Massage Therapy Program Current Facts:
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  • The Massage Therapy Program at James Rumsey is striving to meet COMTA (Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation) program approval requirements fulfilling a state mandate for all adult programs.  The program has gone through many changes to accommodate multiple regulatory agencies and is committed to gaining access to funding for all who qualify.  However none of these agencies are interested in how the student best learns so fast massage programs are not for everyone.  The changes have left a wake of misinformation all of which has been true but no longer.   I would expect more changes for the future just for consistency.  In the 2016-17 school year the program is currently as follows:   
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  • The massage program will be offered twice per school year starting in late July and early January.  The program consist of 675 hours requiring a full time schedule Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:40 pm each day, encompassing 100 days in less than six months.  To complete the total hours the student will be responsible for 75 hours of  computer based independent  activities outside the scheduled school day.  These are subject to changes and will be more clearly defined on the first day of school each session.  Under the proper conditions a student may be able to start the independent study portion of the program before the start of the next  offering of 600 hours live.  This will be arranged by the instructor and all paperwork will need completed before access is granted.                               ​                                                                                                                                                          
  • The industry requires a license to practice massage.  Obtaining a  passing national licensing test score allows the graduate to qualify to work in all states that require 675 hours or less, this would include West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  Once you have a passing score it will be used to qualify professional massage applicants to participate with each territory, district, state, county, or cities laws and fees to be issued a license to practice massage within its jurisdiction.    Once licensed the licensee is responsible for 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years to qualify for another licensing period.  This may involve mandated specifics in several categories like ethics and research and would be the professional's responsibility to maintain and accomplish within the stipulated time.
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  • Massage Therapist's can not accept insurance unless a doctor has prescribed it and the individual insurance companies policies allow it.  Insurance companies dictate the massage therapist's qualifications to turn in a claim once it's prescribed.  Some require Board Certification from the NCBTMB and require a minimum number of  years experience.  The minimum qualification to take the Board Certification test is 750 hours  of education and 250 hours of work experience taking at least 6 months post graduation.   The NCBTMB test requires a fee, a passing grade, membership fees,  and continuing educations to maintain the credential.  This has nothing to do with entry level licensure.  Clinical business models would enable the new therapist to work for a qualifying therapist taking insurance claimed massages until they themselves could qualify.  This has to do with individual insurance companies and their policies and massage therapist will never bill insurance companies directly without a doctor's prescription.  
Massage Therapy Program Philosophy
  • To provide students with a safe and supervised learning experience which promotes the health and well-being of their clients and themselves. 
Massage Therapy Program Mission Statement 
  • The Massage Therapy program is committed to preparing students to perform an excellent therapeutic massage through a strong anatomical knowledge base, accurate client assessment, and proper  implementation of massage skills.  I will foster in our students a dedication to personal growth, professional preparation, continued education, and community involvement.
Opportunities
  • Private Practice
  • Cruise Ships
  • Sports Teams
  • Casino Based
  • Health Clubs
  • In-office
  • Home Visits
  • Hospice
  • Day Spas
  • Destination Spas
  • Chiropractors
  • Medical Facilities