Massage Practitioner

Program News

Massage Practitioner Students achieve 100% pass rate! All 2010-11 graduates of WCC's Massage Practitioner program who took the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) following completion of their studies passed the test. Congratulations to our graduates and faculty!

New Fall 2012 Application Deadline
Application forms for the next Massage Practitioner program starting Fall Quarter 2012 will be available starting Monday February 20th, 2012. The deadline for best consideration of complete application materials is June 7th, 2012. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space available basis. See below for application process and instructions.

New course format delivery
The massage program is undergoing some changes in class scheduling and delivery format. Starting Fall Quarter 2011, lecture-only classes are being delivered in a flexible online schedule format. Other classes such as MT 202 - Kinesiology I will be delivered in a blended format, which means that the lecture portion will be delivered online, and the laboratory portion will be delivered face to face in our dedicated lab. Check with a Program Advisor for information on all courses offered throughout the year.

New non-standard tuition rates start Fall 2011
Due to state budget funding cutbacks, in order to continue offering the Massage Practitioner Program, WCC must implement a new non-standard per-credit rate for core requirement courses. Starting Fall 2011, the rate for massage practitioner certificate or degree core requirement courses will be $155 per credit. There will be no additional lab fee charged given this increase. Click here to see estimated fees for this program. This program is still eligible for financial aid.

What can I do as a Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP)?

Licensed Massage Practitioners (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. Being an 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.

WCC's Massage Practitioner Program is approved by the Washington State Massage Board, a subsidiary of the Washington State Department of Health.

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 (e.g. hotel spas)

Information Sessions

You are strongly encouraged to attend an information session or contact one of the Professional Technical advisors for planning help.

Degree/Certificate available

• Associate in Science Degree / Massage Practitioner [PDF Format]
• Massage Practitioner Certificate [PDF Format]---Click here for Gainful Employment details.

What is the Massage Practitioner Program?

Whatcom Community College now offers two options for aspiring LMPs: the Associate of Science Degree and the Certificate. These program options run concurrently and begin each fall quarter.

Students wishing to enter the program must apply in the spring (go to the section on application process and deadline below for specific dates) to begin the program the following fall.

The Associate in Science Degree / Massage Practitioner offers students 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 who are pursuing a career change. This program is also offered in sequence over fall, winter and spring quarters.

The Massage Practitioner Program is full-time and very demanding. 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 Opportunity Grant Scholarship help you?

The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information. Apply Now!

Application Process & Deadline

• Application packets for Fall Quarter 2012 will be available and accepted starting Monday February 20th, 2012.
  
• The deadline for best consideration of Fall Quarter 2011 application materials is June 7th, 2012. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
  
• Important:  Entry into this program is on a first come first served basis. In order for an application to be considered it must be complete. See the Applicant Checklist included in the application materials available from this web page in early 2012.

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

STEP 1 – Apply to Whatcom Community College
Students must be enrolled at WCC and have an active Student Identification (SID) number in order to apply for the Massage Practitioner program and pay related fees. You must be at least 18 years old by the start of fall 2012 classes to be accepted into the Massage Practitioner Program.

• New Students:
  • Apply to WCC online.
  • Unable to apply online?
    •  Request a WCC application by email at admit@whatcom.ctc.edu, by phone 360.383.3001, or in person at the Entry & Advising Center, LDC 116.
    • Get your SID Number.  Once your completed WCC application has been received, you will be sent an SID number via email within two to three days.  Once you receive your SID number, proceed to STEP 2
• Returning Students: Contact the Registration Office to reactivate your student account and SID, then proceed to STEP 2.
• Current Students: Proceed to STEP 2 and use your active SID.

STEP 2 – Obtain and complete the Massage Practitioner selective entry application forms
To obtain Massage Practitioner application forms, download the Application for Selective Entry: Massage Practitioner Program or, contact the Selective Entry Coordinator by phone at 360.383.3032 or by email at thall@whatcom.ctc.edu.

STEP 3 – Pay application fee and submit all supporting application materials
The Massage Practitioner Program requires a selective entry application fee of $25. Students must pay the application fee, and submit application forms, with all supporting materials, on or before the application deadline to be considered for the Massage Practitioner program:

• Pay application fee. Students must pay the Massage Practitioner Program application fee of $25 in one of two ways:
  • Go in person to the WCC Cashier's window and pay the application fee with cash, check or credit card. You must have your SID number and identify the program for which you are applying. It is suggested that you complete the Application Fee Payment Form and turn it in with your payment.
  • Mail a check along with the Application Fee Payment Form directly to the WCC Business Office.
  • Note: The application fee is non-refundable. If you are not admitted to this program with your initial application, there will be no refund of the fee.
• Submit Application for Selective Entry – Submit the completed Massage Practitioner application form and supporting materials. Include form and all required supporting documentation, in one complete packet to the WCC Registration/Records Office in person or by mail. Your packet should include:
  
  • Completed Application Form with Experience/Education Summary
  • Completed Application Checklist
  • Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges where you earned credits that may apply to the Massage Practitioner Program
  • Three (3) completed Student Recommendation Forms
  • Three (3) completed Experience Verification Forms
  • Completed Health Form
  • Receipt for the $10 purchase of a Washington State Patrol background check through the WCC Business Office in Laidlaw Center at WCC.

Please have all documents and transcripts sent or delivered to:

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

All materials, whether delivered in person or by mail, must be received at the WCC Registration/Records Office by the deadline to be considered for the Massage Practitioner program. Incomplete files will not be considered for acceptance. Late applications will be considered only if there is space available.

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. Background check results for program applicants are considered valid for a period of six months only. Entrance and acceptance into the program is contingent upon background checks.