Accredited Massage SchoolsAccredited Massage Schools are schools that have gone through a voluntary process of accreditation. Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. There are only about 300 massage schools out of over 1500 massage schools in the US that are accredited at this time (10/08). The accreditation process is to help potential students choose a school that has a reputation for having high standards and a quality educational program. The process requires that schools fulfill specific criteria and explain their education system to the accrediting agency. Currently, seven organizations are recognized by the United Stated Department of Education (USDE) to accredit massage therapy schools and/or programs: Here is a chart that compares the different agencies and some of their requirements. www.abmp.com provides this chart Accreditation Agencies: A Comparison (ABMP) The importance of this chart is that it shows which schools will track Placement Rate, graduate satisfaction and pass rates of exams.While this may give you some insights into the school, it still does not guarantee that you will get the best education for you. There are some political issues surrounding the accreditation process in the massage profession. Some of the accrediting agencies were started by professional associations such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). While they have gone on to be separate organizations, it leaves room for questioning the intention of each agency. Then there are stories like this : "The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) had received formal approval by the United States Department of Education (USDE) to accredit massage therapy programs." For the full story Massage Therapy Education Accreditation: Industry Professionals Voice Their Opinions There also have been reports of schools falsely stating their accreditation or saying that they are in the process. If they are in the process and are not yet accredited, you risk losing your entire education if they fail to get this by the time you graduate. So going to an accredited massage school can give you some peace of mind, but going to any massage school whether it is accredited or not, will not make you a massage therapist. It really depends on how much you put into it and it depends on your level of self-confidence and self-esteem. Accreditation does not really protect you or help you build a practice or find a job. What you get out of a massage school no matter what accreditation it has depend on how much you put into it. Some states might require that you attend an accredited massage school in order to obtain your professional massage license. You will have to check with your state massage therapy board for further details. Share your opinion, comment or other story on this topic.Voice your opinion, comments or story on this topic. || FAQ's || Career Guides || Websites || Supervision || About Me ||
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