At Dorsey Schools, we are continuously working to offer new programs to our students. As we introduce our new Massage Therapy Program at the Saginaw Campus, we would like to give you a few reasons why you should consider pursuing a career in massage therapy.

1. Employment outlook is great: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for massage therapists has been projected to experience a growth rate of 20% until the year 2020, which is faster than average for many other occupations.
2. Massage is becoming a more accepted form of therapy for pain management and wellness: According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), it was estimated that 96% of massage therapists received at least one referral every six months from either a hospital or medical office.
3. Better regulations and licensing: As states are beginning to regulate massage therapists or provide voluntary state certifications, massage therapy is beginning to be seen as a well-respected profession, and as a result, the field is starting to grow exponentially.
4. Massage therapy training is comprehensive, but short-term: While there is a lot to learn in the Massage Therapy program at Dorsey Schools, with courses ranging from “Advanced Anatomy,” and “Chair Massage/Sports Massage,” to “Kinesiology” the completion time is relatively short. The estimated completion time for this program is less than 12 months (as compared to schooling in other fields).
5. Good pay: While the size of your paycheck should not be the only consideration when choosing a career path, it is still important to take into account. According to the Department of Labor, massage therapists earn an average salary of over $35,000 per year, with those employed in hospitals and doctors’ offices reporting slightly higher earnings.
6. Great career flexibility: Massage therapy offers a great opportunity for flexibility within one’s career. Massage Therapists work in a variety of settings, and some are even self-employed, allowing them to choose their own hours.  As previously mentioned, there is only a short amount of time required for schooling, and many programs (including those at Dorsey Schools), offer flexible class schedules, enabling you to continue working while you are going to school.
7. Benefit health and well-being: While massage therapy is certainly recommended for relaxation and stress relief, research has shown massage to be helpful in lowering blood pressure, reducing headaches and easing pain, among other benefits.  As such, Massage Therapy is considered a health profession in the State of Michigan.

So, whether you are looking for a profession with a great employment outlook, or a one that has short-term training, massage therapy may be the career choice for you! Our Massage Therapy program provides students with a solid foundation in the areas of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, as well as hands on training in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, and Supervised Clinical Practice. Upon successful completion of the program, students will also be eligible to sit for one of three certification exams: the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB), which will be necessary for application to become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Michigan, effective November 29, 2014.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.dorsey.edu/disclosures.php.