Program Links
- Map - Directions
- 235 Marshall Avenue
- Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
- T • 651.846.1600
- F • 651.846.1703
- Toll-Free • 1.800.227.6029
- TTY • 651.846.1548
Saint Paul College Programs
Massage Therapy
Program Requirements
• Clinical Massage Therapy AAS Degree
• Massage Therapy Certificate
Clinical Massage Therapy AAS Degree
| Course | Cr | |
|---|---|---|
| HLTH 1410 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| HLTH 1417 | Somatic Practitioner: Business & Ethics | 3 |
| HLTH 1420 | Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| HLTH 1425 | Clinical Applications in Kinesiology | 3 |
| HLTH 1465 | Functional Holistic Nutrition | 4 |
| HTLH 1485 | Therapeutic Exercise | 5 |
| HLTH 1900 | Pathology for the Somatic Practitioner | 4 |
| MASS 1400 | Introduction to Therapeutic Massage | 4 |
| MASS 1421 | Massage Spa Techniques | 2 |
| MASS 1422 | Massage Clinical Techniques | 4 |
| MASS 1423 | Massage Advanced Clinical Techniques | 5 |
| MASS 1480 | Massage Therapy Practicum | 4 |
| MASS 1490 | Massage Clinic Internship | 5 |
| Subtotal | 48 | |
| General Education Requirements | 20 | |
| (See below for specific General Education requirements for this program) | ||
| Total Program Credits | 68 |
| AAS Degree General Education - 20 Credits Students are required to complete ENGL 1711 and any SPCH course (7 credits) |
||
| Requirements* | Cr | |
| Goal 1: | Communication | 7 |
| ENGL 1711 Composition 1 (4 cr.) | ||
| SPCH XXXX (3 cr.) | ||
| Students are required to take from Goal 3 | 3 | |
| Goal 3: | Natural Sciences BIOL 1760 Nutrition (3 cr.) |
|
| Select a minimum of 3 credits from Goal 5 | 3 | |
| Goal 5: | History, Social Science, & Behavioral Sciences PSYC 1710 Intro to Health Psychology (recommended) (3 cr.) |
|
| Select a minimum of 3 credits from Goal 6 | 3 | |
| Goal 6: | Humanities and Fine Arts | |
| Any other General Education elective | 4 | |
| * Refer to the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Course List. | ||
Massage Therapy Certificate
| Course | Cr | |
|---|---|---|
| HLTH 1410 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| HLTH 1417 | Somatic Practitioner: Business & Ethics | 3 |
| HLTH 1420 | Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| HLTH 1425 | Clinical Applications in Kinesiology | 3 |
| HLTH 1460 | Nutrition for the Health Professions | 2 |
| MASS 1400 | Introduction to Therapeutic Massage | 4 |
| MASS 1410 | Therapeutic Massage Business Practices | 3 |
| MASS 1421 | Massage Spa Techniques | 2 |
| MASS 1422 | Massage Clinical Techniques | 4 |
| MASS 1480 | Massage Therapy Practicum | 4 |
| General Education Requirements | 3 | |
| PSYC 1750 | Intro to Health Psychology (recommended) | |
| Total Program Credits | 30 |
Course Descriptions
HLTH 1410 Medical Terminology
Students recognize and build medical terms after learning the meaning of word parts. A computer lab may be utilized to review terminology and provide practice in word building. (Accuplacer Reading Score of 70 or above) 1C/0/1/0
HLTH 1417 Somatic Practitioner: Business and Ethics
In this course, students will be introduced to different types of business and ethical standards in the somatic industries of massage therapy, personal training, esthetics and wellness int he massage therapy industry and basic aspects of a business plan. Topics include scope of practice, certifications, legal requirements, equipment options, charting, time management skills and payment tracking methods. Principles of professional ethics and interactions with clients are integrated throughout the course. (Prerequisite(s): Declared major in Massage Therapy, Reflexology or Personal Trainer major) 3C/2/1/0
HLTH 1420 Anatomy & Physiology
Assists the student to acquire basic knowledge of body structure and function. Emphasis is on the healthy body. The content in this course prepares the student to understand common diseases. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 1410 concurrent enrollment recommended) 4C/4/0/0
HLTH 1425 Clinical Applications in Kinesiology
This is a course in the applied study of human movement. Students will study muscles of the body, origin and insertion sites, nerve innervation, associated bones and bony landmarks and action. Students will investigate planes of movement, types of joints, discuss directions and positions of the human body and perform basic structural assessment. Adhesions and Trigger Points will be discussed and palpated. This course will also look at the theory and practice of functional muscle testing. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 1420 Anatomy & Physiology, or BIOL 1740, or BIOL 2721; physical ability to palpate the human body, willingness to view selected Human Cadaver videos) 3C/1/2/0
HLTH 1465 Functional Holistic Nutrition
This course focuses on developing knowledge of healthy nutrition for the individual, suggesting healthy nutrition for clientele, and optimizing the body's health and performance via supplementation and a whole foods diet. This class includes an evaluation of personal nutritional status and the various therapeutic properties of whole foods and supplements. Exploration of appropriate supplementation and sources of supplements will be performed. Actual preparation of fast and simple meals that are of whole food origin will conclude this course. (Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1760 or HLTH 1460) 4C/2/2/0
HLTH 1485 Therapeutic Exercise
The focus of this course is the management of common soft-tissue injuries through inhibitory techniques, bracing, taping, advanced stretching and corrective exercise techniques. Adaptive exercise for special populations such as geriatrics and pregnancy will also be discussed. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 1425, HLTH 1482 recommended. Must be enrolled in the Massage Therapy or Personal Trainer program.) 5C/3/2/0
HLTH 1900 Pathology for the Somatic Practitioner
This course is designed to teach the study of deviations from anatomy and physiology as well as basic pharmacology. Students will examine injury and disease related conditions most likely to be encountered in a somatic practice. Special attention is given to signs and symptoms, indications and contraindications of treatment methods, as well as instruction related to skin, neuromuscular and soft tissue conditions. Basic pharmacology will be examined along with drug supplement interactions. (Prerequisite(s): Certificate in Massage Therapy or equivalent as evaluated by faculty, or, HLTH 1420) 4C/3/1/0
MASS 1400 Introduction to Therapeutic Massage
This course will enable the student to track the history and development of massage therapy, understand the scope of practice, body mechanics for the practitioner, contraindications for therapy and professional ethics for practitioners. Students will review massage-specific anatomy and physiology with emphasis on muscle identification, actions and insertions on the skeleton. Students will be introduced to basic massage techniques through demonstration and practice. Students will practice correct table set-up and sanitation. (Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or previous completion of HLTH 1410 and HLTH1420 and a declared Massage Therapy Major). 4C/2/2/0
MASS 1421 Massage Spa Techniques
This course provides application of massage techniques using knowledge of the musculoskeletal system. Students will refine previously learned techniques and body mechanics. Deep tissue massage will be introduced. Students will demonstrate Swedish and deep-tissue techniques. Students will demonstrate knowledge of contraindications for massage therapy based on client in-take information. (Prerequisite: MASS 1400, HLTH 1410 and HLTH 1420). 2C/0/2/0
MASS 1422 Massage Clinical Techniques
Students will refine previously learned techniques in Swedish massage and deep-tissue massage by demonstrating mastery of massage therapy contraindications, body mechanics, muscle actions, and insertions. Students will learn stretches for both client and self-care. Advanced techniques in chair massage, reflexology, myofascial release, lymph drainage and neuromuscular therapy will be introduced. (Prerequisite(s): MASS 1400, HLTH 1420, MASS 1421 or concurrent enrollment in HLTH 1425) 4C/2/2/0
MASS 1423 Massage Advanced Clinical Techniques
Students will refine previously learned techniques. Students will investigate treatment protocols utilizing scientifically proven, outcome-based techniques including Neuromuscular Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, Travel Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Energy Technique, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitated Stretching and Positional Release Technique. Students will learn to perform thorough patient assessments utilizing medical histories and objective findings through palpation, functional muscle testing, range of motion testing, postural examination and gait examination. Students will learn to create a care-plan based on evaluations; create treatment plans using carefully selected techniques for the given pathology; and learn to recommend exercises to the patient. Students will learn to give supplementary care as prescribed by a licensed Physician, Chiropractor or Physical Therapist for pathologies including multiple sclerosis, spinal chord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, diabetes, AIDS, cancer, burns, post-surgical scarring, chronic pain and fibromyalgia. (Prerequisite(s): Certificate in Massage Therapy or equivalent as evaluated by faculty) 5C/2/3/0
MASS 1480 Massage Therapy Practicum
This course meets the requirement of the performance and documentation of the minimum 50 full-body sessions. Students will demonstrate and apply all previously learned techniques including use of client intake information, knowledge of massage therapy contraindications, and skills in charting for each client. (Prerequisite(s): MASS 1400 or concurrent enrollment in MASS 1422) 4C/0/4/0
MASS 1490 Clinical Massage Internship
Students will refine all previously learned techniques and put them into practice. Students are placed in a traditional clinical setting at Chiropractic offices, Medical Sport Institutes and Physical Therapy clinics for half of the internship. For the second half, students may choose to focus on an area of choice such as oncology, pre and post natal, geriatric, AIDS, infant massage, or orthopedic settings. (Prerequisite(s): MASS 1423, instructor approval or completion of entire clinical massage curriculum and professional membership with ABMP including liability insurance. Students must have current CPR certificate and liability insurance on file at Saint Paul College before starting internship.) 5C/1/4/0
