Have you ever thought about becoming a massage therapist but weren’t sure how long it takes? We’re here to help.
Two Ways To Become a Massage Therapist at NUNM
At NUNM, you can choose from two Massage Therapy tracks.
First is our Massage Therapy Certification program. Second is our Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy degree. Let’s dig into the certificate program first.
Massage Therapy Certification
The Certificate in Massage Therapy at NUNM is a 12-month, 38-credit program.
From day one students get hands-on training in the art of massage.
The program combines evidence-based bodywork, clinical practice, and principles from integrative health techniques that take a whole-person approach to healing and treatment.
Certification Doesn’t Equal Licensure
Earning your certificate from an accredited organization like NUNM takes about one year to complete. However, completion of the certification program alone will not make you a licensed massage therapist.
You must also meet licensing requirements by taking the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
The operating body of the MBLEx — the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards — was established in 2005 and is composed of state boards and agencies from 43 of the 50 states.
Like other medical licensing requirements, the MBLEx aims to create consistent massage therapy standards across states to ensure that therapists “practice massage safely and competently.”
Once you’ve passed the MBLEx, you can apply for licensure in the state in which you plan to practice massage. Every state in the U.S., except for California and Vermont regulates massage through licensure, requiring continuing education hours and renewal.
You can learn about the specifics of each state’s regulations here.
Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy
The Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy degree program at NUNM is a 2-year, 97-credit program.
The Oregon State Board of Massage Therapy provides approval. It prepares students for Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) licensure in Oregon, and offers what we call “The Bachelor’s Degree Advantage”: deeper education and training that signals premier talent to employers and clientele.
Unlike the certification program, there are prerequisites that must be completed before being accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy program. They include:
- Completion of 55 semester or 84 quarter transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university*
- A minimum 2.0 GPA
These credit hours must include coursework in English Composition, Math, Biology, Humanities, and Social Science. Your Coursework can be in progress at the time of your application at NUNM. Go here to learn more about prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy.
The Bachelor of Science in Massage Therapy program is unique. It takes a deeper dive into the science and bodywork techniques associated with massage and focuses on four core outcomes:
- Integrative Clinical Competence
- Biomedical Foundations, Clinical Assessment, and Critical Thinking
- Professionalism, Ethics, and Communication
- Licensure and Practice Readiness
While the certification program prepares graduates for careers as LMTs, the Bachelor of Science in Massage program goes beyond that foundational training to train students in Swedish and Circulatory Massage, Organic Chemistry, Scientific and Professional Communication, Physics, as well as skills in Business, Marketing, & Practice Management, Ethics, and Advanced Clinical Practice techniques.
This prepares graduates for a wider array of career opportunities than their certificate-earning peers and provides a pathway for even more advanced degrees in integrative healthcare.
Bachelor’s Earners Need Licensure, Too
As is the case with students who earn their certification in massage therapy, students earning their bachelor’s degree must also be approved for licensure by taking the MBLEx.
Preparation for licensure is a core part of NUNM’s instruction for both programs.
A massage therapy education at NUNM doesn’t take very long. Depending on your particular goals, it’s a one- or two-year process. During that time, you’ll be challenged and enriched by an education that prepares you for an exciting career in the art of massage.
Your massage therapy career starts here, at NUNM. Contact us today to learn more.
*Credit hours in this instance refers to the completion of 55 semester or 84 quarter transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university If general chemistry with lab credits are transferred to NUNM. If a student plans to complete the general chemistry with a lab sequence at NUNM, 55 semester credits or 84 quarter transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university must be completed.