15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona in 2024 | How to Apply

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Massage therapy has become an essential component of one’s general well-being and is a popular pastime in Arizona. Massage therapists in many states must obtain a license before applying for and charging for massage services.

State officials recognize roughly 20 massage therapy schools in Arizona. Many are in Phoenix and Tucson, and others are in smaller towns like Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, and Yuma.

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To become an authorized massage therapist in Arizona, you must complete at least 700 hours of massage therapy curriculum. 

As of July 28, 2021, Arizona’s median massage therapist salary is $52,526; however, remuneration typically ranges from roughly $47,013 to $60,339 yearly.

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If you are looking for a top-rated massage therapy school in Arizona, this article will help you identify your ideal school.

See Also: 15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan|Requirements

Are there Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona?

There are many massage therapy schools in Arizona. Some of the schools include:

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  • Chandler-Gilbert Community College
  • Phoenix College
  • Arizona Western College
  • Central Arizona College
  • Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
  • GateWay Community College-Central City
  • Arizona College-Glendale
  • Carrington College-Tucson
  • Cortiva Institute-Tempe
  • Arizona School of Integrative Studies
  • School of Japanese Healing Arts (SOJHA)
  • Advanced Massage Arts & Education
  • Avalon School of Cosmetology
  • Sigma College University Trade Schools

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How Does One Become A Massage Therapist in Arizona?

To work as a massage therapist in this state, you must first get your high school diploma. 

However, you can begin professional training at the Western Maricopa Education Center in Phoenix’s suburbs during your senior year. A competitive admissions process is required for the program.

A student must complete 700 hours of training at an accredited massage therapy institution. Body form and function, ethics and other professional standards, theoretical knowledge and practical abilities, and practical experience are all required by the state board.

Individual schools create their curricula in addition to the core curriculum. Some provide classes for students who want to assist specific populations, such as seniors. 

Others teach specialized massage therapies and methods. For example, aromatherapy, Tai Chi, or the mind-body link may have specializations.

Some students receive more than 1,000 hours of teaching and training, leading to more employment opportunities and higher pay. Financial assistance may be available. 

Graduates of schools not recognized by Arizona’s Board of Education must pass an exam conducted by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

The final stage is passing a certification exam and applying for a state practice license. 

Education and experience are required, as well as a criminal background check, fingerprints, and confirmation of U.S. citizenship.

What are the Best Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona?

We chose the institutions listed below based on their curriculum, accreditation, student population, graduation rate, and reputation.

1. Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a significant public community college with one of Arizona’s oldest massage therapy schools. It is part of the Maricopa Community College District.

Before completing an associate’s degree in a massage therapy program, students must complete 750 hours of instruction and training in the classroom and at an on-campus clinic. They can pick between four types of degrees based on their specialty.

The massage therapy programs are well-designed to provide students with the fundamental and cutting-edge technical skills required to meet the State of Arizona licensure requirements. 

It also aids in the preparation of all students for employment as massage practitioners.

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2. Phoenix College

Phoenix College, located in Phoenix, is one of Arizona’s best massage therapy colleges. Massage Therapy is available as an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program and a Certificate of Completion (CCL).

Graduates of Phoenix College’s massage school can begin working as licensed therapists in any spa, resort, health club, medical clinic, private practice, physical therapy clinic, sports industry, or as a massage therapist for hire. 

All massage therapy programs equip you with the fundamental and up-to-date knowledge required by the State of Arizona.

The experimental learning environment will give you a strong understanding of massage techniques, such as therapeutic, Swedish, and deep tissue.

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3. Arizona Western College

Yuma is home to this premier massage school in Arizona. It provides associate and vocational degrees. 

All students have the opportunity to participate in active and passive manual therapy techniques such as sports, pregnancy, deep tissue, Swedish, and other specialty massage treatments.

The massage therapy programs are well-structured to provide students with all the fundamental knowledge and skills required to become licensed massage therapists in Arizona. 

Therapeutic massage courses incorporate the individual’s emotional, spiritual, and physical elements while providing the core conceptual and technical knowledge required to perform a therapeutic massage.

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4. Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College is another excellent massage therapy school in Arizona. It is dedicated to providing students with an industry-driven education in massage therapy that is inexpensive. 

The massage therapy programs are all well-designed to teach massage modalities that will help you feel better.

It offers a variety of massage treatment programs, including:

  • Relaxation Massage 
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Massage Therapy For Special Populations
  • Spa Treatments 
  • Hydrotherapy

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5. Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts is another renowned massage therapy school in Arizona. It is a prestigious school in Phoenix, Arizona, founded more than 25 years ago. It provides four-degree programs:

  • Professional massage practitioner 
  • Master massage practitioner 
  • Master Massage with a specialty in aesthetics 
  • Professional massage practitioner 

The courses cover breast health, nutrition, aromatherapy, baby touch, deep-tissue massage, canine massage, medical massage, cranial relaxing, yoga, fibromyalgia therapy, myotherapy, reflexology, natural aesthetics, etc.

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6. GateWay Community College-Central City

GateWay Community College-Central City is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Its massage therapy program contains 700 hours of study; therefore, the course will take about eight months to finish.

Their massage therapy programs provide students with solid fundamental skills and the necessary tools to establish a good position in the massage therapy business.

Students learn how to give Swedish, deep-tissue, Asian, sports, and prenatal massages using their hands, fingers, forearms, knuckles, fists, and elbows. There are also business classes.

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7. Arizona College-Glendale

This massage therapy school in Arizona provides more convenient morning and evening class periods. Individual tutoring, financial aid, and job placement assistance are also available. Every five weeks, a new class session begins.

Their 35-week curriculum prioritizes financial skills as well as bodywork. In labs and classrooms, students learn about numerous massage techniques and anatomy and physiology lectures that teach movement, postural alignment, and structural dysfunction.

Flexible morning and evening class schedules, financial aid, private tutoring, and job placement assistance are available at the institution. Every five weeks, a new class session begins.

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8. Carrington College-Tucson

Carrington is a tiny institution in a medium-sized city that offers a 35-credit-hour program that takes around seven months to complete. Graduates are awarded certificates of accomplishment.

The classes are Anatomy and Physiology; Terminology; Muscular, Skeletal, and Internal Systems Functions and Structures; and Ethical, Legal, and Business Concerns. 

The last prerequisite is to complete an internship to gain practical experience. In addition, students attend a career development lecture.

If you attend Carrington College-Tucson, you might start your massage therapy career in as little as a year. 

It provides a variety of massage techniques as well as flexible full-time and part-time schedules for students.

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9. Cortiva Institute-Tempe

Cortiva Institute: Tempe has Tucson, Phoenix, and Scottsdale campuses. 

It offers multiple massage therapy programs that take about seven and a half months to complete. Their educational program includes an internship at a public clinic.

Students are automatically members of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), the country’s largest such organization. 

Membership comes with complimentary liability insurance. The school promotes professional development and job placement services. 

Thousands of companies have hired Cortiva grads. Some of them pay students’ tuition.

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10. Arizona School of Integrative Studies

The Arizona School of Integrative Studies provides an 800-hour massage therapy curriculum that takes 26 weeks to complete for full-time students. 

Part-time students can engage in evening and weekend courses for a year. It also offers scholarships, financial assistance, and individual payment choices.

Swedish massage, neuromuscular therapy, connective tissue treatment, sports massage, chiropractic assistant training, and other massage therapy courses are available.

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11. School of Japanese Healing Arts (SOJHA)

SOJHA will provide rich Japanese culture and information on Japanese healing practices. It offers graduate-level study and training in numerous Japanese bodywork traditions.

The school aims to provide the best education possible by blending traditional Japanese training protocols with current learning theories. 

The school’s ambition is to continue to impart the information passed down to the founder through a distinguished lineage of teachers and masters to build notable practitioners in the Japanese healing arts.

SOJHA is one of the few massage schools in the United States that teaches Japanese massage. 

SOJHA has established one of the most intensive and successful learning programs in the massage industry today, combining Japanese traditions with current learning science and sprinkled with fun and comedy.

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12. Advanced Massage Arts & Education

Advanced Massage Arts & Education provides a variety of massage therapy courses, including:

  • Body Release Series
  • CPR
  • Pathology
  • Lymphatic Drainage
  • Reiki

All of their courses are well-designed to improve therapists’ skills and expertise.

Massage therapy has always been about making others look and feel better. 

If you want to help people suffering from stress or joint pain, or if you are passionate about alleviating people’s suffering, you can undoubtedly pursue a successful massage therapy career.

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13. Avalon School of Cosmetology

The massage therapy program at Avalon School of Cosmetology prepares students for various vocations in the massage industry. 

The comprehensive curriculum covers basic anatomy, stone massage, and aromatherapy techniques. 

Also, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Athletic/Sports and Stretching, Clinical Approach to Bodywork, Lymph Massage, Anatomy, and Kinesiology, Hydrotherapy, and Business and Ethics are some of the other areas of study. 

As part of the course, a supervised clinical internship is offered. Students will gain confidence when they transfer from the classroom to the massage business due to their hands-on experience. 

To prepare for the world of employment, students will learn resume writing, practice interviews, and career planning. 

Day classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Evening sessions are held Monday through Friday at 5:30 p.m.

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14. Sigma College University Trade Schools

Massage Treatment students at Sigma CUTS will study the techniques needed to work in the massage therapy sector. 

The curriculum will incorporate classroom lectures, lab skills, real-world massage therapy, and business development experiences. 

Graduates are guaranteed a job upon completion of the school and licensure by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy. 

However, Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Clinicals are only available by appointment on Sundays.

Program Overview:

  • Massage Therapy Certificate
  • Duration: 8 months (full-time)
  • Contact Hours: 700

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How Long are Massage Therapy Schools in New York City?

To become an Arizona Licensed Massage Therapist, you must complete 700 hours of massage therapy school. 

If you graduate from an Arizona institution that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, such as ASIS Massage Education, you will be eligible for the license immediately; you will not need to take an exam.

If your massage therapy school is not authorized, you must pass the NCETMB or MBLEx tests after completing your studies.

Furthermore, licensure is not a one-time event. You will generally be required to complete certain Continuing Education (C.E.) course hours to renew your license.

In addition to obtaining and renewing your license, you must also adhere to your state’s unique acts, rules, regulations, and laws addressing the practice of massage therapy.

How Much are Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona?

Massage therapy is a satisfying and in-demand profession. Although the field is classified as allied health, there are several specialties from which to choose as a career focus. 

Maternity massages, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and aromatherapy are all popular areas for expertise. 

All therapists, regardless of expertise, use their abilities and knowledge to relieve stress and discomfort by applying pressure to various locations on the body.

Massage therapists are in high demand in healthcare settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to expand by 21% between 2019 and 2029. 

There will be several chances for new entrants in clinics, spas, hospitals, patients’ homes, sports medicine, and various other settings.

The program is expected to cost $13,500. The registration price, tuition, books, supplies, tech charge, material fee, and licensing fee are all included. 

Also, eligible students can apply for federal student aid through Pell grants and student loans.

How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Arizona?

As of Aug, the average annual salary for a Massage Therapist in Arizona is $62,863. 

Massage Therapists’ salaries in Arizona presently vary from $40,149 (25th percentile) to $68,689 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $88,038 per year.

The typical salary for a Massage Therapist ranges substantially (up to $28,540), implying that there may be several prospects for growth and improved pay depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.

According to recent ZipRecruiter job posting activity, Arizona’s Massage Therapist job market is not very active since few organizations are presently hiring.

Massage Therapist earnings in Arizona rank third out of 50 states.

Conclusion

Massage therapy provides natural healing remedies to patients’ bodies by utilizing the power of touch, oils, and hands. 

You can train to become a certified massage therapist by enrolling in one of these massage schools in Arizona. 

Arizona draws a large tourist trade due to the Grand Canyon, beautiful landscape, and fascinating cities like Phoenix and Mesa, which means enormous prospects for spas and resorts.

I hope this is helpful to you.

FAQs

How much is a massage license in Arizona?

All application materials become the Board’sboard’s permanent property and will not be returned. The total payment is $217.00 ($195.00 application cost + $22.00 background check charge).

How many hours do you need to become a massage therapist in Arizona?

At least 700 hours of massage school are required for certification as a massage therapist.

Is massage therapist a good career choice in Arizona?

Overall, massage therapists report high job satisfaction with their employment. Massage therapy was ranked among the best career paths in the 2021 U.S. News 100 Best Jobs survey.

How much do massage therapists make an hour in Arizona?

In Arizona, the average hourly wage for a massage therapist is $39.78.

Reference

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