AAS in Massage Therapy
You’re ready to take your skills, and your career, to the next level. At Northeast, you can earn your Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Massage Therapy in just 4 trimesters and graduate with a college degree that sets you apart.
Massage therapists are in high demand across settings - from rehabilitation clinics and sports programs to hospitals, spas, and private practice - with more than 20% job growth projected by 2031.* Build your expertise and your credentials with a degree that combines advanced massage techniques, human sciences, and real-world clinical experience.
Ranked #1 massage school in the Northeast region1, Northeast College blends trusted instruction with immersive clinical experience to set you up for success as a licensed massage therapist.
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 1 massage-colleges.com/northeast
Why Study Massage Therapy at Northeast?
Our AAS in Massage Therapy deepens your scientific and clinical training while integrating college-level coursework in the social sciences and general education. You’ll gain a holistic understanding of health, bodywork and human behavior, preparing you for leadership, specialization, or continued education in health and wellness fields.
- Earn a College Degree. Graduate with an associate credential that strengthens your career potential and professional credibility.
- Advance Your Knowledge and Skills. Study advanced anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and neurology - plus psychology, sociology, and specialized massage techniques typically taught in post-grad continuing education.
- Train Hands-On in Real-World Settings. Get extensive hands-on experience serving the community in diverse clinical settings like hospitals, spas, high-performance athletics programs, community wellness clinics and more.
- Prepare for Career Growth. Build leadership, communication and business skills to open doors in clinical, corporate and entrepreneurial settings.
- Learn on a 100% healthcare-focused campus. Train on Northeast's Seneca Falls, N.Y. campus, which is 100% dedicated to health sciences education and offers cutting-edge resources like the Anatomy Center, the human cadaver lab and the Computerized Anatomy Resource Lab (CARL) featuring Anatomage virtual anatomy tables.
You can also explore our credit-bearing Massage Therapy Certificate program, another way to jumpstart your massage therapy career.
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Implement person-centered practices, professional best practices, integrity, and compassion during all client and patient encounters.
- Practice safely using New York State and national safety standards, research-based hygiene standards, and proper body mechanics.
- Prepare for the delivery of massage therapy services that support personal wellness and healthcare, including New York State’s distinctly high standards of treating clients affected by specific conditions, disorders, or diseases such as cancer, autoimmune, and heart disease, among others.
- Cultivate clinically appropriate massage therapy sessions fostering a person-centered model reinforced by thorough assessments, appropriate techniques, effective hands-on skills, and evidence informed practices.
- Develop team-based care treatment plans fortified by cultural competency, research, therapeutic communication skills, decision-making skills, and documentation skills.
- Acquire, organize, integrate, and apply knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for continued research, professional advocacy, leadership, and continued professional development.
- Model New York State’s distinctive massage therapy standards and guidelines as a licensed health professional.
Sample Schedule
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| First Trimester | |
| BIO 1101 Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| MAS 1100 Kinesiology for Massage Therapy I | 3 |
| MAS 1101 Massage Therapy for Health & Wellness | 2 |
| MAS 1102 Massage Therapy Best Practices | 3 |
| HCA 2110 Medical Terminology for Health Care | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
| Second Trimester | |
| BIO 1201 Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
|
MAS 2200 Kinesiology for Massage Therapy II |
3 |
| MAS 2225 Clinical Massage Therapy I | 2 |
| MAS 2230 Massage Therapy Campus Clinic | 2 |
|
PSY 1101 Introduction to Psychology (OR) SOC 1101 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| SPT 2105 Foundations of Personal Wellness | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
| Third Trimester | |
| MAS 3310 Neurology for Massage Therapy | 3 |
| MAS 3100 Pathology for Massage Therapy I | 3 |
| MAS 3325 Clinical Massage Therapy II | 2 |
| MAS 3300 Eastern Massage Treatment | 2 |
| MAS 3310 Eastern Anatomy & Physiology | 1 |
| MAS 3115 Massage Therapy Community Clinic | 2 |
| COM 1201 Introduction to Decision Making | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 |
| Fourth Trimester | |
|
MAS 3125 Advanced Soft Tissue Methods & Techniques (OR) MAS 4125 Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy |
3 |
| MAS 4100 Pathology for Massage Therapy II | 3 |
| MAS 4115 Massage Therapy Community Outreach Practicum | 2 |
| MAS 4120 Professional Development | 3 |
| IPE 1201 Foundations of Interprofessional Communications | 3 |
| MAS 4130 Research Inquiry | 1 |
| First Aid and CPR | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
| PROGRAM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 60 |
The Massage Therapy program requires an application for admission. Applicants are required to provide:
- An official high school transcript, GED certificate or High School Equivalent (HSE).
- One recommendation (ideally from a professional or academic mentor).
- Interview with Program Director may be required.
A hands-on education in health & wellness.
Ready to Start Your Journey to Becoming a Massage Therapist?
Invest in Yourself.
Invest in Yourself.
