Online Massage Therapist Training Programs, Courses, and Classes

Because massage therapy is, quite literally, a hands-on career, there aren't a lot of online massage therapist training programs, courses, and classes available.

However, there are a few places in the United States that offer online courses or programs with an online component.

We've listed our top choices for online massage therapist training programs, courses, and classes below.

1. Allied Health Career Institute

Allied Health Career Institute (AHCI) is a career training facility based out of Leesburg, VA. It offers three massage therapy programs that blend online coursework and hands-on learning.

The massage practitioner program offers 500 hours of education in massage therapy, while the advanced massage practitioner program offers 750 hours of education in massage therapy.

The massage therapy certificate program is a 700-hour program with a comprehensive curriculum that includes bioscience and theory classes.

Students will receive a certificate of completion after finishing their program, but only massage therapy program students can sit for the National Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination.

Hands-on aspects of the programs are offered through campuses in Arizona, Illinois, and Virginia.

2. American Massage Therapy Association

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is a nonprofit professional association for massage therapists, massage students, and massage schools.

It offers over 100 online courses for massage therapists, some completely free of charge. These courses count as continuing education credits for licensure.

They also train students on a variety of topics like self-care, ethics, and business and marketing. Some of the courses offered by the AMTA include:

• An Evidence-Based Guide to the Treatment of Fibromyalgia for Massage Therapists
• From the Client's Perspective: Marketing, Policies, and Ethics of Your Practice
• Hospital-Based Massage Therapy: Improving the Quality of Life for Patients
• Self-Care for Massage Therapists: Injury Prevention
• Starting Your Massage Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success

Courses are also available that train massage therapists in techniques for specific areas of the body or specific medical conditions.

These courses each are broken up into a handful of lessons. All courses are completely online and are self-paced.

3. Northwest Academy for the Healing Art

Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts is a science-based massage therapy and bodywork school with campuses throughout Washington State.

It offers a massage therapy program that's half online, and half in-person. The first half of the program is made up of completely online courses, such as:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pathology
• Kinesiology
• Massage Business
• Massage Therapy

Upon completing these courses, students will be eligible to attend the in-person skills classes.

This includes a clinical internship as well as courses that cover the practical aspects of massage therapy.

Students who complete both parts of the program will be eligible to take the National Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

4. Sandhills Community College

Sandhills Community College is a public community college in Pinehurst, NC. It offers both an Associate of Applied Science degree and a diploma in therapeutic massage.

These programs prepare graduates to work in direct client care settings. The associate degree requires at least 67 credits, while the diploma requires at least 38.

The curriculum is made up of a mix of online courses and hands-on learning. Courses offered in both programs include:

• Ethics of Massage
• Fundamentals of Massage
• Therapeutic Massage Applications
• Therapeutic Massage Management

Students will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience by working with clients at the college's therapeutic massage student clinic.

5. U.S. Career Institute

The U.S. Career Institute is a private career institution based in Fort Collins, CO. It offers programs primarily through distance learning.

It offers a massage therapy program that gives students the skills to help their clients recover from injury, avoid the harmful effects of stress, and live a healthier life.

Just over half the program is made up of fully online, self-paced courses. The hands-on courses are condensed into four weeks of onsite training. Courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Assessment Skills
• Massage Techniques
• Massage Therapy Introduction

Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination.

The institute has an 81.10% pass rate, far above the national average of 64%.