Baltimore Massage Therapy Programs
Students looking to enroll in a massage therapy program have several options in the Baltimore, MD, area. Get the details on three of the closest schools, all of which are less than 20 minutes from downtown. All three schools prepare students for certification, which is required to practice massage therapy in most states. A table is included that contains valuable school information, like tuition rates, that can make it easier to choose the right school. At the end of the article is a brief paragraph mentioning another relevant school option.
- The Community College of Baltimore County, which is about 10 miles from downtown, offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Massage Therapy.
- Just about 3 miles from downtown Baltimore, the Holistic Massage Training Institute offers a massage therapy certificate program as well.
- The Cortiva Institute is roughly 8 miles from downtown and gives students the chance to earn a professional massage therapy certificate.
Comparison of Schools
Use the table below to compare school types, enrollment numbers, tuition and more.
| The Community College of Baltimore County | Holistic Massage Training Institute | Cortiva Institute (formerly the Baltimore School of Massage) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Two-year, public | Less than two-year, private, for-profit | Less than two-year, private, for-profit |
| Total Enrollment (2021)* | 16,126 undergraduates | 34 undergraduates | 356 undergraduates |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large city | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees (2022-2023)* | $4,380 in-district, $7,474 in-state, $10,880 out-of-state | $14,998 program cost | $12,770 program cost |
| % of Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 88% | 33% | 100% |
| Retention Rate (2021)* | 49% (full-time students) | N/A | N/A |
| Graduation Rate (students began 2018-19)* | 16% (students began 2018) | 100% | 81% |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
Community College of Baltimore County
The Community College of Baltimore County was approved by the state of Maryland to begin offering its massage therapy program in 2000. The school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy as well as a certificate program in the field. The certificate program is geared towards students who are enrolled in the associate degree program as a means to complete core requirements and achieve practical experience while simultaneously working on the general requirements needed to obtain an associate degree.
Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy
Students enrolled in the associate program at CCBC must have 60 total credits in order to complete the degree. The school requires that 45 of these credits are courses within the massage therapy program. Students are required to take an introduction level massage therapy course as well as anatomy and physiology before they are admitted to the program. Additional courses in the massage therapy curriculum include medical terminology, stress management, massage modalities, client assessment and pathology. Upon graduation, students can take the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) as well as the Maryland certification exam to become licensed in the state of Maryland.
Holistic Massage Training Institute
The Holistic Massage Training Institute is less than three miles from downtown Baltimore. It prepares students with an 810-hour massage therapy training program to become a professional massage therapist. Students will find small class sizes of no more than 20 learners, according to the school's website. They will receive a balanced, holistic curriculum and upon completion will earn a certificate becoming eligible to take the NCETMB. HMTI's program can be completed in approximately nine months with classes offered during the day, evening, and on Sunday.
Massage Therapy Certificate
The certificate program is divided into 22 units. In units one and two, students learn relevant medical terminology and are educated about health and disease mechanisms, wellness and seated massage. Units three through five teach students about the muscular system, massage history and palpation as well as benefits of massage and contraindications. Unit six deals with the business aspects of massage, including marketing and communication, while units seven through twenty-one handle everything from reflexology and acupressure to joints and biomechanics basics. In the last unit of the program, students work on licensing exam preparation as well as getting paperwork ready for interviews and employment.
Cortiva Institute
Cortiva Institute (formerly known as the Baltimore School of Massage) has been in place for over 25 years and offers a 750-hour certificate program that can be completed through either the day or evening track. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to take the certification exam and become a licensed massage therapist.
Massage Therapy Certificate
Students who opt for the Cortiva Institute's certificate program can choose from two different academic tracks: the day program (32 weeks) or the evening option (52 weeks). Both options offer classes in basic massage technique, shiatsu, acupressure, structural bodywork, rehabilitation massage, sports massage and cranial sacral therapy. Additionally, students will receive training in anatomy and physiology, massage therapy laws and regulations and business development. Students must contact the school in order to receive specific course and program information.
Other School Option
Chesapeake College is located 50 miles from downtown Baltimore in Wye Millis, Maryland and offers occupational training in wellness through its continuing education department.
