Lakeside Massage School Fact Sheet

 

Associate Degree in Massage Therapy (ADMT) Overview

Lakeside Massage Therapy Massage Shoulder

In April 2006, Lakeside became the first massage therapy school in the State of Wisconsin to offer an associate degree program in massage therapy. Our commitment to continually strive to raise the bar in massage therapy education has led us to offering this degree program – one we are please to present to those interest in furthering their education in the field and looking for advanced training. 

Currently, in massage therapy education, the overwhelming majority of schools offer certificate programs. Although there are programs that offer degrees, most advanced coursework must be taken as continuing education. The structure of continuing education programs lacks the ability to support students in integrating the information and guiding their thinking processes as clinical decision makers; hence, Lakeside offers a program that melds continuing education and an associate degree program to provide the most effective opportunities to the massage therapy community and to those students who are looking for advanced training.

Associate Degree in Massage Therapy (ADMT) Program Description

Lakeside Massage Therapy Philosophy

As massage therapy practice has continued its recognition in the allopathic as well as in the integrative medicine and holistic health communities, Lakeside’s responsibility as an educational institution is to provide learning opportunities that support students who are searching to enhance their leadership and professional roles within the profession of massage therapy. The 300-level education course components of the ADMT are based on the following constructs that will be woven into the course offerings:

  • therapeutic decision making for practitioners
  • professional communication with clients, colleagues, other care givers, and funding sources
  • professional network participation – accessing the larger community of interest, current literature, and expert input
  • embodiment of the professional massage therapy practitioner

Massage Therapy Course Content

Structure
The ADMT will include completion of all components of the 802-clock hour/ 41 semester credit core program in massage therapy. The core program is made up of two semesters of 20.5 credits each. Students enroll in the advanced courses in the ADMT after completing the 30-week, 9-month, or 52-week core program. The additional component of the ADMT will be offered in a three day weekend model every other weekend for approximately nine months. As an added bonus all of the courses result in a minimum of over 200 continuing education hours approved by NCBTMB.

 

Courses Semester Credits

All courses from the Professional Massage Therapy Program    

41.0 credits
Exercise Physiology and Nutrition (EPN) 301           3.0 credits
Massage, Exercise, Testing & Prescription (EPN) 302 3.0 credits
Pharmacology and Massage (PHR) 301         1.0 credits
Research (RE) 301 3.0 credits
Orthopedic Testing (ORT) 302           2.0 credits
Mind, Body, Mood, and Massage (MBM) 301 2.0 credits
Advanced Massage Therapy (AMT) 301       8.0 credits
Business (BUS) 301 0.5 credits
Fieldwork Internship (FW) 301 0.5 credits
TOTAL 64.0 credits

 

The students who have completed the Professional Massage Therapy Diploma Core Program will have met all of the competency elements required by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation. All of the coursework offered in the ADMT will provide enhanced understanding, application, and evaluation skills for the graduates (see appendix for Competency Chart). Requirements for graduation from the ADMT will include in addition to the requirements of the Professional Massage Therapy Program:  successful completion of certification either in personal training or strength and conditioning from a nationally recognized agency and a research based case study in addition to completion of all coursework.

Massage Therapy Course Descriptions


Exercise Physiology and Nutrition 301

This course is designed to build upon the basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology as it relates to the human body to include the physiological responses of body systems to various types of exercise. The course will address differences relating to types of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on tissues of the body, nutrition factors in age, health and performance, and gender related differences and their implications in exercise and response to physical stressors.

 

Massage Therapy; Exercise Testing, and Prescription 302

This course is designed to integrate the knowledge learned as it relates to tissue elasticity and the effects of massage strategies with the principles of various types of exercise, exercise testing, and exercise prescriptions. The course will include concepts of stretching, resistance training, anaerobic and aerobic exercise, as well as the concepts of making recommendations for various types of exercises.

 

Pharmacology and Massage 301

This course is designed to addresses the effects of various pharmaceutical agents on the body, their variability in therapeutic effects, and their impact on the delivery of massage therapy. The course will address various agents that are more prevalent in disorders such as, but not limited to, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, circulatory disorders, pain management, and various medications used in treating mood disorders.

 

Research 301

This course is designed to prepare students to critically read and analyze research literature, including understanding concepts of reliability and validity, and types of variability in the sample or the implementation of the study. Students will also be required to identify a research question they will explore with an individual client. A research case study is required of all students.

 

Orthopedic Testing 301

This course builds upon basic functional testing already used in massage therapy practice to include more advanced techniques to allow the practitioner to assess underlying signs and symptoms in areas of the body where restricted movement, tissue restriction, or pain limits the abilities of the client. Students learn how to use the outcome of testing to differentiate between indications and contraindications and when to refer to other professionals.

 

Mind, Body, Mood, and Massage 301

This course is designed to explore the physiology and psychological connections between mind, body, and mood as they relate to the human experience. The course will explore the concepts of personal change due to cellular and tissue memory and the possible impact resulting from massage therapy sessions. Therapists will be exposed to centering exercises and dialoging strategies that are supportive of clients during a massage session. The course is a combination of didactic and experiential presentation intended to explore shifts in therapeutic approaches within the individual therapist in working with clients.

 

Advanced Massage Therapy 301

This course is designed to introduce additional massage therapy strategies for different populations along with problem solving strategies based upon case study learning and actual practice. The course will include integration of the current thinking in massage therapy and bodywork literature, application of the orthopedic testing, and types of exercise that would be advisable. The course will use critical thinking strategies.

 

Ethics and Energetics 301

The course is intended to explore the relationship between therapists, working with clients and the challenges to ethical behavior that are enhanced with clients in an altered state or non-ordinary state of consciousness and the implications for the Standards of Practice for professional massage therapists and body workers. It includes a 2-hour experiential session at the end of the course.

 

Business 301

This course discusses business and promotional strategies for the advanced practitioner. The course focuses on interfacing with the professional community including professional associations, massage practitioners, and other practitioners, as well as being proactive in furthering the profession of massage therapy. 

 

Fieldwork Internship 301

Fieldwork is a component of the program that provides students with opportunities to practice their massage therapy and exercise skills with various populations at off-site locations under faculty supervision. The settings include locations such as fitness centers, practitioner clinics that stress movement classes, and other possibilities. Fieldwork occurs outside of the regularly scheduled class times.

 

Transfer of Credit

Lakeside will process students’ portfolios or transcripts to determine the appropriateness of credit for previous education. Requests for advanced standing or transfers into the second year of the ADMT degree for individuals who have completed a massage therapy course will be considered following completion of the application form and payment of the $25 application fee. The coursework will be evaluated based upon the completed program’s similarity to Lakeside’s currently offered Professional Massage Therapy Diploma Program. Documents required for the review include the following:

  • a request for consideration of advanced standing
  • a catalog from the school where the massage therapy course was completed, outlining the course descriptions and number of hours
  • an official transcript
  • a $500 fee for consideration of advanced standing

Continuing education may be considered as part of the training received. The completed material will be reviewed by the Director of Education.

Transfer student costs are determined based on the remaining hours needed for completion. Fees, books, and equipment are charged according to the items needed for completion of the program. If an individual is CPR and First Aid trained, the CPR and First Aid unit may be waived. The students must provide evidence of CPR and First Aid Training which is current at the time of graduation from the Associate Degree Program.
For specific information or to submit the materials, contact the Admissions Coordinator.