Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Massage Therapy

Deciding which associate degree to get can sometimes be challenging. Finding the balance between a degree that will enable you to do what you love while still making a great living can be tricky. If you’re interested in working in a relaxing field that really helps people, then you might want to think about getting your massage therapy associate degree.

Why Get A Massage Therapy Degree?

Massage therapy has the potential to dramatically increase health and reduce stress in a person’s life.

Believe it or not, but there are over 80 different types of massage, called “modalities”, and once you enroll in a massage therapy degree program you’ll get to learn about many of them.

The reason why massage therapy is such an attractive career choice for many people is because it’s a bit out of the box. You’re not stuck in a cubicle the entire day; you’re on your feet, working directly with people and helping them feel better. It’s a very relaxing, rewarding career choice that can enable you to work almost anywhere in the world.

What You’ll Learn With A Massage Therapy Associate Degree

As you can probably guess, enrolling in a massage therapy associate degree program means you’re going to be spending a fair amount of time learning about the human body.

Some of the classes you might expect to see in this program include:

Deep Tissue Massage
Sports Massage
Anatomy and Physiology
CPR/First Aid
Kinesiology
Business Massage
Health Care Law and Ethics
Swedish Massage
Pregnancy/Special Massage
Pathology for Massage Therapists

Because so many states regulate massage therapy, chances are pretty high that you’ll have to get licensed or certified before you begin practicing. Most therapists take the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), which is the exam that most states require.

Your school will most likely help prepare you for the exam. Make sure when you’re doing research that you find out if certification prep is part of the program or not, and whether your state requires licensure or not.

Careers With An Associate Degree In Massage Therapy

Getting your massage therapy associate degree doesn’t mean you’re only qualified to be a massage therapist. Many schools structure their programs so you’re qualified to work in a wider role, such as a spa manager, spa director, or entrepreneur.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 118,000 massage therapists employed in 2006, and a whopping 64% of them were self-employed. This field is also expected to grow by 20% through 2016, which is faster than the national average.

Although you can work anywhere with an associate degree in massage therapy, your best prospects are going to be in urban areas or resort locales. Many massage therapists work for spas, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and fitness centers, all which are usually located in bigger cities.

Massage therapists also work in places like chiropractors, corporations, hospitals, nursing homes, and sports centers.

When it comes to how much you can earn with a massage therapy associate degree, the range is pretty wide, depending on where you work. The BLS reports an hourly wage of $10.98 to $33.83 on up.

It’s important to point out here that most massage therapists earn around 20% of their income through gratuities, so you’ll earn slightly more than those wages listed. If you can build a loyal client base, which is crucial in this field, you’ll make more per hour than most therapists.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information