Massage therapy is a fast-growing, lucrative career option that requires education at a massage school and a state license. But going to massage school is a big investment of time, energy and money. Here’s how to find the best massage school for you.
Talk To Spa Directors About Massage Schools
Call the spa directors at spas where you would like to work and tell them that you’re considering going to massage school. Ask which massage school they like to hire from. That will give you a good idea which massage schools have the best reputations.
Research the Realities of Being A Massage Therapist
This is a physically demanding career with a big burn-out rate. There is a bigger demand at spas for massage therapists than estheticians (See Before You Go To Esthetician School) but many massage therapists stop working after two years. Ask spa directors what makes someone successful in the field long-term. And ask other massage therapist about the realities of the workplace – starting salaries, stress levels, and what the best and worst parts of the job are. Ask them about the school they went to, and what they thought of it.
Locate Massage Schools In The State You Want To Work.
Look for massage schools in the state where you want to work. This is very important because each state has its own licensing practices. The schools can give you more information on the licensing requirements in your state. The American Massage Therapy Association has a search engine for massage schools by country and state. You can also search Natural Healers for massage schools and alternative healing schools by state.
Call The Massage School
Once you narrow down your list, call the school for an initial phone interview. Every massage school has an admissions department that can answer your questions and send you an information packet. You can ask them about licensing requirements in your state, the curriculum, how much it costs, full and part-time programs, financial aid and, if you can, the names and phone numbers of graduates. Call them to get a candid assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of that school.
Visit The Massage School
It’s also very important to make an on-site visit to the massage school. Do you like the atmosphere? Do the teachers impress you? Talk to students while you’re there and ask what they think (away from teachers or admissions counselors.) Some schools have an open house or free workshops so you can get a feel for massage therapy in general and the atmosphere at the school.
Talk To The Massage School's Graduates
Ask the school for names and phone numbers of graduates. Call them to get their opinion of the school, and ask about the job market, starting salaries and what it’s like in the real world.
Ask The Massage School Questions!
All massage schools teach you what you need to know to pass the state licensing exam. But ask about their philosophy. Do they combine theory and practice from the beginning? How long have their teachers worked there? Do they have classes in Eastern modalities like Shiatsu? What is their continuing education program?
Be Wary of Big Salary Claims
The massage school is in the business of attracting new students. In other words, they’re selling themselves! Take it with a grain of salt if they say you’re going to make $50,000 - $75,000 a year right out of school. You might get lucky, but it will likely take some time. You’re better off believing what other massage therapists and spa directors say about starting salaries in your area. Do your own research.
