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Therapeutic Massage Program

This program is suspended until further notice.
Application Timeline Campus Locations
Fall Enrollment - Apply in February Newport - Evening/Weekend
Admissions Guidelines

Minimum requirements to apply to the Therapeutic Massage program:

  1. CCRI Application for Enrollment into General Studies with a pre-therapeutic massage (TMSG) concentration.
  2. Official copy of a high school transcript, GED® transcript or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion.
  3. ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI's Department of Advising and Counseling. Students may retake the ACCUPLACER test once before completing any remedial course(s).
    • Reading Comprehension Requirement:
      • Score of 75 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension
        or score of 250 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension
        or ENGL 0890: Critical Reading with a grade of "B-" or better
    • Mathematics Requirement:
      • Demonstrate competency at MATH 1025 level by placing into MATH 1025 through the standardized placement test or complete MATH 0099 with a "C" or better.
        The following courses will substitute for MATH 1025: MATH 1200, 2110, 1139, 1175, 1240, 1241, 1179, 1181, 2077, 2138, 2111, 2141, 21412, 2243.
        The highest grade earned in any of these courses will be calculated in the points system.
  4. Complete the following required prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better (these courses are limited to two attempts):
    • BIOL 1070: Anatomy & Physiology
      or both BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020
      or both Anatomy & Physiology 1 (A&P1) and Anatomy and Physiology 2 (A&P2)
      Biology Requirement: See below for description of Biology Department changes and how these changes affect admission requirements.
    • TMSG 1000: Introduction to Therapeutic Massage
    • RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology for Rehab Health
    • RHAB 1020: Fundamentals of Palpation
    • ENGL 1010: Composition I
      ENGL 1300 will not substitute for ENGL 1010.
      Note: All attempts prior to August 31, 2016, including transfers, are considered to be ONE attempt regardless of number of times the class was taken.
  5. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all college courses taken is required to apply to the program.
  6. Complete a Preadmission Degree Evaluation.

    All the above requirements must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the Performance-Based Health Science (PBHS) application and does not guarantee acceptance.  Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements.  Once accepted into the program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Rehabilitative Health Department.

  7. Complete and submit an online PBHS application here.
    Deadlines are listed on the form.

Technical Standards: The physical activity level for the Therapeutic Massage program is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Students must have the ability to perform essential physical skills and demonstrate the cognitive and behavioral skills or be able to perform them using compensatory techniques and/or adaptive devices. These essential skills can be found on the Essential Skills for TMSG website.

Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from the Office of Enrollment Services. Final acceptance to the program is dependent on the results of the background check. Anyone convicted of a crime may be unable to attend clinical experiences that are required to complete the program.

Policies following acceptance into the Therapeutic Massage program: 

  • Students must have a physical examination and required immunizations completed prior to starting the program
  • Students must have a current CPR card (American Heart Association, Health Care Provider Level) obtained through an AHA-recognized community training center.
    This course is available at CCRI - HEAL 0200.
  • Students must have a current First Aid Certification.
  • Students must be able to perform basic massage techniques and demonstrate the ability to give and receive a therapeutic massage treatment.

Please note: Requirements are subject to change. 

For more clarifying information regarding any of the above please contact the Office of Enrollment Services at:


Therapeutic Massage Program Admission Criteria Point System

The performance‐based acceptance process is based on the performance indicators identified for the program. A point system based on the admissions guidelines has been assigned to the performance criteria.

The criteria for the incoming class will include:

  • Program GPA consisting of grades from COMM 1100, MATH 1025, PSYC 2010, PSYC 2030, and an elective
  • Grades for completed required general education courses above
  • Prerequisite GPA consisting of grades in BIOL 1070 or BIOL 1010 AND BIOL 1020 or A&P1 AND A&P2, MATH 1025, ENGL 1010, RHAB 1010, TMSG 1000
  • Grades in prerequisite courses above
  • Accuplacer Reading Score
Average program courses taken and prerequisite GPA x 10  
Example: 3.67 GPA x 10 = 36.7 points  
Maximum points 40 points
   
Grade in prerequisite courses BIOL 1070 or (BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020) or (A&P1 and A&P2),  ENGL 1010, RHAB 1010, RHAB 1020 and TMSG 1000 Each course's letter grade is converted to points and added
A     (4.0) 40 points
A-    (3.7) 37 points
B+   (3.3) 33 points
B     (3.0) 30 points
B-    (2.7) 27 points
C+   (2.3) 23 points
C     (2.0) 20 points
Maximum points 200 points
   
Grade in COMM 1100, MATH 1025, PSYC 2010, PSYC 2030 and elective (if course was taken before application) Each course's letter grade is converted to points and added
A    (4.0) 5 points
A-   (3.7) 4.625 points
B+  (3.3) 4.125 points
B    (3.0) 3.75 points
B-   (2.7) 3.375 points
C+  (2.3) 2.875 points
C    (2.0) 2.5 points
Maximum points 25 points
   
ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Test* Score  
Classic ACCUPLACER score of 95 to 120
31.6 - 40 points
or Next Generation ACCUPLACER score of 263 to 279 31.6 - 40 points
or a bachelor's degree  40 points 
or  a grade of "A" in ENGL 0890 40 points
Note: Only ONE of the above will be added to your points total  
   
 Maximum total points 305 points

*ACCUPLACER may be taken no more than three times.

In the event of a tie, students who have completed RHAB1100: Foundational Kinesiology will receive preference over those who have not. In the event of another tie, grades will also be considered for the required programmatic general education courses that are completed. 

COMM 1100, MATH 1025, PSYC 2010 and PSYC 2030 (if course was taken before application) Each course's letter grade is converted to points and added
A    (4.0) 40 points
B+  (3.7) 37 points
B    (3.0) 30 points
B-   (2.7) 27 points
C+  (2.3) 23 points
C    (2.0) 20 points
Maximum tie-breaker points 160 points

Credits granted through AP, CLEP, challenge exams or assessment of prior learning will be recognized as satisfying course requirements and will be assigned points equivalent to a grade of "B."

Please review the Department of Health website to learn about licensing requirements for the health sciences professions.

Please note: A Social Security number is required to begin the licensing process for the health sciences professions.


Biology Requirements - Changes to Anatomy and Physiology Courses

BIOL 1010 - Human Anatomy will be offered for the final time in Summer 2019.  This course is limited to two (2) attempts.

BIOL 1020 – Human Physiology will be offered for the final time in Fall 2019.  This course is limited to two (2) attempts.

Anatomy and Physiology 1 (A&P1) will be first offered in Fall 2019.  This course is limited to two (2) attempts.

Anatomy and Physiology 2 (A&P2) will be first offered in Spring 2020.  This course is limited to two (2) attempts.

What does this mean?

For students interested in the February 2020 application period (for Fall 2020 entrance):

Before submitting your application, you will need to have completed either of the two options below:

  • BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 at CCRI or equivalent courses at another college or university*.  Remember that BIOL 1010 is last offered in Summer 2019 and  BIOL 1020 is last offered in Fall 2019.

OR

  • A&P 1, which will first be offered in Fall 2019. Note: A&P2 is not a pre-requisite course, but is a program requirement.  You may choose to complete A&P2 prior to entrance into the Therapeutic Massage Program, if desired.  Remember, though, that A&P2, like A&P1, is limited to two attempts.

 *The Biology Department at CCRI will determine which college/university courses are equivalent

For any questions regarding BIOL 1010/BIOL 1020 or Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 requirements, please contact Enrollment Services: