39 Credit Career Certificate
Therapeutic massage is the manipulations of the soft tissue of the body as a means of helping clients achieve optimal levels of functioning. In this program, you will learn massage techniques, massage theory, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, body mechanics, documentation, medical terminology, business/ethics and client/therapist relationship building and an introduction to other modalities and complementary alter-native therapies.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Illinois State Exam for licensure as a Massage Therapist. Currently the exam is the MBLEx given by the Federation of State Massage Boards (www.fstmb.org) Please contact that agency regarding requirements for application and fees. Upon passing the exam, they can then apply to the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulations (www.idfpr.com) for licensure and obtain a list of approved agencies for fingerprinting. Fingerprints are run through both the Illinois State Police and the FBI. There are fees for the license and fingerprinting, payable to the agencies providing the service.
The IL license is renewable every two years on even numbered years. The state also requires 24 continuing education credits, 2 of which need to be in ethics, in the two year renewal period to maintain your license. Each state has their own requirements for education and licensure/regulations for practicing massage therapy. Please refer to the appropriate state for their requirements. To practice in the State of IL, you must have a license.
Program Outcomes:
The successful graduates of the certificate program will:
- Function within the scope and limitations of practice for a massage therapist as defined by the state of Illinois Board of Massage Therapy.
- Utilize critical thinking to provide a safe, effective, and organized massage session.
- Interview, collect data and assess the effects/benefits and needs/contraindications.
- Develop a safe, effective treatment plan.
- Implement the plan, being able to make adjustments as indicated.
- Document the session using appropriate terminology.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills within the health care community.
- Respect the values and cultural diversity of all persons
- Recognize appropriate ethical responsibilities of the massage therapist
- Identify the need for continued self-development and self-care as an educated member of the community
- Write the State Board Exam for Massage Therapy.
Program Requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Complete and return the Morton College Information Form AND a Therapeutic Massage Application to the Office of Admissions and Records (OAR).
- Have an official high school transcript or GED indicating graduation or transcript indicating 60 hours of secondary education on file in the OAR.
- Understand there is a fee for malpractice insurance.
- Meet an advisor in the Academic Advising/Testing
- Center to develop a schedule and arrange for placement testing.
Health Physical
Must be able to stand for at least an hour. Lift 40 lbs.
Transfer Students
Transfer students must have their official transcripts evaluated. Course descriptions will be used to help evaluate coursework. Prospective students who have graduated from other programs but wish to earn the AAS will need to have obtained their IL state massage license.
ALL COURSES MUST BE PASSED WITH A “C” OR BETTER TO PROGRESS THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
Fall Semester
Prerequisites
| HCP 130 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| TPM 100 | Introduction to Therapeutic Massage | 1 |
| BIO 152 | Anatomy & Physiology (therapies) | 5 |
Students should apply for admissions into the program for Spring Semester
Spring Semester
| TPM 110 | Therapeutic Massage Techniques | 4 |
| HIT 109 | Pathology & Pharmacology | 3 |
| TPM 115 | Kinesiology for Massage Therapists | 4 |
Summer Semester
| TPM 120 | Therapeutic Massage Techniq II | 4 |
| TPM 130 | Therapeutic Massage Techniq III | 4 |
Fall Semester