Therapeutic Massage

To be eligible to participate in the admissions process, an applicant must complete all items outlined for college admission and program selection.  

NOTE: Applicants are not able to self-register for courses that begin with the prefix MTH; this includes all core therapeutic massage courses. Once an applicant has completed all necessary steps, they will receive communication from the Massage Education Coordinator.

If applicants wish to take any additional general education courses that do not begin with the MTH prefix, they may self-register for these courses through their student Self-Service account or contact a student navigator for additional assistance.

1. Apply to the College
   1. Determine student type (i.e. New, Returning, Special Credit, or Corporate and Continuing Education)
   2. Apply and get supporting information
   3. Submit transcripts

   Applicants can begin the admissions process on the Rowan-Cabarrus start page.

   All official transcripts must come directly from the issuing high school, college, or their designated third-party vendor, such as CFNC, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment.  Transcripts will not be accepted if sent to Rowan-Cabarrus from the student. Please request that official high school transcripts be sent to studentrecords@rccc.edu. If an applicant has taken any courses that might transfer from another college, please request that those transcripts be sent to transcripts@rccc.edu.

   NOTE: It can take approximately 2 weeks to receive and process transcripts.

2. Attend an in-person information session
   Information sessions are held at the College Station Campus.
3. Schedule a program admission interview
   Applicants will be contacted via email by the Massage Education Coordinator to schedule a program admission interview. All admission interviews are in-person at the College Station Campus.
4. Communication of contingent acceptance
   Applicants who meet the program standards will receive communication of acceptance contingent upon completion of:
   1. Criminal background check
   2. Physical examination

   Applicants will be given clear instructions on the process to complete the background check and submit documentation of their physical examination

5. Register for general education and MTH courses
   The department with register students for ACA 118 or ACA 122 and MTH courses.
   NOTE: BIO 163 or COM 120, ENG 111 and PSY 118 are also graduation requirements for the Therapeutic Massage diploma

• Students will receive textbooks directly from the Massage Education Coordinator when classes begin. Students will NOT acquire textbooks from the bookstore.
• Students not registered in MTH courses may elect to reapply the following year by completing steps 1 through 4. The waitlist from the prior year is not carried over.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the physiological and emotional benefits and effects of soft tissue manipulation.
2. Demonstrate the ability to assess client health history and execute an effective treatment plan based on knowledge of anatomy and physiology, using principles of kinesiology, and an understanding of pathology.
3. Demonstrate competency in the performance of therapeutic massage by safely and effectively using basic massage therapy techniques and their variations including effleurage, petrissage, friction, compression, vibration, and tapotement.
4. Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain ethical client-therapist relationships.
5. Demonstrate comprehension of legal, ethical and professional boundaries of therapeutic massage.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of business practices, legal issues, and federal, state, and local regulations related to the practice of massage therapy.

• Benefits of therapeutic massage
  • Reduces pain
  • Increases ROM
  • Decreases heart rate and reduces blood pressure
  • Increases superficial blood flow
  • Improves lymphatic drainage
  • Promotes immune health and function
  • Reduces edema
  • Reduces scar tissue formation
  • Decreases symptoms of eczema and other skin conditions
  • Increases relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system
  • Decreases stress, anxiety and depression
  • Improves cognitive and memory function
  • Improves the production and absorption of insulin
• Job outlook: projected growth and opportunities
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% growth between 2024-2034; median pay is $27.86 an hour; $57,950 a year.
  • Part-time work is common, though full-time work is available.
  • Variety of work settings: private practice, spas or salons, clinical offices, mobile work, sporting events.
  • Various work options: wellness, clinical orrehabilitative, cancer care, end-of-life, doula or midwifery, prenatal and postnatal care, sports, geriatrics, pain management and opioid withdrawal or addiction.

• ACA 118 College Study Skills or ACA 122 College Transfer Success (1-2 credits)
• MTH 110 Fundamentals of Massage (10 credits)
• MTH 125 Ethics of Massage (2 credits)
• MTH 121 Clinic Supplement I (1 credit)

Total SHC 14-15

• MTH 120 Therapeutic Massage Applications (10 credits)
• MTH 130 Therapeutic Massage Management (2 credits)
• MTH 221 Clinic Supplement II (2 credits)

Total SHC 14

• ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry (3 credits)
• BIO 163 Basic Anatomy and Physiology (5 credits) or COM 120 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• PSY 118 Interpersonal Psychology (3 credits)

Total SHC 9-11