Massage School

WRITTEN BY Sarah Mattie | UPDATED ON 05/02/2025

Massage therapists spend their days literally hands-on with their clients, manipulating muscles and soft tissue to relieve pain, promote relaxation, and promote overall wellness. If you're considering a career in massage therapy, then you're in luck—in this article, we explain what to expect from attending massage school, taking your exams, starting work, and more!

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What Do You Learn in Massage Therapy School?

Massage therapy school teaches the art and science of massage. This means that in addition to massage techniques, you'll learn about anatomy and physiology, biology, and perhaps even psychology. Business management coursework is very common, too.

Depending on the type of program you attend, you might also learn about nutrition, medical terminology, and kinesiology.

At every level, expect hands-on learning with classmates and clients.

What to Look for in a Massage Program

When looking for a massage program, the first thing to do is verify your state's massage therapy requirements. Then, make sure the school you choose is right for you.

Do they require a certain type of program? If so, confirm that the program you choose is accredited, as many states require you to have attended an accredited massage program to get licensed. In addition, federal financial aid programs will only provide funding if your school is accredited.

After making sure you have located schools that meet the state's requirements (if any), look for the best school for your needs. This could mean it teaches skills related to your career goals, is affordable and within a reasonable distance, or meets other standards unique to you.

Massage Program Education Levels

Whether you undergo a massage certificate, diploma, certification, or degree program depends on what you hope to do with your massage career.

No school requires an associate or bachelor's degree to practice massage, but some require a diploma or certification. Weigh the pros and cons of college versus a subject-specific program if you're considering both options.

Here's a brief overview of your massage education options.

Massage Certificate Program

Massage certificates are informal proof of knowledge. If your state doesn't require massage licensure, taking a general massage certificate program could help you feel comfortable in the field before you start. Or, you could go through a massage certificate program to hone particular skills or add new ones to your repertoire.

Diploma and Certification Programs in Massage

Massage diploma and certification programs usually focus on basic knowledge and skills. They generally take more time than a certificate but less time than a degree program and may be offered by standalone massage schools or community colleges.

When you earn a certification or diploma in massage, you'll likely learn about different massage techniques, anatomy and physiology, and business topics to help you better navigate the field.

These may allow you to sit for a licensure exam, depending on your state's requirements.

Associate Degree for Massage

Associate degrees go beyond massage and require general education classes. This means your curriculum will include the same topics as a massage diploma program, plus courses in topics like English, math, and other academic subjects.

Advanced Degrees in Massage

While bachelor's and master's degrees in massage therapy are rare, they do exist. These programs dig deeper into massage topics, of course, but they may also include additional programming about business management, relevant science, and relevant healthcare topics.

If you want to attend a bachelor's program but can't find one in massage specifically, consider degrees in kinesiology, nutrition, nursing, and other subjects involving how the body works. (However, if your state requires massage licensure, you'd still need to go through a massage program.)

Massage School Enrollment Requirements

Massage school enrollment requirements vary by school and state. Generally speaking, you need to:

Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Meet an age minimum.
Have a clean criminal record (or a criminal record that doesn't bar you from practicing massage therapy).

Though not universal, potential massage therapy students often need to prove they're healthy and vaccinated (or have an allowable exemption from immunization). Specific uncontrolled diseases or disorders may bar you from enrolling, at least until they're appropriately managed.

Can I Specialize in a Certain Type of Massage?

You may be able to focus your career on a specific type of massage. Specializations may be offered through your general massage program, but with the exception of common options like Swedish massage, you likely need to complete additional training.

A few popular types of massage therapy techniques include:

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most common type of massage therapy. Also called a "classic massage," it focuses on relaxation and relief from tension. If you provide Swedish massage therapy, you'll use oils and lotions while using kneading, long strokes, circular movements, and passive joint manipulation techniques.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is believed to manage certain health conditions by relieving pain and tension, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and more. In this variation of Swedish massage, you may place hot stones on a client's body or even use the stones as tools for the massage.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage uses techniques similar to Swedish massage, but since it focuses on more than relaxation, the methods go further. Many clients are athletes, people with injuries, or those with chronic pain conditions. This type of massage goes for the inner layers of tendons, muscles, and connective tissues, and practitioners use a lot of pressure.

Medical Massage

Medical massage treats diagnosed ailments. If you work as a medical massage therapist, expect to work with physicians, chiropractors, and other medical professionals to plan and execute individualized massages. Or, the practitioner may write a "prescription" for specific massage techniques, which you'll then carry out.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is more similar to yoga than traditional massage, as it involves stretching and yoga poses. The therapist helps clients perform stretches and uses their hands, elbows, arms, and feet to help relieve tension. This can increase flexibility, ease pain, and provide other health benefits.

Reflexology

massage therapist massaging someone's foot

Reflexology is often considered a form of alternative medicine and follows the theory that different parts of the foot are related to specific organs or parts of the body. As a reflexologist, you'll apply pressure to the areas associated with where a client is dealing with pain or illness in the hopes of relieving symptoms.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an addition to other types of massage therapy. If you specialize in aromatherapy, you may put essential oils in a diffuser during a client's session or add a few drops to the lotion you're using on them. The uses of these oils is believed to help fight stress, increase energy, and help with healing.

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Massage Therapist?

Your time in massage school depends on the program and location. State regulations vary, and program length is affected by this. For example, Kansas requires no formal massage training. Meanwhile, New York requires a minimum of 1,000 training hours.

Further, massage education time can be affected by the specific county or city you live in. Kansas may not require training, but certain locations within the state do.

How Much Does Massage School Cost?

Massage school tuition can vary significantly based on the above factors. However, you may qualify for scholarships or other forms of financial aid depending on the type and length of your program. Some places of business even offer tuition reimbursement for students after graduation.

Getting Your Massage License

The requirements for obtaining a massage therapy license vary by state and usually include passing an exam, undertaking a minimum number of training hours, and paying license fees.

Most states' massage therapy licenses are only valid for a year or two, after which you must renew the license to keep practicing in that state. You might also need to complete continuing education hours.

Working as a Massage Therapist

Your massage therapy career expectations depend on the type of massage you do and where you work.

If you're employed by someone else, they set your schedule, and that may mean evening or weekend hours. You might have to perform duties other than massage, such as working at the front desk or doing inventory.

However, if you work for yourself, you could rent a space in a spa or studio, work out of your home, or be a mobile massage therapist, generally setting your own hours. Running your own business means you're in charge of everything, though, including taxes and appropriate business licensure.

Some positions may be found in rehab centers, nursing homes, or hospitals, where you can provide services to people with additional healthcare needs. You might also work in a resort, on a cruise ship, or in other locations.

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