Holistic Training for a Fulfilling & Flexible Career
What You'll Learn
The Ivy Tech Therapeutic Massage program offers students the opportunity to learn their skills through a student-run clinic that's open to the public. Students also can take part in field trips to work with those in need. Therapeutic massage skills include:
Relaxation massage
Therapeutic interventions
Deep tissue techniques
SOAP notes
Treatment planning
Ethics and professionalism
The program also addresses the effects of anatomy, physiology, disease and pathology on the body overall and during massage. Students also learn about psychological and emotional issues, legal and ethical considerations and business development.
Career Options
Graduates of Ivy Tech's Therapeutic Massage program can pursue a career as a licensed massage therapist, working for themselves or for a broad range of employers, including:
Spas
Wellness clinics
Massage therapy franchises
Chiropractors' offices
Hotels
Fitness centers
Mobile massage
Sports massage therapy centers
Physical therapy clinics
Resorts cruise ships
Nursing homes
Hospitals
In-home massage
Degree Types Offered
Credential Type
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
Long-Term Certificate
– known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
Short-Term Certificate
– known as a Certificate (CT)
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
HOW TO APPLY
Future Students
Students interested in the Therapeutic Massage program must apply to Ivy Tech first using the Ivy Tech general application. In this application, apply for the Healthcare Specialist program with an interest in Therapeutic Massage. Apply to Ivy Tech Now
The Therapeutic Massage program at Ivy Tech has a selective admissions process, which means that admission to the college does not ensure acceptance to the Therapeutic Massage program. Learn More about Selective Admission
Fast-growing career
Massage therapists are in demand.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20% job growth between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average. That equals about 25,200 new jobs for massage therapists nationwide each year.
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
The Ivy Tech Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Massage Therapy provides education and training for those seeking state licensing to become a massage therapist. The program offers a student-run clinic that's open the public and also features field trips to offer therapeutic massage to communities in need.
The massage therapy associate degree requires 60 credit hours, or four semesters, to complete.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
One path to the AAS degree in Therapeutic Massage is to complete either or both of the certificates offered in the program while working toward the degree. Certificates are designed to provide a gateway toward entry-level massage therapy careers existing in the local industry.
The certificates include:
Therapeutic Massage Certificate (CT)
Holistic Health Technical Certificate (TC)
Please note that Technical certificate students who want to pursue the associate degree should select TMAS 141 Massage Through the Lifespan and TMAS 201 Sports Massage and Therapeutic Modalities among their elective credits.
The AAS in Massage Therapy helps prepare students for a career as a licensed massage therapist, working in the wellness and healthcare communities. These roles require licensing and certification.
Students who earn an AAS degree also may pursue additional training for a career in a variety of specialized massage fields, such as prenatal, oncology, sports, or equine massage.
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should
be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Long-Term Certificate
known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
The Ivy Tech Holistic Health Technical Certificate (TC) offers core education and training for massage therapy. It also offers a variety of electives that allow students to customize their education according to their desired career path, with options ranging from Asian healing arts to dementia care.
The Holistic Health TC requires 41 credit hours, or three semesters, to complete.
FREE Through Next Level Jobs
Holistic Health is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible to have your tuition covered for the Holistic Health TC. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)
Please note that tuition will be free with Next Level Jobs, but some related fees such as drug screens, uniforms, and background checks are not covered by the Next Level Jobs.
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Therapeutic Massage, you can earn this long-term certificate on your way. The technical certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
To work toward the associate degree, select TMAS 141 Massage Through the Lifespan and TMAS 201 Sports Massage and Therapeutic Modalities among your electives.
Courses
The 41 required credit hours in the Holistic Health TC include:
The Holistic Health CT can help prepare students for a career as a licensed massage therapist, working in the wellness and healthcare communities. These roles require licensing and certification.
Students who earn this long-term certificate also may pursue additional training for a career in equine massage.
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should
be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Short-Term Certificate
known as a Certificate (CT)
Ivy Tech's Therapeutic Massage Certificate (CT) offers training that can prepare students for entry-level jobs or additional education. The program focuses on classroom and clinical training in:
The Therapeutic Massage CT requires 25 credit hours, or three semesters, to complete.
FREE Through Next Level Jobs
Therapeutic Massage is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible to have your tuition covered for the Therapeutic Massage CT. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)
Please note that tuition will be free with Next Level Jobs, but some related fees such as drug screens, uniforms, and background checks are not covered by the Next Level Jobs.
If your goal is to earn a long-term certificate or associate degree in Therapeutic Massage, you can earn this short-term certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level careers. That means you may be able to enter the therapeutic massage workforce even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Courses
The Therapeutic Massage CT includes 25 required credit hours.
The Therapeutic Massage CT can help prepare students for a career as a licensed massage therapist, working in the wellness and healthcare communities. These roles require licensing and certification.
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should
be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Massage therapy can be a good career path for someone who:
Is entrepreneurial
Is interested in healthcare
Prefers hands-on work
Wants many options for work settings
Is compassionate
Is goal-oriented
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits and program details above, massage therapy may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
At Ivy Tech, we've created the Therapeutic Massage program to be as flexible as possible while ensuring students receive a variety of opportunities for hands-on learning through a student-run clinic and field trips. This program requires commitment and dedication. Please consider the following information prior to applying.
Time Commitment
Students in the associate degree program must be enrolled as full-time students, but each of the certificate programs offer students the ability to enroll part-time and still complete the program on time. Some campuses even offer evening class options for those interested. It is essential that you plan for the same amount of study time as class time per week. Therapeutic Massage course schedules and assignment due dates will not be adjusted to accommodate individual work schedules.
Attendance Verification Required
Detailed attendance verification for students, including hours attended, is a requirement of the Ivy Tech Therapeutic Massage program.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency may require submission of documented hours of attendance upon application for certification in that state, which is required to practice massage therapy there. Students must complete at least 625 hours of supervised instruction to meet the Indiana state requirement.
Students are expected to attend all course meetings. Attendance is necessary to maximize student-learning opportunities. Students who are absent are responsible for missed material. Clinical courses require that the student be present to effectively evaluate successful achievement of clinical course objectives and concepts, as clinical course objectives cannot be accomplished or evaluated outside the clinical setting. Regular clinical attendance is mandatory for successful clinical course and program completion.
Students will be required to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Schedules vary based on campus. Please reach out to your campus of interest to learn more about meeting times and dates.
Required Screenings & More
Students will be required to complete a background screening, drug screening, physical exam, and required vaccinations (including COVID) upon acceptance into the program.
Connect with the Financial Aid team at your home campus to find out if you can receive financial aid for the program of your choice. Make sure that you have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the established deadlines to be considered for financial aid assistance.
There are no required prerequisite courses for the Ivy Tech Therapeutic Massage program. The courses APHY 101 Anatomy and Physiology I and APHY 102 Anatomy and Physiology II are recommended, however. Contact your advisor for details.
No Expiration of Credits
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least 4 weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Therapeutic Massage Courses
Descriptions of our therapeutic massage courses can be found in our online course catalog:
View required classes and course descriptions for:
See when specific classes will be offered by searching our class list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the class in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming classes are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Class Format
Due to the nature of the therapeutic massage profession and the hands-on learning in the curriculum, all Ivy Tech therapeutic massage courses are taught in a traditional, in-person format.
Step 1
Apply to Ivy Tech
Students interested in the Therapeutic Massage program must first submit the Ivy Tech general application. During this application, you should apply for the Healthcare Specialist program with an interest in Therapeutic Massage. Admission to the college does not ensure acceptance to a health science program.
Following completion of prerequisite courses, you may apply for the Therapeutic Massage program through the online application for health science programs.
The Therapeutic Massage program begins each fall and spring, depending on the campus. The application windows are:
March 15 to May 15 to begin the program in the fall
Aug. 15 to Oct. 15 to begin the program in the spring
Contact an advisor at your campus of interest to learn more.
Filling Out the Therapeutic Massage Online Application
If you are not a current Ivy Tech Community College student, please Apply Now. You will need a C# (Ivy Tech student ID number) and Ivy Tech single sign-on login credentials in order to apply.
Gather all required or optional documentation that you will need to upload into the system. View more about requirements here. You will have the ability to save your application in progress until you are able to secure documentation.
If you are transferring from another institution, please make sure that your transcripts are evaluated at least 4 weeks prior to the application deadline.
Check to make sure your personal information is accurate.
Select the programs and campuses you would like to be considered as an applicant. You can select up to three different programs and three different campuses. (Some students choose to apply to multiple programs within the School of Health Sciences.)
You must meet all of the prerequisites for a program in order to submit your application. If you receive a message indicating that you do not meet the prerequisites, then please remove that program selection in order to proceed with the application.
Upload any necessary documents.
Make sure grades in the system are accurate. If not, please contact your home campus registrar or advisor.
You will be able to submit your application if you are currently enrolled in a course identified as a prerequisite for the program.
Once complete, submit your application.
You will receive an email confirmation in your Ivy Tech email account that your application has been submitted and is pending review.
Once you have submitted your application, you have the option to reopen it to make changes.
Note: DO NOT USE THE “BACK” function on your computer. Use the navigation pane at the side of the page to navigate.
To learn more about the Health Sciences and Nursing application process, watch the below video, read the FAQ, or contact your campus of interest.
Offers of Admission
Students can select up to three programs and three campuses each on the application. Offers of acceptance are for a specific program and campus. The offers are determined through eight rounds of auto-selection and six rounds of manual selection.
If a student is accepted, they will receive an email from the online application system to their Ivy Tech email account offering a seat in the program. Offers are emailed beginning within one week of the application close date and continue until program capacity is met or one week before the start of semester classes. Each round of offers begins at 6:00 am and applicants have until 11:59 pm the following day to either accept or reject an offer.
Depending on their rank and offers, a student could potentially receive multiple offers. Once one offer is accepted, the student is immediately withdrawn from all other offers and will be contacted by the chair or dean of the program with information about the program orientation date, time, and location.
If a student fails to respond, then the offer expires. If a student rejects an offer three (3) times, the application is removed from the auto-selection application pool but will then be available for manual selection rounds that occur later in the process.
Students do have the ability to withdraw an application at any point during the admission cycle. However, once an application is withdrawn, another one cannot be submitted until the next application cycle.
After You're Accepted
If you are accepted into the program—first off, congratulations!—you will be required to attend an orientation session at your local campus during the summer semester prior to beginning classes. An email will be sent following your acceptance with details about the session.
What If I Don’t Get Admitted?
The Therapeutic Massage program does not maintain a waitlist. Non-admitted applicants can reapply in the next application cycle, but we recommend that they meet with an advisor to begin planning and preparing for the reapplication process. Advisors can also assist students in exploring other programs of interest in Ivy Tech’s School of Health Sciences if they have applied several times and have not been accepted into the program.
What is Selective Admission?
Therapeutic Massage is a selective admission program, which means we only accept a small number of students each semester. This ensures that accepted students receive the training and attention needed to be successful in their careers. Interested students must first apply to Ivy Tech and then complete an additional application for Health Sciences programs.
Selection Process
Students are admitted to the Therapeutic Massage program primarily based on their GPA from any college courses previously taken. However, Ivy Tech will still consider applicants who have not previously taken college classes based on the capacity of each campus's program.
Ivy Tech Bloomington offers the Therapeutic Massage Certificate (CT), which can be completed in 3 semesters.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the state Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and upon passing, will be qualified for employment as massage therapists.
Students who complete the Therapeutic Massage CT may continue their education toward a Healthcare Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree for increased job opportunities.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.