Description

The Massage Therapy Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program focuses on integrating the sciences relating to the human body with the theories and practice of massage therapy. Massage therapy students develop many skills that include a variety of massage techniques and modalities, methods to maintain client and business records, understanding the importance of client/practitioner boundaries, client communication skills and the use of universal sanitation practices.

The AAS degree includes the two year certificate in massage therapy and will qualify a student to sit for the licensing exams as required by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. The AAS builds skills for graduates to perform a wide variety of massage therapy modalities as well as business competencies.

Students are offered two opportunities to enter the massage therapy program each year including a fall day-program start and a spring evening-program start. Each program start requires the block of courses to be completed before moving to the next sequence of related courses. Students may take non-massage therapy courses (any course that does not begin with a LMT prefix) at any time prior to enrollment into the LMT program or during enrollment in the LMT program if time is available. 

The Massage Therapy Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA.)

Learning Outcomes

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 & 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

Material Costs

• Massage table ($400-$700)

Enrollment Fees

• $17 per credit for first year LMT prefix courses
• $25 per credit for all other LMT prefix courses

Course Requirements

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