Program Information
Looking for a profession that’s literally hands-on? Are you passionate about helping people overcome injury, relieve stress, and generally live healthier lives? If so, San Jacinto College can prepare you for a career as a massage therapist in as few as two semesters. You will be introduced to a variety of massage modalities and discover what type of professional practice is right for you!
The San Jacinto College Massage Therapy program:
- Is a state-approved program that provides foundational training in the art and science of therapeutic massage. The 24-credit (640 contact-hour) program meets and exceeds the minimum educational requirements necessary for licensure in the state of Texas;
- Offers full-time students the possibility of completing the program in two (2) semesters, so graduates can be licensed and working in less than one year; and
- Places emphasis on a variety of massage therapy techniques, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, healthy lifestyles, hygiene and sanitation, successful business practices, professional ethics, hydrotherapy, and spa modalities. Students also complete a hands-on clinical internship prior to graduating as required by the state of Texas.
Career Opportunities
Licensed massage therapists seek employment in:
- Massage therapy establishments,
- Wellness centers,
- Spas,
- Cruise lines,
- Medical settings, and
- Private practices.
A large majority of licensed massage therapists are self-employed.
For more information, students may contact Department Chair Mary Lindsay, 281-998-6350, x3587.
Campus
South Campus
Information
The Massage Therapy Certificate of Technology is a course of study designed to meet the needs of those students desiring to enter the massage therapy profession. The program prepares students with the technical knowledge, lab skills, and hands-on-training to complete national licensing exams successfully and to gain licensure for the state of Texas as a licensed massage therapist. Full-time students can earn the Certificate of Technology in two (2) semesters. All key aspects of the massage therapy profession are addressed. Applicants must agree to be screened for criminal history as required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Admission
Graduates are required to pass a background check to receive a massage therapy license from the state of Texas.
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Specifically, certain circumstances prohibit people from becoming licensed massage therapists in the state of Texas. Students should review the following reasons for ineligibility for massage licensure as taken directly from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website.
Sec. 455.152 Ineligibility for Licensure
(a) A person is not eligible for a license as a massage establishment, massage school, massage therapist, or massage therapy instructor if the person has been convicted of, entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or received a deferred adjudication for an offense involving trafficking of persons, an offense involving prostitution, or another sexual offense.
(b) A person convicted of a violation of this chapter is ineligible for a license as a massage establishment, massage school, massage therapist, or massage therapy instructor until the fifth anniversary of the date of conviction.
Plan of Study
4 MASG-THRP
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MSSG 1105 | Hydrotherapy | 1 |
| MSSG 1109 | Health and Hygiene | 1 |
| MSSG 1411 | Massage Therapy Fundamentals I | 4 |
| MSSG 1413 | Anatomy and Physiology for Massage | 4 |
| MSSG 1207 | Business Practices and Professional Ethics | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Term | ||
| MSSG 2311 | Massage Therapy Fundamentals II | 3 |
| MSSG 2314 | Pathology for Massage | 3 |
| MSSG 2413 | Kinesiology for Massage | 4 |
| MSSG 2286 | Internship-Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Capstone Experience: MSSG 2286 Internship - Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage, and Verification of Workplace Competencies - Eligible for the Credentialing Exam.
Prerequisite statement: Completion of all Level 1 courses in the Massage program per Department Chair approval.