Attend Massage Therapy School with Your VA Benefits
The College of Lake County describes its Massage Therapy program as blending book learning with hands-on experience. "After you complete this program, you are prepared to sit for the national Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).This exam is a requirement for licensure in most states, including Illinois and Wisconsin." Learning massage therapy in an academic setting typically combines theory and practice.
A degree or certification in Massage Therapy is also an option for higher education in related fields such as Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.
Massage Therapy Requirements
Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification. Currently most states (and the District of Columbia) have regulations concerning massage therapy. Regulations at the local levels may also apply.Regulations typically require graduation from an approved massage therapy program and passing an exam. The most popular exam process is the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) licensure exam, offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Massage therapists may also need to pass a background check, have liability insurance, and be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Continuing education credits to periodically renew licensure is also common.
What Do Massage Therapists Do?
Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Yet, massage therapy is much more than a Swedish or Shiatsu massage when on vacation. Massage therapists work in a wide variety of settings including:- Physicians’ Offices
- Rehab Clinics
- Spas
- Wellness Clinics
- Hotels
- Fitness Centers
- Client’s Homes
Education and Training for Massage Therapy
Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience. Programs include both classroom study and hands-on practice of massage techniques. Programs cover subjects such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, business management, and ethics. Students may also choose to specialize in a particular area of treatment.Massage Therapy can span a variety of specialties including:
- Injury Therapy
- Headache Treatment
- TMJ Treatment
- Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy (MLD)
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Prenatal Massage
Can I Use the GI Bill to Pay for Massage Therapy School?
The short answer is yes. The GI Bill can pay for massage therapy school, including certificate or degree programs. You can find GI Bill-approved schools with massage therapy programs below. However, you will always need to check with the school to ensure that your VA benefits actually covers your program of choice.Filters
Search and select multiple degree level.
Search and select multiple area of focus.
Religious Affiliation
Partner SchoolNew York College of Health Professions
SYOSSET, NY
4 Year • Private • Urban
$4,551 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Mildred Elley-Pittsfield Campus
PITTSFIELD, MA
NCD • For Profit •
$2,514 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Richmond School of Health and Technology
Richmond, VA
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,484 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Chester Career College
Chester, VA
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,484 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Milan Institute San Antonio Ingram
VISALIA, CA
NCD • For Profit •
$1,995 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, TN
4 Year • For Profit •
$2,112 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Milan Institute Sparks
VISALIA, CA
NCD • For Profit •
$2,517 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Gwinnett College-Sandy Springs
SANDY SPRINGS, GA
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,514 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Gwinnett Col-Sandy Springs
SANDY SPRINGS, GA
NCD • For Profit •
$2,514 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Harris School of Business-Dover Campus
DOVER, DE
NCD • For Profit •
$2,403 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Keiser Career College-Port St Lucie
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,817 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Ces College
BURBANK, CA
NCD • Private •
$4,008 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Blue Cliff Career College
MOBILE, AL
NCD • For Profit •
$2,013 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Ati College
WHITTIER, CA
NCD • For Profit •
$4,008 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
No Credit for Military Service
Southeastern College-Miami Lakes
MIAMI LAKES, FL
2 Year • For Profit •
$3,786 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Southeastern College-New Port Richey
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,835 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Platt College-Lawton
LAWTON, OK
2 Year • For Profit •
$1,812 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Southeastern College-Tampa
TAMPA, FL
2 Year • For Profit •
$2,835 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, IL
NCD • For Profit •
$1,653 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
No Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Southeastern College-West Palm Beach
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
2 Year • For Profit •
$3,549 BAH Rate • $1,261 Online BAH Rate
Yellow Ribbon Program
Credit for Military Service
Ready to Become a Massage Therapist?
Many massage therapists do not work a typical 9-5 job. Because therapists typically work by appointment, their schedules and the number of hours worked each week can vary considerably. Many massage therapists choose to work part-time, while others may opt for a busier schedule driven by seasonal, vacation, and tourist demand.Successful massage therapists benefit from the following skills and attributes:
- Massage therapists need to listen to and hear clients' concerns and their goals for massage therapy treatments. Kindness and empathy are also immensely helpful in establishing trust and providing clients with a positive experience, both for repeat customers and for expanding the client base.
- Massage therapists often have access to sensitive client details such as medical histories. Therefore, they must be trustworthy and professional to protect their clients' privacy.
- Massage therapists must be strong (especially in their hands and arms) when administering treatments and have the stamina for long appointment sessions and multiple appointments in a row.
- Massage therapists must evaluate each client’s goals and recommend the best treatment based on that person’s needs. Must also be able to troubleshoot issues as they arise using knowledge, training, and external resources.
- Must use appointment times wisely to help accomplish the goals of each session. Must be able to use time efficiently when handling business-oriented tasks such as scheduling, payments, etc.
Ready to Earn Your Certificate or Degree in Massage Therapy?
Arizona School of Integrative Studies (ASIS) Certificate in Massage Therapy
Offers a Certificate Program in Massage Therapy. ASIS is a private vocational school with 4 locations in Arizona. Certificate programs run for 7 months to 1.5 years. ASIS is a GI Bill-approved school. Students should check with the school to ensure their preferred program is covered by the GI Bill. Students at ASIS can enroll in a certificate program to earn their Arizona License and prepare them to sit the MBLEx.
National Holistic Institute | A College of Massage Therapy
Offers an in-person and hybrid (in-person and online) Certificate Program in Massage Therapy and programs in Aromatherapy, Asian Bodywork, and Ayurvedic medicine.