What to Look for in a Massage Therapy Program
Selecting a Massage Therapy School
Questions students often ask about getting a massage education:
- Is this school or program really a good one?
- Are students and graduates satisfied that their education prepared them for a career in massage Therapy
- What do the school personnel think is their strength/ their weaknesses
- What feedback does the school get from people who employee the graduates?
- What percentage of students that start actually graduate?
- How skilled are the faculty?
- How long have they been teaching? How did they learn to teach?
- What kind of massage experiences have they had?
- Do teachers have any additional training in what they are teaching?
- Is this a financially stable school or institution that won’t go under half way through my education?
- Will the school give you assurances about your education?
- Do they accommodate student’s learning needs?
- Does the school vary learning experiences based on student needs?
- What types of support are available to students if they are finding the information challenging?
- Will this school or program prepare me for certification and licensure?
- What is the pass rate on the exam required for licensing?
- What percentages of students/graduates take the licensing exam?
What is the school’s view of licensing and certification?
- Will they help me find a job?
- What kind of support do students and graduates get from the school for finding work?
- What types of work sites are interested in the school’s graduates?
- Does the school have connections with local employers?
- Does this school offer financial aid?
- Are their both loans and grants?
- Do they offer Federal financial aid?
Accredited schools and programs care about these questions, too. They have voluntarily taken steps to assure themselves that they meet high standards of educational excellence by going through a process called accreditation.
An accredited school is one that meets the standards of excellence, that demonstrates financial stability, that hires competent and credentialed faculty and has an array of services that respond to the learner’s needs.
How does Lakeside measure up to your massage school standards?
Lakeside School of Massage Therapy is the first and oldest accredited school of massage therapy in the State of Wisconsin, and is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). Lakeside is also a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and is approved by the State of Wisconsin Educational Approval Board. If you have questions regarding any of these organizations, please feel free to contact them at the phone or email addresses listed below. Also take a look at our Associate Degree in Massage Therapy FAQ and Core Massage Therapy Diploma Program FAQ for more answers to your questions.
The Commission on Massage What to Look for in a School Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington DC, 20015
847-869-5039, info@comta.org or www.comta.org
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
820 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-0123 or www.amtamassage.org
Educational Approval Board of Wisconsin
30 W. Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
608-266-1996, eabmail@eab.state.wi.us or www.eab.state.wi.us
