Massage Therapy Diploma Program

Our Fall Program begins on September 2, 2008. Call BTI toll-free at 888-500-4500 to speak with an admissions representative today.

We invite you to join our satisfied students and our successful graduates for an experience that will enrich your life and open new horizons!

For the past twenty-five years, Body Therapy Institute has offered a complete entry-level training program for those interested in pursuing a professional career in massage therapy, for health care practitioners seeking to enhance their range of clinical skills and knowledge, and for those who are interested in the exploration and integration of body, mind, emotions and spirit.

In our educational model, we approach the therapeutic process with a profound respect for each person’s innate intelligence and self-healing capabilities. From this perspective, we view the practice of massage as both the application of knowledge and hands-on techniques -- as well as a means of creative expression and self-discovery. Those who have graduated from the Diploma Program at BTI consistently tell us that it is a life-changing experience!

The complete 16-page School Catalog, along with Application Form and information on upcoming training schedules and costs, is available from our Request Page.

A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES
BTI graduates enjoy the many benefits of being a part of this exciting and rewarding natural health profession, including: having meaningful work in their lives, being of service to people in their communities, and having the freedom and flexibility to work in the way they desire.

Today, massage therapy is the most widely used complementary health care service in the country. Because of this popularity, there is an abundance of career opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.

These range from fitness centers, health resorts, day spas and salons to a wide variety of private practice settings. An increasing number of massage therapists are maintaining independent practices in professional offices, or are working in group practices with medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists and psychologists. Other possibilities include home visits and on-site massage services in the workplace.

A HISTORY of SUCCESS
As the first school in the Carolinas to be accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), BTI has consistently demonstrated its commitment to high standards of accountability and performance. We choose to operate at this level so that our students are assured of receiving quality education -- and so the public receives quality therapeutic services.

Some impressive numbers:

• Over the history of the school, 93% of the students who enrolled in the Diploma Program have completed their training
• An average of 96% of BTI graduates pass the National Certification Examination on their first attempt (as compared to the current state average of 75% -- and the national average pass rate of just 67%)
• More than 90% of our graduates are engaged in the professional practice of massage therapy following completion of the program
• Our surveys indicate that 100% of the employers of BTI graduates are either "very satisfied" or "extremely satisfied" with the quality of their work
  
  

TRAINING SCHEDULE and ADMISSIONS PROCESS
BTI offers just two programs per year, limited to 32 students per class. This allows us to offer a personal, "hand-crafted" approach that supports each student being able to achieve their highest potential.

In the Spring, we begin a two-semester daytime program that takes 8 months to complete. Just after Labor Day, we begin our three-semester evening/weekend program that takes 12 months to complete. Both training formats are designed to allow students to have the out-of-class time necessary for study, practice, and personal replenishment.

Applicants to the Diploma Programs are required to submit an Application Form, have a personal interview, and take the one-day BTI Introductory Massage Workshop. Complete requirements are detailed in the School Catalog.

AN INTEGRATIVE CURRICULUM
The 650-hour curriculum is presented in a learning environment which supports healing and awareness of the whole person. Throughout the program, our dedicated and experienced faculty guide you in the process of achieving excellence in the therapeutic knowledge, sensitivity and personal awareness necessary for the effective and successful practice of massage therapy.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Certification Examination, and to apply for state licensure with the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy.

Our curriculum is organized sequentially, and is designed so that the courses integrate with one another. In the first half of the program, we establish a solid foundation in fundamental hands-on skills, optimal body mechanics, knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, and awareness of the mind-body connection. In the second half, we present additional hands-on modalities, deepen the understanding of the client/therapist relationship, and explore the elements necessary for creating a successful professional practice. Here is a listing of the courses:

MASSAGE THERAPY I (172 hours)
     Fundamentals of Massage Theory & Practice (156 hrs)
     On-site Massage (13 hours)
     Treatment of Special Populations (3 hours)

MASSAGE THERAPY II (146 hours)
     Myofascial Massage (94 hours)
     Introduction to Oriental Bodywork (26 hours)
     Synthesis of Clinical Skills (26 hours)

HYDROTHERAPY & SPA MODALITIES (20 hours)

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY,
KINESIOLOGY & PATHOLOGY (127 hours)

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT (92 hours)
     Business and Marketing Practices (23 hours)
     Professional Ethics and Laws (23 hours)
     Personal Integration and Self-Care (23 hours)
     Group Dynamics and Learning Styles (23 hours)

SOMATIC PSYCHOLOGY & COMMUNICATION SKILLS (39 hours)

SUPERVISED CLINICAL PRACTICUM (15 hours)

COMMUNITY SERVICE EXTERNSHIP PROJECT (40 hours)