PRCC offering Massage Therapy program

In a year’s time you can be prepared to take on a Massage Therapy career, starting this fall semester at Pearl River Community College’s Forrest County Campus.

Massage Therapy is a 45-hour, 12-month program designed to prepare students for careers as professional massage therapists. The curriculum prepares students to develop knowledge and skills for practicing massage therapy.

Classes will run during the day, Monday through Thursday. Graduates can expect to earn $40,000 – $45,000 on average annually, according to massage companies. The program will begin in August and students will finish in July, 2022. 

“The Sunray Companies, who manage the Massage Envy locations in Mississippi, contacted the Mississippi Community College Board and PRCC about a massage therapist shortage,” said Dr. James David Collum, Dean for Career and Technical Education at PRCC’s Forrest County Center.

“In addition to offering sign-on bonuses to graduates, Sunray is donating equipment for the new program.”

The massage program is licensed through the Mississippi State Board of Massage and students will be required to pass a state or national certification before beginning their careers. 

“Students completing this program should be able to find jobs in employment settings such as spas, clinics, fitness centers, wellness centers, corporations, sports organizations, doctors' offices, and private practice,” said Dr. Collum.

Certified Massage Therapists will treat patients by massaging to manipulate the muscles and others soft tissues of the body. Therapists can relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in general wellness of a patient.

Core courses emphasize massage therapy principles, ethics, business, applications, pathology, anatomy and physiology, technique modalities, and kinesiology. 

“Pearl River is excited about the opportunity to offer this program to the Pine Belt. This field is in high demand and will provide great jobs for our students,” said Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for the Forrest County Center, Allied Health and Nursing programs.

“Another great benefit to adding this program will be massage services we can offer to our community members who can give our students on-the-job training to prepare for this field. We are committed to offering programs that serve our community.”

PRCC is the third community college in Mississippi to offer Massage Therapy. The others are Holmes and Mississippi Gulf Coast, 

For information about the PRCC program, call the Forrest County Center at 601-554-5505 or email jcollum@prcc.edu.

 

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