New Therapeutic Massage diploma offered at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

June 28, 2018

With classes starting during the fall semester, Anoka-Ramsey Community College now offers a Therapeutic Massage diploma to students with an interest in clinical massage.

"Over the years, consumers and the medical and mental health communities have recognized massage therapy as an important treatment for many health and medical conditions. It has become woven into the fabric of health care, and it is considered to be a very effective therapy in complementary and alternative medicine," said Carrie Bates Hale, M.A. She works as an integrative medicine therapist and a certified massage therapist and teaches classes at Anoka-Ramsey.

The Therapeutic Massage diploma is the only award of its kind to be offered at Anoka-Ramsey, giving students a unique alternative to traditional two-year and four-year degree programs. It is being offered as part of the Integrative Health and Healing (IHH) program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

“The IHH program is a rare gem, and one of very few college accredited degree programs in Integrative Health offered in the U.S.,” said Hale. “The Therapeutic Massage program is a great addition for IHH. We are excited to start the program this fall."

Students in the program will complete a total of 38 credits, obtaining credits in general education and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum as well as specialized instruction in anatomy, kinesiology, pathology and clinical massage techniques and how to work with special populations. The program also gives students instruction in nutrition, medical terminology, business basics and ethical guidelines for holistic health practitioners. As part of the program, students will also complete an internship and clinical massage practicum.

“The Massage Therapy program is a logical and perfect tie-in to the Integrative Health and Healing program,” said Hale. “While both are viable and compelling standalone programs, it is easy to see why doing both may be of benefit to the student who is interested in becoming an integrative holistic health practitioner. Many IHH graduates have their own practice in health and wellness, which becomes a versatile practice when therapeutic massage is added to it.”

Students will have the opportunity to study in small classes with hands-on training and receive one-on-one instructor from Anoka-Ramsey faculty, who are extensively trained and experienced as massage therapists. Students will also benefit from the lowest-cost tuition in Minnesota, paired with high-quality academic programming. The program has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission, which is only awarded to schools who meet the highest institutional standards, and the program exceeds national standards.

“The Therapeutic Massage program was developed to empower our students with solid clinical knowledge, impeccable technique, and effective practical application, in order to help others in achieving wellness,” said Hale. “From the worried-well and relaxation to chronic pain, from infant massage to working with the elderly, from sports massage to hospice, massage therapists are on a journey of healing with their clients.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for massage therapists is projected to grow 26 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Continued growth in the field of holistic health will lead to new openings for massage therapists.

“There is a tremendous opportunity in the greater Twin Cities for massage therapists, as there are only a few educational programs in the metro area. We have taken into consideration the needs of those who hire massage therapists, as well as those individuals who have the desire to have their own practice,” said Hale. “When our massage therapy students graduate, they will have experience in working with many techniques, with a wide range of populations. The program at Anoka-Ramsey will also prepare students to sit for the any of the national exams.”

While many massage therapists choose to start their own businesses, graduates of the program will also have opportunities to work in medical facilities including hospitals and care facilities, health and wellness centers, hospice and palliative care, rehabilitation and pain clinics, physician and chiropractic offices, and corporate massage programs and massage franchises.

The new Therapeutic Massage diploma may benefit both working holistic health professionals as well as new students. The program begins in fall 2018, and interested students may register now.

For more information, visit AnokaRamsey.edu/academics/degrees-diplomas-certificates/diplomas-certificates/therapeutic-massage/.