COD to begin new massage therapy program in September
Continuing Education/Extended Learning at College of DuPage will begin a new Massage Therapy program that prepares students for a growing career field.
Beginning on Sept. 4, the 618-hour program will be offered over three 16-week semesters and will combine lectures with hands-on learning. Upon completion, students will be prepared to take state licensure exams as well as the MBLex and NCBTM exams.
“This short-term, focused training helps prepare individuals for a professional career field with a promising employment outlook,” said Cristina Willard, program development specialist. “The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19 percent growth rate by 2018, so a need for licensed therapists will be critical.”
Massage therapy will be offered in the new Continuing Education/Extended Learning suite located in the Student Resource Center, Room 1110. Classes will be held in spaces designed for health care education, including five massage clinic rooms for hands-on training and a professional massage clinic open to the public.
Interested students can learn more about the new Massage Therapy program at Sampler Day, an event on Saturday, Aug. 11, featuring free Continuing Education classes for the public. No registration is required and the Introduction to Massage Therapy course begins at 10 a.m. in SRC 1111.
Patricia O'Shaughnessy, program coordinator and licensed massage therapist, said the program's elective courses will allow students to pursue specialization in sports, spa treatments, reflexology and traditional Asian techniques. The program also exceeds the state requirements for minimum training hours.
“We've built a solid foundation through this certificate that prepares students for many jobs in this career,” O'Shaughnessy said. “Our instructors, who are all licensed massage therapists or medical professionals, will cover the development of a business plan, writing effective resumes and expanding therapeutic communication skills.”
Massage Therapy joins Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician and Veterinary Assistant as health care training programs offered by Continuing Education. Willard said these programs help people who are unemployed or switching careers move quickly into the job market.
“It's Continuing Education's mission to support local economic growth by providing short-term trainings that can lead to long-term careers,” she said. “The Massage Therapy program also promotes health and wellness in the local community, so its benefits stretch beyond the classroom.”
As part of the program, student-provided massages will be available to the public beginning in April. For more information about the program, call (630) 942-3818 or email CE-oshaughnessy@cod.edu.