A career as a massage therapist is a rewarding one. It’s one of the few jobs where you can dramatically improve people’s quality of life. You can help clients recover from injury, relieve their stress at the end of a busy day, and generally make them feel good about themselves physically and spiritually. In order to become a massage therapist, however, you’ll need a quality education. Here are a few things to consider when searching for a massage school in Baltimore, MD.
State of Maryland Certification and National Accreditation
For you to practice as a professional massage therapist, you’ll need to be certified with the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners. When doing your research for the best place to receive your certification, only consider applying to licensed massage therapist schools in Baltimore, MD. You’ll also have to make sure that the massage school you’re considering is nationally accredited.
Review All the Costs
There’s more to massage therapy school costs in Baltimore, MD, than the tuition alone. While inquiring about the tuition, see if there are any administrative fees you should be made aware of. Will you have to pay for any extras such as clinic uniforms or textbooks? If you plan on moving to be near the campus, check out average rent in the area. If not, you should factor in the driving distance and what you can expect to pay in monthly fuel expenses. Ask them about the average amount of debt students usually carry upon graduation, and what you can expect to pay in monthly payments.
MBLEx Pass Percentage
To become certified in the state of Maryland, you’ll need to pass what’s known as the Mblex (Massage Therapy and Bodywork Licensing Exam). If you know the rate at which their students pass the exam, you’ll get a good idea of the quality of the school’s education, and whether you can expect to pass it yourself. Generally, you should only want to attend a school where first-time test takers pass the MBLEx at a rate of 75% or higher.
The Job Placement Rate
A quality education alone will only get you so far. You’ll want to know if that degree is going to translate into a successful career as a massage therapist. Find out the job placement rate of your potential schools, and use that as a guide. While you’re at it, see if they offer any programs that help graduating students land their first job.
Finding the Best Fit
There are several different specialties you might want to consider pursuing. For instance, if you’re interested in alternative medicine, you might want to look at a school that teaches acupuncture as well as massage therapy. If you’d like to work in an upscale spa, consider attending a school that teaches esthetics. Only you know what kind of massage school most closely suits your interests.
If you’re looking for the leading massage therapy school in Baltimore, MD, contact Cortiva Institute Massage Therapy & Skin Care School. Start planning for your future today by calling us at (410) 636-7929.