Massage Therapy at Algonquin College

Putting knowledge and skills into your own hands.

The Massage Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma program provides you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to provide safe, effective and ethical care at an entry-level of practice within the massage therapy profession.

Graduates from this program have the knowledge, skills and judgement to provide safe, competent and ethical care as entry-level massage therapists.

In choosing this program, you learn about anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, professional communication, ethics, jurisprudence in healthcare, massage theory and massage practice skills.

You also participate in lab exercises throughout the program where you learn how to:

• conduct a clinical assessment
• formulate a comprehensive clinical impression
• create a client-centred treatment plan
• provide safe and ethical massage therapy care

Part of your learning experience also includes working with clients in supervised clinics on campus and in community placement settings.

Graduates of this program are ready to take the next steps in starting their career. In order to practice as a Massage Therapist in Ontario, you must register with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). The registration process requires successful completion of professional certification examinations.

Massage Therapists build successful practices in a variety of settings, including:

• private practice
• mobile practice
• chiropractic and/or Physiotherapy offices
• healthcare organizations
• fitness centres

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Enjoy solving problems and challenging their mind.
• Want to make a difference in peoples` lives through nurturing touch.
• Value compassion and respect when communicating with others.
• Like to work with their hands and are physically fit.

Careers

Graduates must hold a credential as a Registered Massage Therapist to practise in Ontario. The process to obtain this registered credential includes taking a two-part Provincial Certification examination. Students apply to the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) in the final level of the program to take the exam upon graduation. Successful candidates are then eligible to apply for registration with the CMTO.

Graduates may find employment opportunities in private practice, chiropractic offices, multidisciplinary healthcare organizations, clinics, health clubs, fitness centres, athletic organizations, hotels, resorts, spas and industry.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Conduct a massage therapy practice within a legal, professional and ethical framework.
2. Apply business principles relevant to a massage therapy practice.
3. Communicate and collaborate effectively and professionally with clients, colleagues and members of the interprofessional team.
4. Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships to optimize clients` health and wellness.
5. Collect and assess clients` information to determine their state of health and the treatment goals.
6. Develop a plan of care according to the client`s condition and the treatment goals.
7. Implement the plan of care according to the client`s condition and the treatment goals.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care.
9. Maintain documentation securely, accurately and in a timely manner.
10. Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development to ensure quality care.
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
• Biology, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade 65% or higher.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.
• International Applicants:
  International applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements are required to complete preparatory courses (4-months in duration): Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS). Students who successfully complete the introduction will then proceed to their original health program of choice. The ICHS requires applicants to submit an academic IELTS score.
• Please click this link for more information: https://www.algonquincollege.com/healthandcommunity/ICHS/.