hiring of faculty and staff, or any terms and conditions of employment.

Mission:

The Massage Therapy Program at CCBC provides the highest quality education for our students. We prepare highly qualified Massage Therapists who are efficient, driven, effective and able to demonstrate the application of the full Body of Knowledge for the profession. Our constantly evolving coursework aims at preparing our students to be health care professionals who will be leaders in the community and prepared to help shape the future of the massage therapy profession.

Vision:

We will be the program of choice for students desiring to be massage therapists at a level that is purposeful, powerful and prepared for the future growth and expansion of the profession into the Integrative Health Care Model as well as into the community at large.

Values:

Learning: We are committed to teaching our students the value of lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence in all their professional endeavors.

Responsibility: We foster understanding of the great trust that our clients place in our graduates and ensure that respect, service, cultural competency, knowledge, and professionalism are at the core of all of our courses.

Integrity: We teach and maintain the highest ethical principles in relationships with our faculty, students, graduates and the community we prepare them to serve.

Health and Wellness: We teach, learn and practice holistic health recognizing that we are body, mind and spirit and that we thrive when in balance with ourselves, our family, our community and our world.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

1. fully comprehend and utilize knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and musculoskeletal kinesiology in the application of massage therapy; 
2. locate, analyze, assess and apply current outcome-based research in massage therapy;
3. provide a full body massage using a variety of techniques including Relaxation, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Massage; 
4. identify and understand client pathologies and health conditions, cautions and contraindications to massage, and appropriate massage techniques for each individual; 
5. use a deductive reasoning process to assess, set goals, plan appropriate massage approaches and evaluate outcomes for each client; 
6. create a therapeutic relationship, maintain boundaries, provide a supportive environment for their clients, and effectively communicate with clients and professionals using appropriate written and verbal skills including documentation/maintenance of client records;
7. develop successful and ethical business, accounting and marketing plans for their practice; and
8. take and pass National Certification Exams, become a Maryland State Licensed Massage Therapist and work as a professional Massage Therapist in the setting of their choice including allied health, integrative medicine teams, wellness centers, spas and salons and private practice.

Program Admission:

Admission to this program is competitive and selective and is based on grades in prerequisite and general education courses. Applicants must have a minimum GPA at CCBC of 2.00. Information about admissions processes for the program in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the School of Health Professions Admissions Office in Room J-101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 443-840-1195. Students must submit a selective admission application along with three character references and a short biography stating the reasons for pursuing a Massage Therapy career. In addition, students may be asked to participate in an interview with the Program Director. The massage program courses are only offered on the Essex Campus. Application deadline is July 1 for fall admission and December 1 for spring admission.

School of Health Professions Policies:

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, communicate effectively in English, provide proof of immunizations and TB test and will be required to submit to a criminal background check and random urine drug testing. Students are expected to incur costs associated with these requirements.

Transfer Options:

Towson University offers a Bachelor of Technical/Professional Studies in Allied Health. This program is a recognized Bachelor’s degree program designed to facilitate maximum transfer of academic credit for students with Associate’s degrees from a variety of health and health-related programs. Graduates of the Massage Therapy program at CCBC are eligible for participation in this program. For further information, contact the Program Director. For students who wish to transfer credits into CCBC from other institutions, please contact the Program Director for additional information.

Semester Sequence

• Massage Therapy Semester Sequence