Therapeutic Message Program Mission Statement

Prepare Therapeutic Massage graduates for employment in accordance with the State of Rhode Island Massage Therapy Practice Act, and The National Certification Board.
Provide the public with a supply of qualified therapeutic massage practitioners, prepared at the associate degree in applied science level who are competent to perform massage in a variety of settings, while exhibiting a high level of compassion and commitment.
Prepare the Therapeutic Massage graduates to sit and pass the National Certification Examination, and obtain licensure for the State of Rhode Island.
Sponsor public awareness contracts, which enhance understanding on the profession of Therapeutic Massage, and promote health and wellness in the population of the State of Rhode Island.

Philosophy

The College and the Therapeutic Massage faculty assume responsibility for planning and implementing a program that: a) develops skilled practitioners qualified to perform therapeutic massage services to the community we serve; b) includes Massage therapy theory and practice as well as supportive courses in general education, sciences and complements existing medical treatment that aids in the healing process; and c) practice the integration of professionalism and self growth as it relates to the standards of practice for massage therapist and patient care.

The Therapeutic Massage Faculty Believes That:

The task of the therapeutic massage practitioner is to assist and educate the client and community regarding the variety of modalities helpful to achieving personal and community wellness.
The Massage Therapist has a specific mission to work with combining Eastern and Western theories of practice and clinical treatment.
Educate the client and community to understand on the value of massage in the treatment of medical conditions, and emotional and physical well being, while promoting wellness and the healing process.
Every person has dignity and worth, and is entitled to respect, confidentiality, ethical practice, and the highest quality of professional service the massage practitioner is able to provide.
Learning occurs most effectively when faculty and students share the responsibility for the education process. Faculty act as guides and mentors, designing and implementing a curriculum which provides a warm and supportive but disciplined environment that encourages, motivates and models the acquisition and questioning of knowledge, beliefs and practice. The program structures the student's environment with classrooms, laboratories, clinical educators, clinical site visits and demonstration of massage therapy techniques that are conducive to learning. Teaching materials, training equipments, laboratory clinic, and fieldwork experiences (externships) offer students the opportunity to practice and develop hands-on skills and treatment planning competency.
The graduate of the Therapeutic Massage Program who earns an Associate degree in Applied Science or Certificate in Therapeutic Massage bears a responsibility to provide highly competent and committed Massage therapy to the local community.
Education is a life-long process that provides the graduate the opportunity to develop personally, socially and intellectually, with the expectation that students will build on their training with continuing education.

Educational Objectives

To provide quality education to adult residents in the State of Rhode Island (or the surrounding communities) who are pursuing the profession of massage.
To teach delineation and respect for the personal and professional boundaries through training in ethics and standards of the practice of massage therapy.
To encourage the student to reflect and record individual progress as they move through the program. This will allow the student to focus on internal and external challenges.
To explore individual differences and program development as it relates to the students' learning styles of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods of teaching.
Educate the student to quality instruction in kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and proper application of massage techniques to enhance wellness.
To provide a safe, yet challenging and supportive learning environment and to build a successful and fulfilling professional career.
To promote interaction and collaboration with instructors, peers, clinical supervisors and clients when evaluating challenging health issues (contraindications).
To demonstrate competency in written documentation, treatment planning, and oral communication.
To forge community relationships and integrate the benefits of therapeutic massage into the traditional medical model.
To stress commitment to ongoing education and participation in professional organizations this promotes these values at the state and national level.
To teach the fundamentals of non-traditional, holistic modalities of body work (energy work, Reiki, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy).
To provide a comprehensive academic and hands-on experience this together develops the massage therapists confidence and readiness to pass the National Certification Examination.
To contribute competency in therapeutic massage services to the state agencies, facilities, institutions, and programs which use and promote the profession.
To demonstrate responsiveness to the needs of the community by conducting educational workshops on behalf of therapeutic massage and wellness.