Massage Therapy, Diploma

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Work experience

Clinical/fieldwork placement

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Sport & Exercise

Length

2 years or 6 terms

Information Sessions

The Centre for Sport & Exercise Education information sessions are a great way to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered by faculty and staff.

Scheduled Sessions

Prepare to become an independent, successful and professional massage therapy practitioner

Start in September

Gain advanced knowledge and practical application of the skills necessary to provide safe, effective and ethical massage therapy that meets the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) entry-to-practice standards.

Emah Christiansen guiding for technique in Massage Lab

Is Massage Therapy right for you?

The Diploma in Massage Therapy is an intensive, cohort-based program. Students will learn to apply principles of physical, health, and social sciences as they relate to massage therapy in the classroom, simulated environments, and through clinical placements in the community. If you are caring and compassionate with a desire to help others, Massage Therapy could be your path to an exciting and fulfilling career.

Hands-on learning

You'll have the opportunity to develop and refine your massage knowledge and techniques through classroom and lab learning along with clinical placements in our on-campus clinics and opportunities in the community.

Massage Therapy Clinic
As part of the Diploma in Massage Therapy, you will have the opportunity to work at Camosun’s on-campus clinics offering both a state of the art applied learning environment for Camosun students, and exemplary services to its clientele.

The Camosun advantage

Camosun's Massage Therapy program will provide you with an applied credential that meets industry standards set by the CMTBC and is academically recognized by the B.C. Post-Secondary system. As a Camosun student, you'll receive many benefits including: access to financial aid, awards and bursaries; transit U-Pass; extended health/dental plan; Fitness & Recreation membership; academic support and other student services.

After graduation

Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to take the registration examination as set by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

Graduates who attain a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) designation are eligible to take the exam to obtain the Certified Sport Massage Therapist designation through the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association (CSMTA).

Career opportunities

Graduates who successfully pass the CMTBC's registration examination and complete all registration requirements are able to practice as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in the province of British Columbia. RMTs find employment opportunities within the following areas:

Massage therapy clinics
Private practices
Chiropractic, athletic therapy and physiotherapy multi-disciplinary clinics
Elite athletic teams
Wellness centres
Spa resorts

Information sessions
The Centre for Sport & Exercise Education Information Sessions are a great way to learn more about a program and to get your questions answered by faculty and staff. For more information please contact sported@camosun.ca.

CSEE Info Sessions

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

What to expect

The Diploma in Massage Therapy is a two-year cohort-based program which starts each September and is delivered over six consecutive 14-week terms. This program is part of the Centre for Sport & Exercise Education and is located on the Interurban Campus. Clinic placements may take place at either our Interurban or Lansdowne campus clinic.

You will learn to apply principles of physical, health and social sciences as they relate to massage therapy in the classroom, simulated environments and through clinical placements in our on-campus Massage Therapy clinics and in the community.

Year 1

You'll cover the basics of anatomy, physiology, pathology and neurology. You will build practical skills, assessment techniques and manual applications and complete your first clinical placement during term 3.

Year 2

You'll learn about systemic treatment methods, medications, nutrition and self-care while developing your business management and research skills. You will also complete clinical placements each term and finish your program at the end of August in term 6.

A rewarding career
Massage Therapists in BC earn a median annual salary* of $62,568 depending on employer and seniority.
*2021 Job Bank Wage Rate Data

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Massage Therapy, Diploma

$34,496 (domestic)
$81,720 (international)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September intake.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

One of:

C in English 12
C in English 12 Camosun Alternative
IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
TOEFL 90 (no band below 21)

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Apply today

Missing admission requirements?

Take an assessment or upgrade with us.

Contact us

If you have admissions questions contact us today!

If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Massage Therapy classes contact sported@camosun.ca.

Faculty

Camosun College is proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students' individual journeys.

Please see our continuing Massage Therapy faculty below. For a full list of our faculty, please visit our CSEE contact page.

Emah Christiansen

Chair, Massage Therapy

Emah has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 1999, and an instructor since 2006. She has a BaHS with Thompson Rivers University. Emah has superv ...