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A career as a licensed massage therapist can be very rewarding and offers a unique opportunity to care for clients. Benefits include a flexible work schedule, low stress work environment, and the ability to be your own boss. Opportunities exist in a variety of settings in the health, wellness, and hospitality industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET, the massage profession is “expected to grow much faster than average” through 2030 in Arkansas¹ and nationwide².

 

Attributes necessary to excel as a massage therapist include kindness, respect for others, high ethical standards, responsibility, self-motivation, and listening skills, which are very important in helping the client feel safe and understood.

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Massage Therapy 500 Hour Program

Class Schedule

Weekday Class

8:20 - 2:35 Tuesday - Friday

Graduate in 6 months

Students may choose to graduate sooner by attending Saturday classes when their schedule permits.

 

Now enrolling for the following:

Class start date: 4/16/24

Orientation: 4/15/24 at 10:00

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Class start date: 5/14/24

Orientation: 5/13/24 at 10:00

Register today to secure your spot!

Fast Track

8:20 - 2:35 Tuesday - Saturday

Graduate in 4 months

Begin class as soon as you register and receive your learner's permit from the Arkansas Department of Health. This fast-paced class is ideal for motivated students. Register today!

Saturday Class

8:20 - 2:35 on Saturdays

Graduate in 20 months

Students may choose to graduate sooner by attending weekday classes when their schedule permits.

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Class start date: 6/22/24

Orientation: TBA

Register today to secure your spot!

Start anytime!
It is possible to begin classes at Fort Smith Academy of Massage anytime. You're eligible to begin class as soon as you register and receive your learner's permit from the Arkansas Department of Health. Please call us at (479) 763-5469 for more information on whether it's right for you to begin on a scheduled start date or get started as soon as possible!

 

We're flexible!

We understand that life is busy. If the class schedule doesn't fit your needs, please let us know. We allow students to arrive late or leave early when necessary for work commitments or to get children to and from school. Whether you have a family vacation planned or any other schedule conflict, we can often find a solution.

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Classes:

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Massage Technique with Student Clinic (225 hours)

Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Contraindications (175 hours)

Hygiene and Infection Control (25 hours)

Massage Therapy Law, Business Management, and Professional Ethics (25 hours)

Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, and Heliotherapy (25 hours)

MBLEx Prep (25 hours)

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Hands-on practice is very important to your training as a massage therapist. You will be introduced to a variety of massage techniques during your time with us. It will be beneficial to gain some practical experience in all of these modalities, but you’re encouraged to focus on techniques that interest you the most. We will offer training in the following modalities within the scope of practice of massage therapy:

Deep tissue massage

Sports massage

Stretching techniques

Trigger point release

Myofascial release

TMJ therapy

Cupping

Myofascial blading

Swedish massage

Prenatal massage

Hot stone massage

Chair massage

Lymphatic massage

Thai massage (optional)

Ashiatsu (optional)

Reflexology (optional)

Spa Packages and 

Add-Ons including:

Spa face treatments

Body exfoliation

Body wraps

Scalp massage treatments

Foot scrubs

Aromatherapy

Tution-Free Intership Program

Tuition-Free Internship Program

Fort Smith Academy of Massage offers a Tuition-Free Internship Program, providing an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and elevate expertise in preparation for a successful career in massage therapy. Tuition is 100% free for students who complete the internship.

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  • The $611.25 registration fee is due on or before the first day of class, but there is no charge for tuition. Please click here to see a list of expenses not included in tuition.

  • Internship completion times will vary depending on each individual student's schedule and commitment. The time-frame will range from 3 to 6 months, with a minimum commitment of 20 clock-hours per week in the student clinic. 

  • Students who receive tuition assistance from Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, pay partial tuition, or transfer college hours to Fort Smith Academy of Massage, are eligible to participate in the internship program on a percentage basis. For instance, if a student pays 25% of the tuition, they would complete 75% of the internship hours. Similarly, if 25% of the hours are transferred, the student would complete 75% of the internship hours.

  • Spots are limited.

  • At this time, the internship is not available for students attending Saturdays only.

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​Please contact us for more information at (479) 763-5469.

Advanced Massage Therapy Certification and Internship Program

The Advanced Massage Therapy Certification and Internship Program is designed to benefit Fort Smith Academy of Massage graduates by providing a path to meet the continuing education requirements to apply for the master massage therapy license through the Arkansas Department of Health at no cost to the student:​

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  • Earn 125 hours of continuing education which will satisfy:

    • The continuing education requirements for the student's first license renewal - 18 hours is required for renewal.

    • The continuing education requirements to apply for the Master Massage Therapy (MMT) license when eligible for upgrade - 125 hours is required for upgrade to MMT.​​

  • Earn an advanced certification in Medical Massage Therapy or Therapeutic Spa Treatments which can be offered to potential employers or displayed for clients.

  • Gain experience as an intern in the Fort Smith Academy of Massage Student Clinic and Spa.

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Although the Advanced Massage Therapy Certification and Internship Program meets the continuing education requirements to apply for an upgrade to Master Massage Therapist, participation is not a guarantee that the Arkansas Department of Health will approve your application. In addition to continuing education requirements, a licensed massage therapist must also submit a background check and must be licensed and practicing for two years before applying for upgrade to MMT. More information on the rules for becoming a Master Massage Therapist and the application for upgrade can be found here. 

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Internship completion times will vary depending on each individual student's schedule and commitment. The time-frame will range from 1 to 6 months, with a minimum commitment of 10 clock-hours per week in the student clinic. Please contact us for more information at (479) 763-5469.

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¹ National Center for O*NET Development. Arkansas Employment Trends: 31-9011.00 - Massage Therapists. O*NET OnLine, at https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9011.00?st=AR (visited September 08, 2022).

 

² Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Massage Therapists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm (visited September 08, 2022).

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