Massage Therapy - Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Description

The Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy integrates sciences related to the human body with additional massage therapy theories and applications. Students develop skills in business and advanced massage techniques while serving the community.

The Associate of Applied Science includes the Massage Therapy Two-Year Certificate of Completion, which qualifies students to sit for licensing exams the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists requires. The degree builds skills for graduates who typically have completed the certificate and are working as licensed massage therapists.

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 program, 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

Required:

  • 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

Recommended:

  • BI 105 Essentials of Human Biology or BI 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Other Entrance Requirements

Required:

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

Additional Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

  • Massage table: $300 to $500

Enrollment Fees

  • $17 per credit for most first-year LMT courses (goes toward student exam and licensing cost)
  • $25 per credit for all other LMT courses

Course Requirements

Course Title Credits
Core Courses
Choose one of the following options:5-12
Option 1:
Essentials of Human Biology
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 180Therapeutic Clinic3
LMT 200 level electives17
LMT 210Community Outreach2
LMT 245Effective Office Decisions2
Other Required Courses
Choose one course from the following:3-4
Calculations for Allied Health
Business Math
Applied Technical Mathematics
Math in Society
Or one course from the foundational requirements math list
AH 115Cultural Responsiveness in Allied Health3-4
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 Credits92-107

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
BI 105Essentials of Human Biology5
CIS 120Computer Concepts4
 Credits9
Second Term
LMT 113Kinesiology for Massage Therapy I4
LMT 130Massage Fundamentals2
LMT 155Eastern Theory & Practice2
LMT 170Professional Ethics and Rules2
BA 214
Business Communications
or Composition I
3-4
 Credits13-14
Third Term
LMT 118Kinesiology for Massage Therapy II4
LMT 145Massage I5
LMT 200 level electives2
Choose one course from the following:3-4
Calculations for Allied Health
Business Math
Applied Technical Mathematics
Math in Society
Or one course from the foundational requirements math list
 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
AH 115
Cultural Responsiveness in Allied Health
or Customer Service
or Interpersonal Communication
3-4
HHP 252First Aid & AHA Basic Life Support Provider CPR3
LMT 135Managing a Massage Practice3
LMT 160Hydrotherapy1
LMT 180Therapeutic Clinic3
 Credits13-14
Second Term
Course from Discipline Studies List3-5
LMT 200 level electives10
LMT 245Effective Office Decisions2
 Credits15-17
Third Term
Course from the Discipline Studies List3-5
Choose one of the following:3-4
Human Sexuality
Stress Management
Holistic Wellness
Nutrition for Health
Health and Fitness
LMT 200 level electives3
LMT 200 level elective2
LMT 210Community Outreach2
 Credits13-16
 Total Credits92-100

Outside of
expected

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