MASSAGE THERAPY

(A Diploma in massage therapy is currently available at Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Metairie, and Shreveport, LA and also in Fayetteville, AR and Gulfport, MS. An Associate in Occupational Studies degree in massage therapy is currently available at Lafayette, Metairie and Shreveport, LA and in Gulfport, MS.)

What is Massage Therapy?
Deep Tissue Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue, connective tissue, and the balancing of body energy for the purpose of maintaining good health and good physical condition.

Massage Therapy is both a science and an art form. As a science, Massage Therapy increases body awareness, corrects system imbalances, assists in relaxation, reduces stress, increases vitality and promotes a sense of well-being. As an art form, Massage Therapy facilitates a positive exchange of mental, emotional, and spiritual energies which promotes holistic healing.

A Career in Massage Therapy
Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the period from 2004 to 2014 as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy. In States that regulate massage therapy, therapists who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good job opportunities. (Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How can I find out more about this career?
For more information about a career in Massage Therapy, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET website. The Standard Occupational Code (SOC) for the career is 31-9011.00 and the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for this program is 12.0405.

Growing Career Opportunities

• Massage Offices & Private Practice
• Group Practice
• Home Offices
• Physicians' Offices & Clinics
• Hospitals & Wellness Centers
• Nursing Homes/Hospices
• Chiropractic Offices
• Pain Management Centers
• On site Locations (In Offices, Airports, Public Events, Etc)
• Health Clubs & Fitness Centers
• Sports Teams & Events
• Spas & Resorts
• Hotels
• Beauty And Hair Salons
• Cruise Ships

BENEFITS OF YOUR CAREER IN MASSAGE:

• Developing a Meaningful Career with New Job Skills and Abilities.
• Flexible job schedule as a private practitioner.
• Financial Independence and Personal Growth.
• Working with other Professionals in a Health-Care Environment.
• Facilitating Others to Feel and Live Better

Massage Therapy Diploma

The Massage Therapy Diploma program provides a foundation in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology which form the basis for training in specific massage techniques. Hands-on techniques include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, Basic Shiatsu, and Supervised Clinical Practice. The diploma program prepares the student for entry level positions in the massage therapy industry.

Our graduates pursue a variety of jobs including private practice, athletic team massage therapist, massage therapist in a hospital, athletic club massage therapist, on-site massage therapist, massage therapist in a hair salon and/or spa assistant to physical therapists or chiropractors, and massage therapist on a cruise ship and more.

Successful completion of this diploma program qualifies the graduate for massage therapy licensure or registry in both Louisiana and Mississippi and provides eligibility to sit for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Examination. Both states require fewer than the total contact hours included in the diploma program. Blue Cliff College offers day and night schedules to accommodate almost any lifestyle or work routine. The normal completion time for the day program is nine (9) months, and, for the evening program, fifteen (15) months. Class schedules are provided as an addendum to this catalog (see "Greeting" letter). The diploma program requires the completion of 53 quarter credits. A Diploma will be awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Associate in Occupational Studies Degree Massage Therapy
The Massage Therapy Associate in Occupational Studies degree program expands the training provided in the diploma program. Courses in the degree program broaden the scope of massage technique training provided and adds courses in general education to produce well-rounded massage therapists trained in management, and communication. The program prepares the student for entry-level positions in the massage therapy industry and provides additional training for future spa managers and business owners. Our graduates pursue a variety of jobs including private practice, athletic team massage therapist, massage therapist in a hospital, athletic club massage therapist, on-site massage therapist, massage therapist in a hair salon and/or assistant to physical therapists or chiropractors, and massage therapist on cruise ships. The completion time for the day program is eighteen (18) months, and twenty-seven (27) months, for the evening program, twenty-seven (27) months. Graduates from the Associate in Occupational Studies Degree program must complete and earn a total of 96 quarter credits including credits earned in the diploma program and will be awarded an Associate in Occupational Studies Degree in Massage Therapy credential. At a minimum, the final 50% of the required 96-quarter credits must be completed at Blue Cliff College.

What percentage of graduates completes the program in the normal time frame as published in the catalog for the diploma program?
For students who graduated between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, the percentage completing in the published normal time frame of nine months is listed below for individual Blue Cliff schools. (Students who were extended due to academic issues, leaves of absences or scheduling preferences did not incur additional costs):

On-Time Graduation Rates
July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011

Massage Therapy Day

Massage Therapy Night

*N/A There were fewer than 10 graduates in this program between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. For privacy reasons, the U.S. Department of Educationrequests that schools not report on-time completion rates or median debt levels for programs with fewer than 10 graduates.

The total graduation rate as reported to Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) for this period can be found here:

Louisiana
Alexandria, LA
Houma, LA
Lafayette, LA
Metairie, LA
Shreveport, LA

Mississippi
Gulfport, MS

Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

What percentage of graduates from the diploma program found employment related to their field of study?
The total percentage of graduates from Blue Cliff diploma programs who found employment related to their field of study as reported to Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) for this period can be found here:

Louisiana
Alexandria, LA
Houma, LA
Lafayette, LA
Metairie, LA
Shreveport, LA

Mississippi
Gulfport, MS

Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Licensing Information

• State requirements and licensing may vary from state to state.
• Licensed by Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration, License No. C–110.
• Licensed by the Louisiana State Boards of Regents, License Numbers:
• Alexandria E2601
• Houma E2527
• Lafayette E2287
• Metairie E2290
• Shreveport E2624
• Licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy, License No. 9803 (The Blue Cliff College Massage Therapy program is approved by the MS Board of Massage Therapy for 775 hours.)
• Licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. Fayetteville, School No.1006.
• Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

What is the total cost of the Massage Therapy diploma program?
GULFPORT
The current tuition for a student completing the Massage Therapy Diploma program at the Gulfport campus in normal time is $13,144.  The additional cost for books, supplies, and graduation fees is $1,550 for a total cost of $14,694.

ALL OTHER CAMPUSES
The current tuition for a student completing the Massage Therapy Diploma program at all other campusesin normal time is $13,144 .  The additional cost for books, supplies, and graduation fees is $1,250 for a total cost of $14,394.

What is the total cost of the Massage Therapy Associate Degree program?
The current tuition for a student completing the Massage Therapy Associate Degree program in normal time is $25,075.  The additional cost for books, supplies, and graduation fees is $1,550 for a total cost of $26,625.

How much student loan debt does a typical graduate have to repay after graduation?
The median* loan debt for students who graduated between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 for public debt (Title IV loans) and for private debt (private loans and institutional post-graduate payment plans can be found below:

Massage Therapy

* Median debt represents the mid-point in a list of all students carrying debt, including zero debt.

Textbook Information
Massage Therapy - Diploma

Massage Therapy
Additional Books for AOS degree

Contact us today for more information about our Massage Therapy programs.

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