***This program is no longer offered at MCC.***
Please visit the Academic Programs page for a list of current programs.
Description
Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org
This program prepares students for a rewarding health career in massage therapy as a New York State licensed professional. It is a Fall-only entry program taking two academic years to complete. The curriculum includes extensive study in both western and oriental massage, biological science, health education and business.
After graduation, students are eligible to sit for New York Sate licensure as well as pursue national certification. Massage therapists typically work as independent contractors or in private practice. Others assume staff positions as LMTs in health care facilities, health clubs, spas/resorts, or with sports team. Transferring to a four-year institution to pursue Alternative Health studies or Fitness is also an option. Electives can he chosen with any of these professional goals in mind.
Admission is contingent upon: (a) A grade of "C" or better in High School Algebra or Sequential Math I, Biology and Chemistry. Four years high school English and Regents level courses recommended. Comparable MCC courses include MTH 098, BIO 120, BIO 133 and CHE 100 (a grade of "C" or higher is required in these courses); (b) Current CPR certification; (c) Completed medical requirements, clearance of existing health problem(s), and the ability to meet the technical standards (physical demands) for the program; (d) Vaccination against hepatitis B or signed declination statement.
A minimum grade of "C" is required in all Massage Therapy and related Biology courses. Once enrolled, students must take the Massage Therapy sequence of courses in ascending order and without interruption. Certain Biology classes are corequisites or prerequisites to certain Massage Therapy classes and must be passed with a minimum grade of "C" before advancement in the Massage Therapy sequence can take place (see course descriptions). A student who fails to pass with a grade of "C" the last semester will be ineligible for graduation. Departmental approval is required for reinstatement into the program if a student has had to leave the program for any reason. Reinstatement may occur only once. Attendance is strictly monitored in all Massage Therapy classes in order to meet New York State requirements.
Seats in the massage courses are reserved only for students accepted into the Massage Therapy program and taking courses in sequence. These seats are only held during priority registration for majors.
Since part time students must also take the massage courses in sequence and without interruption, they must be especially aware of the massage and biology corequisites for each course.
The days and times courses are scheduled each semester may change from semester to semester.
A fee of $3.00 in the Fall and $5.00 in the Spring is charged for liability insurance coverage.
(Housed in the Health & Physical Education Department)
| Distribution Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|
| FIRST SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours |  |
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition | 3 |
| BIO 142 Human Anatomy | 4 |
| MAS 120 Introduction to Massage Therapy* | 3 |
| MAS 130 Massage Therapy Professionalism* | 2 |
| HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| |
| SECOND SEMESTER: 17 Credit Hours | |
| BIO 143 Human Physiology | 4 |
MTH 130 Modern Business Mathematics OR
MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| MAS 140 Swedish Massage | 2 |
| MAS 150 Western Medical Massage | 3 |
| PEC 253 Stress Management | 2 |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychological Science | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| |
| THIRD SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | |
| BIO 243 Myology | 4 |
| BIO 244 Neuropathology | 1 |
| HED 114 Health and Safety in the Workplace** | 2 |
| MAS 210 CAM-Alternative Therapies* | 2 |
| MAS 220 Special Populations* | 3 |
| MAS 230 Introduction to Orthopedic/Sports Massage* | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| |
| FOURTH SEMESTER: 16 Credit Hours | |
| BIO 231 Kinesiology | 3 |
| MAS 240 Shiatsu* | 3 |
| MAS 250 Massage Therapy Seminar* | 2 |
| MAS 260 Massage Therapy Clinical*** | 5 |
| PROGRAM ELECTIVE**** | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 63 |
* All MAS courses except clinical (MAS 260) are lecture/lab combination classes. Lecture and lab may not meet on the same day and a lab fee is charged for these classes.
** Only this CPR class meets requirements for graduation and licensure.
*** Students are required to recruit clients to meet course requirement. A lab fee is charged for this course.
**** Program electives should be chosen based upon career goals and in consultation with a faculty advisor. Program electives include BIO/FSA 117, BUS 110, HIM 104, PPE 100, PPE 208, SVL 101.