Massage Therapy Certificate

Certificate Requirements

• MASS 101 - Introduction to Massage 2 Credit(s).
• MASS 110 - Musculoskeletal System: Structure and Function 3 Credit(s).
• MASS 210 - Level I – Massage 5 Credit(s).
• MASS 220 - Level II – Massage 6 Credit(s).
• MASS 212 - Kinesiology for Massage Therapy 3 Credit(s).
• MASS 221 - Massage Modalities 4 Credit(s).
• MASS 222 - Pathology for Massage Therapists 3 Credit(s).
• MASS 230 - Level III Massage 6 Credit(s).
• MASS 240 - Seminar in Massage Therapy 3 Credit(s).

Total Number of Credits Required for Certificate: 35*

Note: The state of Maryland recognizes two different levels of massage therapy practitioners, Licensed and Registered. A Licensed Massage Therapist must have completed 60 credit hours of college course work, 500 hours of massage therapy education at an approved/accredited school, provide proof of passing the NCBTMB or NCCACOM examination, and pass the Maryland massage therapy jurisprudence examination. Licensed Massage Therapists may practice in all related business settings including health care. A Registered Massage Practitioner must meet all of the requirements of the Licensed Massage Therapist with the exception of 60 credit hours. Since Registered Massage Practitioners do not have the 60 credit hours, they may not practice in any health care setting but may practice in all related business settings.

*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 certificate to 36 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 Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this certificate, 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 spas and salons and private practice but excluding allied health, integrative medicine teams, and wellness centers.

Program Description:

The certificate option is designed for students actively registered in the Associate of Applied Science Massage degree program. This allows the degree-seeking student flexibility to complete their core massage course work and gain professional experience in the field while completing the requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree. Those individuals who are not currently interested in an associate degree, but who wish to enter the massage therapy profession, can seek this option. Upon completion of the certificate program, the successful individual will be prepared to apply for national certification and Maryland State licensure examinations. Once the graduate has passed the examinations, they will then be eligible to use the designation of Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP).

Applicants who are interested in the certificate program only must also apply to the School of Health Professions Admissions Office. The massage program courses are only offered on the Essex campus. The application deadline is July 1 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission.

Transfer Options:

Students who have successfully completed college level work at other institutions may be eligible to transfer in any courses which they have already taken which meet program requirements. Details of the CCBC transfer policy are located in the Admissions section  of the 2012-2013 college catalog. Transfer students must meet with either Charles Martino, Academic Advisor for Allied Health students, or Cher Hunter, Director, Massage Therapy program, to determine possible transfer credit, course waivers and substitutions.

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.

Gainful Employment Disclosure:

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/gainfulemployment/massage_therapy631.html

Semester Sequence

• Massage Therapy Certificate Semester Sequence