Massage Therapy - Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Description

The Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy gives students a unique opportunity to earn a degree alongside licensure. COCC is the only massage school to offer this on the west coast. The AAS degree integrates science with the human body alongside a wide variety of Eastern and Western massage therapy applications. Students also develop skills in business, computer skills and health while working in the community.

Students have two opportunities to enter the program each year: a Fall term day program and a Spring term evening program. Students may take certain program and/or non-massage therapy courses any time before enrollment into the program or during enrollment in the program.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the degree, students will be able to:

  1. Implement a wide variety of specialty skills related to massage therapy.
  2. Exhibit characteristics of guidelines for a professional business practice.
  3. Conduct client assessment, reassessment, and treatment planning.
  4. Describe the benefits and physiological effects of techniques that manipulate soft tissue.
  5. Use professional communication skills with clients and peers.

Entrance Requirements

Recommended:

  • BI 105 Human Biology for Health Science Careers or BI 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Completion of MTH 015 Basic Mathematics or higher or minimum placement Math Level 7
  • Completion of WR 065 Rhetoric and Critical Thinking II or higher or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 7

Required:

  • Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
  • High school diploma or GED

Additional Costs (Beyond standard tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Enrollment Fees

  • $17 per credit for 2nd-4th term LMT courses (builds your licensing fund so there is no out-of-pocket expense at graduation). 
  • $25 per credit for all other LMT courses for COCC general fund.

Course Requirements

Course Title Credits
Core Courses
Choose one of the following options:4-12
Option 1:
Human Biology for Health Science Careers
Option 2:
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology III
LMT 113Kinesiology for Massage Therapy I4
LMT 118Kinesiology for Massage Therapy II4
LMT 124Kinesiology for Massage Therapy III4
LMT 130Massage Fundamentals2
LMT 135Managing a Massage Practice3
LMT 140Pathology for Massage Therapy4
LMT 145Massage I5
LMT 150Massage II5
LMT 155Eastern Theory & Practice2
LMT 160Hydrotherapy1
LMT 170Professional Ethics and Rules2
LMT 175Swedish Relaxation Clinic2
LMT 190Therapeutic Clinic3
LMT 200 level electives17
LMT 210Community Outreach2
LMT 245Effective Office Decisions2
Other Required Courses
Choose one course from the following:3-4
Math for Health Sciences
Business Math
Applied Technical Mathematics
Math in Society
Or one course from the foundational requirements math list
AH 115Cultural Responsiveness in Health Sciences3-4
or BA 178 Customer Service
or COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication
BA 214Business Communications3-4
or WR 121Z Composition I
CIS 120Computer Concepts4
HHP 252First Aid & AHA Basic Life Support Provider CPR3
Choose one health course from the list below:3-4
Human Sexuality
Stress Management
Holistic Wellness
Nutrition for Health
Health and Fitness
Two Courses from the Discipline Studies List6-10
Total Credits91-107

Advising notes

Why choose the AAS over the Certificate of Completion?

  • Obtain a degree; open more doors!
  • Earn a higher wage
  • Offer specialized modalities that set you apart from other therapists
  • Reach a much broader client base
  • Complete the Certificate, license, and work toward completing your degree while working in the field
  • The AAS can typically be completed in an additional 2-4 terms for most students

Students have two opportunities to enter the program each year:

  • Fall, morning and day courses
  • Spring, evening courses
  • Students may take certain program and/or non-massage therapy courses any time before enrollment into the program or during enrollment in the program

Performance Standards

  • Academic Requirements:
    • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
    • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Verification of contact hours is required by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists licensing requirements. Students must meet the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists attendance requirement of 90% contact hour completion for each LMT course contact hours as identified on all LMT course syllabi.
    • Students are required to adhere to the professional conduct standards outlined within the student handbook.

Sample Plan

Sample Plan Grid
First Year
First TermCredits
AH 115
Cultural Responsiveness in Health Sciences
or Customer Service
or Interpersonal Communication
3-4
BI 105Human Biology for Health Science Careers4
Choose one of the following:3-4
Human Sexuality
Stress Management
Holistic Wellness
Nutrition for Health
Health and Fitness
 Credits10-12
Second Term
LMT 113Kinesiology for Massage Therapy I4
LMT 130Massage Fundamentals2
LMT 155Eastern Theory & Practice2
LMT 170Professional Ethics and Rules2
Choose one course from the following:3-4
Math for Health Sciences
Business Math
Applied Technical Mathematics
Math in Society
Or one course from the foundational requirements math list
 Credits13-14
Third Term
BA 214
Business Communications
or Composition I
3-4
LMT 118Kinesiology for Massage Therapy II4
LMT 145Massage I5
LMT 200 level electives (recommend LMT 217)2
 Credits14-15
Fourth Term
LMT 124Kinesiology for Massage Therapy III4
LMT 140Pathology for Massage Therapy4
LMT 150Massage II5
LMT 175Swedish Relaxation Clinic2
 Credits15
Second Year
First Term
HHP 252First Aid & AHA Basic Life Support Provider CPR3
LMT 135Managing a Massage Practice3
LMT 160Hydrotherapy1
LMT 190Therapeutic Clinic3
LMT 200 level electives (recommend LMT 216)2
LMT 200 level elective (recommend LMT 223)4
 Credits16
Second Term
Course from Discipline Studies List3-5
LMT 245Effective Office Decisions2
LMT 200 level electives (recommend LMT 265)4
LMT 200 level elective (recommend LMT 243)4
 Credits13-15
Third Term
Course from the Discipline Studies List3-5
LMT 210Community Outreach2
CIS 120Computer Concepts4
LMT 200 level elective (recommend LMT 271 or LMT 228)1
 Credits10-12
 Total Credits91-99

Outside of
expected

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