Studies & Degrees in Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy Study Programs
Massage therapy is the hands-on treatment of muscles and other soft tissues. Massage therapists apply pressure to manipulate the body's soft tissues and joints. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this treatment may help to relieve pain, heal injuries, relieve stress and support the general wellness of clients. Training is practical and fairly short compared with most health professions, but the rules on who may practise differ from country to country.
What students learn
A massage therapy course combines classroom study with supervised practice. The BLS lists the usual science subjects as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (the study of body movement) and pathology, together with business and ethics. Lansing Community College in Michigan, for example, describes its curriculum as covering clinical and sports massage, human anatomy and physiology, business management and specialty techniques.
Business skills are part of the course for a reason: many therapists work for themselves. Some programmes concentrate on particular specialities, such as sports, rehabilitative or oncology massage. Others teach one tradition. ITM Thai Hand Amsterdam, for instance, teaches traditional Thai massage (Nuad Thai).
Qualifications and levels
There is no single international qualification. The level and length depend on the country and the school.
- Certificates and diplomas. In the United States, programmes are typically offered by private schools and by community colleges, and a diploma or certificate takes several months or years, according to the BLS. Applicants typically need at least a high school diploma. The daytime programme at Lansing Community College runs over three semesters.
- Associate degrees. Some US colleges offer a two-year degree. Williston State College in North Dakota awards an Associate in Applied Science in Massage Therapy with a minimum of 62 credits, and also has a shorter programme certificate.
- Private courses in Europe. In Spain, private centres teach quiromasaje (manual massage). The course at the Instituto de Terapias Manuales in Bilbao lasts five months, and the school states that it awards its own diploma, a private qualification recognised by professional associations. CIM Formación lists a 130-hour course in Barcelona. The Nuad Thai programme of ITM Thai Hand Amsterdam takes six months (at least 200 hours) and can be followed online or in person.
In the United States, most states regulate massage therapy and require a licence or certification. Requirements vary, but they typically include graduation from an approved programme and passing an exam. The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards runs the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), an entry-level exam that state regulators use to assess candidates. Programme accreditation is a separate matter: Lansing Community College, for example, states that its programme is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.
Outside the United States, ask the school what recognition its qualification has and whether it allows graduates to practise in the country where they want to work.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 25 active schools for massage therapy. The United States has 14, Spain four and the United Kingdom two; Portugal, Canada, Ukraine, Russia and the Netherlands have one each. The US schools are mostly community and technical colleges. The Spanish ones are private centres in Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, and they teach in Spanish.
Points to compare between schools:
- total hours, and how many of them are supervised practice on real clients
- the qualification awarded and who recognises it
- for the United States, whether the programme meets the licence requirements of the state where the student plans to work
- the techniques covered (for example sports massage, Thai massage or lymphatic drainage)
- timetable options, since some schools offer evening or weekend groups
Careers
Massage therapists work in private practice, spas and wellness centres, hotels and resorts, sports centres, clinics and chiropractors' offices. In the United States they held about 155,400 jobs in 2025, according to the BLS. Self-employed workers made up 36 percent and personal care services 33 percent. Part-time work is common, because therapists usually work by appointment and the work is physically demanding.
The BLS projects employment of massage therapists to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 20,400 openings a year. These figures describe the United States only.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to train as a massage therapist?
From several months to about two years, depending on the country and the qualification. Examples from schools in the directory range from a 130-hour course in Barcelona to a 62-credit associate degree in North Dakota.
Do I need a licence to work as a massage therapist?
In the United States, most states regulate massage therapy and require a licence or certification, typically after an approved programme and an exam. In other countries the rules differ, so check with the school and the local authorities.
Which subjects does a massage therapy course include?
Massage techniques and supervised practice, plus sciences such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology, and subjects such as business and ethics, according to the BLS.
Can I study massage therapy in Spain?
Yes. The directory lists four schools in Spain. They are private centres that teach in Spanish; ask each school what recognition its diploma has.