Massage Therapy

Program Information

The Massage Therapy program prepares an individual in the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Massage therapists may be employed in private practice or in a variety of health care settings, spas, and exercise facilities. For more information on this program & career, visit the Massage Program webpage.

The program offers a day cohort that starts every Fall semester and an evening cohort that starts every Spring semester. With limited seats available, enrollment is on a first-comefirst-serve basis. This guide includes everything you need to know about the program and how to apply.

Application Process

You must be an LCC student to be eligible for these courses. With limited seats available in each semester, enrollment is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

*Attend a Mandatory Massage Therapy Program Orientation: Prospective students must attend a 1-hour orientation as part of the application process. Contact Jodi Wiley at 517-483-5204 or at wileyj@lcc.edu to sign-up for a mandatory orientation. An orientation must be completed prior to the program’s start date in order to officially be accepted into the program. The orientation is available December-August, and is listed on the Massage Program Steps to Apply.

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Apply to LCC

   • If you are not currently and have never been an LCC student, apply to the college. It’s FREE!

2. Get Placement Levels
   

   • Before you can register for classes, all students need to establish their skill-levels in Reading, Writing, and Math. Visit LCC’s Placement Testing page for more information.
   • *Transfer Students: may be able to receive placement levels based on courses completed at another college. To do this, attach copies of your unofficial transcript(s) to the Assessment Waiver Form. Know that the waiver form does not grant transfer credit. Official transcripts must be sent directly to LCC's Registrar's Office for transfer credit to be awareded.

3. Submit Application

   • Your application and ID can be emailed to Emily McEwan at mcewane@star.lcc.edu.
     *Ideally, applications should be submitted no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.
     Message Therapy Program Application

4. Declare Your Major

   • Declare Massage Therapy as your major using the Change of Program Request Form.

5. Register for Courses

   • Once you have submitted all required documentation and attended both required orientations (the Massage orientation and *College orientation when applicable), your application will be eligible for review. Application review can take up to 7-10 business days after you have submitted/completed all requirements. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email containing course schedule, registration directions, and payment plan information.
     *You will be unable to register for courses before receiving the confirmation email. For questions on application review and approval, please contact Emily McEwan at mcewane@star.lcc.edu.

6. Application Process Checklist

   • A simplified application process checklist is available on the last page of this document.  

Academic Advisors are available in the Gannon building StarZone. To schedule an appointment, visit Academic Advising.

*Check out LCC’s Academic Calendars for important dates.

Program Layout

The Massage program offers a day and evening cohort. With limited seats available in each cohort, enrollment is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Day Cohort

The daytime massage program is a three-semester commitment that runs through the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Daytime students can expect classes to meet multiple days per week during daytime hours, with Massage Clinic sessions typically concluding by approximately 2:30 p.m. Additional weekend chair massage and sports massage events are scheduled during the Spring and Summer semesters.

Evening Cohort

The evening massage program is also a three-semester commitment, running through the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Evening students can expect classes to meet several evenings per week, with courses beginning after 5:00 p.m. Massage classes and Clinic sessions may be scheduled until approximately 10:00 p.m. Additional weekend chair massage and sports massage events are scheduled during the Summer and Fall semesters.

All Cohorts

Clinical experiences for both the Day and Evening cohorts are offered on-site at LCC’s Massage Clinic. All classes in the program must be passed with a grade of 2.5 or higher. There is an attendance policy in effect throughout the entire program.

Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Passing this is one of the required steps in state licensure in Michigan. Students will also earn a Massage Therapy Certificate of Completion from LCC. A complete program pathway, including a list of all of the required courses and sequence, is available on the college’s Degree and Certificate Program Pathways page.

Students have the opportunity to pursue their associate’s degree in Allied Health after completing the Massage Therapy program.
Please Note: If a student plans to pursue an associate’s degree that is NOT in Allied Health and/or transfer to a 4-year institution, Anatomy and Physiology courses (BIOL 145 OR BIOL 201 & 202) are recommended in lieu of Anatomy/Physiology Massage I & II (MSGE 132 A&B). BIOL 145 OR BIOL 201 & 202 will satisfy the college’s Science General Education requirement for all other associate’s degrees and will transfer to most 4-year institutions whereas MSGE 132 A&B will not.

Students admitted to the program will be required to successfully complete annual training on OSHA, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Universal Precautions.

Criminal Background Check

Lansing Community College does not currently require a Criminal Background Check to participate in the Massage Therapy program. However, it is important for students to be aware that when/if they apply to take the MBLEx exam and/or apply for licensure in any other state, there may be criminal background limitations that would require additional documentation and proof of good moral character before licensure.

Questions about the background check and your personal record? You may obtain a Preliminary Determination of Character before you begin school to determine whether you will pass the background check by visiting the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.

Visit the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) for more information regarding legislation as it relates to practicing massage nationwide. For information specific to massage legislation in Michigan, visit the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.

Skills Essential for the Field

There is no physical assessment prior to enrolling in the program, but it helps to be physically fit and agile to perform massages without becoming fatigued or injured. Please contact the Full-time Professor, Jodi Wiley, for a complete list of physical requirements, skills, and aptitudes that are required for success in the program at wileyj@star.lcc.edu.

Chosen/Preferred Name

LCC has adopted a policy providing all members of the campus community the opportunity to use their chosen or preferred name in records and communications across the campus. A chosen/preferred name refers to a first name which is different than the legal first name. Students may request this option via their LCC profile. The student's Chosen/Preferred Name may be used in many contexts, including class rosters, ID Cards (by request), Desire to Learn (D2L) course sites, and more. However, LCC is legally required to use a student's Legal Name for some things. This includes at all clinical and externship sites, on immunization and medical records, official transcripts, diplomas, financial aid records, and more.

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