Tuition Options

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Tuition and Fees

Registration Fee: $611.25

Tuition: $6,300

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25% Tuition Discount when paid in full at registration

• Registration Fee: $611.25

• Tuition after discount: $4,725 (you save $1,575)

• Total: $5,336.25

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In-House Payment Plan

• Registration fee: $611.25

• Tuition: $6,300

• Total: $6,911.25

Your payment schedule will be determined by which class you join:

• Fast Track (4 months in class): 3 monthly payments of $2,100

• Day Class (6 months): 5 monthly payments of $1,260

• Evening/Saturday Class (11 months): 10 monthly payments of $630

Note: Your diploma will be awarded (and you can apply for your Arkansas or Oklahoma massage license) only after tuition is paid in full.

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Tuition-Free Internship Program

• Registration fee: $611.25

• Tuition is free or calculated on a percentage basis if partial tuition is paid

This program provides an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and elevate expertise in preparation for a successful career in massage therapy. The 500 hour massage therapy program is completed first, followed by the 500 hour internship for a total of 1000 hours.

Note: Your diploma will be awarded (and you can apply for your Arkansas or Oklahoma massage license) only after the internship is complete or tuition is paid in full. Click here to learn more.

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Arkansas Workforce/Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Scholarship: For those who qualify, this support will cover tuition and registration costs with the exception of the $111.25 fee for the required learner's permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to our office at Fort Smith Academy of Massage at (479) 763-5469. We will provide you with the paperwork to get started and get you in contact with a counselor who will guide you through the application process.

Total $111.25

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Choctaw Career Development Scholarship: For those who qualify, Choctaw Nation Career Development will cover your full tuition and registration costs. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to our office at Fort Smith Academy of Massage at (479) 763-5469. We will provide you with the paperwork to get started and get you in contact with a counselor who will guide you through the application process.

Total $0

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Healthcare Workers and Students with Transferrable College Credit

Have you taken Anatomy & Physiology or similar courses in college? You may be eligible to transfer those credits to Fort Smith Academy of Massage! Many of our students have transferred 200 to 300 hours, significantly lowering their tuition costs and time commitment. Click to learn more about our credit transfer policy.

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Refund Policy

• The registration fee is non-refundable.

• Students who withdraw from the program within 14 days of their first day of class will receive a full refund minus the registration fee.

• Fourteen days after the student’s first day of class, no refunds will be made, and the student is responsible for the full tuition amount.

• Fort Smith Academy of Massage will issue tuition refunds within 30 days from the official date of withdrawal or dismissal.

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Included in Tuition

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• Supplies needed for massage school including massage lotion, lotion pump, sheets, massage tables, etc.

• Two Fort Smith Academy of Massage t-shirts

• All required textbooks

  • Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice, 7th Ed. by Susan Salvo

  • Trail Guide to the Body, 6th Ed. by Andrew Biel

  • Trail Guide to the Body Student Workbook, 6th Ed. by Andrew Biel

  • The MBLEx Study Guide published by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

• Student liability insurance

• CPR certification if not already certified

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Expenses Not Included in Tuition

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• Cost of obtaining a note from a medical physician stating the student is healthy enough to give and receive massage. This is required by the Arkansas Department of Health as stated in the Massage Therapy Act § 17-86-306 (d) (1).

• Notebooks, highlighters, pens/pencils, etc.

• It is helpful, but not required, to have a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to access online learning resources such as chapter games and quizzes.

• Cost of attire required to meet the dress code (other than the Fort Smith Academy of Massage t-shirt): pants appropriate for massage such as yoga/athletic pants, scrub pants, jeans, or shorts that are not excessively short. Shoes should be clean and comfortable. When working in the Student Clinic, shoes should completely cover the foot, such as athletic or nursing shoes.

• MBLEx Testing Fee of $265 paid to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

• Fee of $105.00 paid to the Arkansas Department of Health - Massage Therapy Section if obtaining a massage therapy license in Arkansas.​​ 

• Fee of $115.00 paid to the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and Barbering if obtaining a massage therapy license in Oklahoma.

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Enrollment

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​To schedule your registration appointment at Fort Smith Academy of Massage, call or text us at (479) 763-5469. Students must be at least 18 years of age and pass a criminal background check to obtain a learner’s permit from the Arkansas Department of Health. The learner’s permit application will be submitted by a Fort Smith Academy of Massage staff member during registration.

 

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During registration, all necessary forms will be completed, along with a review of our policies and procedures. Registration holds your spot in class. The following items are required to register:

 

• A government issued photo ID, e.g., valid drivers license

• Social security card

• Highschool diploma, GED, or equivalent

• Official transcript ONLY IF you have college credit or credit hours from another massage school that are transferable to Fort Smith Academy of Massage

• A note from a physician documenting that you are cleared to give and receive massage. You may be able to get this from your current doctor, or you can get it from a walk-in clinic. A note works fine, and you do not need to get a full physical. This is required by the Arkansas Department of Health as stated in the Massage Therapy Act § 17-86-306 (d) (1) and must be turned in at registration.

• Fees

  • Registration fee of $611.25 if participating in the payment plan or tuition-free internship. The registration fee is non-refundable.

  • OR the full amount of $5336.25 if taking advantage of the 25% off pay-up-front tuition discount

  • OR the permit fee of $111.25 if approved through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

  • OR $0 if approved through Choctaw Career Development

  • Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card

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Transferring Credit

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Students may transfer credit from a college, university, or licensed massage school to Fort Smith Academy of Massage.

 

• Courses will be considered transferable if they are relevant to massage therapy and must coincide with the curriculum outlined in Ark. Code Ann. § 17-86- 306(e):

  • 175 hours of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and contraindications to massage

  • 225 hours of technique

  • 25 hours of hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and heliotherapy

  • 25 hours of hygiene and infection control 

  • 25 hours of massage therapy law, business, and professional ethics 

  • 25 hours of related subjects as approved by the department

• A grade of C or above is required for courses to be eligible for transfer.

• An official transcript is required and must be kept on file.

• Each semester credit hour equals 13.33 clock-hours (13 hours and 20 minutes). For example, if you have one three-hour A&P class, you can transfer 40 hours of A&P to Fort Smith Academy of Massage.

• For each approved transfer hour, $12.60 will be subtracted from the tuition amount.

• Independent of the number of hours available for transfer, students will be required to attend a minimum of 168.75 hours at Fort Smith Academy of Massage which include the following classes:

  • 6.25 hours - Hygiene and Infection Control  held in Section 3 (see the class calendar for specific day required)

  • 12.5 hours - Massage Therapy Law, Business Management, and Professional Ethics held in Section 1 (see the class calendar for specific days required)

  • 25 hours - MBLEx prep

  • 125 hours  - Technique 

• Students with transfer hours must pass all required exams at Fort Smith Academy of Massage. If unable to pass all of the exams, the student may be required to attend the classes before graduating and will be charged tuition for those hours.

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