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

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Although there are great massage therapy schools throughout the Old Line State, urban cities such as Baltimore and Annapolis are wonderful places to start looking for massage therapy schools in Maryland. 

However, massage treatments are becoming increasingly popular, and the demand for these health and wellness services appears to expand.

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This article fully reviews the best massage therapy schools in Maryland, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.

Maryland massage schools can give students the foundation and education they need to start a successful career as massage therapists in this northeastern state.

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Keep reading to learn more about the best massage therapy schools in Maryland.

See Also: 15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in Wisconsin

Are there Massage Therapy Schools in Maryland?

There are few massage therapy schools in Maryland. These massage therapy schools include:

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  • College of Southern Maryland
  • Community College of Baltimore County
  • Allegany College of Maryland
  • Cortiva Institute-Baltimore
  • Fortis Institute-Towson
  • Columbia Institute
  • Holistic Massage Training Institute
  • Potomac Massage Training Institute

How Does One Become A Massage Therapist in Maryland?

A high school diploma or general education credential is required to become a massage therapist in Maryland. 

However, postsecondary education must be obtained from an accredited university or college that offers an MT program that meets board requirements.

A minimum of 600 contact hours of classroom education is required, including 100 hours of anatomy, pathology, physiology, and kinesiology, as well as 500 hours of massage therapy theory, technique, supervised practice, and professional ethics.

Aside from the fundamentals, several programs provide education in various massage techniques. 

Others educate students on how to start their massage businesses or give them more hands-on experience in clinics.

Maryland professionals are divided into two groups. To become licensed, a massage therapist must complete 600 hours of instruction and 60 college credits and pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination. 

However, a certified massage therapist can only practice outside of healthcare settings. All license applicants must pass a state law jurisprudence exam.

Massage therapists must present proof of 24 hours of continuing education when filing for licensure renewal every two years. 

There must be three hours of professional ethics or jurisprudence, three hours of infectious disease education (including AIDS/HIV), 17 hours of board-approved massage-related courses, and one hour of diversity or cultural competency.

What are the Best Massage Therapy Schools in Maryland?

Below are the best massage therapy schools in Maryland and some information about them:

1. College of Southern Maryland

Three MT programs are offered at this community college’s Hughesville site.

A therapeutic massage certificate requires 795 contact hours. There are courses in Composition and Rhetoric, Therapeutic Massage, Clinical Application of Massage, and Client Assessment in addition to the compulsory disciplines. 

Also, graduates can continue their education with a 542-hour advanced certificate program that includes Massage in Healthcare and Trends in Therapeutic Massage programs.

All of these courses, as well as General Psychology, First Aid, three general education electives, and one professional elective, are required for students pursuing an associate in applied science degree. The 1,035-hour program is completed in two years.

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2. Community College of Baltimore County

Essex, which is about 25 miles east of Baltimore, is the location of this public school. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation has approved CCBC’s associate in the applied science program.

Students may take coursework full- or part-time to meet the 60-credit requirement. The courses offered include foundations of Communication, College Composition, Finite Mathematics and Modeling, Multicultural Psychology, Assessment, Self-Care Skills, and Introduction to Business and Industry.

Also, real clients receive Swedish relaxation massages and treatments like deep tissue massage and myofascial release at a student clinic. 

According to the institution, admittance to the program is “competitive and selective.”

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3. Allegany College of Maryland

The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation has authorized two programs at ACM, a public community college in Cumberland.

A one-year certificate program prepares students for careers in health and spa settings. Manual lymph drainage, trigger point treatment, stretching techniques, medical terminology, and self-care are among the thirty credit hours available. 

Also, Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massage are taught to students.

A two-year associate degree program is available for people who want to work in medical offices. 

It includes 30 additional credit hours in addition to the certificate program. There are classes in arithmetic, English, psychology, and speech, as well as more clinical projects.

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4. Cortiva Institute-Baltimore

This organization runs skin care and massage schools in five states, including a facility in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, 17 miles south of Baltimore.

Furthermore, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation acknowledges the MT program, which has 720 contact hours. It lasts 7.5 months and offers day and evening class schedules (full or half-time).

Additionally, Swedish massage, sports massage, athletic assessment and bodywork, reflexology, deep tissue massage, myofascial techniques, neuromuscular assessment, and documentation, lymphatic and Russian sports massage, structural bodywork, injury techniques, trigger point therapy, and cranial sacral therapy are among the topics covered in the courses. 

Students also take professional communications, business, and career development, classes.

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5. Fortis Institute-Towson

This school, part of a privately owned network of medical institutes and schools, provides a massage therapy certificate program three times a year. The program comprises 25 weeks of full-time daytime classes totaling 720 contact hours.

In addition to the fundamentals, students study Complementary Bodywork, Adaptive Massage, and Professional Career Development. 

Also, Swedish massage, sports massage, hydrotherapy, various body treatments, deep tissue massage, and neuromuscular therapy are all taught to them.

Sixty hours are spent in a student clinic giving massages to the general public. An internship at the program’s completion provides an additional 75 hours of practical experience.

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6. Columbia Institute

This for-profit Silver Springs school offers massage therapy certificates as an extension of Columbia College in Virginia. 

Students can complete 600 contact hours in as little as 30 weeks and as much as 45 weeks.

There are classes in Medical Terminology, Business and Ethics, and Energetic Foundations in addition to the state-mandated education. 

Additionally, students receive 100 hours of massage technique training and participate in a 100-hour practicum at the end of the program.

The school provides continuing education classes to its alums.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork has given its approval.

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7. Holistic Massage Training Institute

This Baltimore private school provides an 810 contact hour certificate program that can be completed in 11 or 17 months. There are classes offered during the day, evening, and on Sunday.

Students learn business skills as well as Swedish, deep tissue, Shiatsu, prenatal, newborn and children, senior, hot and cold stone, and Thai massage methods. 

In addition, acupressure, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, and chakra balancing classes are also available.

However, students are American Massage Therapy Association, members. They undergo career training and visit job fairs. 

The percentage of graduates who pass the license exam is significantly higher than the state and national averages.

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8. Potomac Massage Training Institute

PMTI is the only massage school in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region with a 40-year history of offering professional massage therapy training and serving the community.

PMTI has been delivering a special professional training program for over four decades as a leader in massage therapy education. 

However, they are always excited to welcome new students to the active community in the fantastic Silver Spring location.

Join the circle if you are seeking a new job, expanding your knowledge as a massage therapist, or are drawn to take an introductory class on massage and bodywork for yourself, family, and friends. 

They have built a solid heritage of training great massage therapists who practice their art and craft with precision, integrity, and heart throughout more than four decades of service in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

If interested in the training program, you should check their online catalog and become acquainted with the specifics and scheduling features of PMTI’s course content.

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How Long are Massage Therapy Schools in Maryland?

The Board of Massage Therapy Examiners governs massage therapy licenses in Maryland. 

The state has mandated that all massage therapy license applicants pass the Board’s jurisprudence examination. 

This test covers the Maryland massage therapy laws and regulations. Applicants must additionally complete the NCBTMB’s National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Works exam or the NCCAOM – Asian Bodywork Therapy test. 

Those aspiring to become certified massage therapists in Maryland must complete rigorous educational requirements. 

However, potential therapists must finish 60 hours of college coursework and 600 hours of massage therapy training at an accredited school. 

This assures that Maryland massage therapists are highly skilled and well-educated in various disciplines.

See Also-15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in New York City|Ranking

How Much are Massage Therapy Schools in Maryland?

The cost of attending a massage therapy school can be less than that of a four-year university; however, fees vary widely depending on the program.

Most institutions require 500 to 1,000 hours of massage therapy instruction before students can graduate, and more intensive programs have higher tuition costs.

Arm yourself with excellent guidance on how to pay for your education while you think about your possibilities.

The cost of attending massage therapy schools varies substantially. Some community college programs have annual fees as low as $5,000 to $7,000. Others will want up to $20,000 from you for a one-year course of study.

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How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Maryland?

Massage therapists in this city earn an average of $37,460 per year or $18 per hour, slightly less than the national median of $41,420 or $20.

In Maryland, income among the top 10% is nearly $72,900, or around $35, compared to nearly $78,300, or $37.65 nationally. 

However, average incomes and wages for the poorest 10% are roughly $20,440 and $9.85 in the state and about $21,340 and $10.25 globally.

In 2016, the state recorded 2,770 practitioners. Federal labor officials predicted that 2,920 jobs would be available ten years later. 

If that holds, it will be a moderate 5% growth rate, significantly slower than the expected national average of 26%.

Conclusion

Massages treat or prevent various ailments, including back pain, circulatory and respiratory issues, arthritis, muscle conditions such as spasms, sprains, strains, injury and surgery rehabilitation, migraines, stress, and stress-related disorders. 

Prevention is becoming more important in health care than treatment for many ailments. Licensed and competent Maryland massage therapists help customers deal with injuries, stress, and other issues. 

Also, respect for the profession is expanding, and many hospitals, doctors, and chiropractors now recognize the therapeutic benefits of massage. 

Massage therapy is a versatile and gratifying profession that could be ideal for you.

FAQs

Is becoming a massage therapist in Maryland worth it?

Overall, massage therapists report feeling quite satisfied with their jobs.

Do you need a license to massage in Maryland?

Yes, by law, every massage therapist or practitioner working for pay in Maryland must be licensed by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Examiners.

How do I become a Maryland RMT?

You must have completed at least 600 hours of massage therapy training and be certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Reference

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