Massage therapists use their unique gift of touch to help clients relieve stress and manage pain. They benefit from flexible schedules, opportunity to operate their own business, great earning potential, and low stress. As the medical industry acknowledges the benefits of massage therapy, job opportunities will continue to grow. If you’re considering a career with low barriers to entry and affordable training, look no further than massage therapy. A massage therapy program can be completed in 3 to 6 months – based on the 500-hour requirement for training in Texas. The short-term training means that it is also affordable to complete and begin your new career after completing a licensure exam and obtaining a license from the Texas Department of State Health Service.
Tarrant County College – Northeast Campus
Tarrant County College offers a state-approved massage therapy program that covers the techniques of Swedish massage. The curriculum will emphasis chair massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, simple reflexology foot massage, and 2-therapist massage treatments as they work with a classmate. Course topics include health and hygiene, hydrotherapy/therapeutic modalities, massage fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology for massage, pathology for massage, business practices and professional ethics, and internship. The program prepares students for an occupational license. Students with a prior criminal history may not be eligible for licensing. Graduates will be prepared to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) and the Texas Massage Therapy Jurisprudence exam for licensure as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in the state.
Program overview:
Massage Therapy
Duration: 5.5 to 6 months (full-time) 8 to 9 months (part-time)
Contact hours: 580
Prerequisites:
- Complete a program orientation by reading the information packet available online
- Submit a high school diploma or GED or transcript from any academic institution
- Submit two health certificates – one filled out by the applicant and the other by a physician
- Must have a valid social security card
- Consent to a background check
- Submit a completed TPEG Educational Grant form
- Apply for admission to TCC to be an eligible non-credit student
- Attend an interview at the school’s invitation
- Register for the class in person
- Pay the required tuition to secure a place in the program – at least half the total tuition
Program cost:
Tuition costs $64 per semester credit hour for legal residents of Tarrant County or $126 per semester credit hour for legal residents of any other Texas county.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 828 W Harwood Rd, Hurst, TX 76054
- Phone: 817-515-8223
Parker University School of Massage Therapy
Parker University School of Massage Therapy offers a Massage Therapy certificate program that is sound, ethical, well-researched, and relevant to the development of wellness leaders. The school holds itself to higher standards through constant innovation and a commitment to serve students and elevate health care education. Once enrolled, students will be given access to resources designed to support their professional development for a career as a massage therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and maintains an excellent pass rate on the Massage Board Licensing Exam. Students will learn through classroom lectures and activities and hands-on experiences during a massage internship. Day and evening schedules are available.
Program overview:
Basic Massage Therapy
Duration: 8 months (full-time) 12 months (part-time)
Contact hours: 600
Credit hour: 34
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission
- Complete a print or online application for admission and pay the application fee of $25
- Fill out a transcript authorization form to request a transcript on the student’s behalf
- Request transcripts from high school if less than 12 hours of college credit has been earned
- Must be able to use both upper limbs to perform proper massage therapy
- Must be able to stand to perform techniques
- Provide proof of meningitis vaccination
- Must have a valid driver’s license and social security number
- Must have health insurance
Program cost:
Tuition for the program is $8,460. Fees, books, uniforms, and supplies are not included.
- Website: https://www.parker.edu/
- Address: 2540 Walnut Hill Ln., Dallas, TX 75229
- Toll-Free: 800.637.8337
- Phone: 214.902.2429
North Texas School of Swedish Massage
The massage therapy program at North Texas School of Swedish Massage meets the state requirements for massage therapy training and licensure. The program will emphasize massage techniques such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, chair massage, and hot stone massage. Course topics include health and hygiene, hydrotherapy/therapeutic modalities, massage fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology for massage, pathology for massage, business practices and professional ethics, and internship. Students will also learn the essentials for operating a successful massage business. In addition to classroom theory, students will complete 50 internship hours plus an optional 70 hours of extended internship. Graduates will receive a Massage Therapy Certificate and be prepared for the state licensure exam.
Program overview:
Massage Therapy Certificate
Duration: 5 months (full-time) 10 months (part-time)
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission
- Complete an admission interview and campus tour
- Submit a completed application and the $200 non-refundable deposit
- Must be free of communicable disease – evidence by a satisfactory health screen
- Provide proof of required vaccination
- Must have a valid driver’s license and social security number
- Must have health insurance
- Must pass a background screen
Program cost:
Tuition for the program is $5,265 for students who pay upfront. The Pay as You Go Price is $5,515. Fees, books, uniforms, and supplies are not included.
- Website: http://www.ntssm.com/
- Address: 2335 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76016
- Phone: 817.446.6629
Healing Hands Massage Institute
The instructors at Healing Hands Massage Institute have more than 15 years of experience in teaching massage. The massage therapy curriculum covers 500 instructional hours and takes a hands-on approach to give students the experience to function as skilled practitioners and the knowledge needed to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to become a licensed massage therapist in Texas. Students will complete 200 Swedish hours to hone their massage skills, 45 business hours to acquires skills to manage their own business, and 50 internship hours to practice and grow their skills with real-world clientele. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, business practices, health and hygiene, hydrotherapy, kinesiology, pathology, Swedish Massage, and internship. Full-time and part-time schedules are available.
Program overview:
Massage Therapy Certificate
Duration: 2.5 months (full-time) 6 months (part-time)
Program hours: 500
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission
- Complete an admission interview and campus tour
- Complete the admissions form – a parent or guardian must sign if the applicant is under 18
- Must have a photo ID/copy of current driver’s license and social security card
- Must pay the enrollment fee of $50
- Must be physically able to do massage work
- Must thoroughly read the school catalog
- Must be free of contagious diseases
- Must complete a Criminal History Evaluation application
Program cost:
Tuition for the program is $4,500. Students are responsible for purchasing the required books and supplies.
- Website: https://hh.edu/
- Address: 1000 E Campbell Rd, #120, Richardson, TX 75081
- Phone: (972) 234-4224
Hands On Approach Massage School
The massage curriculum at Hands On Approach is the same as other schools but they offer the advantage of the quality of instructors who are massage therapists teaching for 25 years. The instructors have been personally involved in the progression of the massage profession since 1995. They are committed students’ successful transition from the classroom to employment. Students will learn Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, pregnancy, chair massage and how to help clients with chronic and debilitative conditions. They will also perform spa treatments such as body wraps, salt glows, facials, and foot retreats. Graduates will be eligible to sit the licensure exam and become a licensed massage therapist in Texas.
Program overview:
Massage Therapy Certificate
Duration: 2.5 months (full-time) 6 months (part-time)
Program hours: 500
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission
- Complete an admission interview and campus tour
- Complete the admissions form – a parent or guardian must sign if the applicant is under 18
- Must have a photo ID/copy of current driver’s license and social security card
- Must pay the enrollment fee of $50
- Must be physically able to do massage work
- Must thoroughly read the school catalog
- Must be free of contagious diseases
- Must complete a Criminal History Evaluation application
Program cost:
The total out of pocket cost of $4,550 includes tuition, books and supplies.
- Website: https://handsonapproach.com/
- Address: 13370 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75240
- Phone: 972-484-8180
Greater DFW International Massage Academy
The massage therapy program at Greater DFW International Massage Academy prepares students for employment as a massage therapist. The training will include preparation for the licensure exam. Students will learn through classroom lectures but primarily through hands-on practical activities in the school’s spa. Course topics include Swedish, trigger point therapy, chair massage, muscle energy techniques, anatomy and physiology, pathology, kinesiology, and pregnancy massage. Other topics include health and hygiene, hydrotherapy, business practices and ethics, muscle energy techniques, and internship program. Graduates of the Texas Department of State Health Service approved program will be eligible to take the licensure exam to become licensed massage therapists. Day and evening schedules are available.
Program overview:
Professional Massage Therapy
Duration: 6 months (full-time)
Contact hours: 500
Prerequisites:
- Must be at 18 years or older
- Submit copy of high school diploma or GED
- Must meet with an admissions representative before applying to the program
- Must apply for admission to the program and pay the application fee
- Must be able to use both upper limbs to perform proper massage therapy
- Must have a valid driver’s license and social security number
- Must pass a background screen
Program cost:
Use the contact information to obtain current cost of the training.
- Website: https://www.gdima.org/home.html
- Address: 1105 E Parker Rd Suite 105, Plano TX 75074
- Phone: 469-367-0699
Texas Massage Institute
Texas Massage Institute offers a high quality, professional therapeutic massage training that is recognized by the Associated Bodyworks and Massage Professionals (ABMP). The basic massage program prepares students for Texas certification as a registered massage therapist. The curriculum includes theory and practical training in the lab and internship site. During the internship, students will perform massage treatments on clients in the school’s massage clinic. Areas of study include Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology, health and hygiene, hydrotherapy, business practices and professional ethics, and semester one intern clinic. Training in specialized techniques will give students a competitive edge in the industry. Full-time and part-time schedules are available to meet students’ needs.
Program overview:
Basic Massage Therapy
Duration: 3 months (full-time) 7 months (part-time)
Contact hours: 500
Prerequisites:
- Meet with an admissions representative
- Read the school catalog and the Basic Program curriculum
- Must be able to satisfy the terms of the Enrollment Agreement
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance or concurrently enrolled in a secondary school
- Must have a valid driver’s license and social security number
- Pay the application fee of $80
- Must have liability insurance
Program cost:
Interest-free financing is available.
- Website: http://tmimassage.com/
- Address: 6301 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth TX 76117
- Phone: (214) 828-4000