The 5 Best Online Massage Therapy Certifications
Online learning is a popular option because it is convenient, and you can work at your own pace. Interestingly, online massage therapy schools are becoming common.
The best online massage therapy certifications are comprehensive and specialized. It also would not hurt if it were affordable. It would be best to consider how much hands-on experience you derive from an online school.
The 5 Best Online Massage Therapy Certifications are:
- The U.S Career Institute
- Allied Health Career Institute
- Southern California Health Institute
- Northwest Academy
- American Massage Therapy Association
Many massage therapy programs are hybrid so that you will get the best of both worlds. Take a look below and find out the five best online massage therapy certifications.
How Can I Become a Massage Therapist?
If you want to have a career in massage therapy, you need to earn a certificate from an accredited school that is state-approved. Some of the subjects that the aspiring massage therapist should take include the following:
- Anatomy
- Body mechanics
- Massage ethics
- Medical terminology
- Physiology
Each state calls for a certain number of hours and firsthand experience massage students need before getting their license. You can participate in an internship program or go to work at a school’s massage clinic.
You need to take an exam when you have finished your education. The areas that are normally covered on the licensing exam include the following:
- Client assessments
- Ethics
- Kinesiology
- Physiological effects of massage
After completing the test, you must apply for a state license. You need to prove that you have met all the requirements necessary to pursue a massage therapy license.
You can find your state’s licensing conditions on the American Massage Therapy Association’s website. A certification is a fantastic way to prove your value as a potential massage therapist.
Some of the other massage therapy certifications include:
- Clinical rehabilitative massage
- Palliative care
- Spa management
- Sports massage
- Veterinary massage
Massage therapists are in high demand. It is a promising career with a lot of options and opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of being a massage therapist visit this article!
Is Getting Massage Therapy Certification On-Line Legit?
Getting a massage therapy certification is legit. There are many massage therapy courses online, and you can get massage therapy professional training online by credentialed massage therapy instructors. A good example is the U.S. Career Institute.
They offer an online course, which gives you a certificate at the end. It is called the U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion. With this certificate, you may impress the right person who will hire you to be a massage therapist.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Learning Massage Therapy Online?
More people choose online learning to earn certifications because it is convenient. You should consider the pros and cons and determine if participating in an online massage therapy school is for you.
What Are the Advantages?
More massage therapy schools are starting to offer their classes online. There is some debate over whether learning massage therapy online is a good idea. However, there is no denying that online courses are far more convenient.
You can better fit classes into your schedule, and you can even do your work in your pajamas if you prefer! You do not have to travel to school, and many online courses are self-paced, which means that you can take your time with it and work at a comfortable pace.
Many people do not live near colleges or higher learning institutions. Online courses are their best bet for taking a class and pursuing their ambitions without having to quit their job or change their whole schedule.
What Are the Disadvantages?
However, there are some disadvantages to taking courses online, especially for entry-level programs, when it comes to massage therapy education. Even if you obtain some hands-on experience at a massage therapy clinic, it might not be enough experience for you to be confident on your own.
You need to choose a massage therapy school that helps you meet your state’s requirements. Meeting these requirements and receiving enough training will lead to you becoming a licensed massage therapist.
Many online massage therapy schools do not leave you with many opportunities to achieve this. Another possible issue is that you may find yourself unmotivated without the structure that a traditional classroom can offer. It is up to you whether you think you can learn massage therapy online.
The 5 Best Online Massage Therapy Certifications
Online massage therapy certification programs allow students to pass a state or national certification exam and begin their career as massage therapists. Although, there are some important tools a massage therapist uses, there are only a few selections due to the fact that massage therapy is hands-on work.
The following include some of the best online massage therapy certifications.
1. The U.S. Career Institute
The U.S. Career Institute massage therapy curriculum, encompasses a collection of courses that is one of the few online massage therapy certification programs. You can get certified without even needing direct training.
This program offers the following courses:
- Anatomical terms
- Ethics in a therapeutic setting
- History of bodywork
- Various bodywork approaches
Some of the other studies include the following:
- Chinese medicine theory
- Hydrotherapy techniques
- Movement and support
- Swedish massage
When you complete the courses and receive your certificate, you will be ready to take your licensing examination for massage and bodywork. The exam is dispensed by the FSMTB, which is the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Course material includes DVD instructional guides and flashcards. On average, the self-paced program takes about 625 hours to complete.
2. Allied Health Career Institute
The Massage Therapy Certification Program from Allied Health Career Institute is a 700 credit hour program. It is self-paced, and it gives you not only the online part but also in classroom learning. I.T. prepares students for the MBLEx certification program.
This program offers teaching in a wide array of topics, including the following:
- Anatomy
- Kinesiology
- Musculoskeletal applications
- Pathology
Students will also get the rundown of other applications, such as the following:
- Myofascial massage
- Reflexology
- Trigger point therapy
- Western massage
Allied Health also encourages students to learn how to develop relationships with clients through business content in the courses.
Pursuing a career as a massage therapist has endless opportunities. And, it’s jsut one o fmany types of certification and courses you can pursue in the beauty and wellness space. There are Online Facial Courses as well as the more broad Online Beauty Courses you can dive into and find the certification that’s right for you. The opportunities are endless!
3. Southern California Health Institute
This program by SOCHI offers a massage therapy certificate program recognized by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training. It helps students get ready for the California Massage Therapy Council exam.
Some of the things that students will learn will include the following:
- Business principles
- Kinesiology
- Lymph drainage
- Medical massage
- Physiology
- Professional ethics
- Proper hygiene
- Spa treatment modalities
Students will work with an experienced massage therapist instructor when in this program.
4. Northwest Academy
Northwest Academy is an excellent option for those who want to pace their learning. Some of the subjects contained in this program include the following:
- Gross anatomy labs
- Kinesiology
- Massage theory
- Pathology
Students also can complete more specialized programs, including a reflexology certificate program and instructor certification.
5. American Massage Therapy Association
The Sports Massage Specialty Certificate Program by AMTA gives students adequate massage therapy education to gain specialized skills in sports massage. I.T. is a self-paced hybrid program that offers flexibility. Some of the courses included are the following:
- Athlete care and conditions
- Building trust
- Sports massage ethics
- The science of athletics, injury, and recovery
The hands-on workshop teaches sports massage techniques and applications.
Final Thoughts
If you want to obtain a certification for massage therapy, you should consider your options for taking courses online. You will need to weigh the pros and cons.
These include the cost, what the courses cover, and the certification you will get. You can have a fulfilling and successful profession in massage therapy if you choose your education options wisely.
To learn more about other popular beauty courses check out this article!
