Online Massage Therapy Schools: Comparing Top Programs

1. Are the school and massage therapy program properly accredited?

There are two types of accreditation that apply to a postsecondary institution. First, there’s institutional accreditation. This refers to whether the school, as a whole, meets certain basic educational standards. Most schools receive this accreditation from a regional or national accrediting body. Next, there’s programmatic accreditation, which covers a specific program at a school. For massage therapy, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is what you should look for. There are also schools approved or recognized by a state certification or licensing board, even if they may not have programmatic accreditation.

Ideally, you should choose a school that has both types of accreditation and is approved or recognized by the licensing or certification board in the state you want to work. But even if a school doesn’t have all three approvals, it may still be a good option. For example, not all states have a massage therapy licensing or certification board. Some massage therapy professional organizations can provide program approval that can still indicate a particular school has a high-quality massage therapy program, even if that program is not officially accredited at the programmatic level. One good example is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).

If a program isn’t accredited, recognized by a particular state’s massage therapy licensing board, or approved by a professional organization, make sure it at least has institutional accreditation.

2. Are the online classes designed to prepare me to take the MBLEx exam?

Practically all states that regulate massage therapists use the MBLEx as the main entry-level licensing exam. Therefore, it’s good to choose a program with a curriculum designed to facilitate the passage of this exam. If a school doesn’t specifically tout its MBLEx-based curriculum, that doesn’t mean it won’t prepare you for licensure. You’ll just need to ask additional questions as to how the curriculum prepares its students.

3. Does the curriculum meet my state’s massage therapy licensing and/or certification requirements?

The curriculum of most accredited programs generally meets most state licensing requirements. But, just because a curriculum meets the standards for one or more states does not mean the curriculum will meet the requirements for all states. For example, if you want to work in Nevada, studying through an online massage therapy program is not accepted. Many schools present answer to this question on their website, often on a “program disclosure document.” This will have other useful information such as gainful employment after graduation, cost of attendance, and how long it takes to complete the program. The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals website also has a helpful map that shows licensing requirements for each state as well as state board contact information.

4. Does the program meet the requirements for the professional certifications I want to pursue after graduation?

Professional certifications may not be required to work as a massage therapist in most states, but it’s still a good idea to consider obtaining them. It can increase your marketability and allow you greater choices in employment. Each certifying body has its own eligibility requirements, including completion of an approved massage therapy program. One such example is board certification from the NCBTMB, which requires graduating from an approved school. Certain specific requirements also exist, such as expecting applicants to show they have finished a curriculum with at least 200 hours of hands-on, western-based massage training at clinics or labs.

5. Where is the in-person, clinical portion of the classwork taught?

If you’re interested in enrolling in an online program, remember that you’ll have to complete the hands-on training as well. This usually means going to the school’s campus for the in-person portion of the curriculum. If a school has multiple locations, you’ll need to confirm which ones provide you the opportunity to gain your hands-on training and experience. Don’t be surprised if a school you’re interested in attending has two or more campuses, but only one of them offers the in-person training.

6. Are the classes or program eligible for financial aid?

Given the relatively short duration of a massage therapy program, they’re not the most expensive post-secondary credentials to earn. However, they can still cost a significant amount of money, so looking for financial aid is sensible. Most forms of financial aid, especially from the state or federal government, require admission into an accredited school or program. Even if your chosen school isn’t accredited, there may be other forms of financial aid available. Ask your financial aid advisor for guidance.

The underlying principle of reflexology is the belief that there are special “reflex” areas, usually in the hands, head, and feet, that can help achieve balance in the body. By manipulating these reflex areas, a massage therapist can bring relaxation and pain relief to almost anywhere in the body.

As its name implies, sports massage is commonly used to treat sports-related injuries and improve performance. Clients without a sports background can also benefit, if they suffer from pain from repetitive motion or are seeking physical rehabilitation for other problems.

Deep tissue is a massage style that applies pressure at specific points of the body. While compression of tissue is common, this is also about the angle of the pressure. Deep tissue massage is a great technique to use on individuals who suffer from knots in their muscles.

One of the more well-known massage styles, Swedish massage emphasizes working on the body’s circulatory system to achieve relaxation. This involves long, sweeping strokes, which is what many clients desire in a massage.

This specialization focuses on Asian-based healing theories and techniques. Students will learn how to perform various bodywork styles with Asian origins, including Thai massage, tui na, and shiatsu.

To learn more on how to help pay for school, check out EduMed’s comprehensive guide to financial aid.