Columbia College Certificate Massage Therapy2025-05-13T10:50:39-04:00

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

Culinary Arts Certificate & Associate Degree

Learn the Art of Healing: Training for a Career in Massage Therapy

It’s time to unleash your healing touch! With our program, you’ll be able to develop the skills needed to thrive as a licensed massage therapist. Furthermore, you will gain the confidence to excel in the wellness industry.

Work in an established, world-renowned hotel or, alternatively, start your own independent business! Whichever path you choose, our curriculum will support you every which way towards the moment you GRAB Your FUTURE!

Our program aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in this field. With theoretical studies, extensive hands-on practice, and educational excursions into real work settings, you’ll gain valuable skills to enter an industry that heals others, one touch at a time.

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

see what our students are doing!

Columbia College Massage Therapy Program and Students’ Experiences

About the program

About the program

0 WEEKS
0 HOURS
0 CREDITS
(For Associate Degree – 64 Major | 28 General Education)
0 WEEKS
(Or up to 80 – Depends on Program)
0 HOURS
(For Certificate – Core Requirements)

This course offers an exceptional opportunity to acquire the communication skills and technical abilities to significantly enhance career development in the field. Moreover, whether opting for the certificate program or associate degree, you will benefit from extensive knowledge that will surely enable you to roam the world of massage therapy and wellness to unexpected heights.

Gerald Moragne El

Mr. Gerald Moragne obtained his certificate in Massage Therapy from our very own Columbia College in 2021, then became a licensed massage therapist in the state of Maryland. As an instructor, he is committed to conveying the principles of professional massage therapy in various settings, both clinical and non-clinical. With a strong belief in wellness and a great passion for teaching, he never fails to put in 110% for his students. Moreover, he ensures they have the skills and confidence they need to become licensed professionals themselves. When he is not teaching, you can find him studying for his PhD in Educational Administration for Special Populations or spending time with his loved ones. 

  • Board Member and Secretary of the American Massage Therapy Association (2024 – 2026) 
  • Certified Laboratory Technician by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (1983) 
  • MA in Education Leadership and Administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University 
  • Current PhD Candidate at Notre Dame of Maryland University 

Gerald Moragne El

Your Content Goes Here

Mr. Gerald Moragne obtained his certificate in Clinical Massage Therapy from our very own Columbia College in 2021 and became a licensed massage therapist in the state of Maryland that same year. As an instructor, he is committed to conveying the principles of professional massage therapy in various settings, both clinical and non-clinical. With a strong belief in health and wellness and a great passion for teaching and research, he never fails to put in 110% for his students, ensuring they have the skills and confidence they need to become licensed professionals themselves. When he is not teaching on the campus, you can find him studying for his PhD in Educational Administration for Special Populations or spending time with his family and loved ones. 

  • Board Member and Secretary of the American Massage Therapy Association (2024 – 2026) 
  • Certified Laboratory Technician by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (1983) 
  • MA in Education Leadership and Administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University 
  • Current PhD Candidate at Notre Dame of Maryland University 


The program starts with the “Introduction to Therapeutic Massage” for students to learn more about massage as a health and wellness practice. The curriculum then enters the foray of anatomy and physiology so students can identify where on the body they are treating, which is important in any healing profession. Afterwards, students engage in practical learning, massage therapy demonstrations, and business courses to prepare themselves for employment.

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

Participating in the certificate program allows you to cover the most fundamental and comprehensive knowledge in the field. Conversely, pursuing an associate degree in Massage Therapy provides the opportunity to take more major courses. This further builds up your knowledge and technical skill set. Additionally, it also prepares you for the professional environment and positions you as an ideal employment candidate in the industry.

  • Specific courses can be found within the course catalog
  • Courses completed working toward the certificate program can be transferred to the associate degree
  • Courses completed working toward the associate degree can be transferred to the certificate program

The program starts with the “Introduction to Therapeutic Massage” for students to learn more about the idea of massage as a health and wellness practice. The curriculum proceeds to enter the foray of anatomy and physiology so the students can identify the parts of the body they are treating, which is important in any healing profession. Afterwards, students engage in practical learning courses, massage therapy demonstrations, and business courses to prepare themselves for employment, whether working in massage or as a business owner in the industry.

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

While participating in the certificate program allows you to cover the most fundamental, comprehensive knowledge in the field, pursuing an associate degree in Massage Therapy provides the opportunity to take more major courses, further building up your knowledge and technical skill set, preparing you for the professional environment, and positioning you as an ideal employment candidate in the industry.

  • Specific courses can be found within the course catalog
  • Courses completed working toward the certificate program can be transferred to the associate degree
  • Courses completed working toward the associate degree can be transferred to the certificate program

MBLEX

Columbia College is committed to ensuring that our students have the skills necessary to achieve their goals and obtain a bright future. Furthermore, we provide in-depth preparation for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) so they can walk into the exam room with confidence.

Career Prospects

As more states adopt licensing requirements and standards for massage therapists, it is safe to say that the practice of massage is likely to be respected as a tool to improve health. There are 22,000 openings projected annually for massage therapists, and employment for them is expected to grow at an above-average rate as demand increases. Additionally, more than 90% of high-end spa packages include massage services. Many famous sports teams will even hire massage therapists to help their athletes recover from injuries and relieve pain. Graduating in Clinical Massage Therapy from Columbia College opens a world of career opportunities in health, wellness, and business in the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 22,000 openings for massage therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).

Columbia College’s Students Services Department offers individual guidance towards student’s careers and an extensive database of job opportunities with our renowned partners, resulting in a high employment rate of our graduates.

Tuition & Financial Aid

We believe in making education accessible to all, and that starts with transparent pricing. Our program’s total cost is just the beginning, with numerous opportunities for scholarships, financial aid, and veterans’ benefits available to support you throughout your academic journey.

CERTIFICATE

$9,900Total Tuition
  • 3 sessions

7 MONTHS

Financial Aid

Financial Aid & Veterans’ Benefits may be available to those who qualify. CLICK HERE to check if you qualify for it.
Presidential Scholarships are also offered. CLICK HERE to check the available scholarships

Additional costs

$100 – Application Fee
$300 – Massage Therapy Kit

REGISTER NOW

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

want to unleash your healing touch?

Check out our YouTube channel for our “Wellness Tips” and practice them on yourself and your loved ones!

Massage Therapy Certificate & Associate Degree

want the inside scoop?

Check out our YouTube channel for our “Wellness Tips” and see how they teach while learning practical massage tips.

Massage Therapy2025-04-23T16:11:19-04:00

Columbia College

Undergraduate Certificate in Massage Therapy

Program Length: 30 weeks

Student Graduating On Time

76% of Title IV students complete the program within 30 weeks.

Program Costs*

$8,820 for tuition & $100 for application fee
$330 for student kit

Other Costs
Visit website for more program cost information
*The amount shown above include costs for the entire program, assuming normal time to completion.
Note that this information is subject to change.

Program graduates are employed in the following fields:

  • Health Specialities Teachers
  • Postsecondary
  • Massage Therapists

Licensure Requirements

Program meets licensure requirements in: Virginia

Massage Therapy2025-05-06T11:03:26-04:00

Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy

The A.A.S. Program of Massage Therapy is designed to prepare students for employment as professional massage practitioners and provide a thorough knowledge of the structure and function of the human body along with theory and applications of therapeutic massage. This program offers theoretical, practical and hands-on experience, and enables graduates to pass the certification exam that is offered by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Through this program, students will be confident and capable in becoming successful massage practitioners in a variety of professional settings.

AAS Degree Program in Massage Therapy offers 71 credit core courses including 4 credits of Clinical Practicum. Each course begins with the initial TM and has a three-digit number that identifies the general order of courses that recommended to students to take through their program. Each course is offered during 10-week session and the credit is counted as a quarter (approximately 2/3 of semester credit). Unless the description uses a restrictive phrase, the Columbia College offers the course at least once each year at the Fairfax Campus. In addition to the core courses there are 6 general subjects whose total credits are 24. Between July 2022-June 2023, no Massage Therapy degree program graduates were produced.

Major Courses

Number Course Credits
CMT101 Introduction to Therapeutic Massage 2
CMT102 Medical Terminology 2
CMT103 Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology I 4
CMT104 Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology II 4
CMT105 Massage Therapy I 4
CMT106 Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology III 4
CMT107 Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology IV 4
CMT108 Pathology 4
CMT109 Massage Therapy II 5
CMT111 Business and Ethics 3
CMT113 Clinical Pathology 3
CMT114 Energetic Foundations 2
CMT115 Clinical Practicum 4
CMT220 Pregnancy/Special Populations Massage 5
CMT230 Myofascial Release 5
CMT240 Sports Massage 4
CMT250 Lymph Drainage Massage 4
Total Required Credits (Select 16 courses from above) 63

General Education Requirements

Number Course Credits
BUA101 Introduction to Business 4
BPS102 Business and Professional Speech 4
ENG101 English Composition 4
HIST203 U.S. History 4
SPN101 Introduction to Spanish I 4
SPN102 Introduction to Spanish II 4
BIO102 Introduction to Biology 4
IT101 Introduction to Computer Science 4
MAT101 Algebra 4
MAT201 Pre-Calculus 4
CRT101 Critical Thinking 4
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 4
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology 4
SOC201 Society and Human Behavior 4
Total Required Credits (7 courses from above)
Select from at least one of each discipline		 28

Instructors

Gerald Moragne El
Gerald Moragne ElMassage Therapy Instructor
Licensed Massage Therapist
ASCP certified Laboratory Technician
Masters in Education Administration
PhD Candidate

Gerald Moragne is certified as a highly qualified teacher with administrative endorsements and is committed to teaching students the principles of professional massage therapy in various clinical and non-clinical settings.  Massage is a respected practice that is over 4,000 years old that is both alternative and complementary to traditional western medicine and modern research validates the efficacy of massage as a treatment.

Massage Therapy2025-04-23T16:35:31-04:00

Overview

In order to practice Massage Therapy in Virginia and Maryland, students must study in an approved massage therapy program. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, MBLEx examination. This 91-credit program includes theoretical knowledge such as pathology, body systems, and applications of therapeutic massage to ample hands-on experience and practice through clinical practicum.

Massage Therapy Prospects

  • The increasing demand on massage therapy services leads to a continued growth in the business. → Employment of massage therapist is expected to grow at a higher rate than the average employment growth of other occupations.
  • Due to expansion of the health care industry, 1.7 million new jobs have been created over the past 5 years.
  • The number of day spas have been increased by 400% over the past 10 years and more than 90% of high-end spa packages include massage therapy.
  • A quarter of the United States population has experienced massage therapy in the past 12 months and the number is continuously growing.
  • Two-thirds of clients want to get the service from the same massage therapist.

Program Fact

  • Program Length: 70 weeks (MTF: 105 weeks)
  • Total Credits: 91 credits (Major – 67 credits & General Education – 24 credits)

Click here to see full curriculum

 

QUICK LINKS
ADDITIONAL LINKS

Columbia College

8620 Westwood Center Drive
Vienna, VA 22182
Tel: +1 (703) 206-0508

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