ASHA's Comprehensive Certified Massage Therapist Program Curriculum

The Art of Massage

522 hours / 35 credits

This comprehensive, advanced clinical massage course focuses on myofascial pain and dysfunction. NMT uses scientifically-applied pressure to relieve myofascial pain, balance structure, restore movement, and promote integration of mind and body. You will be taught all aspects of NMT, including postural assessment and trigger-point referral patterns. You will also learn how to integrate all three core massage techniques (NMT, Sports, and Swedish) you study in this course.

This course breaks down into two sections:
(1) Basic Sports Massage, which covers traditional sports massage techniques for the treatment of athletes and their injuries.
(2) Advanced Sports Massage, which presents advanced massage techniques applicable to both athletes and the general public. These advanced techniques include myofascial release designed to reorganize the body's connective tissue to create a more ideal posture and Muscle Energy Techniques which reset normal muscle tone, reorganize joint mechanics and reorganize the fascial system gently and easily.

Swedish massage technique is the foundation technique for all massage, and the most relaxing of all types of massage. This class covers the history, theory and practice of therapeutic massage, as well as the dynamics of mind/body interactions in massage. The course emphasizes introduction to touch, energy exchange and the importance of body mechanics for career longevity. You will cover the five basic Swedish massage strokes and joint mobilization in hands-on classes. Additionally, you will learn techniques designed for performing massage on clients seated in a massage chair. A brief lecture, followed by a demonstration, precedes supervised practice in each class. You will give and receive massage in almost every class in this course.

This course teaches you a very systematic approach to working on specific points on the feet while affecting the body's various systems. A strong emphasis is placed on the mind-body connection. You will learn how to work the nervous system, endocrine system, respiratory system, as well as the joints and muscles.

This course teaches you about spa culture and product utilization in the industry. You will also learn creative and therapy enhancing applications of water, hot and cold packs, contrast therapies, herbal fomentations, wraps, and other valuable techniques.

This course covers the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM includes anatomy and physiology, five element theory, general meridian theory, plus yin and yang.

This class gives you an overview of Polarity Therapy, which is a comprehensive, energy-based treatment system that includes therapeutic touch, diet, polarity-yoga, and right attitude. Dr. Randolph Stone developed Polarity Therapy based on his personal study in India and China. It is derived from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This course provides an overview of how the mind and body interact as well as how to manage emotional release and psychological issues in the context of massage sessions. The importance of research to the massage profession and how to do case studies is included.

The Science of Massage

216 hours / 18.5 credits

This course studies the structure and function of the human body in health and disease. The course places special emphasis on bones and muscles. You will receive a study guide for all lecture material, so that note-taking is unnecessary. The course design features repetition and the use of visual, auditory and touch-based instruction to assure deep understanding and retention of the material covered. A & P II includes six hours dedicated to a review of basic material likely to be covered on the National Certification Exam or MBLEx Exam. It will prepare you by teaching you test-taking strategies and simple practical tips for keeping your brain clear under stress.

This course examines the vital role that nutritional therapy plays in supporting the healing process and sets the stage for you to improve your own diet and eating habits. You will explore the relationship between nutrition and bodywork, as well as the effect of diet on the mind and the emotions. Topics covered include: hydration, how food becomes body tissue, elimination, food supplements, detoxification, and common health problems.

This class gives you an overview of the germ theory and basic issues regarding hygiene for the massage therapist. The course gives special emphasis to the value of massage for the HIV/AIDS-affected person as well as safety issues for you and your client.

The Management of Massage

56 hours / 5.5 credits

This class prepares you for a successful career in massage. It gives you the tools you need to own and operate your own business (which many ASHA grads do). Topics include goal setting, taxes, marketing, accounting, brochures and business cards, office layout, and how to write a business plan. Guest speakers will share their business expertise.

Your growth as a person positively affects the quality of your massage work. This course examines the crucial aspects of lifestyle that can make or break your health. You will learn communication skills, stress management, coping strategies, and decision-making skills -- for both life and the practice of massage. You will undergo significant changes and personal growth as you go through the CMT course at ASHA. This course contains six hours dedicated to exploring the role and purpose of a code of ethics and practice standards for massage therapists. You will examine common issues in everyday practice in the light of ethics and practice standards. You will understand the importance of confidentiality.

The Practice of Massage

105 hours / 6 credits

Clinic I includes 3 hours of instruction in Hygiene which provides an overview of the germ theory and basic issues regarding hygiene and sanitation for the massage therapist. This course will explain the value of massage for the HIV/AIDS-affected person as well as safety issues for you and your client.
After your orientation to clinical procedures, while working in student clinic you will practice techniques you’ve learned in class. Each student has a private treatment room to perform massages on clients in the professional setting of our wellness center. You are expected to keep notes from each session of supervised practice. You will learn first-hand what is required to manage your own practice in a professional manner. You will have the opportunity to experience onsite massage at athletic and community events.
Students are scheduled for 24 clinic days based on preferences of Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Those in the Day program are scheduled approximately 4 times per month for 6 months, starting 2 months into the program. Night/Weekend students are scheduled approximately 3 times per month for 9 months, starting 3 months into the program. Weekend Only students are scheduled approximately 2 times per month for 12 months, starting 3 months into the program.

Total Program Hours

900 hours / 65 credits

ASHA defines a clock hour as 60 minutes, which includes an hourly 10 minute break. ASHA uses the following formula to determine credit hours per course.
1 credit hour equals 10 clock hours of classroom contact or 20 clock hours of supervised lab.