Massage Practitioner

 Professional/Technical Program Advisor
Jackie Landsem
360.383.3080
jlandsemwhatcom.ctc.edu

Massage Practitioner Program Coordinator
Richard Butts
Cascade Hall, Room 134
360.383.3726
massagewhatcom.ctc.edu 

Information Sessions
Wednesday, October 21        11:30am - 12:30pm      LDC 203
Wednesday, November 18    11:30am - 12:30pm      LDC 203
Wednesday, December 2      11:30am - 12:30pm      LDC 203

Degree/Certificate available

Associate in Science Degree / Massage Practitioner [PDF Format]
Massage Practitioner Certificate [PDF Format]

Program Overview
Being a Licensed Massage Practitioners (LMP)s offers you the opportunity to help others achieve their healthcare goals and re-establish the connection between mind and body. This is done through the application of therapeutic touch. Massage is a very personal, hands-on approach to healthcare, giving both the practitioner and the client the opportunity to connect at a deeper level.
LMPs are members of the healthcare community, and they work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, sports medicine clinics, medical and physical therapy offices/clinics, health clubs, spas, alternative medicine clinics, counseling and rehabilitation centers, and private massage clinics. There are different areas of specialization within the massage profession including:
• Therapeutic medical massage
• Infant massage
• Pregnancy massage
• Sports massage
• Wellness massage
• Massage within the hospitality industry
Whatcom Community College now offers two options for aspiring LMPs; the Associate of Science Degree and the Certificate. The program options run concurrently and begin each fall quarter. Students wishing to enter the program must apply in the spring (check the application, below, for the next deadline) to begin the program the following fall.
The Associate in Science Degree / Massage Practitioner [PDF Format] offers the student the ability to complete advanced coursework and specialize in an area of interest, as well as participate in an externship at a local business. Core curriculum massage classes must be taken in sequence, are only offered to students accepted into the massage program, and run for four consecutive quarters (fall, winter, spring, summer).
The Massage Practitioner Certificate was designed to accommodate those who have a previous college education and/or are pursuing a career change.
The massage program is full-time and very demanding.The both the degree and certificate curriculum qualifies graduates to sit for the Washington State licensing exam and the National Certification Exam to become licensed massage practitioners.

How can the Pathways Program and Opportunity Grant Scholarship help you?

These programs assist and support students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry. The Pathways Program offers free tutoring, study groups, workshops, mentoring, and advising. The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information.

Application Process & Deadline

Fall 2010 Massage Practitioner Program Deadline for priority consideration, May 7, 2010.  (application available in January 2010)

You must complete the following steps by the program application deadline to be considered for program acceptance:

STEP 1 - Apply to WCC online . You must be at least 18 years old by the start of Fall classes to be accepted into the Massage Practitioner Program.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at , by phone 360.383.3080 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

STEP 2 - Complete the Application for Selective Entry: Massage Practitioner Program. The application for Fall 2010 will be available in January 2010.

STEP 3 - Submit all required supporting documentation, including:

• Massage Practitioner Application Form with Experience/Education Summary
• Application Checklist
• Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges where you earned credits that may apply to the Massage Practitioner Program
• Three (3) Student Recommendation Forms
• Three (3) Experience Verification Forms
• Health Form
• Receipt for Washington State Patrol background fee of $10.00 payable at the cashier's window in Laidlaw Center at WCC

Please have all documents and transcripts sent to:

Whatcom Community College
Admissions - Massage Practitioner Program
237 West Kellogg Road
Bellingham, WA 98226

Background Check Information

Clinical placements, employment and licensure in a healthcare field often require a background check. WCC will conduct a Washington State Patrol background check on applicants. Students need to pay the $10 fee for background checks to the business office, obtain a receipt, and attach that receipt to their application. Results of the background check will be given to the Massage Program Coordinator. Those students with a negative finding will be required to meet with the program coordinator prior to admittance to discuss possible options. Entrance and acceptance into the program is contingent upon background checks.