Massage Therapist Schools

• There are a variety of training options for massage therapy students.massage therapy at the spa image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  A career in message therapy involves using various techniques or modalities to help clients with stress or injury-related muscle pain. Some massage therapists are required by their state licensing board to complete a certain amount of training hours at an accredited or approved massage therapy school. There are a number of accredited massage therapist schools to choose from.
  
  

National Massage Therapy Institute

• The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) offers a diploma program that includes 600 hours of training on various types of treatments, including reflexology, Swedish and chair massage. The school has several campuses located in the mid-Atlantic area including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. They are accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and have received approval from the State Department of Education in Delaware and New Jersey. Flexible scheduling and financial assistance is offered. According to NMTI, students receive hands-on training that also prepares them for the National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
  
  National Massage Therapy Institute
  10050 Roosevelt Blvd
  Philadelphia, PA 19116
  (800) 509-5058
  studymassage.com
  
  

Cortiva Institute

• The Cortiva Institute has 10 campuses located across the United States, including sites in Chicago and Boston. Five of their campuses are accredited by COMTA. Its training program gives students an opportunity to get hands-on experience and take courses anatomy, massage theory and ethics. Students can complete the required 750 hours of training in nine months or a year. Payment plans and financial aid are available.
  
  Cortiva Institute-Massage Therapy Schools
  8010 E. McDowell Rd. Suite 214
  Scottsdale, AZ 85257
  (866) 267-8482
  cortiva.com
  
  

Blue Cliff College

• Blue Cliff College offers a diploma and associate degree program in massage therapy through its six campus locations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Students in the diploma program need to complete 53 credits. They learn techniques such as deep tissue and sports massage. After completing the diploma program, students may choose to obtain an Associate in Occupational Studies Degree in Massage Therapy, which includes advanced training on various massage techniques and business management. The degree requires 96 credits and may take as long as 27 months to complete. Blue Cliff College is licensed by the state board of Massage Therapy in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana and has received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
  
  Blue Cliff College
  8731 Park Plaza Drive
  Shreveport, LA 71105
  (318) 798-6868
  bluecliffcollege.com
  
  

Academy of Massage Therapy

• The Academy of Massage Therapy offers several training programs at its campuses in New Jersey and New York, including diploma programs for massage therapy, clinical massage therapy and a training program for Spanish-speaking students. The school is accredited by COMTA. Its training programs take 34 to 52 weeks to complete and include instruction on prenatal and medical massage. According to the school, graduates will be prepared to obtain their national certification and state board approval. Students can pay for training through the school's payment plan or they can apply for financial aid.
  
  Academy of Massage Therapy
  321 Main Street, 2nd Floor
  Hackensack, NJ 07601
  (201) 568-3220
  academyofmassage.com