Choose an accredited massage school. In states that regulate massage therapy, a school must be approved. Schools may also be accredited by an independent organization. Of the six massage therapy accrediting agencies, only the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (CMTA) has specific standards a school must meet to be accredited by the agency.
Ask how the courses are delivered. Courses may be delivered sequentially or in modules. Courses delivered sequentially may only be offered at specific times of the year. Modular formats can allow more flexible scheduling. Schools with modular formats may allow you to begin your education at any one of a number of start dates throughout the year.
Determine the school's philosophy and approach to massage therapy. Some schools have a well-rounded approach, while others may be focused on specialized training, such as rehabilitation, somatic body work, stress reduction and wellness.
Ask about financial aid. Massage therapy school can cost $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the program. You might be able to get federal education loans, grants or scholarships to pay for part of your education. Some massage therapy schools offer payment plans as well.
Check staff qualifications. Ask the school about their massage therapy experience and find out how many teachers you will have. More teachers will expose you to more varied massage techniques. Ask if the staff is required to take professional development courses and, if so, how many hours per year.
Ask if the school helps with job placement following graduation. Even if the school does not have a formal job placement department, better schools often have employers calling the school seeking top students.
Visit the schools you are interested in. Attend a class, if possible. Before your visit, prepare a list of questions to ask the admissions director.
Use social networking and review websites to discover what graduates of the school think about their educations. Remember that someone will always post something negative. What you are looking for is the overall view of the school. If there are more positive than negative comments, then that is a good sign.
Contact the state board of massage therapy in the state and find out if the schools you are considering are in good standing. Most states that require massage therapists to be licensed have state board websites.