Ontario College Advanced Diploma | 6 semesters | Barrydowne Campus
Be a part of the growing demand for health care professionals by becoming a Registered Massage Therapist and make a difference in your community!
The Massage Therapy Program at Cambrian College is a 6 semester evidence-based and rehabilitation-focused program that produces competent, confident, professional, and well-rounded graduates capable of working in various settings. Holistic approaches to health care are incorporated into treatment planning based on patient assessments and goals. Students will learn how to treat soft tissues with manual techniques, therapeutic exercise, and modalities such as laser, therapeutic ultrasound, taping techniques, TENS and more.
The Massage Therapy program is offered over the course of six consecutive semesters. Students will begin the program in the fall semester and continue their studies through the summer semesters. This condensed time frame means that students can graduate from this advanced diploma program in just 24 months!
Students will progress through a scaffolded learning experience, beginning with the foundational health sciences, assessment skills, basic massage therapy techniques, professionalism and therapeutic communication skills in year one. After year one, students have a firm foundation in clinical assessment and will begin working with clients in the on-site clinic focusing on treatment planning for specific conditions and patient presentations. Students will gain practical experience through the Cambrian College Massage Therapy Clinic (CCMTC) and local off-site placements with different populations in the community under the supervision of a Registered Massage Therapist. Students will have the opportunity to work with new parents to guide them through infant massage techniques, provide pregnancy massage to expectant parents, treat elite athletes in a sport setting and treat clients in medical settings such as long-term care or hospitals. Students will also gain valuable experience in business management, marketing, and research to enter the massage therapy profession confidently.
Program Mission Statement
Massage Therapy Program at Cambrian College aims to produce entry-level practitioners who understand their professional responsibilities and who have internalized the drive to become exemplary health professionals. By providing foundational knowledge and practical learning experiences that refine skills and exceed regulator’s expectations. Further, we aim to create a program that prioritizes the practical application of this knowledge in a professional manner.
Program Highlights
- 2 years – 6 semesters
- Provide over 330 hours of direct massage therapy care to the public under the supervision of highly experienced Massage Therapists
- Gain hands-on training in our high-tech massage therapy lab
- Begin learning assessments and massage therapy skills in the first semester of the program
- Participate placements opportunities with diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings
- Training in complementary modalities such as laser, therapeutic ultrasound, TENS, cupping, and kinesiology taping
Clinical Placement
The Cambrian College Massage Therapy Clinic allows student practitioners to provide massage therapy treatments to members of the public under the supervision of faculty members. During on-site clinic experiences, students will perform comprehensive assessments and treatments and will have opportunities to practice incorporating hydrotherapy and complementary modalities into their treatments. Students will also guide clients through remedial exercise regimens. Students use an electronic record management system to manage confidential client records and will also learn how to handle client bookings and payments.
In addition to on-site clinic experiences, massage therapy students will complete three off-site placement courses. Off-site placements occur in small groups of students under the supervision of a faculty member who is a Registered Massage Therapist. These experiences are intended to expose students to diverse population groups in the community. Off-site placements occur with various athletic agencies, with community partners involved in maternal and infant care, in rehabilitative settings, and in medical settings such as long-term care, and hospitals.
Placement Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements to attend clinical placement courses. Students are responsible for any expenses incurred related to placement. Requirements should be met after admission but prior to attending clinical placement courses.
- Standard first aid and CPR level C
- Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check (contact the program coordinator if you have a positive CPIC)
- Obtain AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Certificate available here
- Obtain WHMIS 2015 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) Certificate annually
- Obtain Ministry of Labour 4-Step Worker Health & Safety Awareness Training available here
- Immunization requirements:
- Varicella
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Tuberculosis Screening
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis immunization
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Most placement sites for this program require proof of immunization and booster shots for COVID-19.
All of the above requirements must be in effect for the duration of each placement, clinic, and outreach.
About the Profession of Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) assess and treat physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints of the body, primarily through hands-on manipulation. Assessment and treatment can include orthopedic and neurological testing, soft tissue manipulation, hydrotherapy and other complementary modalities such as remedial exercise, and client education.
RMTs work with people of all ages and conditions. They work in clinics, hospitals, retirement homes, care facilities, rehabilitative settings, or in private settings such as home-based clinics or spas. RMTs can work with pregnant women, infants, athletes, the elderly, individuals with complex health care needs to treat specific musculoskeletal complaints or with individuals looking to enhance wellness. RMTs are regulated health professionals that are granted certificates to practice by their provincial regulatory body. In Ontario, the regulatory body is the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). RMTs are accountable to the CMTO for their professional behaviour, which includes demonstrating continuing competency and acting in the best interests of their clients.
Registered Massage Therapist Designation
Graduates of Cambrian's Massage Therapy Program are eligible to challenge the OSCE and MCQ examinations for Registered Massage Therapist credentialing (RMT/MT) as set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).
About the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Massage Therapists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Registered Massage Therapists must comply with federal and provincial legislation such as the Regulated Health Professions Act 1991, the Massage Therapy Act 1991, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and the Health Care Consent Act (HCCA) and others.
CMTO regulates Massage Therapists and protects the public by setting the requirements of becoming a massage therapist, maintaining the public registry, and developing and enforcing standards of practice to ensure professional conduct. They are responsible for receiving and investigating complaints from the public about their Massage Therapy care.
You can find more information on the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario by visiting www.cmto.com.
About the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario
Massage therapy students and graduates are eligible to become members of the Registered Massage Therapy Association of Ontario (RMTAO). The RMTAO is a professional association that advocates for the profession of Massage Therapy.
You can find more information about the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario by visiting https://www.rmtao.com/about-rmtao/whatwedo
Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA)
The Massage Therapy Program at Cambrian College has been granted Preliminary Accreditation, the first step in the CMTCA accreditation process. Following a site visit to verify compliance with the standards, CMTCA will issue a final accreditation decision.
“CMTCA’s rigorous standards and comprehensive accreditation process help education programs strengthen and improve the quality of the education they provide. Students of CMTCA-accredited programs can be confident that their training is helping them become qualified, competent, and caring health care professionals.” (Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation, https://www.cmtca.ca/)
Quick Links
Admission Requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
- Any grade 11 (C) or (U) or grade 12 biology (U), or any grade 12 Introduction to Kinesiology or equivalent (U)
Please note: A minimum average of 60% is required in each of the prerequisite courses listed above.
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Program Delivery
2024-2025
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Fall Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Fall 2024
- SEMESTER 2 Winter 2025
- SEMESTER 3 Spring 2025
- SEMESTER 4 Fall 2025
- SEMESTER 5 Winter 2026
- SEMESTER 6 Spring 2026
For specific term start/end dates and other key dates/deadlines, please see the Academic Schedule on our website.
Program of Study for 2024-25 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 1107 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| HEA 1301 | Assessment and Treatment Plan I | 4 |
| MSG 1001 | Massage Skills and Techniques I | 6 |
| MSG 1106 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| MSG 1150 | Professional Growth I | 3 |
| MSG 1200 | Massage Therapy and Exercise I | 2 |
| ENG 1121 | Research & Writing/Health Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIO 1207 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| HEA 1302 | Assessment and Treatment Plan II | 4 |
| MSG 1002 | Massage Skills and Techniques II | 6 |
| MSG 1206 | Clinical Anatomy II | 3 |
| HEA 1220 | Relational Skills | 3 |
| MSG 1202 | Massage Therapy and Exercise II | 2 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PTH 1005 | Pathophysiology I for Massage | 3 |
| MSG 1003 | Massage Skills and Techniques III | 6 |
| MSG 1100 | Special Populations I | 3 |
| MSG 1160 | Professional Growth II | 3 |
| MSG 2000 | Research in Practice | 3 |
| FPL 1100 | Clinic I | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PTH 1010 | Pathophysiology II for Massage | 3 |
| MSG 1004 | Massage Skills and Techniques IV | 6 |
| MSG 1105 | Special Populations II | 3 |
| MSG 1275 | Advanced Treatments | 3 |
| FPL 1102 | Clinic II | 3 |
| FPL 1201 | Off-Site Placement I | 2 |
| Credits | 20 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| MSG 1110 | Special Populations III | 3 |
| MSG 1005 | Massage Skills and Techniques V | 6 |
| MSG 1006 | Neuroanatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| FPL 1103 | Clinic III | 3 |
| FPL 1202 | Off-Site Placement II | 2 |
| One General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 20 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| BUS 3585 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MKT 1104 | Marketing Essentials | 4 |
| MSG 3000 | Career Readiness | 6 |
| FPL 1104 | Clinic IV | 3 |
| FPL 1203 | Off-Site Placement III | 2 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
- 1
For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Fees
Tuition and Ancillary Fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books & Supplies
The cost of books each year of the program is approximately $600. Students must also purchase a uniform and student equipment kit, which will be used throughout the program. The cost of the uniform and student kit is approximately $800. This is the best information available when publishing to the website and is subject to change.
Graduate Options
Upon successful completion of all courses, as outlined in the program of study, graduates from Cambrian's Massage Therapy Program are eligible to write the OSCE and MCQ examinations required for for registered massage therapist credentialing as set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Graduates are responsible for all costs associated with:
- Certification Examinations (OSCE and MCQ)
- Professional liability insurance fees
- Fees for initial registration
Graduates of the Massage Therapy program at Cambrian College can receive up to 51 credits toward an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or Physical & Health Education from Laurentian University
Employment Opportunities
Registered Massage Therapists will be able to work in a variety of settings including:
- Self Employment as a Registered Massage Therapist
- Various healthcare organizations
- Multidisciplinary Clinics
- Health & Fitness Centers
- Athletic Organizations
- Resort/Spa Industry
- Long Term Care facilities
College/University Degree Opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education.
Refer to College/University Agreements for further information.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.