For the first time in the history of massage therapy education in BC, you can now train to become an RMT at a public institution.
Langara College Continuing Studies is launching a comprehensive Registered Massage Therapy Certificate program in January 2014. Langara’s two-year program offering expanded curriculum in areas such as research, nutrition, athletics, and advanced treatment modalities will give Langara graduates a competitive edge when entering the work force.
“The average RMT program is 20 months in length. After a few regulation changes, many schools cut what were 3000 hour programs down to 2400-2500 hours,” says Langara College RMT Program Coordinator and Massage Therapist Jennifer O’Sullivan.
“At 24 months and a full 3250 hours, Langara exceeds the required industry standards. Some of the courses that we offer include advanced therapeutic techniques – a focus that has been on the chopping block at some of the other institutes.”
As a public school, Langara has a broad range of services to offer students, including a full financial aid department which can assist with student loans to a recently completed state-of-the-art library. The move towards public education is coming at a time when many practicing massage therapists are pushing for higher educational standards. Langara sees this launch as a first step towards a potentially expanded education for BC RMTs.
“We saw that there was a need to move massage training into a public domain. There are not many options available. We’re just the sixth school in British Columbia to offer the RMT program and the first public institution of the group,” O’Sullivan adds.
“With an established base in Health Sciences through our Nursing and Kinesiology programs, and with our Holistic Health department in Continuing Studies, we feel like we’re really growing in health care education.”
While becoming an RMT is a challenging two years of school, the opportunities upon graduation are excellent. Most RMTs work in private practice, giving them the flexibility to set their own ideal work/life balance. Often RMTs choose to work part-time and combine their practice with complementary interests, such as working in athletics, fitness, or dance. In a 2011 survey by the Massage Therapists’ Association of BC, 92% respondents said that their salaries met expectations, while 8% said it exceeded expectations.
With just 22 seats available, O’Sullivan says the feedback from both applicants and practitioners has been strong.
“It’s been really positive. The fact that a public institution is offering this program is something that really captures people’s attention. The inquiries we’re receiving show that people are excited and ready for this to happen.”
For more information or to apply, contact Program Coordinator Jennifer O’Sullivan at josullivan@langara.bc.ca or 604.872.3516.
About Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College started in 1965 as part of Vancouver City College and in 1970, it opened its West 49th Avenue campus. On April 1, 1994, Langara College was established as an independent public college under the Provincial College and Institute Act.
Today, Langara is one of BC’s leading undergraduate institutions providing University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 21,000 students annually.
