Massage Therapy (Certificate)

By the end of successfully completing the Massage Therapy Program, students are expected to:

1. Perform and adapt competent, safe, and effective, full body massage for a variety of clients with specific indications and precautions.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking skills to integrate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and kinesiology sciences with the client-centered massage.
3. Maintain professional and client-centered communication and behavior throughout academic and clinical/practicum experiences
4. Demonstrate a practical working knowledge of state and professional legal and ethical standards with a clear focus on the health and welfare of the client, practitioner, and massage therapy profession.
5. Demonstrate a personal self-care plan to allow for career fulfillment and longevity.

Steps to Enrolling into the Massage Therapy Certificate Program:

1. Apply to BCC for the Health Science (Pre-Massage), AS program (fall 2026)
2. Submit your official high school transcript (or equivalent) and college transcripts (if applicable) to admissions@berkshirecc.edu.
   • Please note: Official transcripts must be sent directly from the sending institution. BCC cannot accept transcripts sent to us electronically from students. If you are delivering the transcript by hand, it must be unopened with the official seal from the sending institution still intact.
   • If your high school or college transcripts were obtained outside of the United States, the transcript(s) must be evaluated and translated by an outside agency accredited by NACES or a member of NAFSA . Some examples are below:
     • The Evaluation Company (TEC)
     • The Center for Educational Documentation (CED)
     • World Education Services (WES)
3. Apply for Financial Aid
   • BCC FAFSA Code: 002167
   • January 2027 Cohort: Apply for 2026-2027 FAFSA
4. Schedule an Advising Appointment with the One Stop Enrollment Center
5. Submit the Massage Therapy Matriculation Form (PDF) to massageadmissions@berkshirecc.edu after meeting the college-level English Composition requirement by:
   • Earning a C (73) or higher in English Composition by taking the course at BCC; or
   • Transferring the English Composition course to BCC with a grade of C (73) or higher; or
   • Meeting the requirement in an alternative way.
6. Once accepted into the Massage Therapy Certificate Program: Submit Proof of Immunization and Health Verification Requirements

January 2027 Cohort Deadline: December 1, 2026

• BCC Immunization and Verification of Student Health Forms
• Massage Therapy Program Health and Immunization Policy (PDF)

Students matriculated into the BCC Massage Therapy Certificate program are required to follow the immunization policy set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) for health science students and clinical sites:

• Tdap: vaccination within 10 years (and every 10 years)
• Hepatitus B: 3 doses or positive titer that demonstrates immunity
  • If immunity is not seen, complete 3 series does, or 2 series dose of Heplisav-B, or declination may be signed.
  • Please note: Hep B vaccination 3-dose series may take up to six months to complete. Students should plan accordingly.
• MMR: 2 doses or positive titer that demonstrates immunity
  • If immunity is not seen, complete 2-dose series of MMR
• Varicella: 2 doses; a reliable history of chickenpox or positive titer that demonstrates immunity
  • If immunity is not seen, complete 2-dose series of varicella vaccine.
  • A reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox, or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox, by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee.
• Meningococcal: 1 dose; 1 dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) required for full-time students 21 years of age or younger.
  • The dose of MenACWY vaccine must have been received on or after the student's 16th birthday. Doses received at younger ages do not count towards this requirement. Students may decline MenACWY after they have read and signed the MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form provided by their institution.
  • Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement.

Please Note:

• Students must submit immunization records once fully matriculated into the Massage Therapy Certificate program
• Immunization information may be shared with the:
  • Dean of Nursing, Health and Wellness
  • Massage Therapy Program Advisor
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Immunization Office
  • Contracted agencies to allow for clinical experiences
• In addition to immunization requirements, The Student Health Verification Form is required to be completed by the student's health care provider
•  Students are responsible for all costs associated with meeting the health and immunization requirements of the program. This includes expenses for immunizations, titers, boosters and health verification

Submit Requirements:

• Nursing Immunization and Medical Records Office
  • Hawthorne Building, Office #306, Main Campus
  • Phone: 413-236-4609
  • Fax: 800-724-9943
  • Email: medicalrecords@berkshirecc.edu

Free Community College

Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18% from 2022 – 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. Massachusetts mean wage for massage therapists with an annual mean wage of $66,990 (U.S. Department of Labor — Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• Licensed Massage Therapist

• Miraval Resort
• Kripalu
• Canyon Ranch
• Massage In Lenox
• Elle Day Spa
• Blu Salon and Spa
• Mend Sustainable Spa and Retail

• About half of massage therapists work part-time
• Self-employed workers 35%
• Personal care services 33%
• Offices of all other health practitioners 12%
• Offices of chiropractors 7%
• Accommodation (travel to client homes) 6%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Bureau of Labor Statistics

Massachusetts Massage Therapy Licensure Requirements: please be aware that all massage therapy student applicants must undergo a background check by the Board of Registration of Massage Therapy as part of licensure application process. Please read the information below:

• MGLCORI acknowledgment form for CORI check through Department of Criminal Justice Information Services ("DCJIS"). Massage Therapy Board of Registration CORI Acknowledgment Form
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112, sections 229 Massage therapists; application for license; renewal requires applicant to be of good moral character as determined by the discretion of the board. MGL 112 Section 229
• 269 CMR 3.04 The Good Moral Character Requirements Good Moral Character: Massage Therapists

Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy Policy Bulletin Regarding Applicants With Criminal Convictions Or Pending Criminal Charges:

• This policy describes the type of convictions that disqualify an applicant from licensure as a massage therapist under the licensing laws and Board regulations, and the type of convictions that may result in a denial of an application for licensure for failure to satisfy the good moral character requirement. Bulletin: Applicant with Criminal Convictions or Charges

Health Insurance charges are charged to all students enrolled in 9 or more credits in a degree or certificate program.

Information about accident and medical insurance, including a student health insurance waiver form is available online at Gallagher .

There are numerous opportunities for students to complete required community hours and volunteer while a student in the massage therapy program. Students are accompanied by BCC massage therapy faculty at each event.

• Post marathon massage for the Dana Farber team at the Boston Marathon
• Chair Massage at
  • Jacob's Pillow
  • Various Berkshire County Events
  • Harvest Run
  • Josh Billings Runaground

The student massage clinic will resume September 2026. We look forward to seeing you!

We will begin providing information and scheduling sessions September 1, 2026. To connect with us in September email or call: (note these remain unmonitored until September)

• Email: studentmassageclinic@berkshirecc.edu
• Phone: 413-236-4606

Day Programming

Spring Semester (*tentative day/time schedule--schedule will be confirmed November 11, 2026)

• AHS 101 Intro to Complementary and Integrative Health (2cr) Online-asynchronous
• AHS 131 Anatomy of Human Movement (3cr) in-person
  • W 11:00am-1:00pm (class); 1:30-3:30  (lab)
• BIO 150 Introduction to the Human Body (3cr) online-asynchronous (may be taken summer session--check with Financial Aid as summer courses may not be included in your financial aid package)
• MBW 110 (6cr) in-person
  • T Th 9:30am-10:45am (class)
  • M T Th 11:00am-2:00pm (lab)

Summer Session (tentative day/time schedule--schedule will be confirmed April 6, 2027)

• MBW 128 (1cr) hybrid: lecture Online, practicum in-person (students enroll in one section--meets once per week)
  • Dates/times to be determined
• MBW 131 (2cr) online-asynchronous

Fall Semester (days and times to be determined and confirmed by April 6, 2027)

• AHS 115 (3cr): online-asynchronous
• AHS 162 (3cr): in-person, 3-hour class
• MBW 120 (4cr): in-person, 2 hours class, 6 hours lab
• MBW 129 (2cr) hybrid: lecture Online, practicum in-person (students enroll in one section)
• MBW 131 Therapeutic Massage Seminar (2 credits) Online asynchronous

Anticipated Tuition and Fees (visit the BCC Tuition and Fees Explained Webpage for more information) https://www.berkshirecc.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-fees/tuition-and-fees-explained.php

• Day Program Massachusetts Resident: $251/credit, Massage Program: 29 credits

     program fee: $152/semester, *note--courses with labs may include $30 lab fee

  Anticipated tuition and fees total: $7,705              

  *A note about Health Insurance: please see BCC webpage for required health insurance  https://www.berkshirecc.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-fees/tuition-and-fees-explained.php

Anticipated Textbooks and Supplies

• Anticipated costs are based on current E-campus and Amazon pricing. Other vender prices may vary.

  Texts: $620

  Supplies: $117

Immunization and Health Verification Costs (see specific immunizations health verification above)

Anticipated Total Program Cost: $8,440