Fleming College

Program Highlights

Fleming College offers a unique five-semester Massage Therapy program. We provide students with an excellent academic foundation and strong applied skills. Students will develop the knowledge and ability to effectively conduct a client assessment, create ethical treatment plans, deliver safe and effective massage therapy treatments, and evaluate the outcome of treatments. Our professional hydraulic massage therapy tables, large laundry facilities and Clinic Preparation course provides each student with an exceptional practical learning experience. Every week students put their skills into practice at our SPA + Clinic at Fleming College, our new onsite clinic which is supervised by a Registered Massage Therapist.

Our five-consecutive semester program (semester 3 is during summer), is an extremely challenging and rewarding educational experience that provides the pathway to become a Registered Massage Therapist.

Upon successful completion of all courses and clinic experiences within the curriculum, students of Fleming's Massage Therapy program will be eligible to graduate and challenge the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario registration examinations. This exam has both a written and practical component and requires a 70% pass rate to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario.

Registered Massage Therapists in Ontario are regulated health professionals whose governing body is the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Applicable legislation includes the Regulated Health Professions Act, and the Massage Therapy Act.

Why Choose Fleming

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 graduate employment rate. In recent KPI (Key Performance Indicator) surveys, 98% of employers and 100% of graduates reported they were satisfied with the program. We have dedicated, experienced faculty who are leaders in the profession. Massage Therapy Professor, Paul Clifford co-authored the first two editions of the textbook, Outcome Based Massage, which is currently studied in Ontario College Massage Therapy programs.

University graduates with a B. Sc. or related degree will receive transfer credits for their studies. They can advance to a career as a registered massage therapist in the growing healthcare team-based environment in less than two years. Please contact the program coordinator for details.

Work Experience

The program provides an exceptional learning environment with diverse applied experience opportunities. You will provide therapeutic treatments to diverse audiences at the Spa + Clinic at Fleming College, located at the Sutherland Campus, Peterborough.

Is this You?

Students will receive and give Massage Treatments (several times a week) throughout the program, by other students in your laboratory class. Students will develop and demonstrate maturity with respect to your own touch history and that of your fellow students. Students will develop a deep respect for personal boundaries, and exceptional communication skills. Students must have a strong desire to improve the lives of your clients through Massage Therapy and have the motivation to further your career with Continuing Education.

Other skills/attributes that would be assets include:

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

Massage Therapy professors strongly recommend that entering students receive at least 3 professional massages from a Registered Massage Therapist prior to entry to this program. In addition, students contemplating admission have a health related education science background and interest. 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

As a Registered Health Professional (RHPA Act), Registered Massage Therapist's work in Chiropractic and Physiotherapy clinics, Athletic and Sport facilities, Spa's, Cruise Ships, Hotels, Corporate Offices, private practice (either in home office or with other RMT's), and Hospice and Palliative Care centres.

Related Programs

If you don't possess the required science courses for admission to this program, or if you want to enhance your likelihood for entry, consider the one-year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees. Fleming College has reserved space in the Massage Therapy program for students who successfully complete one year of study in this program.

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.

Additional Costs

Students spend up to $1,500 per year for books and supplies. A uniform is required in all Laboratory and Clinic classes. This uniform includes a massage therapy program shirt (blue golf shirt), black scrub pants and black soft soled shoes (running shoes fine). Both the Massage Therapy shirt and black scrub pants are sold in the Fleming bookstore. Massage students are asked to purchase the Massage Therapy kit, which includes items necessary to start Laboratory class in week 1 of classes. This kit is also sold in the Fleming bookstore.

After successful completion of the Fleming Massage Therapy 5 semester program, students must pay the fees set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, when the written and practical exams are attempted (CMTO.ca).

Health and Non Academic Requirements

Independent physical mobility and personal mental health are essential to the Massage Therapy profession.

Immunization Requirements

Your program has mandatory immunization requirements that include a "pre-entry" deadline date for submission. For more information, and to print a copy of the immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

Non Academic Requirements

Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.

Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.

Transfer Agreements

You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.