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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 Program

Day Classes

8:45 - 2:15 Tue - Fri

Graduate in 6 - 7 months

Enrolling for classes starting on 6/20/23 

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Evening and Saturday Classes

4:45 - 8:15 Tue, Wed, Thu
8:45 - 3:25 Sat

Graduate in 8 - 9 months

Enrolling for classes starting on
6/6/23 and 6/20/23

Fast Track
Attend our day, evening, and Saturday classes (about 35 hours per week) to graduate in four months.
Start anytime!

We understand that life is busy, especially when juggling work, family, and other obligations. If the class schedule isn't suitable for you, please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know. We're always willing to work with you, and in most cases we can find a solution that works best for your schedule.

The Massage Therapy Program is 500 Hours and consists of the following:

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

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.


How it Works:

Once you complete the 500 Hour Massage Therapy Program and receive your license, you will be eligible to begin your internship and continuing education classes:

 

  • Continuing Education

    • Participants will be eligible to attend continuing education classes taught by Robyn Hall at no charge. (A variety of classes and instructors will be added to this program by the end of 2023.)

    • A minimum of 18 continuing education hours will be offered to participants at Fort Smith Academy of Massage each month.

    • Participants will complete 125 hours concentrated in clinical/medical massage therapy, spa therapies, or both.​

    • Participants will have a maximum time frame of 18 months to complete the continuing education courses. 

 

  • Fort Smith Academy of Massage Internship

    • Interns must complete 50 hours of massage and/or spa treatments at the Student Clinic, OR interns must have their schedule open and available for appointments for a total of 125 hours, whichever comes first.​

    • Participants will have a maximum time frame of six months to complete the internship.

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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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