Massage Therapy Certificate (MTHC)

The Massage Therapy Program is an entry-level training program for students interested in becoming a massage therapist or for health care providers wishing to expand their range of clinical skills and knowledge. The Massage Therapy program prepares graduates to work in direct client care settings to provide manipulation (massage) of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress, and to promote health and wellness.

Employment opportunities may be found in health care facilities, rehabilitation centers, medical offices, nursing homes, spas, health and sports clubs, hotels/resorts, cruise ships, and private practice.

Upon successful completion of the Massage Therapy Certificate, students are eligible to apply to take the Federation of States Examination (MBLEx) before applying for a South Carolina license. Note: South Carolina licensure eligibility may be denied to applicants with criminal convictions. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCBTMB Specialty Certificate for Integrative Healthcare.

Admission Requirements

• Students must meet the general admission requirements to the College as well as requirements for all Health Sciences students listed at the beginning of the Health Sciences program section of this catalog.
• The Massage Therapy Program has limited enrollment and students are admitted annually in the fall semester.
• Applicants will be accepted as they submit completed applications to the program manager until all seats are filled.
• Qualified applicants must have completed all developmental courses prior to acceptance into the massage therapy courses (MTH).
• Qualified applicants must submit completed physical examination forms provided by the Health Sciences Division and proof of up-to-date vaccinations by the designated deadline.
• Must maintain current BLS for Health Care Provider certification through the American Heart Association. Online certification/recertification will not be accepted.
• Must maintain current documentation of tuberculin skin testing.
• Students must submit information and fees for background checks and toxicology screenings by the designated deadline conducted through a facility selected by the College.

Progression Standards - After Program Entry

Failure to meet progression standards results in suspension from the program.

• After admission, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA on program curriculum courses at Central Carolina Technical College in order to progress.
• Must earn a minimum of a “C” or higher in each required curriculum course for the program. Students may retake program curriculum courses completed with less than a “C” one time only.
• Must successfully complete all components of a course (theory and clinical) in order to pass the course. Students who fail to complete a component will receive a grade of “F” for the course regardless of the time in the semester and are not eligible to receive a “W” or “WA” through the withdrawal process.
• Students must complete all course requirements within two years of starting date of first clinical course (MTH 121 ).
• Students are limited to two attempts at successful completion of any massage therapy program (including Central Carolina Technical College). A withdrawal “W”, “WA” or “WF” constitutes an attempt in a massage therapy (MTH) course and will count as one attempt to complete the program.
• Must maintain current BLS for Health Care Provider certification through the American Heart Association. Online certification/recertification will not be accepted.
• Must maintain current documentation of tuberculin skin testing.
• Students must purchase and maintain professional liability insurance with the College.
• Students must obtain one sixty-minute professional massage therapy session from a licensed massage therapist.
• Students may be required to purchase a portable massage table during the first semester. Prices vary starting at approximately $450; however, students may be given permission to use the massage therapy lab outside of class time to complete assignments.

Developmental Courses

This program of study requires that all developmental courses be completed prior to graduation. These developmental courses may or may not be prerequisites to courses required in the program. Developmental courses are determined by placement tests taken at the time of admission into the College. The developmental courses are MAT 013  and RWR 032 . These courses do not count for credit in any program of study.

MTH courses offered Monday through Thursday (afternoon/evening) and/or Saturday (daytime).

Following is a list of courses required to complete this program. Since some courses are offered once a year, courses should be taken in the following sequence in order to complete the program in a timely manner: