BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus announced today that a new Therapeutic Massage certificate is available and classes will begin in Spring 2017. The credential is being offered to meet area workforce needs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapy has a projected growth rate of 22% from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Bloomington joins five other Ivy Tech locations to offer the program, which was approved by the Commission for Higher Education in 2009 for Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Sellersburg, and Terre Haute.
“The Bloomington certificate program is designed to prepare the student for entry into the massage profession, with an emphasis on working within the wellness and health care communities,” said Larry Swafford, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Sciences. “Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the state Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and upon completion will be eligible for employment as massage therapists. The MBLEx is a licensing examination that provides a unified set of nationally-verified, entry-level standards for safe and competent practice of massage & bodywork.”
Ivy Tech Therapeutic Massage students will participate in a student run clinic that will be open to the public. Massage skills include assessment, relaxation massage, therapeutic massage, deep tissue, sports massage, hydrotherapies, and applications for special populations including pregnant women, children, geriatrics and the disabled. Psychological and emotional issues, legal and ethical aspects, and business development are also addressed.
The Therapeutic Massage certificate is financial-aid eligible and requires 26 credit hours in course work (500 clock hours). It is an open-enrollment program so there is no separate application required. However, the number of students that can be enrolled each semester is limited to 16. Current students who have completed Anatomy and Physiology 101 are eligible to enroll. Required courses include Anatomy and Physiology 101, Deep Tissue, Ethics and Massage, Holistic Approach to Massage, Pathology and Massage, and Therapeutic Massage Training.
Students who complete the Therapeutic Massage certificate will be eligible to continue their education in the Healthcare Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree program, for increased employment opportunities.
For more information about the Therapeutic Massage program visit https://www.ivytech.edu/therapeutic-massage/ or call (812) 330-6223. For more information about the Healthcare Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree program visit https://www.ivytech.edu/healthcare-specialist/ or call (812) 330-6115. Ivy Tech second 8-week classes begin October 17 and spring enrollment is now open. To enroll, visit www.ivytech.edu/applynow, stop into Ivy Tech Bloomington located at 200 Daniels Way, or call (812) 330-6013. Ivy Tech is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
