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Therapeutic Massage
Our program is perfect for students passionate about client care. Gain an understanding of how manipulation, methodical pressure, friction, and body kneading are used for maintaining lifelong wellness.
Begin Your Journey
- Study in one of the longest-established therapeutic massage programs in the North Carolina Community College System.
- Start serving clients your first semester for a real hands-on learning experience.
- Participate in work-based learning opportunities with local companies to gain experience, college credit, and valuable connections.
Massage therapy is an in-demand field. Our degree program graduates have a 100% job placement rate due to the program's strong relationships with local businesses. Explore a career in massage therapy.
Expenses estimated over the two-year program timeline.
ITEM | IN-STATE COST | OUT-OF-STATE COST |
Tuition^* | $2,888.00 | $10,184.00 |
Student Activity Fee | $105.00 | $105.00 |
Technology Fee | $144.00 | $144.00 |
General Education Course fees | $0-75.00 | $0-75.00 |
Malpractice Insurance | $36.00 | $36.00 |
Textbooks | $600.00 | $600.00 |
Materials and Supplies | $150.00 | $150.00 |
Uniform | $150.00 | $150.00 |
Admissions Physical | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Professional Massage | $150.00 | $150.00 |
National Certification Exam Application | $265.00 | $265.00 |
North Carolina Licensure fee | $170.00 | $170.00 |
*Program credit hours: 38 – $76.00 per credit hour in-state tuition, $268.00 per credit hour out-of-state tuition.
^These costs are associated with the Therapeutic Massage Diploma. Students are eligible
for licensed work after completion of the diploma. We encourage students to continue
an additional year to attain their associates degree at additional costs.
In addition to tuition and books, students are responsible for extra costs for uniforms,
supplies, physical exam, immunizations,
insurance, and travel.
Sandhills is committed to the belief that every student should have an opportunity to pursue an education, regardless of financial resources. We are here to guide you through the financial aid system to make costs more manageable and higher education more accessible.
Our program is recognized by the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork and Southern Association of Colleges (SACS).
The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy may deny a license to practice massage and bodywork therapy if an applicant has a criminal record or there is other evidence that indicates the applicant lacks good moral character.
Special Program Requirements
Students with a criminal conviction may not be eligible for a state license, which is required for employment. Each situation is evaluated on an individual basis by the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (919-546-0050 or admin@bmbt.org)
Admission Requirements
Admissions to Â鶹ÊÓƵ does not guarantee admission to this program. Testing and placement criteria must be met.
Stage 1
During Stage 1 students will meet all general college requirements listed on the college
admission section, including maintaining good academic standing (GPA 2.0), plus the
following requirements:
Test Score/Class Requirements
Students must place into:
- ENG 111 Expository Writing or higher
- MAT 115 or higher
Checklist Review
Once you have completed all of the above steps for Admission, you must meet with the
program coordinator to be placed into the qualified applicant pool (Stage 2). Failure
to do so, may affect eligibility to enter the program.
Stage 2
All qualified applicants must:
- Attend the Spring Therapeutic Massage orientation for early admission consideration.
- Complete the Admission Summary Sheet (which will be distributed at the Spring Orientation).
- Attend the Summer Therapeutic Massage orientation for regular admission.
Acceptance into the Therapeutic Massage program is based on a weighted entry system. The Admission Summary Sheet has been designed to weight co-requisite courses (such as Anatomy and Physiology) and/or your high school or college GPA.
Stage 3
All accepted applicants must:
- Receive an Acceptance Letter from the Program Coordinator.
- Complete all required medical forms.
- Obtain and submit documentation of your current AHA or American Red Cross CPR registration.
- Register for fall semester MTH courses.
* This program is financial aid eligible.
Course Hours Per Week | Semester Hours | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Semester (Fall) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
ACA-115 | Success & Study Skills | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
BIO*** | Take BIO-163 or BIO-168 | 4-3 | 2-3 | 5-4 | |
MED-120 | Survey of Med Terminology | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
MTH-110 | Fundamentals of Massage | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
Credit Hours | 12-11 | 13-14 | 3 | 18-17 | |
Second Semester (Spring) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
BIO*** | Take BIO-169 (if BIO-168 taken) | 0-3 | 0-3 | 0-4 | |
ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
MTH-120 | Ther Massage Applications | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 12-15 | 9-12 | 3 | 16-20 | |
Third Semester (Summer) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
MTH-125 | Ethics of Massage | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
MTH-130 | Therapeutic Massage Mgmt | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
Fourth Semester (Fall) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
BUS-230 or | Small Business Management or | ||||
Entrepreneurship I
|
3 | 0 | 3 | ||
MTH-210 | Adv Skills of Massage | 4 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
PED*** | PED Activity Course Elective | 0 | 2-3 | 0 | 1 |
*** | SOC/PSY Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 10 | 11-12 | 3 | 15 | |
Fifth Semester (Spring) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
COM*** | COM Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
MTH-220 | Outcome-Based Massage | 4 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
WBL-111M | Work-Based Learning I | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
*** | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 10 | 16 | 3 | 14 | |
Total Required Minimum Semester Hours Credit | 67 |
* This program is not financial aid eligible.
Course Hours Per Week | Semester Hours | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Semester (Fall) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
ACA-115 | Success & Study Skills | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
BIO*** | Take BIO-163 or BIO-168 | 4-3 | 2-3 | 5-4 | |
MED-120 | Survey of Med Terminology | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
MTH-110 | Fundamentals of Massage | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
Credit Hours | 12-11 | 13-14 | 3 | 18-17 | |
Second Semester (Spring) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
BIO*** | BIO-169 (if BIO-168 taken) | 0-3 | 0-3 | 0-4 | |
ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
MTH-120 | Ther Massage Applications | 6 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 12-15 | 9-12 | 3 | 16-20 | |
Third Semester (Summer) | Class | Lab | Clinic | Credit | |
MTH-125 | Ethics of Massage | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
MTH-130 | Therapeutic Massage Mgmt | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
Total Required Minimum Semester Hours Credit | 38 |