Outside US & Canada?
Virginia School of Massage - Charlottesville
The Virginia School of Massage is a professional school offering programs in massage therapy and skin care. Massage therapy is an exciting career that can literally take you almost anywhere. Professional massage therapists can find employment in spas, doctor's offices, wellness centers, cruise ships, or in their own home. For more than 18 years, the Virginia School of Massage has been preparing its graduates for rewarding careers promoting health, wellness, and relaxation.
Professional Massage Therapy Diploma Program
The professional massage therapy diploma program takes 768 hours to complete. It is comprehensive and exceeds the licensing standards of most state and local governments. If you take classes during the day, the program can be finished in 7 months. With night classes, it takes 12 months to complete the training.
This program includes:
- Basic massage theory
- Basic massage technique
- Eastern and Western techniques
- Structural bodywork
- Trigger point therapy
- Rehabilitation massage
- Sports massage
Your coursework also gives you a good understanding of physiology and anatomy to help you provide the highest level of service to your clients as well as communicate more easily with other professionals in the healthcare field. You also learn about good business practices as well as regulations and laws as they pertain to massage therapy. With this comprehensive training, you are prepared for work as a massage therapist, spa manager, or business owner.
Basic Skin Care Training Program
This is a hands-on diploma program in esthetics that gives you plenty of experience. It is 720 hours long, and includes everything covered licensing requirements of the State of Virginia and more. You can finish this program in seven months of daytime classes or 10 months of night classes.
The basic skin care program emphasizes general structure and function of the skin. You learn how to evaluate and assist the individual skincare needs of each client and perform techniques such as facials, hair removal, and body treatments. Your training also includes applied and general sciences, business practices, and training in the regulations and laws in Virginia as they apply to skin care practitioners.
Students graduating from the Virginia School of Massage basic skin care training program are prepared to take the state licensing exam.
Student Services at Virginia School of Massage
The Virginia School of Massage operates a public clinic on Saturdays where members of the public can get a massage at a very low rate. As a student, this allows you hands-on training where you can gain experience and learn how to build client relationships. The clinic offers many types of massage, so you can practice all of the various massage therapies you are learning. The clinic also offers European facials at a low rate, including skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, mask therapy and massage.
The Virginia School of Massage offers a wide variety of continuing education courses for professionals who want to upgrade their skills. These courses include aromatherapy, pre- and post-natal massage, infant massage, geriatric massage, neuromuscular therapies, reflexology, Thai massage, professional ethics, and business strategies/insurance billing.
Continuing education for skin care professionals includes specialized techniques such as aromatherapy, body wrapping, rapid exfoliants, stone facial treatments, microdermabrasion, waxing, makeup artistry, and esthetic business strategies.
Financial aid is available at the Virginia School of Massage in the form of federal and private grants and loans. The Virginia School of Massage is a part of the Steiner Education Group, which provides graduates with a large network of potential employers. The Steiner Group has spas on 125 cruise ships and 45 resorts around the world.
