Careers in Massage Therapy

Massage therapists help clients reduce pain, improve flexibility and circulation, and counteract the negative effects that unchecked stress has on the human mind and body. Aside from outdoor events such as health fairs, most massage therapy work is done indoors in massage clinics, health clubs, doctor's offices, spas or corporate settings. A massage therapist's hands, fingers, forearms, and elbows are used in gliding, rubbing, kneading, and friction techniques to apply pressure to muscle tissue and to facilitate joint mobilization according to their clients' physical condition, needs and desires. Moist heat, ice, diaphragmatic breathing and therapeutic exercises are also used when providing massage therapy. The California Employment Development Department predicts that by 2012 the number of massage therapists will increase by 23.7% (Source: Labor Market Info www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov).

Necessary Education and Skills for Career Success
Potential massage therapists should be in good health because this work is physically demanding. Evening and weekend work are common as are long periods of standing and reaching.

General Info About the Program
De Anza College is one of only two community colleges in California to offer a Massage Therapy Program. The program at De Anza is based upon the medical model, which requires comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. De Anza offers a 25.5 unit (516-hour) Certificate of Achievement, a 44.5 unit (876-hour) Certificate of Achievement-Advanced, and an Associate in Arts degree (1,020-hour). The degree program takes about two years to complete.

Massage Therapy Certificate and Degree Programs

The following links open in .pdf.

Certificate of Achievement:

• Massage Therapy

Certificate of Achievement-Advanced:

• Massage Therapy

Associate Degree (A.A.):

• Massage Therapy

For more information contact the Massage Therapy Department
Physical Education and Athletics Division
De Anza PE 41-H
(408) 864-8910 or 8751
www.deanza.edu/pe/massage/