Massage Therapy

Description

Through a blend of theoretical and hands on experiences, students gain the knowledge, skills, beliefs and values necessary to meet the Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators as set out by the Federation of Massage Therapy Regulatory Authorities of Canada. Students also participate in our public clinic and off site agencies, which allows students to assess and treat a diverse patient population. This program fosters the development of a well rounded, independent entrance level professional who will be able to meet the demands of a massage therapy practice.

Note: Applicants following the fast track will apply through OCAS using the major MASF. The Winter intake is offered as fast track only; the Fall intake is offered as regular and fast track.

Career Opportunities

A Massage therapist is a valued member of the Health Care Team. Once registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, graduates are qualified to work as a primary health care provider who supports and promotes the health, well-being, and quality of life of their clients. Graduates may give direct patient care in a variety of inter-professional settings including:

• Private practice,
• Massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy clinics,
• Hospitals,
• Long term care facilities
• Sports teams,
• Fitness institutes,
• Private corporations/industries,
• Teaching environments.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. conduct a massage therapy practice within a legal, professional and ethical framework;
2. apply business principles relevant to a massage therapy practice;
3. communicate and collaborate effectively and professionally with clients, colleagues and members of the interprofessional team;
4. develop and maintain therapeutic relationships to optimize clients’ health and wellness;
5. collect and assess clients’ information to determine their state of health and the treatment goals;
6. develop a plan of care according to the client’s condition and the treatment goals;
7. implement the plan of care according to the client’s condition and the treatment goals;
8. evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care, maintain documentation securely, accurately and in a timely manner;
9. develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development to ensure quality care;
10. recognize and stress the importance of utilizing environmentally friendly products and supplies within the work environment;
11. respond to environmental issues related to the massage therapy trade and keeps pace with industry and environmental changes;
12. apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities.

External Recognition

The graduate of this program will be recommended to the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario to write the provincial registration examinations. Successful completion of these examinations and compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act will entitle graduates to become a Registered Massage Therapist and a member of the College of the Massage Therapists of Ontario.

Please note: The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is the body responsible for regulating massage therapy in the province of Ontario and sets entry to practice requirements that massage therapists must meet to become registered in Ontario. The CMTO is dedicated to excellence in protecting the public, serving its members and promoting the highest possible quality of the practice of massage therapy in a safe and ethical manner.

Language Proficiency Requirement

To write the registration examinations, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario requires that all candidates provide proof of language proficiency.

This program follows all guidelines as set out be the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). The CMTO ensures that all examination candidates meet the CMTO language proficiency requirements. For more information, please refer to their website http://www.cmto.com/assets/CMTO-Language-Fluency-Policy-English.pdf

All applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria to meet the CMTO’s language proficiency requirements for the Regulatory licensing exams:

1. A candidates first language is English or French;
2. A candidate has completed his/her secondary school in English or French;
3. A candidate has completed a standardized English or French language test approved by the CMTO and achieved the required scores as set by the CMTO;
4. The candidate has successfully completed an approved Massage therapy program that had a minimum language fluency requirement for admission AND the program’s curriculum included at least two full (e.g. 3-credit or 30-hour) mandatory courses in English, Frenc or health-related communications that were successfully completed by the candidate.

Methods of Demonstrating Criteria:

The following five methods are acceptable means of demonstrating that the candidate meets the requirement:

1. Signing a self-declaration indicating that his/her first and primary language is English or French
2. Signing a self-declaration indicating that his/her secondary school education was completed in English or French and indicating the name and location of the school; if the applicant completed his/her education outside of Canada in a country where neither English nor French is the primary language of communication and employment, he or she may be required to provide verification directly from the school regarding language of instruction
3. Providing test results from an approved standardized language fluency test demonstrating that she or he has achieved the minimum scores determined by the College. This report must be submitted directly from the language testing agency to the College. An applicant must meet College-approved minimum scores in each area of one test (i.e., multiple tests cannot be combined); test results will be considered valid for two years from the date the test was administered.

4. Providing evidence in the form of a diploma and transcript from an approved Massage Therapy school that Includes acceptable information about the language fluency requirement of admission and the communications-related courses successfully completed by the candidate. or

5. Providing to the College other compelling evidence of language fluency. This could be, for example, evidence that the applicant completed a university degree in English or French. For further information, refer to Georgian’s English Language Proficiency policy 2.5 at: http://georgiancollege.ca/admissions/policies-procedures

The approved tests and minimum scores required to meet the Language Fluency requirement for the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario are:   

English Tests and Required Score(s)

English Tests and Required Score(s)	MELA	IELTS	TOEFL internet based test (iBT)	CanTest
	Writing: 7.0	Writing: 6.0	Writing: 20	Writing: 3.5
	Speaking: 8	Speaking: 6.5	Speaking: 20	Speaking: 4.5
	Listening: 8	Listening: 7.5	Listening: 24	Listening: 4.0
	Reading: 8	Reading: 6.5	Reading: 19	Reading: 4.0

French Tests and Required Score(s)

French Tests and Required Score(s)	TESTcan	Test d'evaluation du francais (TEF)
	Writing: 3.5	Writing: 310
	Speaking: 4.5	Speaking: 349
	Listening: 4.0	Listening: 233
	Reading: 4.0	Reading: 280

The Program Progression

Fall Intake - MASG

• Sem 1: Fall 2019
• Sem 2: Winter 2020
• Sem 3: Fall 2020
• Sem 4: Winter 2021
• Sem 5: Fall 2021
• Sem 6: Winter 2022

Fall Intake - MASF Fast-track Stream

• Sem 1: Fall 2019
• Sem 2: Winter 2020
• Sem 3: Summer 2020
• Sem 4: Fall 2020
• Sem 5: Winter 2021
• Sem 6: Summer 2021

Winter Intake - MASF Fast-track Stream

• Sem 1: Winter 2020
• Sem 2: Summer 2020
• Sem 3: Fall 2020
• Sem 4: Winter 2021
• Sem 5: Summer 2021
• Sem 6: Fall 2021

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at http://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Biology Grade 11 or 12, C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required)
• One additional science (Physics, Chemistry, Exercise Science or Introductory kinesiology) grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent (minimum grade required)

Applicants must meet minimum averages to receive final acceptance. First-year enrolment is limited, satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/policies-procedures/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit Transfer Centre website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

This program is offered with both traditional and fast-track deliveries. Students can take the program in either the traditional delivery consisting of 6 semesters offered over 3 years with a break during the summers, or elect to fast-track by studying 6 semesters straight over a 2 year period.

Applicants must have an up-to-date immunization record in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act. Completion and submission of this record is required prior to semester 3 in order to ensure your placement in clinical and field placement facilities. Students who do not provide proof, will be unable to complete clinic and field placements.

A Hepatitis B vaccination is required for your own safety.

To be eligible for all practicum placements, students must have::

• Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid. Level HCP CPR must be renewed annually while in the program
• A completed Clinical Preparedness Permit
• A current police record check including a vulnerable sector screen (see Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check above)
• A record of a mask fit test, renewed every two years (will be provided by the college)

Graduation Requirements:

25 Program Courses

8 Clinical Placements
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility:

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
BIOL 1037	Anatomy and Physiology for Massage Therapy 1	42
MASG 1008	Professionalism in Massage Therapy 1	42
MASG 1009	Massage Theory 1	42
MASG 1014	Clinical Anatomy 1	42
MASG 1010	Practice Consolidation 1	84
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	294
Semester 2
Program Courses
BIOL 1038	Anatomy and Physiology for Massage Therapy 2	42
MASG 1011	Massage Theory 2	42
MASG 1012	Practice Consolidation 2	84
MASG 1013	Professionalism in Massage Therapy 2	42
MASG 2016	Clinical Anatomy 2	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	294
Semester 3
Program Courses
BIOL 2017	Pathology 1	42
BIOL 3001	Neuroanatomy	42
MASG 2010	Massage Theory 3	42
MASG 2011	Practice Consolidataion 3	84
MASG 2012	Clinical Assessment 1	42
Clinical Placement
MASG 2005	Clinical Practice 1	42
	Hours	294
Semester 4
Program Courses
BIOL 2018	Pathology 2	42
MASG 2013	Massage Theory 4	42
MASG 2014	Practice Consolidation 4	84
MASG 2015	Clinical Assessment 2	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 2008	Clinical Practice 2	42
MASG 2009	Outreach 1	42
	Hours	336
Semester 5
Program Courses
BIOL 2002	Pathology 3	42
MASG 3012	Massage Theory 5	42
MASG 3013	Professionalism in Massage Therapy 3	42
MASG 3014	Practice Consolidation 5	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 3006	Clinical Practice 3	42
MASG 3007	Outreach 2	42
	Hours	294
Semester 6
Program Courses
BUSI 3011	Business Principles for Massage Therapy	42
MASG 3015	Massage Therapy Practicum	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 3009	Massage Practice Consolidation	42
MASG 3010	Outreach 3	42
MASG 3011	Clinical Practice 4	42
	Hours	252
	Total Hours	1764

Graduation Window 

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of three years (as stated above) may take a maximum of six years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission. 

Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.