Therapeutic Massage

The Outlook

More and more people are turning to complementary therapies such as meditation and massage to cope with stress, recover from illness or injury, or to maintain a balanced, healthy outlook on life. Finger Lakes Community College's Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Therapeutic Massage/ Integrated Health Care is designed to meet the growing demand for trained professionals in this health care field.

The program combines both massage and other forms of complementary therapies as well as a strong focus on research.

FLCC is one of a few colleges in New York State to offer this type of program. FLCC's degree program is less expensive than private massage schools in the State. At the same time, students are taking credit bearing courses many of which transfer into baccalaureate programs.

The Program

The A.A.S. Therapeutic Massage/Integrated Health Care is a unique program which develops the knowledge and basic skills necessary for the practice of massage therapy while also providing a base of studies in life sciences and alternative therapies. This holistic approach is complemented with coursework in general education, as well as introducing the student to massage research. The program is designed for those students who are preparing for a new career in massage therapy. Professionals who are currently working in other health care fields may choose to seek further training in integrated therapies through this program.

Admission to the program is competitive. Courses are completed over a two year schedule.

A limited number of seats may be available for January admission. Applying students must have a minimum of 13 credits applicable to the program, including A&P I, by the December preceding admission. Total number of credits and GPA will be used as admission criteria. Students, accepted into this track, will complete the program in three semesters from the time of his/her January admission. This requires enrolling in Massage 110, in addition to the other required massage courses, during the f all semester of the sophomore year. Interested pre-massage students should contact Admissions by December 1.

For more information about admission requirements and a pre-Therapeutic Massage/Integrated Health Care sequence of courses, contact the FLCC Office of Admissions at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278.

The Experience

Sixty-four credit hours of study (equivalent to two years of full-time study) are required for this program. Students will take classes in subjects such as Swedish Massage, Medical Massage, Connective Tissue/Neuromuscular Massage, Shiatsu, Therapeutic Touch, Oriental Healing Arts, Yoga, and others. Massage Therapy Research is also included in the program.

Students may enroll in the program on either a full-time (taking 12 credit hours or more) or part-time basis. Except with special permission, massage therapy courses should be taken over a consecutive two-year period. The pre-massage sequence is suited for students who wish to attend part-time.

The program meets the standard 1,000 hours of academic training in massage therapy that are now required to sit for the NYS massage licensing exam. Graduates of the program will also be prepared to take the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

The Graduates

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to seek employment in massage and integrative therapies at hospitals, health centers, resorts, corporations, clinics, and private practices.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that faster than average job growth is expected in this field through the year 2010.

The Faculty

The massage program is composed of New York State-licensed massage therapists who hold masters and doctoral degrees. The faculty possesses a wide array of educational backgrounds in Eastern and Western massage modalities, as well as current experience in private practice. Credentials include research, chiropractic care, nursing and yoga. Individual faculty members have studied at the Ohashi Institute and one is a graduate from the Swedish Institute in New York City. Continuing education is a high priority for faculty, with attendance at workshops throughout the country. Students have the unique opportunity to travel with faculty to professional workshops; one group recently studied abroad in China. High education standards for faculty have resulted in graduates enjoying an above-average passing rate on the NYS Licensing exam.

Therapeutic Massage

Curriculum Requirements

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG 101 and ENG 102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors

Social Science

  • PSY 100 Intro to Psychology

Mathematics and/or Science

  • BIO 171 Human anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 172 Human anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 165 Kinesiology and Myology I
  • BIO 265 Kinesiology and Myology I

Massage Therapy

  • MAS 110 Swedish Massage
  • MAS 205 Medical Massage
  • MAS 210 Shiatsu I
  • MAS 211 Shiatsu II
  • MAS 215 Connective Tissue/Neuromuscular Massage
  • MAS 220 Law and Ethics
  • MAS 245 Massage Therapy Research
  • MAS 250 Practicum

Health/Physical Education

  • PE 112 Yoga
  • PE 165 Oriental Healing Arts
  • PE 166 Biofield Therapy
  • PE 214 First Aid - Responding to Emergencies
  • PE 212 Health
  • MAS 225/NUR 220 Alternative Therapies

Therapeutic Massage

Sample Schedule

This program is designed to prepare students for the New York State massage license examination. The following schedule shows how the requirements for this A.A.S. degree program may be met in four semesters. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Students are required to complete a minimum of 64 semester hours with a grade point average of not less than C (2.00) with a minimum of 150 hours of general theory and techniques in the fundamentals of western massage therapy and oriental massage therapy, with an additional 325 hours of instruction and student practice in massage therapy techniques for a total of 475 hours.

First Semester (18 Credit hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English OR ENG 104 Freshman English I Honors (3)
  • BIO 171 Human anatomy & Physiology I (4)
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • MAS 110 Swedish Massage (4)
  • PE 212 Health (3)
  • PE 166 Biofield Therapy (1)

Second Semester (17 Credit hours)

  • ENG 102 Intro to Lit OR ENG 105 Freshman English II Honors (3)
  • BIO 172 Human anatomy & Physiology II (4)
  • BIO 165 Kinesiology & Myology I (4)
  • MAS 210 Shiatsu I (4)
  • MAS 245 Massage Therapy Research (2)

Third Semester (15 Credit hours)

  • BIO 265 Kinesiology & Myology II (4)
  • MAS 211 Shiatsu II (4)
  • MAS 215 Connective Tissue/Neuromuscular Massage (4)
  • MAS 225 Alternative Therapies (3)

Fourth Semester (14 Credit hours)

  • MAS 205 Medical Massage (5)
  • MAS 220 Law and Ethics (2)
  • MAS 250 Practicum (2)
  • PE 112 Yoga (1)
  • PE 165 Oriental Healing Arts I (1)
  • PE 214 First Aid - RTE (3)

Pre Massage sequence

Fall Semester (14 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • BIO Biology Elective (Biology of Man I or Human Anatomy & Physiology I) (4)
  • PE 212 Health (3)
  • PE 112 Yoga (1)

Spring Semester (13-14 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • PE 165 Oriental Healing Arts (1)
  • BIO Biology Elective (Human Anatomy & Physiology I or II) (4)
  • General Elective (2-3)
  • PE 214 Responding to Emergencies (3)