The National Holistic Institute offers a 720-hour training program in massage therapy that covers specialties such as Swedish, hot stone, shiatsu and deep tissue massage. In addition to learning massage modalities, students also complete courses in business finance and marketing. An externship program gives students practical experience in massage therapy. The program can be completed on a day, evening or weekend schedule, and financial aid is available. NHI notes on its website that 85 percent of its students utilize financial aid such as grants, loans or a work-study program.
National Holistic Institute
5900 Doyle St.
Emeryville, CA 94608
800-315-3552
nhi.edu
Students at the World School of Massage can select from three programs: master bodyworker, professional massage therapy, and energy and somatic massage. The master bodyworker program is 1,000 hours and includes the professional and energy massage curriculums, making it a comprehensive source of massage training. International students with valid M-1 (student) visas are eligible to apply for the master bodyworker program. Alternatively, massage therapy students can opt to complete the professional massage therapy or energy and somatic massage programs individually. Energy and somatic massage includes studies of sound healing and life regression, while the professional massage therapy program prepares students to go into private practice.
World School of Massage
401 32nd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-221-2533
worldschoolofmassage.com
Students at the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork can select from numerous programs such as Swedish massage, Shiatsu, Thai massage and bodywork therapy. The 500 hours of training needed to meet state requirements for massage therapists can be completed in about a year. However, students who complete all of the available modules will have more than 700 training hours. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. A series of continuing education workshops introduces students to specialty areas such as deep tissue, sports and hot stone massage.
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
1325 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-474-4600
sfschoolofmassage.com