Massage Therapy

Description

The philosophy and curriculum of this collaborative program incorporates and utilizes evidence-based practice, clinical decision making, and therapeutic relationships as the basis of massage therapy. Students work collaboratively with peers and faculty to develop massage knowledge and skills that meet the Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators as set out by the Federation of Massage Therapy Regulatory Authorities of Canada.

In the classroom, students focus on the theoretical frameworks that relate to massage and applied sciences. In the lab and clinic setting, students integrate knowledge from program courses to provide evidence-based, client-centred care. Under the guidance of a Registered Massage Therapist, students both receive and perform treatments. Students engage in diverse practicum experiences by practicing in a variety of clinics and outreaches. Please note that students are required to provide their own transportation to practicum placements.

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 client care in a variety of inter-professional settings including:

• private practice
• massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy clinics
• interdisciplinary 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;
9. maintain documentation securely, accurately and in a timely manner;
10. develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development to ensure quality care;
11. recognize and stress the importance of utilizing environmentally friendly products and supplies within the work environment;
12. respond to environmental issues related to the massage therapy trade and keeps pace with industry and environmental changes;
13. apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities.

External Recognition

Graduates 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 a graduate 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 https://www.cmto.com/policies/language-fluency-policy-1/

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, French 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: https://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

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Summer 2026
• Sem 4: Fall 2026
• Sem 5: Winter 2027
• Sem 6: Summer 2027

Winter Intake

• Sem 1: Winter 2026
• Sem 2: Summer 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027
• Sem 5: Summer 2027
• Sem 6: Fall 2027

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 https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required)
• It is recommended that a student take one additional science (Physics, Chemistry, Exercise Science or Introductory Kinesiology)

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/academic-regulations/

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 for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process 

It is recommended that applicants have had at least two massage treatments from a Registered Massage Therapist.

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

Students must complete a Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) for participation in the program. Students are responsible for ensuring all CPP requirements are complete at the designated time. Please refer to the Placement Office website for details- https://www.georgiancollege.ca/student-life/student-services/placement-offices/

Graduation Requirements

26 Program Courses
10 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

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the 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 1010	Practice Consolidation 1	84
MASG 1014	Clinical Anatomy 1	42
MASG 1015	Massage Theory and Treatment Techniques 1	42
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 1012	Practice Consolidation 2	84
MASG 1013	Professionalism in Massage Therapy 2	42
MASG 1016	Massage Theory and Treatment Techniques 2	42
MASG 2016	Clinical Anatomy 2	42
Communications Course
COMM 2023	Culture and Communication	42
	Hours	294
Semester 3
Program Courses
BIOL 2017	Pathology 1	42
BIOL 3001	Neuroanatomy	42
MASG 2011	Practice Consolidation 3	84
MASG 2012	Clinical Assessment 1	42
MASG 2017	Massage Theory and Treatment Techniques 3	21
MASG 2019	Therapeutic Exercise	21
Clinical Placement
MASG 2018	Clinical Practicum 1	56
	Hours	308
Semester 4
Program Courses
BIOL 2018	Pathology 2	42
MASG 2014	Practice Consolidation 4	84
MASG 2015	Clinical Assessment 2	42
MASG 2020	Massage Theory and Treatment Techniques 4	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 2021	Outreach Practicum 1	21
MASG 2022	Outreach Practicum 2	21
MASG 2023	Clinical Practicum 2	56
	Hours	350
Semester 5
Program Courses
BIOL 2002	Pathology 3	42
MASG 3013	Professionalism in Massage Therapy 3	42
MASG 3014	Practice Consolidation 5	42
MASG 3016	Massage Theory and Treatment Techniques 5	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 3017	Clinical Practicum 3	56
MASG 3018	Outreach Practicum 3	21
MASG 3020	Outreach Practicum 4	21
	Hours	308
Semester 6
Program Courses
BUSI 3011	Business Principles for Massage Therapy	42
MASG 3009	Massage Practice Consolidation	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Placements
MASG 3019	Clinical Practicum 4	42
MASG 3021	Outreach Practicum 6	56
MASG 3022	Outreach Practicum 5	56
	Hours	280
	Total Hours	1834

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. 

Disclaimer: The information in this document 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. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.