The emphasis of the first year of studies is to achieve an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the body from a massage perspective, as well as the basic massage techniques and their applications. Graduates will be qualified to provide relaxation treatments but will not have the ability to assess and correct acute and chronic pain in the soft tissues and associated structures of the body.
Unlike the majority of massage schools that insist on a minimum hour requirement of 2200 hours, we recognize the fact that many currently working massage practitioners in Alberta have training ranging from 250 to 1000 hours. At the Northern Institute of Massage Therapy Incorporated our experience has led us to believe that the absolute minimum level of education required for today's massage therapist is 1000 hours.
Our BASIC RELAXATION MASSAGE PROGRAM is 1008 hours and takes place over 7 months.
This program can be taken on its own or can be the precursor to the ADVANCED THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE PROGRAM.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION: Students must attend 7 two day classroom tutorials spaced approximately 4 weeks apart.
Classes take place in Red Deer on both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Each day is divided into two classes: ½ day of academic instruction plus ½ day of massage treatments.
At the start of every weekend of classroom instruction (except for the first class) students must write an examination consisting of the material taught in the previous month including all assigned home study for that month. If the student does not complete the materials as assigned they will be unable to successfully complete the exam. This is our way of ensuring that the self -directed, unsupervised course requirements are met.
DISTANCE AND SELF- DIRECTED LEARNING: In addition to the classroom attendance component, students must complete HOME STUDY ASSIGNMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE WORK and PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE.
HOME STUDY ASSIGNMENTS are assigned at the end of each weekend of classroom instruction to be completed prior to the next class. They provide reinforcement and expansion of the concepts presented in class.
CORRESPONDENCE lessons are supplied at the end of each weekend of classroom instruction. The student is required to complete and submit the correspondence lesson at the next scheduled class. These lessons provide the student with the ability to improve their critical thinking and reading skills, and to prepare them for the independent nature and business of Massage Therapy.
PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE: students must obtain the required hours of supervised work experience within a specific time frame.
EXAMINATIONS: students must complete the following:
- 5 comprehensive written examinations plus an all inclusive final examination.
- 5 informal practical examinations plus a comprehensive final practical examination.
- 6 correspondence lessons.
- Provide validated proof of completion of 56 supervised practicum hours.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIREMENTS, A DIPLOMA IN MASSAGE THERAPY (1008 Hours) WILL BE AWARDED
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