Massage Therapy Information
Interested in Massage Therapy as a Career?
Central Oregon Community College offers a two-year degree - an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy! COCC is the only college in Oregon that offers this degree in massage therapy.
As the benefits of alternative and complementary forms of health care are recognized,
demand for professional massage therapy has increased. COCC is preparing students
to be massage therapy professionals who will work with health care providers to improve
the health of the community.
Central Oregon Community College is one of only a handful of colleges nationwide offering an associate of applied science degree program in massage therapy. The rise in holistic medicine, skyrocketing health care costs and the credibility of manual medicine are providing a variety of career opportunities for massage therapists. A two-year certificate or an associate's degree will provide a competitive edge in the job market.
Location - The College's main campus is located on the western edge of Bend, a city known
for its natural beauty and its proximity to diverse recreational opportunities such
as hiking, biking, kayaking, snowboarding, skiing, fishing, hunting, and much more
all within a 45 minute drive to their locations.
The 193-acre Bend campus offers quiet, peaceful surroundings for study and reflection.
On the western slope of Awbrey Butte, students have a spectacular view of the Oregon
Cascade mountain range from nearly every point on the grounds.
Accreditation
The Central Oregon Community College Licensed Massage Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, (COMTA). The term accreditation implies a generally accepted process by which a school or program is evaluated. Schools with accreditation may, therefore, be said to have achieved a minimum level of excellence, based on an accepted set of standards. The benefit of accreditation to a profession lies in the fact the public to whom the profession is rendering a service is assured of a certain standard of quality from the graduates of accredited schools. Such assurance raises the profession in the eyes of the public and increases the public's confidence. For complaints please contact:
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 888-6790 office
info@comta.org
https://comta.org
Program Costs
Cost estimates based on 2018-19 academic year
800-860 hour Certificate of Completion - $7,800-$8,300
1200 Hour Associate of Applied Science Degree - $12,000-$12,850
(Approximate dependent on chosen BI series, Discipline Studies and Health Option)
Education Options
Certificate Program - The COCC Massage Therapy Program offers a Certificate of Completion in Massage Therapy
The Certificate of Completion currently requires 860 hours (four terms of full time enrollment, not including prerequisites) of instruction and qualifies students for state licensing exams. The participants are prepared for entry level massage therapy. Completion of this certificate in massage therapy will qualify the student for the payment of massage therapy all licensing fees required in Oregon as well as exam fees.
Degree Program - To meet the demand for extensively trained massage therapists, COCC offers an associates degree of applied science degree program in massage therapy. This two-year degree prepares students for additional opportunities and advancement in massage therapy careers. Course hours earned in the certificate program can be applied to degree program requirements. The degree program will require 4 terms of full time enrollment to complete.
COCC is the only school in the state that offers an AAS degree in massage therapy!
Continuing Education Workshops - All of our second year and degree classes qualify as CE hours and can be applied toward your LMT licensing requirements for CE hours!
The 200 level classes are co-enrolled and offered through the COCC Community Learning department. Enrollment is limited to ensure quality education, so early registration will guarantee a space in class. Registration deadlines are due one week before classes begin, unless otherwise noted. Registration will be accepted only with payment when enrolling through Community Learning.