Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy
at a Glance
Hourly Wages: $18 to $75
Level of Patient Contact: High
Program Length: two-semester certificate or two-year degree
Program Location: The Body Therapy Center and School of Massage
Program Start Time: Spring and Fall semesters
Hands-on training and practice
Meet with program coordinator to enroll. Contact Coordinator Tamara Bivin at 618-239-6400 or
Program Capacity
Spring Semester Capacity
During the spring semester, the Massage Therapy program generally accepts 20 students for evening classes.
Fall Semester Capacity
During the Fall semester, the Massage Therapy program generally accepts 20 students for the day classes.
Program Location
The Massage Therapy Certificate and Degree consist of general
education courses, MT pre-fix courses and clinical practicum courses.
Specific locations depend on the course type
General Education Courses
General education courses are offered at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.
Massage Therapy Courses
Massage Therapy program courses are only offered at The Body Therapy Center and School of Massage.
The Body Therapy Center
and School of Massage
4 Executive Woods Court
Swansea, IL 62226
618-239-6400
Owner & Director:
Holly Pinto, BS, LMT, RCST
Periodically, some classes may be moved to the Belleville Campus as needed.
Clinical Practicum Courses
Clinical practicum (practice in massage therapy) skills is completed at The Body Therapy Center and School of Massage and at off-site locations for special events.
Students may periodically be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical practicum.
Practicum work begins as early as the first semester of the program and continues until program completion.
Clinical practicum is completed by scheduled client appointments and the student’s availability.
Hours may be completed during the day, evening and/or weekend.
Program Cost
Massage Therapy Certificate program
For details, see the Massage Therapy Certificate Cost Sheet.
Massage Therapy Degree program
For details, see the Massage Therapy Degree Cost Sheet.
Time Commitment
The Massage Therapy certificate program begins each spring and fall at the Body Therapy Center and School of Massage.
Schedule for certificate program
Fall Semester Start:
Day Class:
Fall: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Anatomy is Tuesday 3 p.m. – 5p.m. and Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Spring: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Anatomy is Tuesday 3 p.m. – 5p.m. and Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Spring Semester Start:
Evening Class:
Spring: Monday and Wednesday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Tuesday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Summer: Monday and Wednesday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Note: Schedule subject to change. Additional sections may be available depending on enrollment.
Clinical practicums are scheduled by appointment only.
Requirements
Medical Requirements
Students will be required to have a physical examination prior to beginning the program.
Students are encouraged to carry a current CPR certification card, but is not mandatory.
The program coordinator will provide more information prior to your enrollment.
Work Requirements
MBLEx State Exam
Upon successful completion of SWIC’s Massage Therapy certificate program, graduates are eligible to take the MBLEX state test.
Students who successfully pass this examination are eligible to apply for licensure. For information about the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), go to www.fsmtb.org.
Background Check & Fingerprinting
In addition, states require graduates to submit to a criminal background check and provide verification of fingerprint processing by an approved agency.
The laws regarding massage therapy practice vary from state to state; refer to the AMTA website for more information.
State Requirements
Illinois and Missouri laws require massage therapists to be licensed to practice massage therapy within their state.
Board Certification
Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) represents the highest attainable credential within the massage therapy and bodywork profession.
Board Certification is a separate credential above and beyond entry-level massage therapy licensure.
As Board Certification is voluntary, its achievement represents the highest level of commitment to clients and to the advancement of the massage therapy and bodywork profession.
For more information, go to www.NCBTMB.org.
Certification Pass Rate
The SWIC graduate certification pass rate for 2023 is 94%.
Get Started
For more information, please fill out the form on the contact page.