Therapeutic Massage - Associate in Applied Science

CCRI's Associate in Applied Science for Therapeutic Massage is currently under Academic Review and is not accepting new applications.

The Therapeutic Massage Certificate Program is currently accepting applications.

Occupational Title: Massage Therapist
Newport County Campus, Newport

The Therapeutic Massage associate degree program offers students a strong scientific background for the understanding and application of various soft tissue techniques to promote health and wellness. Eastern and Western practices will be studied to ensure an education that includes a holistic approach to massage. The program is guided by the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Mission:

The Massage Therapy Foundation advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.

The Therapeutic Massage Program offered at CCRI is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), elevating CCRI to COMTA-endorsed curriculum status. The program offered at CCRI’s Newport campus is a modified evening and weekend program with the core courses offered at the Newport location. All of the required general education courses may be taken at other CCRI campuses prior to acceptance into the program. Graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree after completing a combined 1135 hours and 60 credits of coursework and clinical internship. All internship courses must be completed within 18 months following completion of the academic training.

All graduates are eligible to sit for the state licensing (State licensure requirements vary state to state) and the Board Certification exams. An individual must successfully pass 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 Board Certification Exam is administered by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). The NCBTMB has designated CCRI as an Assigned School, which allows CCRI graduates to sit for an optional exam to become board certified therapeutic massage and bodywork practitioners.

CCRI graduates, who are licensed massage therapists, are employed in a variety of settings that include rehabilitation clinics, wellness centers, chiropractic and acupuncture offices, health clubs and spas. Additionally, many of our graduates have opened successful private businesses. CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Program rigorously prepares students to be able to work in hospitals, medical environments and with clients who have compromised health or physical impairments.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for detail.

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 Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; TMSG should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – Send an official copy of the applicant’s high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation. 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. Placement testing
   • Demonstrate competency at Introduction to College Mathematics (MATH 1025) level by placing into MATH 1025 (formerly MATH 1420) through the standardized test or completion of Early Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0099) with a C or better. The following courses will substitute for Introduction to College Mathematics (MATH 1025): College Algebra (MATH 1200), College Trigonometry (MATH 2110), Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students (MATH 1139), Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (MATH 1175), Statistical Analysis I (MATH 1240), Quantitative Business Analysis I (MATH 2077), Pre-Calculus Mathematics (MATH 2111), Calculus I (MATH 2141), Calculus II (MATH 2142), Calculus III (MATH 2243). (Highest grade earned in any of these courses will be calculated in the point system.
   • Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. 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.
   • Must earn English placement test results (ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center
   • , must show readiness to take Composition I (ENGL 1010) or the applicant must have completed College Writing (ENGL 1005) with a grade of "C" or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
4. Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201) 
   • Introduction to Therapeutic Massage (TMSG 1000) 
   • Medical Terminology for Rehabilitative Health (RHAB 1010) 
   • Fundamentals of Palpation and Body Movement Skills (RHAB 1020) 
   • American Literature to 1865 (ENGL 1020)
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. The application and instructions can be found at www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/index.html.
   • 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 for the application period in which they reapply. Once accepted into the Therapeutic Massage degree program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the 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.