Course Descriptions

The following courses make up the Therapeutic Massage curriculum.  All courses listed below must be taken sequentially.  Courses marked with an “*” are offered individually but only to corporate clientele in accordance with a written corporate training contract.  

N101 CPR/First Aid

Course Hours: 10 Hours

Course Description:

This course encompasses First Aid and CPR requirements for massage therapists.  During the First Aid portion of the course students will learn basic care for injuries or sudden illnesses; handling emergencies; basic disease transmission precautions; recognizing and caring for bleeding, wounds, and sudden illness; and immobilizing muscles, bone, and joint injuries. The CPR portion of the course includes an overview of how to recognize the signs of a heart attack and provide care for an adult who is experiencing breathing, choking or cardiac emergency.

N102 Medical Terminology

Course Hours: 40 Hours

Course Description:

This class is designed for the student to understand and become comfortable with anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology medical terminology. Students also learn Greek and Latin derivatives used by healthcare professionals.

N103 Therapeutic Massage*

Course Hours: 30 Hours

Course Description:

Students learn basic techniques; endangerment zones, contraindications, self-care, and hygiene.

NV101 Anatomy and Physiology

Course Hours: 65 Hours

Course Description:

Students are introduced to the muscular and skeletal anatomy of the human body. Students learn the basics of the language of human anatomy including planes, directions, and anatomical positions. Also covered is an overview of the skeleton, bony landmarks, skeletal joints, and the properties, actions, and design of muscular tissue. Students will palpate the origin and insertions of muscles and observe the actions of specific muscles.

NV102 Kinesiology

Course Hours: 65 Hours

Course Description:

This course explains the origin, insertion, and actions of the muscles that move the body. Students learn how to locate boney landmarks, muscles, tendons, ligaments and associated structures, as well as the relationship and function of muscles associated with dysfunction and pain.

NV103 Pathology

Course Hours: 40 Hours

Course Description:

Students learn the structure, function, and diseases of the human body and their association to the muscular and skeletal systems, integumentary, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, urinary, and immune systems.

NV104A Practice and Massage Theory

Course Hours: 111 Hours

Clock Hour Breakdown:  56 hours lecture/55 hours lab

Course Description:

Students learn and practice therapeutic massage techniques to increase relaxation, reduce stress, manage massage contraindications, draping techniques, and proper body mechanics.

NV104B Internship

Course Hours: 100 Hours

Clock Hour Breakdown: 100-hour internship

Course Description:

This course enables students to synthesize knowledge, apply skills in a clinical setting, and develop experience managing workflow. Students will be under the direct supervision is provided by a licensed massage therapy instructor.

NV105 Sports Massage*

Course Hours: 44 Hours

Course Description:

This course focuses on therapies and modification of massage techniques vital to working with injured athletes.

NV106 Deep Tissue Massage*

Course Hours: 30 Hours

Course Description:

Deep Tissue massage uses strong pressure; slow, deep strokes; and friction across the muscle grain to release chronic muscle tension. Advanced techniques, trigger point work, myofascial release and postural release are included in the course.

NV107 Alternative Modalities*

Course Hours: 25 Hours

Course Description:

This course examines holistic forms of healthcare that add to the effectiveness of traditional allopathic care, including energy systems, art, imagery, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reflexology, and hands-on healing approaches.

NV108 Ethics and Business

Course Hours: 12 Hours

Course Description:

Students learn professional ethics, legal regulations, and management skills in the massage therapy field.  Students also learn how to create a safe working environment for their clients and therapists; appropriate boundaries with clients; communication and conflict resolution skills; preventing sexual misconduct; and how to appropriately and professionally react to a client's emotional response to bodywork. This class also provides detailed information on how to start and maintain a successful therapeutic massage practice including career planning, job-seeking, and marketing strategies. 

NV109 Chair Massage*

Course Hours: 10 Hours

Course Description:

Students learn how to conduct a 15-minute chair massage using a specially built massage chair that allows the client to remain fully clothed. Students also learn how to use this therapeutic technique to introduce people to the benefits of massage.

NV110 Hydrotherapy and Spa*

Course Hours: 10 Hours

Course Description:

This class will focus on how to use hot and cold hydrotherapy applications to relieve tension, pain and increase healing.

NV111 Muscle Energy Technique*

Course Hours: 8 Hours

Course Description:

Students learn MET, or Muscle Energy Technique and how it’s used to lengthen shortened or spastic muscles, improve weakened ligaments, increase muscle strength and improve range of motion. Students also learn isometric contraction of muscles and resisted movement.

Internship Requirements

Academic and Hands-On Experiences

Students enjoy the natural balance between academics and hands-on experiences. They are enrolled in coursework involving internship, in inquiry projects, and in mentoring programs. Several types of teaching methods will be used to address the variety of adult learning needs within the class. An apprenticeship model is emphasized. Collaborative, transformational, and critical thinking methods are interwoven through lecture, reflection, discussion, research, and hands on activities.

Internship Policies

Students must agree to and practice the following guidelines for their practice of massage as a student intern:

1.              Students will not set a price or collect any fees for their practice of massage.

2.              Students will not advertise or promote themselves as a licensed or certified professional therapist.

3.              Students will not practice massage on the general public unless in a supervised setting approved by NTC.

All Internship policies must be followed. 

CPR/First Aid /10 Hours
Medical Terminology /40 Hours
Therapeutic Massage /30 Hours
Anatomy and Physiology: /65 Hours
Kinesiology: /65 Hours
Pathology: /40 Hours
Practice and Massage Theory /211 Hours
Sports Massage /44 Hours
Deep Tissue massage /30 Hours
Alternative Modalities /25 Hours
Ethics and Business /12 Hours
Chair Massage /10 Hours
Hydrotherapy and Spa /10 Hours
Muscle Energy Technique /8 Hours