How to Choose the Right Massage Therapist Classes near Pennington Minnesota

Picking the right massage therapist school near Pennington MN is a critical first step toward launching a rewarding first or second career in massage therapy.  After all, who wouldn’t want to work in a profession where the sole purpose is to help people function and feel better?  Massage therapists can work in a wide range of locations, including hospitals, day spas, health clubs and even aboard cruise ships!  However prior to beginning a career in this specialty of holistic healthcare, receiving the right training and licensing is imperative.  And keep in mind that massage therapist schools are not all alike.  When making your evaluations, it’s vital that you research all facets of the schools you are considering and not just the cost or convenience of the locations.  Following are a few fundamental tips that you need to incorporate into your due diligence process when choosing a massage therapy school.

What is Massage Therapy?

As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare in Pennington MN that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and relieve tension and pain in their patients.  Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when discussing massage therapy, and most massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage.  However, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include within their course of instruction.  Following are just a few examples.

• Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Sports Massage
• Shiatsu Massage
• Thai Massage
• Hot Stone Massage
• Pregnancy Massage

Professionals that work in massage therapy in Pennington MN should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these terms generally carry a negative connotation among the general public and professionals alike and should be avoided.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Massage Therapy Schools Near You!

Massage Therapy Education Requirements

Most schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years for an Associate’s Degree.  The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing.  Another factor that may also influence the program length is whether classes are offered in Pennington MN during the day or in the evening.  Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program.  Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed.  Some states require both a certain number of hours of continuing education as well as specific education in subjects such as HIPAA compliance or ethics.

Massage Therapist Licensing

Once you have graduated from an accredited massage therapy school, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing.  The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is a test controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most States as part of the licensing process.  Some States have their own or additional exams, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy program.  If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional exam fee.  Once licensed, you will need to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements.  As previously mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed.  And if you should move to another State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you meet the requirements to legally practice there.

What to Ask Massage Therapist Schools

Before you select a massage therapist program, there are some important questions that you need to ask about the programs you are considering.  As previously mentioned, the location of the school is important, particularly if you will be commuting to classes from Pennington MN. And of course the total cost, including tuition, books and all training materials will also be an important factor.  But beyond those basic qualifications, following are some questions you should ask so that you have all of the facts before picking a massage therapist degree program.

• Is the School Accredited? Accreditation may be required for licensing as well as student loans or financial aid. It also helps to ensure that the program meets acceptable levels of quality.  Some Pennington MN employers also prefer job candidates from accredited schools.
• Does their Curriculum Comply with EALP Standards? Entry-Level Analysis Project (EALP) standards were created by an association of massage organizations to define minimum standards for preparing massage school graduates for entry-level professional work.
• What Massage Therapy Programs are Available? Find out if the type of program you are interested in is available, such as an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy. Also, if you need to attend evening classes near Pennington MN make sure that they are offered as well.
• What Types of Massage Therapy are Taught? As previously mentioned, most massage therapy schools teach Swedish Massage. However, the better programs include multiple types of massage therapy.  Make sure that the program you choose includes those you are most interested in.
• Is Financial Aid Available? To qualify for federal financial aid or a student loan, the school will need to be accredited by a national accrediting organization.  Find out from the schools you are considering what they offer in aid or if they assist students in obtaining funding from other sources.
• How Long has the School Existed? One indication that a school provides a quality education is longevity.  However, all schools had to start from day one, and many fine schools are relatively new.  So use this as one of several qualifications when comparing schools.
• Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Find out if the schools have job placement programs and what their placement rates are.  Ask if they assist with such skills as how to interview for a position and how to prepare a resume.
• Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? This includes classroom training as well as placement in internship programs.  The best massage therapy schools make sure that students have plenty of time to practice what they learn so they can develop their skills and be corrected when necessary.
• What is the Background of the Faculty? Find out what the experience and credentials are of the teaching faculty.  Speaking with schools’ faculty in person can also provide valuable information. Before applying, arrange to take a tour of the school and talk with staff members and students if permissible. Schools may also have Open House events for prospective students.

Registered Massage Therapist School Pennington MN

Good luck as you embark on your journey to begin a career as a professional massage therapist.  As with all things worth achieving, it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed.  You originally came to this website because of your interest in Registered Massage Therapist School and wanting to get more information on the topic Massage Therapy Schools Near Me.  However, by following the suggestions contained within this article, you will have an excellent opportunity for success by picking the right massage therapist training course.  And with the right education you will soon become a professional massage therapist servicing the Pennington Minnesota area.

Other Massage Therapy Locations in Minnesota

 

Pennington County, Minnesota

The Wisconsin Territory was established by the federal government effective 3 July 1836, and existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as Wisconsin) in 1848. The federal government set up the Minnesota Territory in the remaining territory, effective 3 March 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. One of those original counties, Pembina, had its lower portion partitioned in 1858 by the newly organized Minnesota State legislature to create Polk County. On 24 December 1896, the legislature partitioned the northern portion of Polk to create Red Lake County. Then on 23 November 1910,[3] the northern part of Red Lake was sectioned off to create Pennington County, the penultimate Minnesota county to be created (followed by Lake of the Woods in 1922). The county was named for Edmund Pennington (1848-1922), a longtime Minnesota railroad executive, who was serving as president of the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie Railway when the county was formed. Thief River Falls, the area's major settlement (platted in 1887), was specified as the county seat.[4]

The Red Lake River flows westward into the county from Beltrami County through Pennington's central portion. Near Thief River Falls it is joined by the Thief River, flowing southward into the county from Marshall County. The combined flow exits Pennington County toward the south, then swings west- and northwestward as it moves to its confluence with the Red River near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, lightly wooded, with all available areas devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the west and south,[7] with its highest point near the lower east border, at 1,186' (361m) ASL.[8] The county has a total area of 618 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 617 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.3%) is water.[9] Pennington is one of 17 Minnesota savanna region counties with more savanna soils than either prairie or forest soils.

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 13,584 people, 5,525 households, and 3,552 families in the county. The population density was 22.0/sqmi (8.50/km²). There were 6,033 housing units at an average density of 9.78.sqmi (3.78/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.02% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 49.0% were of Norwegian, 15.4% German and 7.2% Swedish ancestry.

 

Business Results 1 - 10 of 0