Massage Therapy
Program Office: 403.320.3211 • massagetherapy@lethbridgecollege.ca
Give new meaning to hands-on work with a diploma in Massage Therapy. Our 2,200-hour accredited Massage Therapy program will immerse you in the field, focusing on the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for success as a registered massage therapist. It’s a field that demands considerable personal commitment, professionalism, and physical and emotional stamina – but it’s immensely rewarding.
Your classroom theory on how the body works and proper therapeutic techniques will be perfectly complemented by 700 hours of hands-on practicum experiences. In our on-campus student massage clinic, at independent businesses and in community settings, you’ll put into practice and improve upon your therapeutic massage skills, cultivate client-therapist relationships and develop essential business acumen.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information for your program, go to lethbridgecollege.ca/programs and select your program.
Supplies such as linens and oils will be specified in class, and students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining them. Students are also required to purchase uniforms to be worn at all work-integrated learning experiences.
As part of the program requirements, students are expected to book a massage with a registered massage therapist prior to entering the program. This can cost anywhere from $40 - $100.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Massage Therapy diploma.
The Lethbridge College Massage Therapy Program meets Alberta requirements for Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) membership. Prospective students who reside outside of Alberta should research their provincial requirements for RMT membership.
New students are accepted into the Massage Therapy two-year diploma program in the Fall (September) term. All prospective candidates will normally be expected to attend a one-day program orientation prior to program commencement.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Grade 12 biology
It is also recommended that students have working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| BIO-1160 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| CSP-1150 | Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENG-1159 | Writing for the Workplace | 3 |
| MAS-1122 | Practicum I | 1.5 |
| MAS-1140 | Basic Massage | 3 |
| MAS-1152 | Professional Practices Massage Therapy | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Term II | ||
| ACC-1125 | Service-Based Accounting | 1.5 |
| BIO-1146 | Joints and Soft Tissues | 3 |
| BIO-1161 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| MAS-1125 | Practicum II | 3 |
| MAS-1130 | Pathology | 3 |
| MAS-1157 | Massage Techniques I | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| MAS-2250 | Advanced Massage | 3 |
| MAS-2253 | Assessment for Massage Therapists I | 3 |
| MAS-2254 | Special Populations I | 3 |
| MAS-2255 | Practicum III | 3 |
| PED-2257 | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| BUS-1124 | Service-Based Small Business Management | 3 |
| MAS-2257 | Massage Techniques II | 3 |
| MAS-2258 | Assessment for Massage Therapists II | 3 |
| MAS-2259 | Practicum IV | 3 |
| MAS-2260 | Special Populations II | 3 |
| MAS-2262 | Integrated Practices in Massage Therapy | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements
This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.
Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.
Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.
In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.
WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.
Thompson Rivers University
Lethbridge College's Massage Therapy diploma graduates are eligible to receive up to 54 transfer credits into the Bachelor of Health Science or up to 60 transfer credits into the Bachelor of General Studies at Thompson Rivers University.
University of Lethbridge (pending renewal)
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Massage Therapy diploma program with a minimum 3.00 GPA are eligible to apply to the University of Lethbridge's Post-Diploma Bachelor of Health Sciences program for completion of their Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. Once admitted, students will be third-year degree level students at the University of Lethbridge in its Faculty of Health Sciences in all respects.