Massage / Therapy Degree Programs

Massage / Therapy Degree Programs Massage therapists, acupuncturists and estheticians need training through special schools to become licensed to practice their professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), massage therapists typically attend physical therapy school, where they learn the specifics of human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. They may also complete supervised training sessions, where they can learn a range of therapeutic techniques as part of their massage diploma program, the BLS notes. After graduating from these courses of study, the worker must pass a state exam - either the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination. Acupuncturists also take classes and gain clinical experience through accredited training schools. According to the BLS website, there are a number of colleges of alternative medicine that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which give students diplomas and bachelor's and master's degrees in acupuncture. Some of these programs take between three and four years to complete. Students who choose to enroll in these programs will examine topics such as biophysics, anatomy and nutrition, along with needle techniques and herbology, the BLS adds. Students of acupuncture must also take a national exam that is administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Estheticians, the BLS notes, can complete an associate's degree program at a cosmetology school, through which they can learn to master skin care and hairstyling techniques.