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What does a massage therapist do?
What are typical working conditions like?
How much does a massage therapist make?
What is the employment outlook for massage therapist?
Can I practice massage therapy in Wisconsin and Minnesota if I attend WITC's
Therapeutic Massage program?
How can I lean more about this profession and related organizations?
Are there specific requirements? / Who is eligible?
When does the program start and how long will it take to complete?
When do classes meet?
Is there a lot of homework?
What are the attendance requirements? / Will an absence affect my grade?
Will there be an advisor available to help me?
What are the costs?
Would I be eligible for financial aid?
When do I have to pay for the classes?
Will I have the same campus privileges as other students?
What is the registration deadline?
What do I need to do to sign up? / What's the next step?
Whom should I contact for more information?
What does a massage therapist do?
A massage therapist uses his or her hands, fingers, forearms, and elbows to provide gliding, rubbing, kneading, friction, joint mobilization and treatment to clients depending upon their physical condition, needs and desires. Moist heat, ice, diaphragmatic breathing and therapeutic exercises are also utilized by the massage therapist to help clients reduce pain, improve flexibility and circulation, and reduce the negative effects that unchecked stress has on the human mind and body.What are typical working conditions like?
Potential students should be physically fit, because this work demands physical activity. Evening and weekend work are common, as are long periods of standing and reaching. Aside from outdoor events such as sports massage, the work is done indoors, in a massage room, in a club, in a doctor's office, in a salon, in a spa or in corporate settings.How much does a massage therapist make?
Wages vary for massage therapists depending upon where they work and their level of experience. Massage therapists can receive both pay and tips. It takes time to develop a private clientele, therefore most beginning therapists work part time and supplement their income with other jobs. Entry-level pay can range from minimum wage to $3,400 per month. Experienced full-time therapists can earn as much as $8,600 per month.What is the employment outlook for massage therapist?
Employment of massage therapists is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment will grow as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy.Can I practice massage therapy in Wisconsin and Minnesota if I attend WITC's Therapeutic Massage program?
In Minnesota, there is no statewide licensure for massage therapist. Massage therapy is however, regulated in many states. In most of these states, therapists must complete at least 500 hours of coursework - and sometimes more - at an established school of massage. The WITC Therapeutic Massage program is a 654-hour program. Once students complete their coursework, they are eligible to sit for the exam of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Many states require NCBTMB certification. In states that do not regulate the profession, certification is considered a mark of professionalism and is often required by hospitals that hire massage therapists. In Wisconsin, massage therapists are urged to write the National Certification Exam for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers and then apply to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for state registration. This allows graduates to work as Wisconsin Registered Massage Therapists in massage clinics, health clubs, chiropractic offices, hospitals and health clinics, beauty salons, day spas, or in private practice.How can I lean more about this profession and related organizations?
Click on the following Web sites to gain more insight into the massage profession and related professional organizations:Are there specific requirements? / Who is eligible?
This program is open to anyone at least 18 years of age, with an interest in helping people as a health professional and possessing the ability to be flexible, empathic, non-judgmental, handle emotional situations, display a caring attitude, handle many hours of physical work, organize time and tasks effectively, and communicate effectively.When does the program start and how long will it take to complete?
The Therapeutic Massage program at WITC will begin classes in August and complete the program in May. This is a 24-credit program that runs for nine months.Click on the following:
http://www.witc.edu/currentstudents/schedules.htm, then choose appropriate
campus.
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What are the attendance requirements? / Will an absence affect my grade?
In many courses, students will be assessed on their contribution, or participation. Students are not graded on attendance, but attendance at all classes is expected. The value of student participation will be assessed. If the student is absent, they will not receive the participation points and their grade will be lowered. Much of what will be learned in the classroom is theory and "hands-on" practice. Students cannot learn when they are not in attendance.Will there be an advisor available to help me?
One of the Therapeutic Massage instructors will be the academic advisor to the program students. Office hours will be posted for individual assistance and advice for each of the instructors teaching in the program.Would I be eligible for financial aid?
The Therapeutic Massage program qualifies for financial aid assistance. See the WITC Web site for financial aid information and online FASFA application. Or come into any campus Student Services office to pick up informational pieces and paper financial aid forms. Students should plan on meeting with the Financial Aid representative.When do I have to pay for the classes?
Students must pay for any course that they are registered in, before they attend. Currently, students must pay seven days prior to the start of the semester. For students registering within a week of the semester start, payment or financial arrangements must be made at the time of registration.Will I have the same campus privileges as other students?
All WITC students are treated with the same respect and hold the same privileges.What is the registration deadline?
We accept registrations up to the first day of class. If you wait to register too long, classes may be filled. We encourage you to apply early and meet with a counselor. If you wish to receive financial aid, you must begin this process at least four weeks before the beginning of the semester.What do I need to do to sign up? / What's the next step?
Stop in or call the Admissions Representative at your local WITC campus to begin the admissions process. You may also begin the admissions process online. You will complete the application for WITC, pay the admissions fee, complete an admissions test and meet with a counselor to discuss goals and academic strengths. You may also receive Financial Aid information and have questions answered.Whom should I contact for more information?
Interested students should contact an Admissions Representative at a WITC campus. The WITC toll-free number is 1.800.243.WITC.© Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
505 Pine Ridge Drive ~ Shell Lake, WI 54871-8727
1.800.243.WITC or 715.468.2815
Fax 715.468.2819 - TTY 711
Equal Opportunity College
