Accelerated Massage School Programs

[sriddle78]

Hi Everyone,<br><br>Have any of you been through an accelerate massage school program?  For example, a school I am considering offers a 660 hour program (in Michigan, where nothing's regulated) in three formats: 48-week, 24-week, and 12-week.  In the 12-week program, you are basically going to school Monday-Saturday full-time.  Do you think that is too much?  I like the idea of it because I really hate my job and have wanted to practice massage therapy for a long time.  At the same time, I want to get a full education and retain as much as possible.  I am a very fast learner, so I'm sure I will be able to keep up -- I just want to make sure I do the right thing for the future.<br><br>Any input is really appreciated!<br><br>Thank you,<br><br>Shannon

[palpable]

Just remember that you will probably spend a significant amount of time studying, and not just the anatomy and physiology. You (depending on your school situation) may have to practice on people (the more the better IMO) and, even thought EVERYONE wants to get a free massage, it can actually be difficult to schedule people because of the pace of life (social engagements, work, etc.)<br>Although I can certianly understand wanting to quit your (my) current job!

[merlescuz]

Another thing to look into...I know someone who took one of those accelerated programs. The thing he didn't realize was that the practicum was outside the basic program. He finished his classes, then had a few hundred hours of hands-on and volunteer work requirements before he could get his certificate. Many of these hours were not given at the school and were not overseen by instructors at the school. In the end, he'll be over a year and a half getting his entire load completed.<br><br>I'm sure every school has its way of doing things, so this might be unique to that specific school, but it's worth checking out.

[sriddle78]

Thank you Palpable and Merlescuz.  I have a tour scheduled at this particular facility tomorrow, so we'll see, I guess.  I will definitely ask whether there is additional outside time required after the accelerated program is complete.  I get the feeling it is the exact same program as the 24-week and 48-week because the hours are really long.  You go to school for 8 hours a day, Mon-Sat.  I think they just squeeze it into a 12-week period.   If I lived closer to the school, I would consider the 24-week program, but I live 1.5 hours away.  They have a facility for individuals in the 12-week program to live in at a very reasonable cost ($1000 for the three months).  I'm still not sure what I'm going to do.  But I will check it out tomorrow and I am still looking at other schools.<br><br>Thanks again for the advice!<br><br>Shannon

[chakraman]

Shannon,<br><br>I teach at the school you are talking about.  The 12 week program is pretty intensive.  The students who went through that program for the most part did very well, but they worked hard.  Let me know if you have any other questions.<br><br>Rob

[clear_intention]

Shannon<br><br>I go to the school you are talking about, and have just completed the 24- week program.  It was fairly intensive, and extremely educational.  An awesome learning experience!<br><br>Chris

[EgoMagickian]

For what it's worth, here's my experience:<br><br>I first applied to a massage program that was 600 hours in only 4 months. It was basically like having a full time job, only I would pay them. ;-)<br><br>When I was led toward Heartwood, one of my first thoughts was "780 hours in 9 months? That's more than twice the time and not anywhere close to twice the hours. What do they do with all that extra time?"<br><br>Hah. "Extra time"... <br><br>Of course the first school was a commuter/day school, and Heartwood's is a residential program... but the learning was non-stop, even (especially?) outside of classroom hours. <br><br>Sounds like in the 12 week program you get to live with your fellow students? Perhaps there's some aspect there that gives the shorter program an advantage the other programs don't have. Maybe not, but something to look into.

[Pearl]

My course was an intensive 3 quarter (9 month) class. They changed it to 5 quarters because the drop out rate was too high, people were failing courses, and the number of people passing their boards was incredibly low. Out of the class before mine, 5 out of 23 were ever licensed, and out of my class of only 7 out 19 have so far been licensed. 2-3 of those did not pass it the first time. I cannot even imagine a 12 week course.

[LaLoba]

My school was three terms in 9.5 months. I spent 20 hours/week in class and about 20 hours/week studying and also did several practice massages outside of school on friends and family. The pace was very intense and I was exhausted at the end. At the end, I took three months off and it took some time to come into equilibrium again.

I think it takes *time* and *patience* to develop your touch. You can complete the "requirements" in a short period, but if you are going to pay that kind of money and make that kind of committment, be sure that you get the most out of the experience.

Massage school isn't something to rush through...
$0.02
LaLoba

[RobinCMT]

Shannon,

I teach at Phillips School of Massage in Nevada City, CA (www.handsinharmony.com). We have 7- week intensives that run M - F, 9 am - 5 pm including in-class practice and review. My observation of student's experience is that this is a very full 7-weeks, and the evening/weekend time is needed for integration and home study.
That said, I have a good friend who has a massage school in Crestone, CO, (Crestone Healing Arts Institute). That program is a live-in intensive that's almost every day for 3 months. Some days are 10 or more hours including required practice time. I know students who have attended CHAC and have felt that they received a very good education there as well.
Regardless of the school you choose, an "intensive" program is just that... intense! If you can clear your life and your time so you can fully immerse yourself, I'm sure you'll have a rewarding experience wherever you choose to go. I wouldn't limit myself to local schools if you're able to travel. Many schools, like Phillips School of Massage, have short-term housing available even if they aren't residency programs.
In Health,
Robin Phillips

[Texas-gal]

Hi Everyone,

Have any of you been through an accelerate massage school program?  For example, a school I am considering offers a 660 hour program (in Michigan, where nothing's regulated) in three formats: 48-week, 24-week, and 12-week.  In the 12-week program, you are basically going to school Monday-Saturday full-time.  Do you think that is too much?  I like the idea of it because I really hate my job and have wanted to practice massage therapy for a long time.  At the same time, I want to get a full education and retain as much as possible.  I am a very fast learner, so I'm sure I will be able to keep up -- I just want to make sure I do the right thing for the future.

Any input is really appreciated!

Thank you,
Shannon

I went through a simi-accelerated program and my husband went through an intensive accelerated program.

I can tell you, plan to jump in with both feet running and you won't have any free time until you are done.

It can be very strenuous, no matter how fast you learn. Having a good background in anatomy and physiology will make a course like this much easier though. So, if you plan to do it - Brush up on these. I'd also suggest getting the main book they use for the massage work, and skimming it at least once (page by page) before getting into the course.

If you have the time and HAVE to get done soon (financial work reasons / personal / time-limits), then I'd say do it. If you have the luxury of taking courses "like in college", then do yourself a favor and take them the way they are layed out for regular students.

Good luck!

[Twylight]

I'm new here and my name is of course Lori. I was just curious about the different length of the massage courses from what I am reading here. Mine was only about 10 months long. Tons of stuff cramed in there but it seemed not enough time spent on the different mods. Our weeks were about 20 hours to include class time and lab time. Most of what I learned we learned from each other and different techniques we had seen or read (self taught). This was on top of what we were taught in the actual curriculum. So I was wondering how long your course was and how much time was spent on each section. Say skeletal, muscular, integumentary etc. My total hours at graduation were 814 of which 180 was extenship.


So by what I am reading here is this then considered an exelerated course?

[nmsnteln]

Hi
Our program is integrative and can be done in 6 months or a year (pt). You will have 800hours and be ready to take the NCE (if you need it). Check out our web site, www.nmsnt.org.
Ellen

[Sondra]

The course I'm taking (in Michigan) is just a bit over 9 months. 4 days/wk. 5 h/day. This does not include the clinics that are run on Friday and Saturday. And they are cramming as much on you as you can possibly hold. The class I'm in now started with about 15 students. In the 3 weeks we've been at it, we've already lost 3. And some of the remaining 12 are starting to miss days. Which in a 9 month time period, is not a good habit to get into.

I understand completely that life takes a front seat, but one just has to keep thinking, it's 9 months. " I can make it 9 nine, if I want this bad enough." Honestly though, when the homework is assigned (and it's going to get worse), I'm simply floored that those who work full-time can get it done.

Right now, I'm out of a job, but in a few months, I'm going to have to go back. And wow, is that going to be a HUGE change.

I thoroughly enjoy the school I'm at. The instructors are very knowlegable. One who just returned after suffering a heart-attack a few months ago, has been teaching for 5 years. Yet, has been in the business 25 years. So lots and lots of experience to pass on there. Not too mention he was teacher of the year, out of 2600 instructors.

If you are lucky enough to get an instructor who can teach with humor, it will make everything so much easier. If you can laugh and have fun, the learning just happens.

They place a big emphasis on body mechanics, body mechanics, body mechanics. We've been warned, if we don't get the body mechanics down, we won't last 5 years. I'm not shelling out tuition to be beaten to death after 5 years.

Truthfully, I had no idea how strenous massage can actually be. We took our first mod mid-term on Thursday, and talk about wore out. LOL I'll be in shape by the time it's all done.

But, definitely take it upon yourself to study whenever you can. If your school books have CD-ROMs, watch those. Hit every website you can. Soooo much info is available on the web you can overload on it.

And to those who take a 4 year course. Holy cow!!!

For those who do the excelerated.... Best of luck!

[HappyKarma]

Well I completed a 650 hour/50 clinical hour program in 9 months. I was very stressed at times, but got it done.Some days I didn't know which way I was going cause I had so many things going on, but I feel I was more than prepared for the NCE,which I passed on my first try! To these who wish to take accelerated programs, buckle up, cause it will be a fast but fun ride!

Good Luck!
Johnny