Therapeutic Massage

The Therapeutic Massage technical diploma will provide you with training for a professional career in massage therapy or will enhance your skills and knowledge if you’re already in the healthcare field. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy with specific attention focused on the musculoskeletal system and will receive a high degree of technical training with emphasis on massage techniques and therapy applications. Hands-on and practical business application will be part of your experience through the student-operated on-campus clinic. Upon successful completion, you’ll be prepared for the exam to obtain the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services massage therapy and bodywork therapy license.

COURSE LIST

Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

Occupational Specific (17 Credits)

Course Title
Course Number
Credits
Instructional Hours
Outside Effort Hours**
Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
• Therapeutic Massage - Musculoskeletal Anatomy

  31-537-301

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31537301
  • Credits: 2.00

  Introduces the anatomy and function of human skeletal and muscular systems. Students learn to identify muscle names, locations, origins, and insertion points. Additionally, students learn and develop palpation skills to assist in appropriate treatment planning. 

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Student is in progress in Therapeutic Massage (30-537-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537303 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 2

  • MEDICAL 31537310 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 1

  • MEDICAL 31537311 - Anatomy & Physiology - Therapeutic Massage

• Therapeutic Massage Foundations 2

  31-537-303

  4Credit

  144

  72

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 144
  • Outside Effort Hours: 72
  • Course Number: 31537303
  • Credits: 4.00

  Building on foundational techniques learned, students continue to develop skill in client documentation, massage techniques, medical terminology, pharmacology and common pathologies. Students are introduced to business fundamentals including topics such as business structures, employment documents, professionalism, finances, state laws, and business software. Additional topics include ethics, professionalism, and communication.

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537301 - TM - Musculoskeletal Anatomy

  • MEDICAL 31537310 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 1

  • MEDICAL 31537311 - Anatomy & Physiology - Therapeutic Massage

• Therapeutic Massage - Kinesiology

  31-537-305

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31537305
  • Credits: 2.00

  Focuses on further study of the musculoskeletal anatomy and the addition of muscle actions. Students develop skills through palpation and range-of-motion, postural, and gait assessments to incorporate into treatment plans to provide more comprehensive client care. Additional topics include ethics, professionalism, and communication.

  ​Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537306 - TM - Specialized Techniques

  • MEDICAL 31537312 - Therapeutic Massage Clinic

• Therapeutic Massage - Specialized Techniques

  31-537-306

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31537306
  • Credits: 2.00

  Students develop techniques for treatment of special populations, are introduced to current and upcoming trends, and gain exposure to therapeutic and spa therapies.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537303 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 2

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537305 - TM - Kinesiology

  • MEDICAL 31537312 - Therapeutic Massage Clinic

• Therapeutic Massage Foundations 1

  31-537-310

  3Credit

  108

  54

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 54
  • Course Number: 31537310
  • Credits: 3.00

  Introduces students to the field of touch therapy and exposes students to major concepts of professional ethics, scope of practice, treatment equipment, safety, sanitation, legal requirements, client documentation, communication, medical terminology, and pharmacology and pathology fundamentals. Students will begin hands-on learning of foundational skills such as draping, positioning, self-care, body mechanics, and basic Swedish massage techniques.

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537301 - TM - Musculoskeletal Anatomy

  • MEDICAL 31537303 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 2

  • MEDICAL 31537311 - Anatomy & Physiology - Therapeutic Massage

• Anatomy & Physiology - Therapeutic Massage

  31-537-311

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31537311
  • Credits: 2.00

  Introduces chemical composition of the body, structure of cells, tissue types and organ systems. Students study each body system to learn how they work and function together. This course is designed specifically for massage bodywork students.

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537301 - TM - Musculoskeletal Anatomy

  • MEDICAL 31537303 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 2

  • MEDICAL 31537310 - Therapeutic Massage Foundations 1

• Therapeutic Massage Clinic

  31-537-312

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31537312
  • Credits: 2.00

  Students provide professional therapeutic massage services to clients and manage business functions of a student clinic. Business topics include ethics and legal requirements, business software, professional marketing, business start-up, client documentation, licensing, and customer service.

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • MEDICAL 31537305 - TM - Kinesiology​

  • MEDICAL 31537306 - TM - Specialized Techniques