The Massage Therapy program at National University of Health
Sciences provides you with extensive hands-on instruction so that
you can provide the highest quality of care to your clients.
What is Massage Therapy?
Therapeutic massage offers both relaxation and health benefits.
With the correct training, massage can be an adjunct therapy in
addressing many health disorders. Massage can also be a
stress-relieving choice for people committed to wellness and
preventive health care.
Massage Therapy Techniques
From the long-slow strokes of
Swedish massage, to the direct and penetrating pressure of
trigger-point therapy, massage therapy can also include:
cranio-sacral work, sports massage, pregnancy and infant massage,
chair massage, hot stone therapy and more!

Massage Therapy Careers
The field of massage therapy continues
to expand, offering solid benefits, including competitive
compensation and a healthy job growth, as well as a rewarding
career in healthcare.

Massage Therapy Licensure
To practice as a massage therapist, students must pass one or
more examinations in states with massage licensure. The Massage & Bodywork
Licensing Examination (MBLEx) conducted by the Federation of State Massage Therapy
Boards (FSMTB) is currently utilized for licensure in 44 of the
48 regulated states, including Illinois. Students must also apply
for licensure in the state in which they plan to practice. Students
are responsible for becoming familiar with all state licensing
requirements through their state licensing board. Visit the
American Massage Therapy Association State Regulations and
Legislative updates for more information.
Licensed practitioners must check continuing education
requirements for license renewal with their state licensing
board.
The professional organizations representing massage therapists
include American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Associated
Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).
Our Curriculum
You can earn your Certification in Massage Therapy in 3
trimesters or just one year of convenient evening classes. Or, if
you've earned your general education requirements toward a two-year
degree at another college, you can earn an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Massage Therapy by completing our program.
The massage therapy programs at National University provide
thorough training in every area necessary to practice successfully
as a professional massage therapist. Our distinctive curriculum
provides you with a solid grounding in anatomy and physiology, includes study of
massage theory and history, and offers extensive training in
clinical massage as well as business practices and ethics. You will
be prepared for immediate work in any health care setting or for
self-employment.
View trimester-by-trimester courses,
course descriptions, and the course schedule. Learn more »

Master Techniques
Establish proficiency in Swedish massage, chair massage, sports
massage, trigger point therapy, orthopedic massage, and deep tissue
work as well as geriatric, cancer, pregnancy, infant and pediatric
massage. Put these in practice when you intern in our on-campus
integrative Whole Health Center treating a wide variety of
clients.

Introduction to Massage Therapy
National University has created the Introduction to Massage
Therapy course to help determine whether massage therapy is the
right career choice for you. You will take this course in the first
week of your Trimester 1 and will learn the basics of massage
therapy through lecture, demonstration and hands-on instruction.
You must pass this course to continue in the program.
Accreditation
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), 900
Commonwealth Place, Suite 200-331, VA 23464, 202-888-6790, granted
National's Massage Therapy Certification Program fully accredited
status on October 25, 2002.
The associate of applied science degree in massage therapy is
fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 230 S. LaSalle St.,
Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413, 800-621-7440,
312-263-0456.
Strengths
National University's distinct advantages prepare you for the
massage career that awaits you.
Excellent Career Preparation
NUHS
graduates score very well on state licensure exams, the first
step toward your employment. We also train you for a variety of job
settings in massage therapy, including: spa, corporate, hospital,
and sports venues, your own business and more.
Gain Business and Communication Skills
Gain business skills like learning how to build a successful
client base, keep accounting and tax records, and familiarize
yourself with state and local laws through our business management
courses. Learn to communicate with other health care professionals
in classes like medical terminology, interpersonal communication
and ethics.

Cadaver-Based Anatomy
Very few massage schools in the country offer the advantage of
learning from human cadavers. At NUHS, you will gain a
comprehensive understanding of human anatomy through instruction in
a graduate level medical cadaver lab. You will actually see
the musculature, ligaments and organ systems, not just read about
them in books.
Outstanding Faculty and Campus
Because we are also a graduate medical school, you will learn
from professors, instructors and physicians
with outstanding credentials.
Our beautiful 35-acre campus includes a massage therapy suite
housed in our on-site integrative medical clinic. Here you'll intern
under seasoned clinicians, giving you real world interaction with
patients and the public. This is just one of the ways your training
will have a strong medical and health focus.
As a graduate medical school, National University offers
graduate-level, science-focused facilities to all students,
including students in the massage therapy program. You'll benefit
in a variety of ways; from studying cadavers in our gross anatomy
laboratory, working on The Anatomage Table, to working
interactively with students and practitioners from other health
care professions in our on-campus integrated whole health center.
Integrative Learning
Students have the opportunity to learn in a unique environment
with others from multiple Complementary and Alternative Medicine
professions. This unique setting will prepare you well for future careers in integrated health
care.
Opportunities
The Massage Therapy program at NUHS offers students a few unique
opportunities that go beyond what a typical community college
program can provide. As an institution providing professional
degrees in natural healthcare, we have the faculty and facilities
to provide the best possible training.
On-site Medical Clinic Training
Whether you decide to work in a spa or a hospital, you will
benefit from the unique training in National University's Whole
Health Center located right on campus. While interning in
National's massage therapy suite, you will be working along-side
doctor of chiropractic, doctor of naturopathic, acupuncture and
Oriental medicine interns and clinicians who may be treating some
of your clients as well. This integrative health care training
provides National University Massage Therapy Program graduates with
a broader range of practice opportunities for successful
careers.

Esperanza Lee - Massage
Therapy Grad
"I work with expectant mothers who are having complications
or are on bed rest, and with mothers who have just given birth. I
also help relieve pain, anxiety, stress and headaches for both
mothers and fathers whose babies are in the Neonatal Intensive or
Special Care Unit. I wanted an accredited, well-known school that
would help me be knowledgeable enough to be able to work anywhere.
Someone considering going to National should go knowing they will
be confident in their knowledge after graduation."
Explore other CAM Professions
In addition to massage therapy, you can also explore other CAM
(Complementary and Alternative Medicine) fields such as
chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and
oriental medicine. After sharing faculty and facilities with
students in these programs, you may decide that pursuing one of
these first professional programs in natural medicine is right for
you.

Kristin Woodka - Massage Therapy/Doctor of
Chiropractic Student
"I knew I wanted to be a DC and got an undergraduate degree
in psychology to be able to recognize patients who may have mental
health issues or have faced traumatic experiences. I also wanted to
have massage therapy as a base, to be able to work with muscles. I
chose National for massage therapy because it had the highest board
exam pass rates and I could transition into the chiropractic
program more easily. I like being in the integrative environment. I
was already in the clinic as an MT student, so I'm familiar and
comfortable there. I'll definitely use massage in my
practice."