If you think that a massage is something people get to pamper themselves, you're only 31% right. A recent study by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) found that 69% of massages today are for medical reasons, relaxation, and stress reduction.
According to the AMTA, the massage therapist "applies manual techniques and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client." These techniques include hands-on muscle manipulation as well as adjunctive therapies such as hydrotherapy and reflexology.
You can join this fascinating field with the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy from Northwestern College. Talk about a hands-on education! Northwestern College's Massage Therapy program combines healthcare-related instruction with business-related topics and general education subjects to provide a well-rounded curriculum to prepare you for success in this fast-growing field.
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
Massage therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and a number of employers are adding massage therapists to their staff, including sports medicine centers, holistic health centers, chiropractic and naprapathic practices, orthopedic clinics, health and fitness centers, spas and physical/occupational therapy departments. Massage therapists can also start their own private practice or work in a hospital.
The Massage Therapy program is designed to prepare you for potential employment in the following: (the occupation listed contains a link to information on the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET website).
31-9011.00 - Massage Therapists
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.
See the Northwestern College Catalog.
The job placement rate for the Massage Therapy program was unable to be calculated at this time, pending the creation of an approved formula for job placement calculations by the U.S. Department of Education. Upon publication of a formula, this web page will be updated promptly.
During the 2010-2011 Academic Year (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011), 4 students graduated from the Massage Therapy program at Northwestern College. Of these students, none (or 0%) graduated on-time as defined in the Northwestern College catalog. (Part-time students generally take a longer period of time to graduate because they don’t take a full course load; therefore, the graduation rate is lower since part-time students are not considered to have graduated on-time). The median student loan indebtedness of the Massage Therapy program graduates in 2010-2011 was as follows: Federal Stafford Student Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized) - $28,270; Third-Party Private Education Loans - $0; Northwestern College Institutional (GAP) Loan - $0.
The tuition and fees cost for a student starting the Massage Therapy associate degree program as of the 2011-2012 academic year is estimated at $46,795, based upon six academic quarters of full-time tuition at current tuition rates. (Potential future tuition increases cannot be determined at this time, and hence are not factored into this estimate.) Book and supply costs are estimated at $2,400. (The actual cost will vary depending on multiple factors). Northwestern College does not offer on-campus housing. For additional information on college costs, please visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance web page.
