Piedmont Technical College

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Massage Therapy is one of the fastest growing professions in the health care field. There is an ever increasing acceptance of massage as a holistic approach to health care and health maintenance.

A balance of academic knowledge, technical expertise, manual dexterity and ethical concepts prepare massage therapists to practice as health care professionals who are capable of addressing specific health issues and working in conjunction with other health care professionals.

Massage Therapists are prepared to deliver therapeutic massage which involves manipulation of the soft tissue structure of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasms and stress. Therapeutic massage also improves functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness. Massage has many forms, including Swedish, a gentle relaxing massage, pressure point therapy and sports massage.

Program Admission: This is a limited enrollment program accepting 24 students to begin fall term. In order to apply for the clinical phase of the Massage Therapy program, students must complete the listed program-ready courses with a grade of C or better or have appropriate placement test scores indicating readiness for ENG 101 and MAT 152. Once these courses have been successfully completed, a student may submit a Program-Ready Application to be considered for acceptance into a clinical semester. For more details about this progress, please complete a Health Science and Nursing Information Session.

Program Location: Greenwood

Contact Information: Michelle Liggett

Required Courses

Day Program

* Major Studies Courses: Completion of the Massage Therapy Certificate requires three (3) semesters upon acceptance to the major studies course work.

Updated 4/18/2012

Gainful Employment Information

Advisement Information

•  Students must attend a Health Science Information Session before initial registration. This is a mandatory college admissions requirement.

• Courses and clinicals are offered in the day only at the Lex Walters Campus, Greenwood.

• Requirements for Clinical Entry: To be eligible to apply for clinical entry, student must have successful completion of Developmental Mathematics (MAT 032/012), Critical Reading (RDG 100), and Introduction to Composition (ENG 100) with a 2.0 GPA or better. Students may place out of these courses with appropriate placement test scores. Successful completion of higher level courses such as ENG 101 and MAT 101 may be accepted as a substitution. Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 112) should be completed before clinical entry.

• College placement test scores may indicate a student's need for developmental or prerequisite courses prior to higher level college courses. These courses should be completed before progression into required Program-Ready courses. It is also highly recommended that students take Medical Terminology (AHS 102) and Ethics and Law for Health Professionals (AHS 205) while taking Program-Ready and General Education courses.

• A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for progression once in the clinical stage of the program. Students in the clinical program will only have one opportunity to repeat a failed or withdrawn semester. Two failed or withdrawn semesters will make the student ineligible to continue in the clinical program.

• Physical and Mental Standards: Students must be in adequate physical and mental condition to participate and function within the program and clinical environment. Read the Physical and Mental Standards chart for more information.

• Background Check and Drug Screening: Students are required to have an initial criminal background check and drug screening upon acceptance into the clinical phase of the program. This cost is borne to the student and is currently $80.85. A positive report on either may prevent the student from being accepted by a clinical facility which will not allow the student to progress in the program or take the licensure exam. Additional drug screenings will occur throughout the clinical program as requested by the clinical facility. The cost of these screenings will also be borne to the student.

• Health Requirements and Immunizations: Students accepted into the clinical nursing courses will be required to provide written documentation to the Health Records Assistant of the following: physical exam completed within one year; two-step Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) upon admission, then an annual one-step TST thereafter; two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and Varicella immunizations or positive titers; three Hepatitis B immunizations or a positive titer; Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years; annual Influenza vaccine recommended.

• CPR and Hospital Orientation: All students will be required to have CPR certification by the date of their first clinical. All accepted students will have the opportunity to take CPR training (AHS 106) and receive proper certification determined by the program coordinator. Students that plan to seek certification outside of the college must have Healthcare Provider training through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. A copy of certification must be submitted to the department's Health Records Assistant. Yearly attendance at the Hospital Orientation presented on campus is mandatory.

• Program Costs: In addition to tuition, fees, and books, other costs may include but are not limited to uniforms, supplies, malpractice insurance, licensure preparation, and graduation fees. Students can expect to pay $300-400 for massage therapy equipment their second semester.

• Once students complete this certificate, they are eligible to sit for the National Board exam in Massage and Body Work.

Advisement Information updated 5/9/2012