Massage Therapy Practitioner Certificate, AAS, & AAS-T

Program Details Massage Therapy Practitioner Certificate, AAS & AAS-T

Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This information reflects requirements starting in summer 2024 and may be subject to change. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your classes, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September)

length of the program icon How long is the program?

  • 3 quarters (9 months) for the certificate with 43 total credits
  • 6 quarters (22 months) for the AAS with 90 total credits
  • 6 quarters (22 months) for the AAS-T with 90 total credits

When do classes meet? Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as FLEX hybrid.

FLEX allows you the flexibility to Zoom into non-lab classes in real time or asynchronously on your own time.  FLEX gives you opportunities to submit homework, quizzes, and exams late and to do make-up labs

Are summer classes required? No

This program teaches you the principles of therapeutic massage for health maintenance, assessment, and rehabilitation of body tissues and systems. Therapeutic massage is important for sports medicine, injury recovery, and physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Our program is approved by the Washington State Board of Massage and prepares you to earn your professional license. Due to licensing laws, you must be 18 years or older by the third quarter of this program.

What does a massage therapy practitioner do?

What is the average salary?

$77,280 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most massage therapy practitioners in King County earn at least $46,800; there is a wide salary range.

Who can I contact with questions?

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers in the RTC Library or Learning Resource Center)
  2. Working internet connection
  3. CastleBranch account for background check ($106)
  4. Personal health insurance for the full 10 months of the program
  5. General liability and malpractice insurance ($14.62)
  6. Physical evaluation, which must include a physician's release saying that you are physically capable of giving and receiving massages
  7. Textbooks and software ($415). Free OER textbook is used for Mast 102, Mast 112, and Mast 122.
  8. Skeletal model, portable massage table, bolster pillow, and sheet sets ($600, depending on table cost)
  9. Uniforms ($80)

When classes begin, you can claim your free student membership Links to an external site. in the American Massage Therapy Association.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

If you completed one quarter you can apply to the RTC Foundation Book and Equipment Grant Links to an external site..

(Fall) Quarter 1 Classes

Description: You learn human anatomy, body movement, and diseases along with comprehensive Swedish massage techniques. Communication and human relation classes focus on professional interactions with clients and staff.

Quarter 1 Course Information
Course ID Course Name Materials Credits
MAST 101 Massage Techniques I YES 5
MAST 102 Anatomy and Physiology I YES 2
MAST 103 Kinesiology I NO 2
MAST 104 Pathology I YES 1
MAST 181 Ethics: Safe Hands I NO 2

(Winter) Quarter 2 Classes

Description: You continue to learn about human anatomy, body movement, and diseases, with new instruction in injury treatment and emergency care. You also will increase your understanding of ethical and legal issues and begin researching your ideal work environment.

Prerequisite notes: You must complete MAST 101, 102, 103, and 104 to enroll in MAST 111, 112, 113, and 114. You also need to complete MAST 181 before you can enroll in MAST 182.

Quarter 2 Course Information
Course ID Course Name Materials Credits
MAST 111 Massage Techniques II NO 3
MAST 112 Anatomy and Physiology II NO 3
MAST 113 Kinesiology II NO 2
MAST 114 Pathology II NO 3
MAST 116 Injury Evaluation and Treatment I NO 2
MAST 127 First Aid/CPR and Safety NO 2
MAST 173 Massage Employment I NO 2
MAST 182 Ethics: Safe Hands II NO 1

(Spring) Quarter 3 Classes

Description: You develop advanced knowledge of human anatomy, body movement, diseases, injury treatment and emergency care. You complete your required math class, and you get ready for your first job.

Quarter 3 Course Information
Course ID Course Name Materials Credits
MAST 122 Anatomy and Physiology III NO 3
MAST 124 Pathology III NO 2
MAST 126 Injury Evaluation and Treatment II NO 2
MAST 174 Massage Employment II NO 2
MAST 123 Kinesiology III NO 1
MAST 191 Clinic NO 2

Total Estimated Cost for Massage Therapy Practitioner Certificate: $8,324 plus the cost of health insurance

You need a license to work as a massage therapist in Washington. You must pass a certification exam (MBLEx) and a jurisprudence exam before you can apply for your license. The MBLEx exam fee is $265, and the fee for your initial state license fee is $226.

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