Are you in search of the best massage therapy schools in Georgia? Search no more; we’ve got you covered.
This article fully reviews the best massage therapy schools in Georgia, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.
As one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, massage therapists will be in high demand over the next decade.Â
Georgia has various massage schools that train people like you to satisfy the increased demand.Â
Massage therapy may be an excellent career choice if you want to help people attain health and wellness.
You can study how to relieve pain and promote relaxation for a wide range of people at Georgia massage schools.
As the Empire State of the South, Georgia is a southern hotspot, with the culture and variety of Atlanta at its heart.
As a Georgia massage therapist, you may have the opportunity to set your hours and be your boss.
You can enjoy knowing that you are directly improving people’s capacity to feel better and live healthier lives.
Massage therapists in Georgia give therapeutic massages to their clients’ joints and soft tissues. They aid in assessing clients’ range of motion and muscular strength, as well as the development of client therapy regimens.
Many physical rehabilitation programs include therapeutic massage, treating many chronic illnesses such as low back pain and arthritis.
Also, massage by a professional massage therapist in Georgia can help ease the strains and worries of daily life.
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Are there Massage Therapy Schools in Georgia?
There are a few massage therapy schools in Georgia. They are listed below:
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College
- Coastal Pines Technical College
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
- Southern Regional Technical College
- Georgia Career Institute
- International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy
- Atlanta School of Massage
- Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Augusta
- Elaine Sterling Institute
- Gwinnett College-Lilburn
- Augusta School of Massage
- Peachtree City School of Massage
- Oconee School of Therapeutic Massage
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How Does One Become A Massage Therapist in Georgia?
To become a massage therapist in Georgia, a student must complete a school program that includes 500 or more hours of curriculum and training.
The state board requires institutions to be accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
The program must involve 440 hours of instruction and 50–60 hours of supervised clinical experience.Â
The board demands 125 hours of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology courses; 200 hours of theory, technique, and practice courses; 40 hours of pathology courses; and six hours of ethics.
The remaining 125 or so hours are devoted to various themes. Effleurage or gliding, tapotement or percussion, petrissage or kneading, stretching, superficial warming, contraindications, modesty and draping, client data collecting, and therapeutic interactions must all be learned by students.
Following graduation, the next step is registering for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork online (MBLEx).
When applicants are accepted, they contact Pearson VUE to schedule the exam at a testing facility in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Dunwoody, Griffin, Macon, Marietta, Savannah, or Stockbridge.
The board reviews the MBLEx results of license applicants to determine whether they are qualified to practice in the state.
Massage therapists must renew their license every two years and must complete 24 credits of continuing education from board-approved sources.
What are the Best Massage Therapy Schools in Georgia?
We chose the institutions listed below based on their programs, accreditation, student body, graduation rate, and reputation.
1. Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Three programs are available at this Rock Spring institution, each offering day and evening class opportunities.
Over three to five semesters, the associate of Science in Massage Therapy program requires 11.5 months of study.
Students can complete a certificate program in therapeutic massage in either four trimesters (15.5 months) or three trimesters (11.5 months) during the day.
The certificate program in relaxing massage lasts two trimesters during the day (7.5 months) or three during the evening (11.5 months).
The program includes a nutrition class and other business seminars in addition to the usual core topics.
2. Coastal Pines Technical College
This state’s largest public technical institution serves students from 13 counties. Although the university is headquartered in Waycross, the neuromuscular massage therapy program is located on the Golden Isles campus in Brunswick.
The curriculum includes 59 credit hours. Students must pass the following “basic skills” courses: English I, either Basic Psychology of Interpersonal Relations or Business Math.
Students must take Neural Science, Adjunctive Modalities, Licensure Review, and Professional Leadership in addition to the standard core courses. The program also includes two clinical practices at massage therapy facilities.
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3. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
This school serves 11 counties in south-central Georgia. Its neuromuscular therapy program is located on the Valdosta main campus.
Students learn Swedish massage, disease, and condition identification, medical recordkeeping, and client care.Â
Nervous system pathology, postural analysis, muscular energy techniques, myofascial release, and clinical reasoning are among the “specialized training” options.
Students must study English I, Foundations of Mathematics, Basic Psychology, Neural Science, and Professional Leadership in addition to the standard core courses. Two clinical experiences are included in the program.
4. Southern Regional Technical College
This public community college in southwest Georgia covers a seven-county area. The Neuromuscular Massage Therapist program is housed in a lovely, modern facility on Veterans Parkway at the Moultrie campus.
Incoming students must have specific ACT or SAT scores and complete placement tests in reading, English, writing, and mathematics.
The curriculum consists of at least 59 semester hours spread across five semesters. There are classes in Interpersonal Relationships and Professional Development, as well as Student Success, in addition to the state-required coursework.
In recent years, all program graduates have passed the licensure exam.
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5. Georgia Career Institute
Based in Conyers, Georgia, GCI began in 1975 as the Artistic Beauty College, a cosmetology school.
The institute provides a 750-hour massage therapy curriculum with certificates. Many 250 hours over state standards are spent teaching additional massage methods.
Students learn Swedish, deep-tissue, and medical massage techniques, Thai massage, reflexology, and aromatherapy. Hydrotherapy, orthopedic assessment, massage for special populations, pregnancy massage, and traditional Chinese medicine are among the additional courses available.
6. International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy
This private institution in Atlanta has been around for more than 35 years. After completing 675 hours of instruction and training, graduates are awarded certificates. The curriculum lasts 27 weeks and includes both day and evening classes.
History of Massage, Cells and Tissues, Massage Equipment and Products, Swedish Massage, Athletic/Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Shiatsu, and Reflexology are among the courses available.
Also, students have hands-on experience treating the general population at an on-campus clinic. The institution has a 100% admission rate, with approximately 50 students enrolled each year.
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7. Atlanta School of Massage
This is the state’s oldest institution, having graduated over 3,000 students since 1980.
The curriculum “provides a comprehensive range of foundational certifications.” Swedish and deep-tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, reflexology, and sitting massage are all covered in the courses.
A teaching clinic is on-site, and students complete internships at public facilities. Approximately 90% of graduates pass the MBLEx licensure exam.
ASM’s research team collaborates with Emory University on clinical trials to investigate the biological effects of massage in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and how Swedish massage may alleviate fatigue in cancer patients.
8. Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Augusta
Most pupils come from Augusta, Martinez, Grovetown, and Evans. The 720-hour certificate program can be completed in as little as eight months.
Swedish massage, therapeutic massage, and therapies for particular populations are taught to students.
Somatic Psychology, as well as Hydrotherapy and Aromatherapy, are offered in addition to the standard courses.
Many of the sessions in the curriculum include business aspects for those who want to create their massage therapy practices.
Students practice anatomy and organ-system mannequins in labs. They participate in three rotations in the student clinic and complete 100-hour internships.
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9. Elaine Sterling Institute
This Atlanta school’s 640-hour certificate program allows students to acquire their certifications in seven to nine months.
Swedish, therapeutic, deep-tissue, trigger-point, sports, Thai, chair, clinical, pregnant, and other special populations, and alternative medicine are among the many massage techniques taught in the courses.
Aromatherapy, body treatments, hydrotherapy, reflexology, Shiatsu, and neuromuscular therapies are also covered in the curriculum.
Post-graduates can take an International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) certification course in holistic massage and other advanced modalities at the school.
10. Gwinnett College-Lilburn
Previously known as Rising Spirits, this school was known as the New Life Institute School of Massage Excellence. It was later dubbed Rising Spirits.
Massage therapy associates of applied science degrees are available at Gwinnett’s Sandy Hills and Lilburn campuses. Swedish, deep-tissue, chair, and sports massage techniques are taught to students.
Other topics covered include neuromuscular treatment, reflexology, and success strategies. The program involves an on-campus clinic experience where students give treatments and therapies to the public.
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11. Augusta School of Massage
This 600-hour certificate program in Evans offers full-time day and evening options and takes roughly six months to finish. Classes begin six times a year, with a maximum of 25 students.
During 125 hours of Allied Modalities studies, students focus on clinical and orthopedic massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, and postural analysis.
At the Tuscany Classic Italian Spa, located on the upper level of the school’s lovely stone structure, they offer a variety of massage techniques and therapies.
12. Peachtree City School of Massage
Peachtree City School of Massage instills in their students the necessary abilities, work attitude, and strategies to succeed in the business.
Their programs include:
- History of Massage Therapy
- Anatomy and Physiology for the Massage Therapist
- Fundamentals of Massage Therapy
- Massage Business Administration & Ethics
- Spa Services & Wellness
- Clinical Massage Therapy and Neuromuscular Techniques
- Swedish, Deep Tissue
- Sports Massage
- Reflexology and Non-Traditional Massage
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13. Oconee School of Therapeutic Massage
The therapeutic massage programs are specifically designed to assist you in becoming a skilled Licensed Massage Therapist.
They concentrate on pertinent conditions and abilities to assist you in developing a thorough understanding of the whys and hows of therapeutic massage so that you can confidently begin your profession.
The programs are intended to pique students’ interest in the art and science of massage therapy.
The instruction is both student-centered and research-based. We concentrate on relevant content taught through live literature, which provides students with a comprehensive grasp of the effects of massage on the body.
Students will create a 3-D human anatomy model, read and write research articles, and test their clinical and manual skills. We schedule time for each student to practice with their instructor to ensure optimum touch quality.
Also, myofascial release and deep tissue techniques are the therapy methods we teach. Students can treat 13 common problems effectively, allowing them to exit our program confident in their capacity to be effective massage therapists.
How Long are Massage Therapy Schools in Georgia?
Massage therapy schools in Georgia teach anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and massage therapy treatment modalities.
Students also receive hands-on training in conventional Swedish massage, a foundation for many other bodywork techniques.
The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy governs a massage therapist license in Georgia. A massage therapist license in Georgia requires 500 hours of practical massage training.
To obtain their licensure, students must pass the National Certification Exam for Massage Therapy and Bodywork NCETMB/NCETM or the MBLEx.
How Much are Massage Therapy Schools in Georgia?
Massage therapy is a rewarding and in-demand career. Even though the discipline is classified as allied health, there are various specialties to choose from as a career focus.
Popular competence areas include maternity massages, deep tissue massages, sports massages, and aromatherapy.
Regardless of experience, all therapists use their skills and knowledge to reduce stress and discomfort by applying pressure to various body parts.
Massage therapists are in high demand in hospitals and clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment will grow by 21% between 2019 and 2029.
New entrants will have several opportunities in clinics, spas, hospitals, patients’ homes, sports medicine, and several other settings.
The program will cost approximately $13,500. Tuition, books, supplies, a tech charge, a content cost, and a license fee are all included in the registration fee.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for federal student aid through Pell grants and student loans.
How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Georgia?
The average Georgia practitioner earns around $38,000 per year (or more than $18.25 per hour), less than the national median of nearly $42,000 per year (or over $20 per hour).
The top 10% of earnings in the state make more than $61,500 (or about $30), compared to more than $78,000 (or almost $38) nationally.
The poorest 10% earn more than $17,000 (or more than $8) in Georgia and over $21,400 (or more than $10.25) nationally.
In 2016, the state had 3,490 massage therapists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number will climb to 4,470 by 2026.
That would imply a job-growth rate of 28%, which is quicker than the national average of 26% and higher than most other professions.
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Conclusion
Massage therapy uses the power of a touch, oils, and your hands to offer natural healing treatments to patients’ bodies.
Enroll in one of these massage schools in Georgia to learn how to become a certified massage therapist.
The beautiful State of Georgia attracts a significant tourist trade, which means enormous opportunities for spas and resorts.
I hope you find this article helpful.
FAQs
Is going to massage therapy school in Georgia worth it?
Overall, massage therapists report feeling quite satisfied with their jobs. In 2021, the U.S. Massage treatment was listed as one of the greatest job pathways in the News 100 Best Jobs study. You can have a high level of job satisfaction by pursuing a degree.
Can you make a good living as a massage therapist in Georgia?
Yes. The potential for making a respectable living is present for massage therapists.
Is becoming a massage therapist hard?
Massage therapy programs are rigorous yet exciting, tough but not arduous, and engaging but not challenging for students who are passionate about wellness.
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