Massage Therapy Certificate of Technical Studies


About the Program
 
 

The Massage Therapy program will provide academic and clinical education in the practice of therapeutic massage. The program will include instruction in massage topics such as its history, purpose, benefits, its’ place in a holistic approach to wellness, and an introduction to the variety of massage techniques for special populations.

 

Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) Exam and the State of Louisiana Licensure Exam.  Prospective students should contact the Allied Health Division on the West Bank Campus at 504-762-3144.

 

To be eligible for a Certificate in Massage Therapy, students must meet the following criteria:

1.     Must provide evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent.

2.     Must be eligible for ENGL 101 and MATH 096 as documented by ACT, placement test or developmental course completion.

3.     Successfully complete all prerequisite courses (BIOL 251, 253). Prerequisites for BIOL 251 and 253 are BIOL 141 and 143.

4.     Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all college courses.

 

 

REQUIRED COURSES IN MAJOR

 

MSTH 101    Introduction to Therapeutic Massage                                            2

MSTH 102    Foundations for Swedish Techniques                                            3

MSTH 103   Muscle/Skeletal Anatomy & Palpation Skills                                 3

            MSTH 111   Sports Massage                                                                                    2            

MSTH 112   Neuromuscular/Deep Tissue Therapy                                             2

MSTH 113   Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine                            3

MSTH 114   Pathology for Massage Therapy                                                       2

MSTH 115   Business/Ethics/Law                                                                           2

MSTH 120   Topics for Special Populations                                                         3

MSTH 151   Massage Therapy Clinical I                                                                1

MSTH 152   Massage Therapy Clinical II                                                               1

MSTH 153   Massage Therapy Clinical III                                                              1

 

REQUIRED RELATED COURSES

 

BIOL 251     Human Anatomy and Physiology I                                                    3

BIOL 253     Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory                              1

BIOL 252     Human Anatomy and Physiology II                                                   3

BIOL 254     Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory                             1

 

                                                                                         TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:  33

 

Suggested Courses for First Semester

 

MSTH 101 Introduction to Therapeutic Massage                    2

 

MSTH 102 Foundations for Swedish Techniques                    3                        

 

MSTH 103 Muscle/Skeletal Anatomy & Palpation Skills        3                           

 

MSTH 114 Pathology for Massage Therapy                              2

 

MSTH 113 Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine   3

 

BIOL 251 Human Anatomy and Physiology I                             3

 

BIOL 253 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory       1

                            or

BIOL 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II                            3

 

BIOL 254 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory      1

 

Suggested Courses for Second Semester

 

MSTH 112 Neuromuscular/Deep Tissue Therapy                     2

 

MSTH 120 Topics for Special Populations                                  3

 

MSTH 151 Massage Therapy Clinical I                                         1

                            and/or

MSTH 152 Massage Therapy Clinical II                                        1

 

BIOL 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II                              3

 

BIOL 254 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory        1

 

 

Suggested Courses for Summer Session

 

MSTH 111 Sports Massage                                                            2

 

MSTH 115 Business/Ethics/Law                                                    2

 

MSTH 152 Massage Therapy Clinical II                                        1

                 and/or

MSTH 153 Massage Therapy Clinical III                                       1

 
 

The student must be eligible for ENGL 101 and MATH 096 as documented by ACT, placement test or developmental course completion. A High School Diploma or GED is required of all applicants to the Massage Therapy Program. Prerequisite for BIOL 251 and 253 is BIOL 141 and 143.

 

Course Descriptions with Pre- or Co-requisites:

 

MSTH 101 - Introduction to Therapeutic Massage - Introduction to the history and development of therapeutic massage. Includes the practice of various modalities, medical terminology, ethics, hygiene, safety, body mechanics, SOAP notes and Heart Saver CPR Certification by the American Heart Association. Pre- or Co-requisite: BIOL 141, 143

 

MSTH 102 - Foundation for Swedish Techniques - Full-body Swedish massage using a variety of Swedish techniques. Massages will be performed in a lab setting with repetition of timed routines and varying student clients. Course will also include anatomy, draping, body mechanics, indications and contraindications, effects of massage and interpretation of client evaluation to develop a care/treatment plan. Pre- or Co-requisite: BIOL 141, 143

 

MSTH 103 - Muscle/Skeletal Anatomy and Palpation Skills - Comprehensive course designed to study the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. Included are the bones and palpation of bony landmarks, the discussion of origins, insertions, actions, nerves,and palpation of the muscles for the body. Pre- or Co-requisite: BIOL 141, 143

 

MSTH 151 - Massage Therapy Clinical I - Clinical application of various massage techniques performed on the public, under the direct supervision of the massage therapy instructor. Includes setting appointments, presenting a professional appearance, communication with the client, presentation of the massage area, draping techniques, time involved to complete a massage and record keeping. Pre-requisite: MSTH 102

 

MSTH 111 - Sports Massage - Presentation of concepts and techniques for sports massage and practice of those techniques. Includes anatomy and physiology relevant to sports massage, tissue response to activity and sports massage, and application of sports massage techniques. Location of major stress points and contraindications will be covered. Pre- or Co-requisite: MSTH 103, BIOL 251, 253

 

MSTH 112 - Neuromuscular/Deep Tissue Therapy - Concepts, techniques and practice of neuromuscular/deep tissue therapy. Includes tools necessary to make educated postural evaluation assessments, tissue evaluation, nerve compression and entrapments, ischemia, palpate trigger points, neurological laws and principles of NMT, stages of rehabilitation and therapeutic communication skills with the client. Pre- or Co requisite: MSTH 103, BIOL 141, 143

 

MSTH 113 - Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Provide an emphasis on Traditional Chinese Medicine and techniques employed. Included are the twelve meridians, yin and yang, chi energy, the five elements, twelve general points, Qi, Jin, Shen, Xue, Jin-ye, shiatsu, and acupressure. Pre-requisite: MSTH 103

 

MSTH 114 - Pathology for Massage Therapy - Nature of diseases and knowing if bodywork is indicated or contraindicated. Pre- or Co-requisite: BIOL 141, 143

 

MSTH 115 - Business/Ethics/Law - Provide basic information needed in setting up a massage practice. Self-employment, motivation, target audience, management, ethics, and the business structure will be emphasized. The law as it relates to the practice of massage in the state of Louisiana will be clearly communicated. Pre-requisite: MSTH 101

 

MSTH 152 - Massage Therapy Clinical II - Clinical application of various massage techniques performed on the public, under the direct supervision of the massage therapy instructor. Includes presenting a professional appearance, communication with the client, presentation of the massage area, draping techniques, time involved in a complete massage and record keeping. Pre- or Co-requisite: MSTH 151

 

MSTH 120 - Topics for Special Populations - Topics for special populations in massage therapy. Topics may include abuse, breast massage, children, chronic illness, the elderly, infants, physically and psychologically challenged individuals, pregnancy, terminal illness, healing touch, reflexology, Reike, aromatherapy, polarity, cranial sacral and others. Pre-requisite: MSTH 101 

 

MSTH 153 - Massage Therapy Clinical III - Go into community and/or different community agencies comt to Delgado, for a student massage under the direct supervision of the massage therapy instructor.  Pre or Co-requiste: MSTH 152, 153


 ALLIED HEALTH