Career Tips & Advice

How to Choose the Right MT School

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated December 12, 2016. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
massage therapy

Here at Concorde, we think we have an excellent Massage Therapy program, filled with hands-on, real-world training and experience that gets you prepared for your career quickly and effectively.

But we thought we'd look into what it is that makes a good Massage Therapy program anyway. What qualities should you be looking for in a good MT school or program? We're confident that Concorde possesses the qualities everyone should be on the lookout for, but let's see what some of those qualities are.

 

What to look for in a quality Massage Therapy program

 

Sunethra Guy, Academic Dean at Concordes campus in Southaven, MS, listed six things she believes every good Massage Therapy program should have.

  • Appropriate accreditation. The MT program at Concorde - Southaven has been granted a temporary license by the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy.
  • Is the program accredited by the state in which the student wants to practice?
  • The type of skills taught in the program needs to match the technique or massage practice he/she would like to practice once he or she graduates.
  • Because all state requirements are different, the student should research whether the school fulfills the needed requirements to practice in the desired state.
  • Who pays for the license fees?
  • What type of licensure does the program prepare for?

 

Guy suggested also looking closely at the credentials of instructors in the program as well as any job-placement assistance offered.

 

Choosing the right Massage Therapy program

 

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) also has a set of criteria one should undertake when deciding upon an MT school to fit his or her needs.

  • Collect information about several programs. Attend an open house or orientation, interview former students, read catalogs or audit a class.
  • Consider career intentions. Determine which program most closely matches those intentions, personality, schedule, and budget. Review the curriculum to make sure that the style(s) of massage taught match what you want to learn.
  • Be aware of time requirements for a particular program. Make sure your other obligations allow enough time to study and practice outside of class.
  • Take time to get to know the credentials and experience of the faculty. Request information about student services, post-graduate job placement, tutoring, continuing education, and financial aid, to name a few.
  • Consider tuition, fees, any other costs, the availability of financial aid and the quality of the program. Remember to budget for additional necessities such as massage table, books, and supplies.

 

As previously mentioned, we believe Concorde's Massage Therapy programs in Southaven and Massage Therapy programs in Memphis, TN meet all these criteria and will meet yours. However, you can check it out yourself by visiting AMTAs Find a Massage School locator service for up-to-date information on AMTA member schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Happy hunting and we hope you'll find everything you're looking for in an MT program and more at Concorde.

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Massage Therapy program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.