Healthcare does not get more hands-on than massage therapy. Massage therapists help patients to deal with pain, injuries and stress through touch and manipulation of tissues and systems. This kind of therapy has become essential in sports medicine, physical therapy and wellness programs. Students in this program will learn and practice techniques such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, hydrotherapy, and hot stone massage. The program includes a practical externship. This program prepares students to work in chiropractic clinics, physical therapy clinics, acupuncture clinics and massage clinics. Graduates will take the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination to meet the licensing requirements for Washington. Students are also required to join the American Massage Therapy Association and its Washington state Chapter. That cost is not included in tuition.
Enrollment Point: Fall
All program lengths are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.
These amounts are based on median entry level wages, they are estimates and are not guarantees. For more information, visit careerinfo.net
Tuition
At Renton Technical College, tuition is affordable and competitive.
Financial Aid
Federal aid is available for most students to help pay for school. Fill out your FAFSA now to get started.
Scholarships
The RTC Foundation offers scholarships to help pay the costs of attending school.
All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.
Entry Requirements
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Massage Therapy Practitioner Program, a prospective student must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 years by the beginning of the third quarter
Upon invitation and acceptance to the Massage Therapy Practitioner Program, students must provide confirmation of an account established with CastleBranch.com and pass a nationwide criminal background check (Crimes Against Persons list).
- Castlebranch website
- Package code: RR68
- Cost: $99 (do not create an account prior to invitation and registration to the program)
Screening and Tracking Requirements
- Annual background-check through CastleBranch.com
- Personal health insurance upon entry and for the duration of the program
- Current (within one year) physical evaluation by a physician or nurse practitioner to ensure student and patient safety. The healthcare provider’s consultation must include a physician’s release that states that the student is safe to give and receive massages.
UPDATE: All healthcare students who have clinical rotations, externships and internships must follow the vaccination requirements of the healthcare institution where they will be working-i.e., must be fully vaccinated or have an exemption prior to their clinical rotation, externship or internship experience. Read the latest COVID-19 Allied Health Policy.
Course Information
Requirements for Certificate:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| MAST 101 | Massage Techniques I | 5 |
| MAST 102 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| MAST 103 | Kinesiology I | 2 |
| MAST 104 | Pathology I | 2 |
| MAST 111 | Massage Techniques II | 3 |
| MAST 112 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| MAST 113 | Kinesiology II | 2 |
| MAST 114 | Pathology II | 3 |
| MAST 116 | Injury Evaluation and Treatment I | 2 |
| MAST 122 | Anatomy and Physiology III | 3 |
| MAST 124 | Pathology III | 3 |
| MAST 126 | Injury Evaluation and Treatment II | 4 |
| MAST 127 | First Aid/CPR and Safety | 2 |
| MAST 151 | Massage Licensing Preparation | 4 |
| MAST 161 | Mathematics | 1 |
| MAST 171 | Communication | 2 |
| MAST 173 | Massage Employment I | 2 |
| MAST 174 | Massage Employment II | 2 |
| MAST 181 | Human Relations and Professionalism I | 2 |
| MAST 182 | Human Relations and Professionalism II | 1 |
| MAST 191 | Clinic | 3 |
| Total | 54 |
Requirements for AAS Degree:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| Certificate of Completion | 54 | |
| MAST 201 | Holistic Self-Care for Massage Therapists | 3 |
| MAST 203 | Massage Business Start-Up I | 3 |
| MAST 205 | Asian Bodywork Modalities | 3 |
| MAST 207 | Massage Business Start-Up II | 3 |
| MAST 209 | Integrative Massage | 3 |
| AMATH 175 | Financial Math | 5 |
| CMST 280 | Intercultural Communication or | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication or | |
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking or | |
| SPAN& 121 | Spanish I | 5 |
| COMP 100 | Applied Composition or | |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition | 5 |
| NUTR& 101 | Human Nutrition | 5 |
| ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic or | |
| PSYC& 100 | General Psychology or | |
| PSYC& 200 | Lifespan Psychology or | |
| SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Total | 94 |
Requirements for AAS-T Degree:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| Certificate of Completion | 54 | |
| MAST 201 | Holistic Self-Care for Massage Therapists | 3 |
| MAST 203 | Massage Business Start-Up I | 3 |
| MAST 205 | Asian Bodywork Modalities | 3 |
| MAST 207 | Massage Business Start-Up II | 3 |
| MAST 209 | Integrative Massage | 3 |
| CMST 280 | Intercultural Communication or | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication or | |
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking or | |
| SPAN& 121 | Spanish I | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition | 5 |
| MATH& 146 | Introduction to Statistics | 5 |
| NUTR& 101 | Human Nutrition | 5 |
| ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic or | |
| PSYC& 100 | General Psychology or | |
| PSYC& 200 | Lifespan Psychology or | |
| SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Total | 94 |
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate competence as a massage practitioner providing services in healthcare clinics, spas, and small business settings.
- Communicate effectively with all members of a healthcare team.
- Demonstrate accountability of practice with adherence to ethical and legal standards of the massage profession.
- Collaborate with patients and healthcare team to deliver client-oriented treatment.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in assessment and treatment planning.
Accreditation
Washington State Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
Washington State Department of Health
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