How to Choose a Massage School

Massage school is a serious investment of your time, money, and energy. Do your homework before you select a massage school.

  1. Get a massage from a graduate of each of the programs you are considering. Your experience receiving a massage will tell you a lot about how well prepared a graduate is.
  1. Get a massage at the school's student clinic. You will not only get a sample of their student's work (at a great price!), you will also get a glimpse of how the school operates.
  1. Talk to graduates of several schools and ask how well they think their education prepared them for their career.
  1. Talk to the admissions staff at several schools. Do they have a plan to help you succeed in school?
  1. Talk to faculty members at each school you are considering. How well do their communication and teaching styles mesh with your learning style? How experienced are they?
  1. Talk to financial aid advisors at each school you are considering. Are you eligible for any student loans or grants? Are there any scholarships available?
  1. Talk to owners of local massage clinics. Do they prefer to hire graduates of one school or another?
  1. Find out how well graduates do on state and national licensing and certification examinations. Is their pass rate higher than average?
  1. Talk to the career assistance staff. How successful are they at placing graduates in jobs? How long after graduation does it take the typical graduate to find a good position?
  1. Examine the level of industry oversight of the school. Is it accredited by COMTA? by local accreditation agencies?