Interested in being a massage therapist? Apply for the best massage therapy schools listed and explained in this article. These massage therapy schools are accredited and designed to equip you with firsthand skills and knowledge on becoming a professional massage therapist.
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the body’s soft tissues, which generally consists of manual (hands-on) techniques such as providing fixed or moveable pressure, holding, and manipulating muscles and body tissues.
A person who knows these techniques and applies them to the human body is known as a massage therapist and to practice in this field, you will need to attend an accredited massage therapy school, get equipped with the knowledge, skills, and techniques, and get certified.
Massage can help people with chronic illnesses like cancer, manage their pain and anxiety while also reducing the physiological effects of stress. Stress-related tension, cancer-related weariness, sleep difficulties, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, and depression are just a few of the conditions it can help with.
As a certified massage therapist, you can work in the health care field and help patients who need therapeutic massages to get better. With your license, you can start a business of your own, open up a spa and massage center and charge a token for the services you provide. With the increased rate of stress and cancer-related issues, the need for massage therapists is higher than ever.
In this article, I have not only discussed the top best massage therapy schools in the world but will also be diving into other topics such as best massage therapy schools in Ontario, best massage therapy schools in Florida, how to find the best massage therapy schools near me, best equine massage therapy schools, as well as the frequently asked questions related to the best massage therapy schools.
The best massage therapy schools discussed here are the accredited schools and you must attend an accredited massage therapy school else you won’t get a license or even if you do, it will be fake which can land you in legal trouble with the authorities of your state.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the main subject matter beginning first with the FAQs.
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FAQs on Best Massage Therapy Schools
The following are the commonly asked questions on the best massage therapy schools in the world:
How long does it take to become a certified massage therapist?
The duration takes to become a certified massage therapist depends on the structure of the program you enroll in. If you enroll in a diploma or certificate program to become a massage therapist, then it will take between a few weeks to 6 months to complete the program. Typically, the diploma or certificate program doesn’t take time and offers you fast skills to become a massage therapist.
If you want to expand your knowledge in the field, you can go for the associate degree program which takes 2 years to complete. Taking this degree will offer you an in-depth knowledge of being a massage therapist and employees will certainly prefer you.
How much do massage therapists make?
According to Forbes, the national average annual wage of a massage therapist is $47,180.
Best Massage Therapy Schools in the World
The top schools in the world offering massage therapy programs are:
- National Holistic Institute
- Miami Dade College
- Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
- National University of Health Sciences
- Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy
- Colorado School of Healing Arts
- Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy
- New York College of Health Professions
- Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy
- Myotherapy College of Utah
#1 National Holistic Institute (NHI)
The National Holistic Institute is one of the best massage therapy schools in the world, it was established in 1979 as a private, for-profit college of massage therapy located in Emeryville, California.
The school also has other campuses in Los Angeles, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, and Orange County. So, if you are in any of these locations and want to become a certified massage therapist, you may want to enroll in any of these campuses.
NHI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) which is recognized by the U.S Department of Education.
The massage therapy program at NHI is designed to train you to be proficient in different massage modalities, such as Swedish, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Therapy. There’s also the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program which is an advanced massage therapy program, international students are accepted into the various programs.
The tuition fee is $15,588
Official website
#2 Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is one of the best massage therapy schools in the world, located in Miami, Florida, United States. It was founded in 1959 and has a total of 8 campuses and 21 outreach centers all over Miami-Dade County. The college offers 3 massage therapy programs which are:
- Massage Therapy – Accelerated Option
- Massage Therapy – Generic Option
- Massage Therapy – Transitional Option
These 3 programs require 25 credits and 1 year to complete and get the career-technical certificate. Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate is eligible to sit for the State of Florida Massage Therapy licensure examination.
Miami Dade College is accredited by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. International students are also accepted into the program. The tuition fee is $82.78 per hour for residents and $331.11 per hour for out-of-state students.
Official website
#3 Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts is one of the best massage therapy schools located in Tempe, Arizona. It is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and approved by the U.S Department of Education (USDE). The programs offered by the school are:
- Holistic Health & Wellness Coach
- Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner
- Massage Training Programs
- Western Herbalism Program and
- Hundreds of Approved Continuing Education (CEUs)
The massage training programs are designed to prepare you to work in settings such as private offices, spas, hospitals, massage specialty clinics, and fitness centers.
You will also be well-equipped to create your own professional practice, or rent and create space in a multi-use spa or health and wellness provider. Courses are provided on-campus or online and you can enroll in any learning option that is suitable for you.
The tuition fee ranges from $36.25 to $75 per hour.
Official website
#4 National University of Health Sciences
The National University of Health Sciences was established in 1906 as a private university in Lombard, Illinois, and is recognized as one of the best massage therapy schools.
The university focuses on health sciences and offers a certificate or associate degree in massage therapy which are designed to provide students with extensive hands-on instruction so that they can provide the highest quality of care to their clients.
Students learn a variety of massage techniques including sports massage, deep tissue work, Swedish massage, and trigger point therapy. The tuition fee here is $20.97 per hour.
Official website
#5 Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy
Established in 1946 and located in midtown Toronto, Canada, the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy is one of the best massage therapy schools in the world. It is home to 120 students and more than 30 faculties. The massage therapy program here takes 20 months or approximately 2 years to complete the Massage Therapy Diploma Program.
The institution is accredited by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). The college accepts international students, and the tuition fee for domestic students is $10,294 for the first year, $10,301 for the second year. The international tuition fee is $12,480 for the first year and $12,020 for the second year.
Official website
#6 Colorado School of Healing Arts
Operating for 35 years now and offering exceptional massage training, the Colorado School of Healing Arts comes with the following benefits:
- Complete your massage therapy education in as little as 9 or 12 months
- Work in a field that you enjoy and offers you a flexible schedule
- Find the perfect job with help from the school’s career services department
The massage therapy program here is completed in 720 hours with the main aim of providing core competencies essential for a successful massage therapist. The courses are designed to provide students with an intrinsic knowledge, comprehension, and application of massage therapy techniques. The tuition fee is $12,974.72
Official website
#7 Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy
Established in 1994 and recognized among the best massage therapy schools in Canada, the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy is the first Nationally Accredited Registered Massage Therapy program in Canada. The massage program is provided in two formats: the practical or “your hands” and the academics or “your mind” training.
The massage therapy training program is completed in 2 years and international students are also accepted into the program. The tuition fee is $30,365
Official website
#8 New York College of Health Professions
The New York College of Health Professions is one of the best massage therapy schools in the United States and in the world. The institution offers an advanced 72 credit Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree program. Upon completion of the program, you are eligible to sit for the New York State licensing exam, as well as sit for the Massage Board Licensing Examination.
The program can be completed between 20 and 24 months and part-time, as well as full-time, study option is available for students who work or have other responsibilities aside from school. It receives accreditation from the New York State Education Department, the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massages, and the New York State Board Regents and Commissioner of Education.
The tuition fee is $390 per credit.
Official website
#9 Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy
The Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy is one of the best massage therapy schools in the world and provides an accredited massage therapy training program in three formats: a full-time day program, a part-time morning program, and a part-time evening program.
The full-time program takes 9-12 months to complete while the part-time morning program takes 14 months to complete and the part-time evening program takes 22 months to complete and earn a certificate upon completion of your preferred program. The tuition fee is $17,500
Official website
#10 Myotherapy College of Utah
The Myotherapy College of Utah founded in 1987 has since been providing teachings on the comprehensive clinical approach to massage therapy, training over 20 styles and modalities. The institution is recognized among the best therapy massage schools in the world and equips you with a mix of modern and ancient massage therapy techniques to become successful in the field.
Graduates of the massage therapy program will be qualified to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam, provided by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, to obtain their license. It takes about 7 and a half months to complete the program, and flexible learning options are provided. You can enroll for the day or evening classes, whichever suits you better. The tuition fee is $13,394
These are the top 10 best massage therapy schools in the world, they are all accredited by the right educational bodies, and accept international students.
Best Massage Therapy Schools Ontario
Ontario is a city in Canada and is a popular education hub for students, here, we will be exploring the best massage therapy schools in Ontario.
- ICT Kikkawa College
- Bryan College
- Humber College
- Fanshawe College
- Medix College
1. ICT Kikkawa College
This is one of the best massage therapy schools in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is specialized in massage therapy education for 35 years and is dedicated to graduating excellent therapists and practitioners. Application for the massage therapy program at ICT Kikkawa College is accepted throughout the year.
You can apply for the regular program which takes 82 weeks to complete, the fast track which requires 73 weeks to complete, or the part-time. To apply, you must submit one official copy of a high school transcript forwarded directly from the institution attended or one official copy of any post-secondary transcripts forwarded directly from the institution(s) attended.
Official website
2. Bryan College
Bryan College offers both online and on-campus massage therapy programs since 1940 and it is one of the best massage therapy schools in Ontario. The massage therapy curriculum at Bryan College was designed by professionals to match changing job market needs and offer you hands-on training and support to ensure your successful completion.
The curriculum is reviewed annually and will equip you with different massage therapy techniques which include Swedish massage, sports massage, hydrotherapy, clinical therapy, trigger point therapy, and others.
Official website
3. Humber College
The Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness at Humber College provides an Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy which takes 6 semesters to complete. The mode of delivery is online and on-campus for students to choose their preferred learning style.
Humber’s Massage Therapy advanced diploma program offers you the in-depth academic preparation and hands-on practical experience necessary to become a worthy member of a healthcare team. International students are also accepted into the program.
Official website
4. Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is one of the best massage therapy schools in Ontario, Canada. The school offers a strong focus on medical knowledge, equipping you with massage skills in the student-run clinic, where you will experiment with many hands-on techniques. You will also learn, first-hand, how to assess your clients and their needs, as well as how to maintain, rehabilitate, and augment physical function to relieve pain.
Official website
5. Medix College
Medix College offers a Massage Therapy Diploma Program at its Toronto campus, using a theoretical and hands-on practical approach to equip students with professional massage therapy skills. Students will learn through different theory-based courses relating to the human body’s anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
And the practical-based course will focus on the assessment and treatment procedures of various pathologies of the human body and as outlined by the profession of massage therapy.
Official website
These are the top 5 best massage therapy schools in Ontario and if you have always wanted to become a registered massage therapist from a Canadian institution, here is your chance.
Best Massage Therapy Schools in Florida
In this section, the best massage therapy schools in Florida have been discussed and their website links provided for you to get more info and apply. To gain admission, the schools require a high school diploma or a GED. Taking multiple math and science classes in high school may help a student win admission.
- Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
- Broward College
- Daytona State College
- Pensacola State College
- La Belle Beauty Academy
1. Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
This is one of the best massage therapy schools in Florida, the institution has campuses in Hollywood, West Palm Beach, and Orlando that offer massage therapy programs. It takes 26 weeks of day sessions or 33 weeks of evening classes to complete the 720 clock hours of study and clinical experiences required by the curriculum.
Anatomy and Physiology, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Medical and Sports Massage with Hydrotherapy, and Professional Business Practices are some of the required courses (with an internship). Eastern modalities, Asian bodywork, craniosacral therapy, energy techniques, geriatric massage, spa techniques, prenatal and baby massage, reflexology, and Thai massage are among the techniques taught to students.
Official website
2. Broward College
Day and evening classes are available in the 750-hour massage therapy program on the North Campus. Lectures, talks, hands-on demonstrations, interactive exercises, films, guest lecturers, field trips, and supervised massage practice on and off-campus are all part of the curriculum.
Basic life support (CPR), medical ethics and standards, anatomy and physiology, massage therapy, allied modalities, hydrotherapy modalities, and medical ethics and standards are all required courses. A clinical practicum is also required of every student.
Broward College offers one of the best massage therapy programs in Florida.
Official website
3. Daytona State College
Daytona State College offers a 2-semester, 25-credit massage therapy program which includes instructions and training totaling 750 hours. The institution is one of the best therapy schools in Florida with its curriculum combining Eastern and Western massage therapy methods.
Students gain real-world, hands-on experience with public clients during internships and at an on-campus student clinic.
Official website
4. Pensacola State College
This is the oldest post-secondary institution in Florida and offers a 750-hour massage therapy vocational certificate program. The program’s curriculum covers the theory and hands-on practice of massage, hydrotherapy, hygiene, practice demonstration, human anatomy, and employability skills.
Official website
5. La Belle Beauty Academy
La Belle Beauty Academy is one of the best therapy massage schools in Florida, the massage therapy program here consists of 600 hours, 150 of which involve clinical practices. The program is designed to equip students with a variety of techniques including classical massage movements, Shiatsu, somatic therapies, acupressure, deep tissue, hydrotherapy, complete body procedures, and a lot more.
Official website
How to Find Best Massage Therapy Schools Near Me
Finding a massage therapy school near you is just as easy as you have read it, you simply need to search the subheading above using Google search. The results should provide you with a list of all the massage therapy schools near you.
Read the reviews of any of the schools that interest you to know if it is among the best ones around you. Once you see the best one, the next step should be visiting the school’s website to learn more about their teaching methods and how you can enroll in the program.
Best Equine Massage Therapy Schools
Before diving into the main subject matter, take a quick look at the FAQs below concerning the best equine massage therapy schools.
Who is an Equine Massage Therapist?
Equine massage is the practice of massage on horses that started in the early 90s, it has been a growing field of equine therapy, utilized for both day-to-day riding and post-trauma rehabilitation. An equine massage therapist is simply a horse massage therapist, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and technique to carry out these practices.
What degree do you need to be an equine massage therapist?
The degree requirement to become an equine massage therapist varies by state. Some states have no educational requirements while others require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
How long does it take to be an equine massage therapist?
The training required to become an equine massage therapist takes as little as three days or as long as 12 weeks.
Is equine massage therapy a good career?
Yes, it is a good career. You get to be around horses and cater to their needs.
The best equine massage therapy schools are:
- D’Arcy Lane School of Equine Massage
- Equissage – The Equine Massage School
- Animal Dynamins Equine Sports Massage
- Northwest School of Animal Massage
- Prairie Winds Equine Massage Therapy College
- Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy
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