The SSMT Professional Massage Therapy Program is completed in 3 trimesters, with each course supporting the other courses in the trimester and preparing the student for what’s to come.
335 Hrs
This course presents the theory, techniques, and experience of Swedish massage therapy. It introduces touch as therapy, and builds skill and sensitivity. Attention is given to the technical aspects of massage therapy, including the use of comfortable and efficient body mechanics. Professionalism is also emphasized, including hygiene, draping, communication, and sensitivity to the emotional aspects of the massage experience. The student is guided by the instructor to touch and be touched in a manner that feels safe to both the therapist and the client.
Massage practicum classes provide supervised practice, review, and reinforcement of massage skills acquired in Swedish massage classes. The focus is on continuing to build practical skills and sensitivity.
Once the Swedish massage course is completed, the student is prepared to practice in the faculty-supervised Swedish Massage Clinic. Here students provide full-body massage for relaxation to the general public. This provides invaluable experience that facilitates the transition from massage student to massage therapist. The student may be required to engage in five hours of supervised service learning as part of the 40-hour Swedish Massage Clinic requirement. This will involve performing massage in the community, if scheduling permits.
Completion of the Swedish Clinic Orientation class is required before beginning the Swedish Massage clinic rotation.
Once students have successfully completed the Pathology, Hydrotherapy, and Neuromuscular Therapy courses, they have the skills necessary for their next clinic experience: Advanced Student Clinic. Here they provide clients with a series of treatments designed around a specific complaint, and create individual treatment plans focused on their clients’ needs. The students utilize basic neuromuscular therapy and may incorporate hydrotherapy and additional techniques into their treatment as they learn them. By following their clients’ progress through this series of sessions, students gain valuable clinical experience and continue their development of record-keeping skills and professional protocol.
Attendance in the Advanced Clinic Orientation class is required before beginning the advanced clinic rotation.
During the second and third trimester, students revisit Swedish massage in classes designed to refine their skills. Some of these classes provide opportunities to practice full body Swedish massage, incorporating skills learned in other bodywork classes; others focus on refining particular skill sets, such as deep tissue techniques, side-lying techniques, and body mechanics.
Neuromuscular therapy is an effective treatment for pain. After identifying the attachments and actions of specific muscles, the students locate the muscles on each other’s bodies, noting the bony landmarks that serve as muscle attachments. Therapeutic techniques for treating individual muscles are then practiced and refined, with attention to learning the anatomy, and further developing palpatory skill. Additional supervised practice, review, and reinforcement of techniques occurs in NMT practicum classes.
215 Hrs
The study of that magnificent structure, the human body, is integral to bodywork. By learning about the body’s structures, and how they work in health and disease, we gain an intimate knowledge of how our touch affects not only bodies, but also the people who inhabit them.
Anatomy is the scientific investigation of the body’s structure. The knowledge gained from this inquiry is the foundation of palpatory skill, the ability to assess the body through touch.
Physiology is the study of how our bodies work. One of the primary goals of all massage and bodywork disciplines is improvement in the functioning of the body’s individual parts and of the body as a whole.
A&P 1 provides a thorough overview of anatomy and physiology. It also explores in detail the “mechanical body,” the muscles, bones, and connective tissues that support our posture and locomotion. The study of specific muscles that is begun in A&P 1 will be continued in the A&P 2, A&P 3, and neuromuscular therapy courses.
*SSMT uses a course numbering system to identify course offerings within the massage therapy program. The numbering system is only for use at SSMT and does not correspond to course numbering systems at other institutions.
A&P 2 is an exploration of the “neural body,” the seat of our sensation, thought, emotions, and responses. Of particular interest is the effect touch and movement therapies have on human perceptions and responses; the nervous system is studied to discover some of the basic mechanisms that underlie the power of bodywork. Students will also continue the study of specific muscles begun in A&P 1.
A&P 3 is an exploration of the “fluid body,” the medium through which chemical messages are communicated through the body. This inquiry takes us from the blood and lymph to the hormone-secreting glands, the nutrient-providing digestive tract, the oxygen-providing respiratory system, and the waste-removing urinary system. Of particular interest is the effect touch and movement therapies have on the flow of fluids and the impact this can have on the health of all our tissues. Students will also continue the study of specific muscles begun in A&P 1.
Pathology is the study of the processes of disease and dysfunction. A knowledge of pathology is necessary for a massage therapist to understand how and when to work with people with various medical conditions. Disorders that affect each of the body’s systems will be examined, with a special emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders.
130 Hrs
This course will acquaint students with numerous forms of bodywork and will give them a wide variety of techniques that can be incorporated into their work. Ideas and techniques will be presented that are fundamental to the major systems of manual therapy. The methods introduced will offer students a host of opportunities for further study following graduation and licensure. The classes are introductory in their scope and present a variety of bodywork specialties, including:
This course includes several classes that assist students at the start of the program, and at various transition points. It helps students get their bearings at the beginning of each trimester, and includes classes on study skills. Some of these classes are also designed to increase students’ sensitivity to themselves and others.
Students will explore the therapeutic and rehabilitative benefits of water in its three phases: liquid, solid, and gas. Students will perform procedures utilizing moist and dry heat, ice and contrast therapy, and are introduced to spa therapies such as salt baths, paraffin treatments, and hot stone massage.
55 Hrs
This course is an exploration of the attitudes and skills required to succeed as a bodyworker, whether as an employee or in private practice. It will help the student join those therapists with profitable, fulfilling careers, while honoring their values. Privileges and obligations relevant to all professionals, and those specific to bodywork, are discussed. Professional communication, starting a business, marketing, taxes, medical insurance billing, privacy, and other factors will be explored.
Students will investigate the history and statutes of the Florida Massage Practice Act, and the rules of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy, to become familiar with the laws and rules governing the practice of massage therapy, and the operation of a massage therapy establishment, in Florida.
“It was great to learn massage in an area with such a thriving bodywork community. On top of the amazing faculty, the school brought in an awesome array of guest instructors — the best in the field!” —Bill Blankenship, graduate
A study of ethics permeates the program and is an integral component of the self-awareness cultivated at SSMT. In this course, students will explore appropriate boundaries, dual relationships, transference and counter-transference, scope of practice, confidentiality, identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas, and other concepts related to standards and values.
The science and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS are explored in this course, with an emphasis on standard precautions that all massage therapists should take to protect themselves from HIV infection. Special considerations for massage therapists who choose to safely work specifically with AIDS patients are also discussed.
This course examines the problem of medical errors and the steps health care providers are taking toward their reduction. Focus is placed on ways massage therapists can improve the health and safety of people under their care.
750 Hrs
The U.S. Department of Education requires schools to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.”
The massage therapy program meets licensure requirements in the state of Florida, and many others. As of June 30, 2025, the placement rate was 92%.
This program is designed to be completed in 31 weeks (day classes) or 50 weeks (night classes). The program will cost $16,475 (which includes $16,075 in tuition and $400 in books) if completed within the normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $8,444 of debt.
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here.
A variety of different treatment approaches are practiced in the massage therapy field. The Massage Therapy Program at SSMT provides a foundation in massage for relaxation, rehabilitation, integration, performance optimization, energy balancing, and somatic awareness. We particularly emphasize somatic awareness; many of the changes experienced by our clients can be understood as the effects of increased body awareness. A mindful focus on creating the space for this growth in ourselves and our clients is at the core of the SSMT curriculum.
A caring and knowledgeable SSMT Admissions Guide will be happy to help you explore your career goals and options. An effective next step, to help you choose the right path for yourself, is a simple chat on the phone. Call (941) 957-0577 or click below to request a caring and supportive conversation.
