Newport County Campus, Newport

CCRI's Massage Therapy Certificate Program combines a strong scientific basis for the understanding and application of various soft tissue massage therapy techniques, with high standards in professional development. The intensified evening weekend program is a 655-hour, 35-credit curriculum leading to a Massage Therapy Certificate. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The program emphasizes ethics, clinical assessment, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. Students are prepared for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), overseen by the Federation of State Massage Boards, to apply for a license to practice massage in the state of Rhode Island. The program can be completed in 12 months.

CCRI graduates, who are licensed massage therapists, are employed in a variety of settings that include rehabilitation clinics, wellness centers, chiropractic and acupuncture offices, health clubs and spas. Additionally, many of our graduates have opened successful private businesses. CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Program rigorously prepares students to be able to work in hospitals, medical environments and with clients who have compromised health or physical impairments.

Students must be able to perform basic massage techniques and demonstrate the ability to give and receive a therapeutic massage treatment. Student must be at least 18 years old prior to taking Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000). Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Therapeutic Massage Certificate Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; TMSC should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – An official copy of the applicant’s high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation or, if the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded
3. Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. Competency of 250 or above is required for reading comprehension or completion of Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better
4. Complete the following course with a grade of C or better: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201)
5. Age requirement – Must be 18 years of age or older to register for Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000) 
6. GPA – Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken.
7. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period. The application and instructions can be found at www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/index.html.
   • Important: All the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily before submission of performance-based Health Sciences application and do not guarantee acceptance to the program. At the time of admission, the student must meet the current admission requirements of the program. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application for the program and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted into Therapeutic Massage certificate program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Rehabilitative Health Department.
8. Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from Enrollment Services. Final acceptance to the program is dependent on the results of the background check.

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
BIOL 2201	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A)	3
Subtotal		7
Major Requirements
TMSG 1000	Introduction to Therapeutic Massage	2
RHAB 1020	Fundamentals of Palpation and Body Movement Skills	3
MEDL 2350	Medical Terminology	3
TMSG 1020	Swedish Massage	5
RHAB 1030	Pathophysiology for Rehabilitative Health Practitioners	3
TMSG 2010	Introduction to Sports Massage	2
TMSG 1030	Deep Tissue Massage	5
TMSG 2020	Student Massage Clinic 1	3
TMSG 2021	Massage Practice Business Theory	2
Subtotal		28
Total Hours		35

¹

Student Massage Clinic (TMSG 2020) includes 100 hours of on-site student/faculty clinic and fieldwork experience.

Recommended Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Prerequisites		Hours
BIOL 2201	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
	Hours	4
Year 1
Semester 1
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A)	3
RHAB 1020	Fundamentals of Palpation and Body Movement Skills	3
TMSG 1000	Introduction to Therapeutic Massage	2
TMSG 1020	Swedish Massage	5
	Hours	13
Semester 2
MEDL 2350	Medical Terminology	3
RHAB 1030	Pathophysiology for Rehabilitative Health Practitioners	3
TMSG 1030	Deep Tissue Massage	5
	Hours	11
Summer Session
TMSG 2010	Introduction to Sports Massage	2
TMSG 2020	Student Massage Clinic	3
TMSG 2021	Massage Practice Business Theory	2
	Hours	7
	Total Hours	35