Massage Therapy School Degree & Certificate Programs

To be accepted into massage therapy school at NWHSU, you will need a high school diploma or a General Educational Development diploma (GED), a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better, and to meet the additional academic and technical standards required.

You can log in to the Student Application Portal to start your online application. At any time, you may save your application, logout, and complete it later. There is a non-refundable $50.00 application fee required with submission of your application.

We recommend that you submit your application 1 to 6 months before your intended start term. Day schedule starting dates are January and September. Evening schedule starting dates are May and September. We will accept applications up to two weeks before the start of the term, depending on class availability.

You can see all the application details, include information about requesting your transcripts and writing an essay on the application page.

The cost of tuition for NWHSU’s massage therapy program varies depending on your program of interest, from $7,917 to $24,969 ($406 per credit).

Faculty in the massage therapy program are leaders in their fields, with diverse experience in anatomy, trauma-informed care, and many massage specialties.

Instructors at NWHSU teach in the areas they specialize in, which often isn’t the case with smaller programs where one or two instructors teach most or all the courses. This may be more important than you realize. Students at NWHSU have the advantage of learning from experts in a diversity of topics related to massage therapy. This plays an important part in creating more deeply informed students who are better equipped to enter the profession and be successful.

The Therapeutic Massage Therapy Certificate Program at NWHSU is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

2101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 302
Arlington, VA 22201 
Office: 202-888-6790 
URL: comta.org

Northwestern Health Sciences University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Whether you’re just beginning to consider a Massage Therapy degree or certificate option, our admissions counselors can help answer questions about coursework, scholarships, admissions requirements, and the application process.

Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Earn the highest level of education you can achieve as a massage therapist in our most popular option.  

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Add general education courses to your massage therapy education to earn your associate’s degree. Along the way you will also earn your certificate in therapeutic massage. You can immediately enroll in the A.A.S., or complete your certificate and return to complete the degree. 

Who it’s for: Students who already have a degree and students may want to pursue further education in the future or want to stand out to prospective employers. The A.A.S is the highest level of education you can receive as a massage therapist. 

How long it takes: About 20 months, 63 credits, 1242.25 hours  

View the A.A.S. Curriculum Guide

Expand your career opportunities. Our alumni start their own businesses, work in hospitals, and work with chiropractors and acupuncturists in integrative clinics.

Prepare to enhance your future clients’ health and lives with advanced clinical massage training that prepares you to work in solo-practice or on an integrative healthcare team.  

Who it’s for: Students who want to graduate as healthcare professionals prepared to start their own practice or work in clinical settings including chiropractic offices, hospitals, and integrative clinics.  

How long it takes: 12-24 months. Therapeutic Massage: 45 trimester credits, 972.5 hours. East-West Therapeutic Massage: 59.5 trimester credits, 1407 hours. 

View the Therapeutic Massage Curriculum Guide

Integrate Eastern and Western approaches to bodywork to support your clients with more tools in your toolbox.

Like the therapeutic massage certificate, this certificate includes a strong grounding in anatomy and physiology, as well as four clinical rotations to prepare students to be confident, knowledgeable practitioners.  

The East-West Therapeutic Massage Certificate includes an additional six courses in Shiatsu: Japanese bodywork Japanese bodywork grounded in traditional Chinese medicine. This gives graduates an additional set of tools for assessing and treating patients or clients.  

Combine the therapeutic techniques of Eastern (Shiatsu) and Western massage therapy to treat the whole-person. This advanced clinical massage training prepares you with the most tools in your toolbox to support clients. 

View the East West Therapeutic Massage Curriculum Guide

The fastest pathway to a career in franchise massage and salon spas.  

Quickly prepare for a career as a massage therapist in spa environments with our relaxation certificate. This certificate still includes a strong grounding in anatomy and physiology and allows you to graduate in eight months to work with clients to relieve tension, increase circulation, and promote relaxation.   

Who it’s for: Students who want to graduate quickly and work in spa-type environments, or students who want to start their careers quickly. 

How long it takes: About 8 months, 24 credits, 533.5 hours  

View the Relaxation Massage Curriculum Guide

Add Chinese Medicine and Shiatsu to your massage therapy toolbox.  

This certificate is designed to build on previous massage therapy education: adding Shiatsu to your scope of practice. The six courses can be completed within 7.5 months and meets the standards for AOBTA (American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia) membership. 

Who it’s for: Graduates of NWHSU or other massage therapy school who want to expand their practice to include Chinese Medicine, specifically Shiatsu: Japanese bodywork grounded in traditional Chinese medicine.  

How long it takes: 7.5 months 

View the Shiatsu Curriculum Guide