Instructional Council: Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education, Recreation and Wellness (32)
GPA: 2.00
SOC Code: Not Found
Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Therapeutic Massage program is designed to provide students with the philosophical foundation and technical skills required to perform therapeutic massage. The program is designed to develop knowledge and skills to manage a private massage practice and/or work in collaboration with other health field professionals. In addition, the program is designed to meet the State of Arizona licensure qualifications. Students in the Therapeutic Massage program may be exposed to potentially infectious blood, tissues, and body fluids. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) is also available.
Program Notes: Students must earn a grade of "C" or better for all courses required within the program.
+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
Students must attend an orientation prior to applying to the program and be advised by the Program Director.
A special application must be completed to be officially accepted in the program.
Contact the Program Director or Advisement to obtain the Therapeutic Massage Program packet.
Admission Criteria: High school diploma or GED. Completion of Program Prerequisites courses with a grade of C or better. Proof of current immunization: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), tuberculosis skin test (TB), varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, and Hepatitis B vaccine (HEB). Have the ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities. Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the practicum(s). Complete and submit the health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider. Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results. Successfully complete an interview process.
Formal application and admission to the program are required.
Background Check Requirements
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.
Program Prerequisites: None
Program Prerequisites
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses in the Program Prerequisites area.
Students must select Option 1 or Option 2.
OPTION 1: Credits: 15
BIO160 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
HCC130 Fundamentals in Health Care Delivery 3
HCC145AA Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers I 1
WED151 Introduction to Alternative Medicine 3
WED165 Overview of Massage Therapy 2
WED215 Self-Care for Health Care Providers 2
OPTION 2: Credits: 11
Option 2 is for students who have completed an Associate in Applied Science degree or higher degree in a health science discipline from a regionally accredited institution of higher education recognized by The Maricopa Community Colleges.
BIO160 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
WED151 Introduction to Alternative Medicine 3
WED165 Overview of Massage Therapy 2
WED215 Self-Care for Health Care Providers 2
Credits: 11-15
Required Courses
MGT253 Owning and Operating a Small Business (3) OR
WED204 Establishing a Massage Practice (3) 3
+ WED230 Therapeutic Massage Practices I 6
+ WED231 Therapeutic Massage Practices II 6
+ WED232 Therapeutic Massage Practices III 6
+ WED250 Clinical Practicum (3) OR
+ WED250AA Clinical Practicum: Part I (1.5) AND
+ WED250AB Clinical Practicum: Part II (1.5) 3
Credits: 24
Restricted Electives
Students must select a minimum of one (1) course from each category for a total of eight (8) credits.
CATEGORY I: General
Select a minimum of one (1) course from Category I.
HES100 Healthful Living 3
HES271 Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries 3
WED297AC Special Topics: Therapeutic Massage 3
CATEGORY II: Hands-on
Select a minimum of one (1) course from Category II.
WED125 Reiki: Healing and Symbols 2
WED135 Gentle Touch for Individuals Living with Cancer 2
+ WED210 Sports Massage 2
+ WED225 Reiki: Master Level and Teacher Training 2
WED262 Acupressure/Shiatsu I 2
WED297AB Special Topics: Therapeutic Massage 2
CATEGORY III: Specialty Exploration
Select a minimum of one (1) course from Category III.
WED156 Humor and Play 1
WED160 Ethics of Touch Massage 0.5
WED162 Meditation and Wellness 1
WED170 Principles of Homeopathy 1
WED172 Overview of Herbal Remedies 1
WED176 Flower Essences 1
WED182 Health Conditions and Popular Herbs 2
WED183 Introduction to Ayurvedic Principles 2
WED218 Aromatherapy 1
WED228 Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Applications 2
WED297AA Special Topics: Therapeutic Massage 1
CATEGORY IV: Physical Activity
Select a minimum of one (1) course from Category IV.
PED101AK Aikido (1) OR
PED102AK Aikido - Intermediate (1) 1
PED101PS Pilates (1) OR
PED102PS Pilates - Intermediate (1) OR
PED103PS Pilates (0.5) (May be repeated) (1) OR
PED201PS Pilates - Advanced (1) 1
PED101TC Tai Chi (1) OR
PED102TC Tai Chi - Intermediate (1) OR
PED103TC Tai Chi (0.5) (May be repeated) (1) OR
PED201TC Tai Chi - Advanced (1) 1
PED101YO Yoga (1) OR
PED102YO Yoga - Intermediate (1) OR
PED103YO Yoga (0.5) (May be repeated) (1) OR
PED201YO Yoga - Advanced (1) 1
PED/WED121 Physical Conditioning for Massage Therapists 1
Credits: 8
General Electives
Credits:
General Education Requirements
General Education Requirement
Credits: 18-21
General Education Core
Credits: 12-15
First-Year Composition
Credits: 6
+ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND
+ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 6
Oral Communication
Credits: 3
+ Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area.
Critical Reading
Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3
Mathematics
Credits: 3
+ Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area.
General Education Distribution
Credits: 6
Humanities, Arts and Design
Credits: 3
Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area.
Social-Behavioral Sciences
Credits: 3
REC120 Leisure and the Quality of Life 3
Natural Sciences
Credits: 0
Met by BIO160, in Program Prerequisites area.
Program Competencies
1. Develop a business plan for a massage practice that includes marketing, bookkeeping, legal implications, and the establishment of an appropriate environment. (MGT253, WED204)
2. Explain the physiology, benefits, indications, and contraindications and effects of the nine basic massage techniques. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
3. Apply appropriate touch in establishing boundaries related to the client/massage therapist relationship. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
4. Demonstrate self-awareness and self-assessment skills using the personal performance competencies. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
5. Use terminology related to body position, postural alignment, and joint motion. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
6. Perform a complete body massage appropriate for the client. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
7. Apply ethical, legal, and professional principles of massage. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
8. Describe the role of the massage therapist in collaborating with health care professionals. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
9. Explain benefits, indications, and contraindications of massage therapy for special populations. (WED232)
10. Identify and apply personal philosophy during practice of massage. (WED232)
11. Appraise and refine therapeutic massage techniques to cultivate mastery of skills, abilities, and aptitudes. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
12. Describe and demonstrate the attachments, actions, therapeutic stretches, and palpation of trigger points of skeletal muscles. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
13. Describe musculoskeletal, neurologic, and chronic pain pathology and therapeutic interventions. (WED230, WED231, WED232)
14. Use therapeutic massage skills in a clinical setting under the direct supervision of a site director and the program coordinator. (WED250, WED250AA, WED250AB)
+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 17, 2016
All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the
curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.
