Program Advisor: Judy Gawron, 413-236-4604.
The Massage Therapy & Bodywork (MBW) certificate program prepares students to become Massachusetts State Licensed Massage Therapists with the skills and knowledge to provide effective relaxation and wellness massage. Graduates are prepared to enter the healthcare field in various settings, including private practice.
Potential students who have met all admission requirements are accepted into the program on a space available basis at any time.
Applicants who do not initially meet the requirements may take courses to become eligible by enrolling in BCC's Liberal Arts Pre-Bodywork & Massage program.
The sequence of courses begins in the fall semester. Admission requirements include:
- documentation of high school graduation or GED;
- completion of ENG020 and ENG060, if applicable;
- completion of college biology (BIO 105 or 101) with a "C" or better within five years;
- documentation that the student has received one type of bodywork within the last two years.
Upon completion of all admission requirements, students wishing to enter the program must complete a matriculation form (click on this link for a printable form).
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- demonstrate current academic, clinical and holistic skills necessary for the professional practice of therapeutic relaxation massage;
- integrate college level knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology while organizing safe and effective therapeutic relaxation massages;
- maintain professional, ethical, and client-centered communication with peers, faculty, clients, and other healthcare professionals;
- identify various successful business practice strategies for massage therapists;
- recognize appropriate strategies for self-care and professional life-long learning;
- apply current research to organizing and implementing therapeutic relaxation massage.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a certificate in this program, a student must complete all program
credits and the additional requirements shown below.
|
Program
|
29 Credits
|
|
AHS 101
|
Intro to Complementary Care & Alternate Med
|
2
|
|
AHS 131
|
Orientation to Musculoskeletal System
|
2
|
|
AHS 230
|
Pathophysiology
|
3
|
|
BIO 150
|
Intro to the Human Body
|
4
|
|
AHS 162
|
Applied Visceral Anatomy
|
2
|
|
COM 104
ENG 101
|
Intro to Interpersonal Communication
OR
Composition I
|
3
|
|
MBW 110
|
Therapeutic Massage I
|
5
|
|
MBW 120
|
Therapeutic Massage II
|
4
|
|
MBW 130
|
Therapeutic Massage Practicum (see footnote 1)
|
2
|
|
MBW 131
|
Therapeutic Massage Seminar
|
1
|
|
MBW 150
|
Bus. Practice for Massage Therapy & Bodywork
|
1
|
Additional
|
Demonstrated College-Level Skills in Reading and Writing
|
|
Minimum Cumulative Average Overall
|
2.000
|
|
Minimum Grade Required in Each Program Course
|
2.000
|
SUGGESTED BLOCK FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in one year.
The actual time to complete the program may vary according to each student's individual needs.
|
First Semester
|
13 Credits
|
|
AHS 101
|
Intro to Complementary Care (online).
|
2
|
|
AHS 131
|
Orientation to Musculoskeletal System
|
2
|
|
BIO 150
|
Intro to the Human Body
|
4
|
|
MBW 110
|
Therapeutic Massage I
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
dits
|
|
AHS 230
|
Pathophysiology
|
3
|
| AHS 162 |
Applied Visceral Anatomy |
2
|
|
COM 104
ENG 101
|
Intro to Interpersonal Communication
OR
Composition I
|
3
|
|
MBW 120
|
Therapeutic Massage II
|
4
|
|
MBW 130
|
Therapeutic Massage Practicum (see footnote 1)
|
2
|
|
MBW 131
|
Therapeutic Massage Seminar
|
1
|
|
MBW 150
|
Bus. Practice for Massage Therapy (online).
|
1
|
1. Students must complete CPR and First Aid certification prior to enrollment in MBW 130 and maintain certification throughout the program. See also note below about immunization.
NOTE: MBW students must be immunized (or be in process) by October 1st of the academic year they are enrolled in the program (immunizations must remain current throughout MBW 130).
NOTE: Individual states vary in the number of course and clinical hours required for licensure. It is the students' responsibility to fully investigate the licensing requirements of any state in which
they wish to practice. If further coursework is needed to meet those requirements, students should work with their advisor to plan specific additional coursework.
NOTE: Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in clinical agencies and the ability to become licensed in this field.
See Criminal Offender Record Information Checks for details.
