Degrees & Certificates

Massage Therapy

Certificate of Achievement

Overview

As people pay increasing attention to their overall health and wellness, many turn to massage therapy to recover from injury or reduce stress.

In nine months, Waubonsee's Massage Therapy Certificate of Achievement puts students in a position to quickly achieve a promising massage practice, either on their own or in a professional setting. Community partners are personally asking Waubonsee to help meet this demand for massage therapists, and according to the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities for massage therapists are increasing and are growing faster than other health care support occupations.

The Massage Therapy Program has a special admissions process. Contact the Health Professions and Public Service office for further information at (630) 870-3900 or HPPS@waubonsee.edu. 

Massage Therapy is still accepting applications for Fall 2022!

Exciting new program enhancements — students interested in entering the Massage Therapy Program in Fall 2022 can now take the BIO260 requirement with the first semester Massage Therapy (TMS) courses during the fall semester. Interested students should review program admission procedures and submit the program application as soon as possible for priority admission in required courses.

Studying Massage Therapy at Waubonsee

Featured News

Waubonsee Community College has announced its 2022 Outstanding Faculty Member, Denise Nakaji, Professor of Therapeutic Massage. Nakaji has served Waubonsee as a full-time instructor in Waubonsee’s Massage Therapy Program since 1999.

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Massage therapists are concerned with an individual's entire well-being, so Waubonsee developed a multifaceted program that addresses the varied aspects of massage therapy. Classroom curriculum includes study on how the body works; hands-on training develops techniques and skills in a variety of massage specialties; and coursework on professional and ethical subjects helps students manage the practical aspects of their practice.

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This program reflects the national standard of excellence held by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and produces graduates who demonstrate a mastery of core knowledge and skills. Our comprehensive science-based program, taught by highly qualified and experienced instructors, fully prepares students to step into the massage therapy profession upon graduation and licensing. Since 2017, graduating students have recorded a pass rate of 100% on the MBLEx state licensing examination.

The program is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, and is approved by the Illinois State Board of Higher Education. Graduates take the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), paid for by Waubonsee Community College and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

Interested?

Fill out the form below to request more information about Waubonsee's Massage Therapy Program

Featured Courses

Massage Techniques III Therapeutic massage faculty in class
Massage Clinical II Therapeutic massage class
Business Practices for Massage Therapists professional woman in office s
Pathology for the Massage Therapist Therapeutic Massage Instruction
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Admission, Accreditation, and Success

Admission

The Massage Therapy Program has pre-entrance requirements and a specific application process.

Accreditation

The Massage Therapy Program at Waubonsee Community College is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and apply for the State of Illinois Massage Therapy license upon successful examination.

Waubonsee Community College is recognized by the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, and the U.S. Department of Education. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Success
  • Waubonsee's pass rates on the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 graduating classes were 100%.
     
  • National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) Assigned School status, June 30, 2018.

Career Program Outcomes

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Costs and Payments

Payment

Learn how affordable your dreams can be at Waubonsee.

 

 

Meet Your Faculty

Orientation

View a listing of faculty members in this program.

 

Working in Massage Therapy

Like many health-focused professions, massage therapy requires a combination of knowledge and perception. Being able to effectively communicate with clients about their condition and how to treat them is essential—especially since massage therapists specialize in multiple modalities which require varying techniques to produce positive outcomes for patients.

Some massage therapists manage their own business in a private practice, while others work in settings such as medical offices and hospitals, patient housing, sports organizations, health clubs, and of course salons and resorts.

Career Prospects

Interested in a career in Massage Therapy? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.

 

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Annual Earnings

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Employment Projections

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Gainful Employment

View information on costs, financing options and program length in weeks for our Massage Therapy Certificate.

Student Achievement Data

View retention and completion data on students in this program.

Professional licensure and certification requirements

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. At this time, Waubonsee Community College cannot confirm if programs that lead to professional licensure or certification meet the prerequisites for professional licensure or certification outside the State of Illinois. Please consult the Licensure Requirements by State and Program table for a full list of states.