Message Therapy Courses

Online massage therapy courses provide the education you'll need to start your career, including courses in anatomy, physiology, business, and ethics. This education will prepare you for the supervised clinical hours you'll need to become certified, a policy that varies by state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states require those in the career to earn the title of Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB).

Once the required education is complete, massage therapists enjoy flexible schedules and often work part-time.

Quick Facts: HealthCare

Placement rate: 90%
Length of program: 300 to 1,100 hours (six months to two years), depending on the state where you plan to practice.
Where you'll work: spas, gyms, chiropractor's offices, sports medicine facilities, private homes
Typical courses you will take: anatomy, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage
Typical hourly wage: ranges from $15 to $30 per hour, with private practitioners earning even more.

Massage Therapy: An Exciting Career

The need for massage therapists is expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years. In the last year, more than one in five adults received a professional massage. Stress relief is the number one reason people get a massage, followed closely by pain relief. Doctors now often prescribe massage therapy as a way to manage chronic pain.

Massage Therapy Education Through Distance Learning

Distance learning with online courses is a great way to begin your massage therapy education. Courses such as anatomy, physiology, and modalities of massage therapy are easily taken online. However, your study will require several hours of hands-on training as well. By taking as many courses as you can online, you can tailor your study to your current work or child-care schedule.