The larger massage schools should have a number of courses for you to choose from so that you can specialize in basic massage or learn a more specific technique. For instance, the New Jersey Massage Therapy & Bodywork program has a basic massage course but also offers courses in hospital-based massage and oncology massage, among others. Other schools like the Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage might offer massage-related disciplines on top of its basic program, such as its reflexology course.
As with any post-secondary education, you want to consider the accreditation that your massage school has before you enroll. There are several bodies that offer accreditation to massage schools. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is one such body, and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools is another, although there are more. Some schools are approved or accredited by multiple bodies, which can be a good sign of the quality of the education they offer. Using the Center for Massage & Natural Health in Asheville, North Carolina as an example, you will see that it is accredited by COMPTA and approved by four other distinct bodies, including the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
When looking at massage schools, you should always look into the curriculum that is used. The program itself may sound good, but it is important that you learn everything that you need in order to become a licensed massage therapist. This means a comprehensive education in physiology and anatomy as well as the actual techniques and skills required to provide effective massage. Comprehensive courses should also include education in the area of running an ethical and successful massage practice, the way the program at the National Holistic Institute does.
Many therapeutic massage schools train people in other techniques and practices that are designed to promote a higher level of overall wellness within the student's eventual clients. Ultimately, the goal of massage is to make the client feel better. This is why therapeutic massage schools might also instruct students in other health and wellness practices such as nutritional counseling or acupressure treatments. Some schools also have additional programs that students can take after their massage training to add to their overall wellness knowledge base.