How to Enroll in the Best Massage Therapy Training Course near Fentress Texas
Picking the best massage therapist school near Fentress TX is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career as a massage therapist. As you have no doubt concluded, who wouldn’t want to work in a profession where the primary goal is to help patients feel and function better? Massage therapists can work in a wide variety of locations, such as hospitals, day spas, health clubs and even aboard cruise ships! However prior to starting a career in this specialty of alternative medicine, receiving the proper training and licensing is essential. And remember that not all massage therapy programs are the same. When evaluating your options, it’s essential that you research all facets of the schools you are considering and not make your decision based solely on location or cost of tuition. We will provide a few fundamental tips that you need to include in your due diligence process when selecting a massage therapy school.
What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare in Fentress TX 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 Fentress TX 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.
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Massage Therapist Training 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 Fentress TX 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.
Questions to Ask Massage Therapist Programs
Before you choose a massage therapy school, 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 Fentress TX. 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 therapy training 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 Fentress TX 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 Fentress TX 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.
Massage Therapy Night School Fentress TX
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 Massage Therapy Night School and wanting to get more information on the topic How Long Is Massage Therapy School. However, by following the suggestions contained within this article, you will have an excellent opportunity for success by picking the right massage therapy school. And with the right education you will soon become a professional massage therapist servicing the Fentress Texas area.
Other Massage Therapy Locations in Texas
Fentress, Texas
Fentress is an unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Texas, United States.[1] According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 291 in 2000.[2] It is part of the Austin–Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area.
A settlement first called Riverside was founded at the site in 1869. A Cumberland Presbyterian church was established there that same year. There was a cotton gin powered by horses built in Riverside around 1870 by Cullen R. Smith and Joseph D. Smith. Nine years later, it moved to the riverfront and was converted into waterpower, and was operated by family members until its closure in 1968. In 1892, the community was renamed Fentress in honor of local doctor and landowner, James Fentress, who also participated in the Battle of Plum Creek. A post office was established in 1893. It was originally a general store owned by W.A. Wilson, and he became the postmaster when it was opened. Mail was then routed between Luling and San Marcos. By 1896, the population was estimated at 150, and had a doctor and a blacksmith in its business directory. The Fentress Waterworks began operating in 1898, and the community had become electrified four years later. In 1900, a telephone company was established. Around 1904, a newspaper – the Fentress Indicator, was published. A Methodist congregation was organized in 1905, and a church was built in the community four years later. In 1915, the number of residents had grown to 300, and there were three general stores, a mercantile company, a meat market, a confectionery, a pharmacy, a gin, and a blacksmith shop. That same year, Josh Merritt and his partner C.E. Tolhurst created a resort. It has swimming and camping facilities that offer bathhouses, a waterslide, and screened tents with wood floors. The facilities were sold within two years and expanded under the new leadership. Dancing was permitted, and a maple-floored skating rink was used for that. It greatly concerned local churches. A water tower collapsed onto the community's bank in 1918, and the cashier saved himself by running into a vault. It was only six years old, and was viewed as divine judgment by locals. The population peaked at around 500 during the late 1920s as the economy benefited from local nearby oilfield activity that lasted for four decades, starting in the 1920s. The Great Depression severely impacted Fentress and the community had lost half of its population by 1940 to 250 residents. Fentress continued to decline during the latter half of the twentieth century, with most of the businesses disappearing in the 1990s. There was a hog farm that supplied pigs that performed in the Aquarena Center that disappeared at that time. By 1990, there were 85 residents, two businesses, two churches, a post office, a recreational facility that attracted campers and tubers, and a landing strip for skydivers. The population rose to 291 in 2000. It was the setting for the novel The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, which won the Newberry Honor Award in 2010.[2]
Fentress is situated at the junction of State Highway 80 and FM 20 in southwestern Caldwell County, approximately eight miles northwest of Luling and 15 miles southeast of San Marcos. The nearest major city is Austin, located 42 miles to the north.[4] It also stands along the San Marcos River.[2]
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