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Choosing a massage school..... advice?
Good day all!
I'm looking at schools in Austin and trying to determine what aspects matter. For me, price is a big consideration, as well as class schedule as I will be needing to work full time for the duration of my schooling. There's a school here that has a schedule I can accommodate (Lauterstein-Conway) but it is about twice the cost of other local schools ($7K roughly). The only other school that offers a schedule I can utilize is A New Beginning School of Massage, and they're in my price range also. I haven't heard much for OR against a New Beginning, and I've heard that Lauterstein-Conway is the most prestigious. I've had some therapists say to choose the cheapest option since it's usually the same info and definitely the same state requirements, and I feel like I have talent to begin with. Extra training I could and will most likely need to be getting from CEU's anyways. The only school I've heard very negative things about isn't open any longer I believe, and I knew to avoid it to begin with. So.... what matters when looking at schools?? What do you know now that you wish you had known before? Any other random advice you can offer?
I really appreciate any input=)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Reynolds on
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Ask for a syllabus of the program from each school. See what classes are offered at each, how many hours are devoted to each category talk to the counselors at both. Compare them, and see what is most important for you.
I attended two different schools. One in 2001 and another in 2008. Both schools were great, but they were very different in their approach to teaching and what was taught. Neither school that I went to went in depth on any one topic, although the first school did cover a lot in Swedish Massage and Spa Therapies. Where as the 2nd school introduced me to a wide range of different modalities and didn't concentrate on any one specific therapy. As you have said, your extra training and what you may want to specialize in will come from your CEU's, studying and experience!
If both schools have a good reputation, go for the one you can easily afford. That way you do not have that extra burden on you while you are trying to work and go to school of how am I going to pay for this?
I have met therapist over the years that have come from prestigious schools, some were good, some were not, but at the end of the day, I also met therapists that were just as good that did not go to a prestigious or well known school.
Hope this helps
Wish you the best of luck
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on
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For basic massage training, I chose the school that had hours that allowed me to continue working at my full time job. The tuition was very reasonable compared to other local schools because the school had a very busy massage clinic that subsidized some of the expense.
Chris is correct, go with the school you can afford. In the end, the goal is to get enough training to qualify for state licensing. If you are a good student and study hard, either school will provide you with enough information to pass any state or national exam. I found that most clients don't ask where I went to school, they may ask how long have I been practicing or if my hands get tired at the end of the day, but most don't know the differences in the schools.
It takes a long time to build a practice or regular client base at a clinic or spa, especially for new therapists. I would not want to be burdened with a lot of debt during this phase of my career. Less debt will also allow you to pursue advanced classes and certifications. It is through lots of practice and continuing education that your massage skills will really develop. Massage school is just the beginning.
If in the future, you decide to go for an advanced degree program (A.S., B.A., etc), most colleges and universities will not transfer the massage training hours to their educational programs. Just something else to think about when you are weighing the quality vs cost of basic training. Many therapists use massage as a springboard to other careers such as: physical therapists, chiropractors, physician assistants, PT assistants to name a few. If this is a possibility, save some of your tuition dollars for the future.
Whatever program you choose, enjoy!
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Ditto the same that Chris and Laurie said. Choose the one (with a good rep) that fits into your schedule and can afford. Graduating school is only the beginning of your education. It will give you a good base (unless you graduate with a full modality certification like NMT) on which you CEUs will hone your skills.
I would also add that you should check to see that your school is COMTA certified. I went to school in GA and shortly moved to MD. MD almost did not accept my education requirements, because they claimed that my school wasn't COMTA certified (it was). Luckily, the issue was quickly ironed out. With a MBLx I'm sure all that drama could have been avoided, but it wasn't around at time.
My two cents is if you can possibly take another certification class while you're in school (ie prenatal). Why? Once you graduate you will have the same certifications as everyone else graduating at the same time. An extra certification will make you stick out from the crowd of applicants. I know the prenatal has been worth it's weight in gold, as there is always a need.
Good luck on your journey and let us know how you are doing!
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Thanks for the responses everyone!
In response to Joyce, there are actually NO COMTA certified schools in Austin. The closest is Dallas which would be a 3 1/2 hr drive that I will not make. The school I'm planning to attend is not the most prestigious, but it seems to have positive reviews online and I know of a couple therapists in the area that graduated and became licensed after attending, no issues that I know of. I haven't been able to talk to them personally though. Good call on the extra certs while still in school. I will keep that in mind!
I think everything I'm reading thus far is in support of my current thoughts. I went to a well known 4-year liberal arts college after highschool, and learned my lesson that the name of the school does not guarantee any special recognition. Especially out of state. What it does guarantee is a hefty price tag to pay back for decades and all the stress that comes with that.
Thanks again for the responses! I'm ready to take a step in a direction that appeals to me=)
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