Therapeutic Massage - Certificate

This program may be completed at the Flanagan (Lincoln) Campus.

CCRI's Massage Therapy Certificate Program combines a strong scientific basis for the understanding and application of various soft tissue massage therapy techniques, with high standards in professional development. The intensified evening weekend program is a 800-hour, 38-credit curriculum leading to a Massage Therapy Certificate. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The program emphasizes ethics, clinical assessment, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. Students are prepared for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), overseen by the Federation of State Massage Boards, to apply for a license to practice massage in the state of Rhode Island. The program can be completed in 12 months.

Students must be able to perform basic massage techniques and demonstrate the ability to give and receive a therapeutic massage treatment. Student must be at least 18 years old prior to taking Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000). Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Therapeutic Massage Certificate Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice;  pre-Therapeutic Massage Certificate Program (TMSC) should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – An official copy of the applicant’s high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation or, if the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from an institutionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center.
   • Reading comprehension – Competency of 250 or above is required for reading comprehension or completion of Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better
4. Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201)
   • Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000)
5. Age requirement – Must be 18 years of age or older to register for Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000) 
6. GPA – Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken.
7. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period. The application and instructions can be found on the Admissions webpage.
   • Important: All the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily before submission of performance-based Health Sciences application and do not guarantee acceptance to the program. At the time of admission, the student must meet the current admission requirements of the program. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application for the program and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted into Therapeutic Massage certificate program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Allied and Rehabilitative Health Department.
8. Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from One Stop Student Services. Final acceptance to the program is dependent on the results of the background check.