Wellness in Your Hands
This state-approved certificate program offers foundational training in the art and science of therapeutic massage, preparing students to complete licensure requirements in Texas in just two semesters. Learners explore a variety of modalities and build technical skills in anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, business practices, and ethics. A clinical internship ties it all together, readying graduates for careers in spas, wellness centers, medical settings, or private practice.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152, 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 program’s 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 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.
Learning & Career Pathway
The Massage Therapy, Certificate of Technology, is intended to provide students with all skills needed to enter the workforce. At this time, this award is what employers value and hire for job entry, so the College does not currently have other certificates or degrees related to this learning pathway.
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Locate and identify anatomical structures and physiological functions of the human body in preparation for the hands-on profession.
- Evaluate the effects of massage therapy upon the human body in both health and illness.
- Apply appropriate massage therapy treatment based on analysis of client massage goals.
- Demonstrate appropriate draping technique and body mechanics.
- Follow guidelines to create safe and hygienic work practices.
- Document Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan notes to communicate needs of the massage therapy client.
- Work within massage therapy's professional and ethical guidelines.
- Differentiate between normal and pathological conditions of the client as they relate to indications and contraindications of massage therapy.
Licensure or Certification
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) state licensing exam, which can be either the MBLEx or the Texas-specific exam.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated from the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements 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 external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
There are no additional admission requirements for the Massage Therapy program; you only need to complete your application to the College, as noted in “College Admission” above, and follow the enrollment steps.
Plan of Study
4MASG-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.