How Long Does it Take to Finish a Massage Therapy Degree?

If you are interested in a healthcare career where you can help people who are suffering from a number of ailments, massage therapy could be the perfect option for you.  You may be in the preliminary stages of choosing between different schools to attend and earn your degree.  Like many other educational options, your choices in career once you graduate will be better than if you chose not to pursue a degree in your field.  Undoubtedly a pressing question on your mind is how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree?  The answer to this question can be determined when you take apart each facet required to earn your education and become licensed as a massage therapist.

In order to earn a degree, students are required to take several science classes in the realm of anatomy and physiology, including medical terminology, orthopedics, advanced anatomy, movement therapies and clinical analysis.  Other classes might include aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, reflexology, Chinese medical massage, sports massage and essential oils.  All the skills you master, either in an online or physical classroom setting, can be put to the test on fellow students and volunteer patients.  This will be the case even if you decide to take online courses.  Answering the question, how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree, must be taken one step further to determine how many credits you must take.

In general, an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with a massage therapy focus takes 60 credit hours.  This can be accomplished in two years, or four semesters, for people willing to take 15 credit hours every semester.  This is possible for many, but unlikely for others to achieve in such a short period of time.  You can space out your classes as much as you need to, though, changing the answer to the question how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree?  As long as you take any required prerequisites first and meet all academic requirements, including having been certified in CPR and First Aid, you are good to go.

Also, in general, you must finish your college career with a 2.0 out of 4.0 GPA to sit for the National Certification exam.  This is how you gain your licensing to turn your dedication in the classroom into a viable career.  You may choose to work in a resort, health spa, physical therapy center, hospital or wellness center.  Many students today are investing in a continuing education because it is required of most states to have a degree in addition to national certification.  Essentially, the answer to how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree is decided by you, with two years being the minimum.