Real Students, Real Outcomes: Inside Northeast’s Massage Therapy Program
When Dr. Kassandra Reed (D.C. ’21, Cert. ’26) returned to Northeast College of Health Sciences to enroll in the newly launched Massage Therapy certificate program in fall 2024, she wasn’t starting over. She was building on her foundation as a Doctor of Chiropractic and expanding her ability to provide whole-person care to her patients.
Across the inaugural class in the Massage Therapy program, students from diverse backgrounds share a common goal: becoming career-ready through evidence-informed education, hands-on clinical training and collaborative learning. That approach is already delivering results, including national recognition with the program ranked No. 1 in the Northeast and No. 6 in the nation by massage-colleges.com, as well as 100% job placement for its first graduates.
#NortheastBlue Students Turn Learning into Leadership
Commitment to growth and collaboration is reflected across the inaugural class’s first cohort, including Maeve Mahoney (Cert. ’26), whose enthusiasm for learning has made a meaningful impact on her classmates. Drawing on her first-year studies in kinesiology, myology, anatomy and physiology, Mahoney developed “Tissues to Table,” an innovative peer-led study session that blends the academic study of body tissues with hands-on massage therapy learning at the table. Through weekly in-person and live online sessions, she helps classmates break down and reinforce complex material in a collaborative setting.
D.C. alumna Dr. Reed has transformed her previous Northeast experience into leadership within the program. After identifying a need for stronger clinical documentation skills, she developed and delivered an advanced training session for her peers, introducing concepts often learned after graduation. Her initiative led to her appointment as an assistant faculty member at the College, where she now supports instruction in science, methods and clinical coursework while continuing her clinical practice in Canandaigua, N.Y.
Northeast College’s Massage Therapy Program: Early Success to Future Growth
Hands-on training, strong community partnerships and the leadership of Nicole Miller, director of the College’s Massage Therapy Program, have powered the program’s early success, while students like Mahoney and Reed exemplify the leadership, initiative and commitment to excellence that define Northeast programs.
“Through our evidence-informed approach to education, Ms. Mahoney and Dr. Reed have not only developed strong clinical skills, but have also taken ownership of their learning, creating opportunities that elevate both their peers and the profession,” Miller said. “Their success reflects what’s possible when education is grounded in collaboration, real-world application and a true dedication to patient-centered care.”
From leading peer-led study sessions to providing clinical instruction, students like Mahoney and Reed reflect the real-world impact of Northeast College’s Massage Therapy program. Shaped by hands-on training and diverse clinical opportunities, these graduates exemplify Northeast’s practice-ready approach and are prepared to help meet the growing demand for skilled massage therapists.
Building on this momentum, Northeast will welcome its first cohorts into the new Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and credit-earning Massage Therapy certificate programs in fall 2026, expanding access to the profession and strengthening the pipeline of future healthcare providers.
Hands-On Training and Community Partnerships Drive Program Success
Northeast’s Massage Therapy program combines hands-on clinical training with strong community partnerships through its Compassion in Action initiative. Students provide free, evidence-informed massage therapy services in pro bono clinical settings, gaining real-world experience while expanding access to care in the community.
The program also supports targeted outreach, including complimentary clinic days for local educators and therapeutic services for first responders and law enforcement working in high-stress environments. Partnerships with organizations such as Crouse Health and Clear Path for Veterans further extend student learning into community-based clinical care, with massage therapy students beginning placements in May 2025.
Northeast has also expanded experiential learning into elite performance settings through a collaboration with Syracuse University athletics. Advanced students provide supervised massage therapy services for NCAA Division I student-athletes, working alongside sports medicine professionals to support recovery, performance and overall well-being.
At Northeast’s Seneca Falls Campus, massage therapy students learn in state-of-the-art facilities including Integrated Learning Spaces, the College’s Anatomy Center and the Computerized Anatomy Resource Lab (CARL). The curriculum emphasizes applied clinical experience and interprofessional collaboration, preparing graduates for licensure and long-term success in integrated healthcare environments. Prospective students can learn more at www.northeastcollege.edu/massage or by contacting enrollnow@northeastcollege.edu.
