College of Health and Wellness Massage Therapy Program Guide
Table of Contents
2 What is Massage Therapy?
3 Your Future as a Massage Therapist
4 A Letter from Dr. Michele Renee
5 Our Flexible Science-based Programs
7 Top 7 Ways Northwestern Stands Apart
12 Join an Active Student Life
13 Live, Practice and Play in the Twin Cities
14 Financial Assistance Opportunities
15 Get to Know a Few of Our Alumni
16 Your Options are Nearly Limitless
18 Taking the Next Steps
20 Connect with Us
COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 1 What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy involves the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s well-being.
Because we are a health sciences university, our program is focused on massage therapy as a form of health care.
People seek massage therapy to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain, and promote overall health and wellness. At Northwestern, you are not simply going to a massage school—you are studying to be a healthcare professional who provides massage therapy. The credential can also be your springboard into different healthcare careers. Some of our past graduates have gone on to become chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurses and more.
WHY MASSAGE THERAPY? Because you are a healer at heart.
You want to help people. You want to be part of a movement toward integrative health care. You want to be a healer.
Massage therapy is a fulfilling career that is deeply rooted in health and healing—centered in the power of touch and the body’s ability to heal itself. If this feels like what you have been seeking, we invite you to explore this quickly growing profession.
Massage therapy is a rewarding career path because you will:
• Improve others’ health in a natural, holistic way that is drug-free and non-invasive • Work side by side with fellow healthcare providers such as acupuncturists, chiropractic doctors, medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists and more • Enjoy schedule flexibility that works with your life • Focus on an area of specialized care and specific patient types such as pregnant women, infants and children, cancer patients, elders, hospice patients, veterans, professional athletes and many others
2 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Your Future as a Massage Therapist
• Join a fast-growing profession that will only increase in demand as more people discover the benefits of integrative care, and as the general population continues to age • Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase by 26 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than average for all other occupations. That is an increase of 42,100 jobs in 10 years*
Offering many practice options and poised for continued growth, a career in massage therapy is a rewarding profession for those who are healers at heart.
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Join a fast-growing profession and be prepared to practice anywhere.
You have a desire to heal through touch. Your exploration into the field of massage therapy has just begun. As you pursue your passion, you might be wondering what your future may look like once you graduate.
YOUR FUTURE AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST IS BRIGHT:
On average, Approximately Massage therapists About 92 percent massage therapists 71 percent of enjoy a great deal of Americans charge $72 for massage clients of autonomy and believe massage a 60-minute in a recent study flexibility in their therapy is effective massage, up from received referrals career, and typically at reducing pain, $69 last year from chiropractors have about 18 which is especially or integrated contact hours relevant in light of care clinics per week today’s opioid crisis
Source: American Massage Therapy Association
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 3 A Letter from Dr. Michele Renee
Welcome, future massage therapist!
It is always a privilege for me to speak with future massage therapists. You will quickly learn that the art and science of massage is one of my greatest passions.
I became a massage therapist in 1998, pairing it with CranioSacral Therapy. Later, seeking a bigger scope of practice, I graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2008 and then obtained my Master’s in Acupuncture in 2016. Today I am honored to serve as the Massage Therapy Program Director and Director of Integrative Care at Northwestern, where we are pioneering a movement toward multidisciplinary and integrative health care.
It is an exciting time to practice. Massage therapists are a vital piece of the entire picture of person-centered health care, and we are growing in importance. When we work as a unified team, we are able to provide more complete care.
As you explore a career in massage therapy, I encourage you to look upon the field of massage and the state of health care with curiosity. Be curious about how people heal. Be open to new ways of seeing the world. Be willing to learn new methods. All of this will help make you a strong and dedicated healer. At Northwestern, you will find an emphasis on evidence-based curriculum and integrative care—two qualities that make us stand out as an institution.
If you have a passion for healing touch and a deeply felt desire to make others feel better in body, mind and spirit—I encourage you to continue learning about us.
I look forward to welcoming you on campus as a massage therapy student!
Dr. Michele Renee, DC, MAc Northwestern Health Sciences University Director, Massage Therapy Program Director, Integrative Care
4 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Our Flexible, Science-based Programs
Choose the program that fits with your life
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN MASSAGE THERAPY (A.A.S.)
Full-time or part-time schedule: 3 to 5 trimesters, 11½ to 19½ months
Give yourself a multitude of career options by earning an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in massage therapy. An A.A.S. degree in massage therapy expands upon the certificate curriculum to include general education courses in communication and time management. Some employers prefer or require an associate’s degree for employment or professional advancement in your career.
As part of the associate’s program, you will receive a rigorous, science-based education in addition to instruction in business management and real-world clinical experience. Your clinical education can include training in Northwestern’s public clinics, in hospitals and in community health clinics, which will help you stand out to potential employers.
You can enroll in the A.A.S. program immediately or pursue an A.A.S. degree after you get a certificate. By earning this degree, you are prepared to work in a hospital or clinic setting, a chiropractic office, an integrated care clinic and many other settings.
As your program progresses, you may choose to specialize in a particular area—working with pregnant women, children, athletes and sports teams, elders, cancer patients, low-income populations, or other client types.
You will complete a total of 180 hours of clinic experience during your program.
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 5 Continued Our Flexible, Science-based Programs
CERTIFICATE IN THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
Full-time schedule: 3 trimesters, 11½ months Part-time schedule: 4 trimesters, 15½ months
With a certificate in therapeutic massage, you can begin your career in health care in a variety of clinical settings such as chiropractic offices and integrated care clinics. Discover clinical massage techniques aimed at treatment of specific problems in the body, such as headache, tendinitis or back pain. You will also learn the skills to run a private practice.
CERTIFICATE IN RELAXATION MASSAGE
Full-time schedule: 2 trimesters, 7½ months Part-time schedule: 3 trimesters, 11½ months
With a certificate in relaxation massage, you are ready to enter the profession and practice in such settings as franchise massage and salon spas. Once you earn this certificate, you may apply courses toward the certificate in therapeutic massage—earn both to increase your marketability.
Personalize your program by choosing the electives that appeal to your interests—energy medicine, sports massage, reflexology and more.
Whichever program you choose, you will enjoy flexibility. Blend day and evening classes, and design a custom schedule that’s full time, part time or a hybrid.
Dr. Dale Healey
Dr. Healey, Dean of the College of Health and Wellness, explains Northwestern’s Massage Therapy program accreditation.
u Watch the video bit.ly/MTaccreditation
6 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Top 7 Ways Northwestern Stands Apart
Why choose our Massage Therapy program?
As you explore a career in massage therapy, you will face one of the most significant choices of your life: where to study. We want to give you all the information you need so you can make the decision that is right for you.
WHAT MAKES NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY STAND APART?
1. Integrative care environment At the center of massage therapy is a desire to improve one’s health using the body’s own powers of healing. At Northwestern, we are 100 percent focused on the health sciences. Our campus environment is unique because we train the next generation of healers—massage therapists, acupuncturists, Chinese medicine practitioners, nutrition experts and chiropractors—right here, all in one place.
You will study alongside like-minded students in various healthcare disciplines as you learn. Studying with fellow healers-to-be prepares you for a multidisciplinary care approach that is becoming increasingly common in hospitals, medical clinics, chiropractic offices and other healthcare facilities.
2. We hold ourselves to a higher standard
All massage therapy programs are not equal. One of the most important factors in choosing a massage program is the extent to which the institution holds itself to a governing body’s standards. For Northwestern and our massage therapy program, we hold two forms of accreditation: the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).
Northwestern Health Sciences University is the only HLC-accredited school in Minnesota with a COMTA-accredited massage therapy program.
What does that mean for you as a student? You can trust Northwestern to hold ourselves accountable to standards of excellence in education. We don’t just say we offer a high-quality education; we back it up with proof and are regularly audited to ensure we always maintain our high standards. Accreditation protects the profession and your future clients.
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 7 Continued Top 7 Ways Northwestern Stands Apart
3. Research-based curriculum
Everything you learn at Northwestern Health Sciences University is rooted in an evidence-based approach to teaching, learning and client care. As a massage therapy student, you will gain a thorough education in how massage affects the human body while developing critical-thinking skills and practicing well-researched techniques. From our clay anatomy muscle-building course to our cadaver observation lab, we provide you with a solid grounding in the science of massage.
Personalize your program by choosing electives that speak to your interests, such as sports massage, energy medicine, reflexology and trauma-informed bodywork.
4. Superior clinical education
Get ready for hands-on clinical experiences. Beginning in your second or third trimester, you will practice the skills you’re learning in a variety of clinical settings. You will have a wide range of practice opportunities to choose from. We have partnerships with many clinical environments around the Twin Cities, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, integrative clinics, community clinics, hospices, and our own onsite clinics like our Human Performance Center, an athlete-focused care clinic.
5. Passionate and experienced instructors
Our instructors have a deep, abiding passion for what they do. Many have their own private massage therapy practices and are authors of journal articles and speakers at national conferences. They have decades of experience practicing and teaching all aspects of massage therapy, from the basic sciences to human anatomy to ethical considerations as a practitioner. Because of our low student-to-faculty ratio, you can always count on individualized attention and support.
“Clients will ask me how I knew that it hurt there. It’s the anatomical knowledge that I acquired . . . there is a science to it, not just a feeling.”
—Kelli Quist, Northwestern alum and massage therapist to the Minnesota Twins
8 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Our graduates rank #4 in the nation for median income out of 420 massage therapy programs nationwide, based on a recent study by Federal Student Aid of the U.S. Department of Education (studentaid.ed.gov).
Tom Braem | Sciences
One of Tom’s biggest interests concerns evidence-based research into the roles of exercise, nutrition and massage therapy as they relate to the prevention and treatment of disease.
Veronica Foster | Anatomy and Physiology
Veronica is a certified health education specialist, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, a certified personal trainer, and she is board certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork.
Joanie Holst | Clinical Massage
Joanie has been practicing and teaching therapeutic massage for more than 25 years. She helped launch Northwestern’s massage therapy program.
Martin Javinsky | Ethics and Professionalism
Martin practices energy medicine and Chinese medicine. He also serves as clinic supervisor and mentor to massage therapy students.
Dr. Michele Renee | Program Director
Michele exemplifies integrative care through her training and credentials in massage, chiropractic and acupuncture. She owns and practices at Stockheart Whole Health in Minneapolis.
Sarah Zamastil | Relaxation Massage
Sarah takes a functional approach to bodywork and is board certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork. She is also certified in neuromuscular therapy.
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 9 Continued Top 7 Ways Northwestern Stands Apart
6. TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LABS, FACILITIES AND RESOURCES
As you train to become a massage therapist, you will have access to all the essential tools you will need.
•e We ar the only massage therapy school in the region with a cadaver lab, where you can learn anatomy through direct observation • Technology-enhanced methods classrooms that are fully equipped with massage tables and supplies • Extensive library with a helpful and dedicated library staff • Onsite clinics offering you opportunities for practicing your skills with a broad mix of patients
7. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE OPTIONS
Do you have commitments that don’t exactly fit into a rigid Monday through Friday schedule? We can work with that. In fact, we’ll work with you to design a class schedule that does fit with your life. You may choose a full-time or part-time program—and you’ll be able to take day and evening courses as needed throughout your time here.
Gain hands-on clinical experience
Ready to start practicing what you’re learning? Northwestern has established partnerships with a variety of onsite and offsite clinical environments to provide you with valuable clinical experience.
Practice alongside chiropractors, acupuncturists, medical doctors and nurses, and see what it is like to work with a variety of patient types—pregnant women, children, cancer patients, hospice patients, professional athletes, the underserved and more. Here are just a few clinical internship opportunities available to students at Northwestern:
Beginning in your second or third trimester, you will complete four clinical rotations during your time as a student.
10 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY “Northwestern has the flexibility to allow me to continue to work full time and take classes in the evenings.”
—Julie Larson, massage therapy student
De Rusha Clinic
For your first two rotations, you will work with a variety of patient types in a traditional massage environment, right onsite at Northwestern.
Human Performance Center (HPC) Practice sports massage while working with athletes in professional sports teams like the Minnesota Vixen, NFL alumni, Minnesota Freeze, USA Tug of War, and Minnesota Alliance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Crossfit. The HPC is also conveniently located on the Northwestern campus.
Pillsbury House Integrated Health Clinic in Minneapolis Be a member of a multidisciplinary team—medicine, psychology, health coaching, chiropractic and acupuncture—as you practice your massage skills and work with a diverse population of patients to determine individualized treatment plans.
You may also choose an advanced rotation at an onsite clinic and work with patients who have specific issues like shoulder pain, chronic neck pain or low back pain. We have site opportunities at locations such as Minnesota Oncology, Cerenity Senior Care Center and Pathways: A Healing Center. We are forming new partnerships all the time, and you will find different opportunities from trimester to trimester.
You can also volunteer at community events like Grandma’s Marathon, Get in Gear, Fit Fest and others.
Not sure what type of clients you would like to work with once you graduate? Part of the beauty of our program is that it’s set up to introduce you to different patient types and environments— which helps you to discover your interests. The connections you make with practitioners at your internship sites often lead to job opportunities down the road as well.
Jeremy Miller
Jeremy Miller shares why he loves teaching massage therapy students.
u Watch the video bit.ly/NWHSUJeremyMiller
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 11 Join an Active Student Life
Our campus offers over 50 clubs and organizations
If you have passion and want to be part of a community that makes a difference, you will fit right in at Northwestern. We are cultivating the next generation of engaged and passionate healthcare practitioners.
Our wonderfully diverse students include men and women seeking a second career, working parents, recent high school graduates and many others—all with a passion for natural health care. They are energized, enthusiastic and very active on campus. We offer many ways to get involved, with more than 50 student clubs and organizations, including:
More than 50 student clubs:
• Massage Therapy Club • Student Ambassador Club
• Corporate Health and Wellness • Qi Gong Club
• J.E.D.I. Club (Justice, Equality, • Student Senate Diversity and Inclusion) • Veterans’ Club
• Climbing and Hiking Club • And many more
Massage Therapy Student Spotlight:
“I can’t say enough about the curriculum and faculty. They are so supportive here—you can’t help but succeed.”
—Jennifer Cardinal, Massage Therapy student
u Watch the video bit.ly/JenCardinal
Jennifer explains why she chose Northwestern’s Massage Therapy program.
12 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Live, Practice and Play in the Twin Cities
Few metropolitan areas can boast the endless variety of activities, vast practice opportunities, diversity and sense of community that the Twin Cities offers.
In short, it’s a great place to live and practice—and particularly suited to health-minded individuals. Minneapolis consistently ranks among the top cit ies in the U.S. for healthy living and health care overall. We have many healthcare organizations across the metropolitan area, with numerous opportunities for joining a hospital or clinic staff or opening up your own massage therapy practice.
The Northwestern campus is located in Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and sprawls across 25 scenic acres. Here you can walk one of our labyrinths, stroll by the pond, join a meditation class or enjoy our soothing healing garden. We even have resident mallard ducks that make their way as a family across campus to the pond each spring.
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 13 Financial Assistance Opportunities
We offer scholarships, grants and work-study
We know that cheaper options exist out there for massage therapy education. We encourage you to think beyond the initial cost of the program to the career options and diversity our education provides. Think too of the exposure you will receive to many professional massage therapists— within the university and at your clinical internships and rotations.
Our students appreciate the superior clinical education, the science-based curriculum, the interdisciplinary nature of the school—and the esteem they receive as graduates of Northwestern. Employers recognize that Northwestern graduates are uniquely prepared to enter an integrative healthcare environment, which is quickly becoming a more common clinical model.
To help you manage the costs, we offer a variety of internal and external scholarships and grants.
Diversity Scholarship This scholarship covers 50 percent of tuition and is awarded to up to two students per incoming class. If you are a first-generation college student, are a member of an underrepresented group, or have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion—you are an ideal candidate for this scholarship.
Work-study We have many positions available in various departments across campus.
Are you a veteran? As a Military Friendly® university, Northwestern has you covered. Check out our veteran benefits for more information.
You may also apply for federal loans at low interest rates. Our Financial Aid office is here to guide you through these important financial decisions.
Our average loan default rate is 1.2 percent, based on the last three years of student loan data. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average loan default rate is
11.5 percent. — U.S. Department of Education
14 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Get to Know a Few of Our Alumni
Recent massage therapy graduates share their career paths
Janet Kadlec, A.A.S. Saint Croix Hospice and Northwestern Health Sciences University
“Massage is health care.”
u Watch the video: bit.ly/JanetKadlec
Jason Erickson, B.A., A.A.S. Eagan Massage Center
“I love helping people and problem solving through communication and touch.”
u Watch the video: bit.ly/JasonErickson
Maddi Grette, B.A., A.A.S. The Massage Space
“Because of my education, I can communicate with chiropractors and other healthcare providers.”
u Watch the video: bit.ly/MaddiGrette
Rachel Roller, B.A., A.A.S. Broman Chiropractic and Wellness Center
“We practitioners work with each other to complete the best treatment plans for patients.”
u Watch the video: bit.ly/RachelRoller
| NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 15 Your Options are Nearly Limitless
While you are a student at Northwestern, you can pursue any Not sure what types of clients and patients you’d like to build your practice around? specialization you choose—whether it is sports massage, palliative Our graduates have launched a variety of careers in different spaces, from spas to chiropractic care, oncology massage, pediatric massage or any other area of focus. offices to hospitals. Your options are varied and vast.
Practice Settings
Massage Spas and Hotels, Self-Employed Health Club or Chiropractic Office Hospitals and Therapy Salons Resorts, Athletic Facility and Integrated Medical Offices Franchise Cruises Care Clinics or Clinics
Clients Clients Clients Clients Amateur and Patients seeking Patients can include: seeking stress seeking seeking seeking pain professional relief from restricted • Those with a temporary condition relief and stress stress management athletes who movement and pain like pregnancy or post-surgical improved relief and relief and or relief from need to prepare who would benefit recovery well-being improved improved a variety their body for from a variety of • Those experiencing negative side Typical Clients well-being well-being of specific competition or therapies effects for the treatment of an and Treatment conditions performance acute illness Goals or recover from • Those suffering from chronic injury conditions such as fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, anxiety, fatigue, or nasuea • The elderly seeking improved well-being or relief from discomfort Average $22/hour $48/hour and up Hourly Pay* *Note: our source and that the range is highly variable based on many factors.
Certificate in Relaxation Massage Consider elective selections and specialty in Orthopedic or Energy Medicine based on areas of interest and focus of practice.
Recommended Certificate in Therapeutic Massage Training and Consider specialty in Orthopedic Massage. Specializations Associate of Applied Science *Note that these figures represent contact hours and do not constitute hourly income in the context of a 40-hour work week. **Average hourly pay for self-employed massage therapists is highly variable based on setting and expenses. Massage therapists who travel to their Consider speciality in Massage for Medically Complex or Energy Massage. clients’ homes earn a high average hourly rate ($75.37), but will have travel and equipment expenses. Massage therapists who work from their own homes ($61.75), offices ($62.75), or their clients’ workplaces ($63.43) earn a lower average hourly rate in comparison to massage therapists working in their clients’ homes, but may have lower expenses as well.
16 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 17 Taking the Next Steps
We offer many ways for you to get to know us
Congratulations on taking the first step to learning more about the Massage Therapy programs at Northwestern Health Sciences University.
We understand that choosing a university is one of the most important decisions you will make, and we hope that this guide has provided you with a glimpse into the exciting culture and community you will experience throughout your journey at Northwestern.
Our goal is to ensure you have all the information you need from us and that you feel confident that Northwestern is the right choice for you. We encourage you to begin the admissions process by completing an online application. That will allow us to move forward with securing your seat among our next incoming group of future massage therapists!
JOIN US ON CAMPUS Experience Northwestern Health Sciences University by attending an on-campus event to meet with admissions, faculty, staff and students to get your questions answered. We offer many opportunities throughout the year for you to visit and get a firsthand look into what it is like to be a student.
Opportunities to visit our campus to learn more:
Attend a Discovery Day or Massage Therapy Info Session
Shadow a class with a current massage therapy student
Visit for a campus tour
Eager to get started? Northwestern offers three enrollment dates every year: January, May and September. Apply today: nwhealth.edu/apply
18 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 19 Connect with Us
We are here for you
Please reach out to Admissions with any questions. Your admissions representative will help guide you through the application, admissions and acceptance process. Your admissions representative will answer any questions you have and get you on the path to your new career as a successful massage therapist!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Admissions: [email protected] (855) 885-5409
2501 West 84th Street Bloomington, MN 55431
nwhealth.edu
20 | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY | NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of HEALTH AND WELLNESS: MASSAGE THERAPY | 21 Chiropractic Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Massage Therapy Nutrition Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Undergraduate Health Sciences
2501 West 84th Street • Bloomington, MN 55431 855-885-5409 • nwhealth.edu [email protected]
NWHEALTH.EDU
NWHSU MT 0818