Massage Therapy

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
This is a selective admissions program. Click here before continuing for more information.

Enrollment is limited and selective based on CCBC admissions procedures. The student applicant must submit a selective admission application along with three character references and a short biography stating the reasons for pursuing a Massage Therapy career. These will be required no later than five weeks before the end of the prerequisite course, Introduction to Massage - MASS 101.

Note:  The program requirements must be taken in sequence and are only offered once a year. Level I courses (MASS 110 and 210) are offered only in the fall semester. Level II courses (MASS 112, 220, and 222) are only offered in the spring semester. MASS 223 is offered as a ten-week course in the summer one semester. Level III courses (MASS 225, 230, and 240) are only offered in the fall. Course sequencing also applies to the certificate requirements. It is recommented that ALHL 115 be taken before MASS 222. HLTH 111 may be scheduled at the student's discretion.

*A new college orientation requirement, completion of the one-credit ACDV 101 course, Transitioning to College, goes into effect spring 2010. If you are a credit student who is new to college in the spring 2010 semester (meaning you have not previously 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 66 credits. PLEASE NOTE: If you are new to college and completed one or more credit courses successfully at CCBC in the fall 2009 semester, you are ENCOURAGED but NOT REQUIRED to take ACDV 101 in the spring 2010 semester.

Program Description:

This program was approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission in November 2000. The program is designed to prepare students to work as professional Massage Therapists in a variety of health settings and equip them with the additional skills required to be a holistically trained member of allied health and integrative medicine teams. Upon completion, the successful graduate will have finished an approved Associate of Applied Sciences Massage Therapy program and be prepared to apply for the national certification and Maryland State licensure examinations. Graduates will legally be able to work in hospitals and clinics, chiropractor and doctor offices, wellness centers, fitness centers and salons, various sports activities, corporate wellness programs, performing arts programs, as well as establish their own private practice. Graduates will receive courses relevant for further degrees. They will be prepared to express themselves orally and in writing, do related Internet research, as well as properly establish their own private practice and be an active member in relevant professional associations.

The massage program courses listed in the curriculum must be taken in the sequence given. The exceptions are MATH 111, ENGL 101, PSYC 101, the Diversity class, SPCM 101, and HLTH 101/PEFT 101. Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites for all courses.

Note: 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 programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the Office of Selective Admissions in Room J-101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 443-840-1195. In addition, students will participate in an interview with the Program Coordinator. The massage program courses are only offered on the Essex Campus. The application deadline is April 1 for fall admission.

Program Outcomes:

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

1. perform a full body massage using a combination of Swedish, deep tissue and myofascial techniques;
2. identify the pathologies underlying a massage client's health condition and address that condition with the appropriate massage techniques;
3. accurately chart the compartmental muscles involved in the particular area being assessed for massage treatment;
4. develop a workable business plan suitable to the therapist's particular private practice;
5. provide a supportive environment for massage clients; and
6. effectively communicate with clients and professionals using appropriate written and verbal skills.

Note: 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 Coordinator.

For students who wish to transfer credits into CCBC from other institutions, please contact the Program Coordinator for additional information.

The CCBC Essex Massage Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

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 health insurance and immunizations, 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.

Program Coordinator:
 
CCBC Essex
Jean Wible, RN, BSN, LMT, NCTMB, HTCP
443-840-1431 or jwible@ccbcmd.edu