Massage Therapy

Program Highlights

Touch is essential to our well-being and health, and the laying-on of hands has been practiced around the world as a means of healing throughout the ages. Massage therapy takes this philosophy and puts it into action, offering an important means of health care as an adjunct to other therapies and medical treatment.

The practice of massage therapy is the "assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate, or augment physical function, or relieve pain," according to The Massage Therapy Act of Ontario.  The Massage Therapy program at Fleming is both challenging and rewarding. Through this program, you can acquire the core knowledge and skills required to succeed as a massage therapist.

You will apply theory and practice skills during laboratory and clinical sessions. Individual attention is ensured through limited enrolment and direct interaction with faculty. To round out your skill set, there is complementary training in theory on small business entrepreneurship, computer studies, generic skills, and general study electives.

Why Choose Fleming

There are very few programs like the one at Fleming College, which is registered by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The Massage Therapy program adheres to the high standards set by the Ministry, and as such, is an excellent preparation for provincial exams and registration to practice in Ontario. Fleming has offered the Massage Therapy program at our Peterborough campus since 1995. The program has acquired a great reputation, with a consistently high (over 90%) overall employment rate.

Work Experience

The program offers a unique learning environment with hands-on experience and a variety of placement opportunities, including an on-site public clinic at our Peterborough campus. In the course of training, students can expect to work with clients with physical and mental disabilities, various illnesses and the elderly. Field and clinical agencies may require you to submit a current police records check, which is available from your local police department upon payment of a fee. In addition, you may also be required to provide a current Standard First Aid Certificate, a current Basic CPR Certificate (level C) and Proof of Immunization.

Is this You?

You will receive and give extensive amounts of massage (several times a week) throughout the program. You will develop and demonstrate maturity with respect to your own touch history and that of your fellow students. You will develop a deep respect for personal boundaries, and exceptional communication skills. You must have a strong desire to improve the lives of your clients through massage and related health education, and excellent interpersonal skills. Other skills/attributes that would be assets include:

• self-motivation
• self-discipline
• strong organizational skills
• entrepreneurial attitude
• good problem solving skills

Program faculty strongly recommend that entering students receive at least ten professional massages prior to entry to this program, and that students contemplating admission take as much science as possible. You must be prepared to study a minimum of three hours daily outside of classes during the program. Students would benefit by having basic computer skills including e-mail, word processing, file management and internet web browsing.

Career Opportunities

You can find satisfying work as a Massage Therapist in private practice, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice centres, chiropractic clinics, and health care centres/hospitals providing prenatal care and birthing facilities. Taking a step away from these traditional settings, you could also have an interesting career as a Massage Therapist for a sports team, a spa facility, at a resort, or even with a corporation providing employee care/retention programs. Finding a career in massage therapy upon graduation is reasonably easy, with many grads opening up a private practice. Particularly with the current emphasis on alternative health care/complementary care, and the increase of people over the age of 55, opportunities in the field should be numerous.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
• 2 College (C) Science courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

 Recommended:

• Grade 11 College Biology
• Kinesiology, Chemistry
• U/C level courses

(Although not required for admission, the above recommendations will help to prepare you for the program.)

Mature Students

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.

All applicants will be required to achieve course credit in the mandatory sciences, through Secondary School or through Academic Upgrading programs.

Related Programs

If you're interested in other health care careers, you might want to consider the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, the Practical Nursing or Trent/Fleming - Bachelor of Science Nursing programs.

Health Requirements

You need to be in good mental health. Independent physical mobility and manual dexterity are essential in the massage therapy profession.

Proof of current, up-to-date immunization record (measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus/diptheria, 2-step tuberculin skin testing) is required prior to the start of classes in order to ensure placement in clinical and field placement facilities.

Vaccination against Hepatitis B and influenza are also strongly recommended prior to clinical and field placement.

For more information, and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

Additional Requirements

3 weeks prior to work experience all students in this program MUST present the following Non-Academic Field Requirements:

• A current Standard First Aid certificate (issued within the last 3 years of the placement dates)
• A current CPR-C Level certificate (issued within one year of the placement dates)
• A police record check, including vulnerable sector screening (issued within 3 months of the placement dates)
• A completed immunization record including vaccination against Hepatitis B. The required immunization form for your program can be printed from the  Immunization Information page
  Please note:
  • Vaccination against seasonal flu is mandatory in some clinical placement agencies and strongly recommended for all others.
  • An N95 Mask Fit Testing clinic will be held within the first month of school.  

Failure to provide this information by the due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement component of your program of study.

Additional Costs

You should plan to spend up to $1,500 per year for books and supplies. Students are also required to purchase a massage therapy table (costs range from $500 - $1,500) prior to entering their fourth semester, two massage therapy program shirts, and khaki pants of their choice. You may also need to allocate funds for travel to placements. Students planning to write the provincial College of Massage Therapists of Ontario registration exam will be required to pay the fee set by C.M.T.O.

Transfer Agreements

• Athabasca University
• Laurentian University
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

For more information see the Pathways to University page.