Massage Therapy Program

Through the skilled use of touch, massage therapists manipulate the soft tissues in the body, including muscles, connective tissue, skin, and tendons. Massage therapy isn’t just for relaxation anymore. It’s a growing complementary healthcare option that people seek for preventive wellness and symptom treatment.

The need for massage therapists is also growing strong, with an anticipated growth of 18% in Minnesota through 2033. Employers seek our dependable graduates so much that our Massage Therapy graduates report a 100% job placement rate for several years.

Program Requirements and Job Outlook

Massage Therapy AASMassage Therapy Diploma

Program delivery

• Hutchinson and Willmar campuses
• Fall start
• Afternoon/evening schedule
• Saturday delivery in Willmar only

Skills you will learn

• Swedish Massage
• Therapeutic Techniques
• Myofascial Release
• Hot Stone Therapy
• Ear Candling
• Sports Massage
• Full- and Partial-body Massage and Chair Massage

Choose Ridgewater

Need a convenient college schedule, in-demand career, and passionate purpose? Look to Ridgewater’s Massage Therapy program. We’ll help you gain a solid science foundation in anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Then you’ll apply it through industry-popular massage and spa techniques in the Ridgewater Student Massage Center to become the confident professional your clients’ respect and appreciate. Learn from an experienced instructor who is also a doctor of chiropractic to gain a broad perspective helpful to you and your clients. Knowing numerous techniques, Ridgewater graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings. What’s your dream?

Program Distinctions

Assigned school through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), essential for students who may use their training outside of Minnesota.

Program attributes that help students thrive

• Student-friendly, full-time program schedule: two evenings, some Saturdays for working students
• On-site, hands-on Student Massage Center open to college and community members
• Massage Center client interaction strengthens communication, service and business management skills
• 100% job placement
• Industry-experienced staff current on the latest therapies
• Volunteer hands-on opportunities to support community groups and events
• Small class sizes help build long-lasting friendships and close peer network for the future
• Electric lift massage tables

Massage therapy is a great career fit for students who are interested in helping people, understanding the human body, and practicing holistic wellness treatments. Good people and communication skills can lead a fulfilling career in this $12 billion-plus service field. Did you know that more than 80% of industry therapists pursued massage as a second career? Perfect!