Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) Program

Program Overview

The 650-hour CMT program is a combination of online classroom study and in-person hands on training. The classes will set you up for success to pass the national board exam required for massage therapist licensure, and the practicum/clinic hours will give the confidence and skills necessary to give an amazing, therapeutic massage that will set you up for a rewarding massage therapy career.

If you’d like to become licensed in massage therapy in Colorado, this program is for you. 

Our massage therapist program combines the best in Western and Eastern massage techniques.

Eastern Massage Techniques

• Thai massage and Thai prenatal
• Assisted stretches
• Acupressure
• Energy Lines
• Breathwork
• Herbal medicine
• Reflexology
• Cupping
• Gua Sha
• Thai Element Theory

Program Curriculum

Our 650-Hour CMT program is comprised of 4 courses that are described below:

Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, and Pathology

150 hours

This course covers basic, foundational anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology terms, definitions, body systems, and disease systems. In this course the student will gain a solid foundation of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology in order to have a verbal and visual framework for the manual, massage techniques. In addition, the student will learn about the actions of individual muscles, types of muscle contractions, and joint movements. The student will learn a pathological approach to massage, along with learning and understanding the various diseases and conditions that a massage therapist works with in a professional practice. A few of the specific, pathological subjects covered in this course will be: Medical terminology, both Western and Asian signs and symptoms of disease and disharmony, and indications and contraindications. This course includes lecture, lab/practice, assignments, group discussions, and online work.

Therapeutic Massage Applications and Assessment, Western & Eastern Techniques

50 Theory hours, 135 Lab hours

In this course the student learns and practices the different styles of massage as well as the philosophy, history, context, methods, and techniques of the most common massage styles—Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial, Sports, Trigger Point Therapy, and Eastern massage styles such as Thai Yoga Massage. In addition to understanding and practicing the varied massage styles, the student will study the art of “touch”—the benefits of touch and massage at the physiological, emotional, psychological, and energetic levels for both the therapist and the client. The student will also learn assessment methods and assessment areas with which to focus—soft tissue, bony landmarks, trigger points, adhesions, energy blockages, and lymphatic edema. The student will understand range of motion assessment, posture analysis, as well as structural and functional integration, effects of gravity, and proprioception of position and movement. The student will also be prepared to take the National Board exam. This course includes lecture, lab/practice, group discussions, assignments, & online work.

Treatments (Techniques, Intaking, Contraindications, & Sequencing)

75 Theory hours, 125 Lab hours, & 100 Internship hours

This course is all hands-on practice of massage therapy techniques and assessment learned in class. Practice makes perfect, especially practice with trained massage professionals. An integral part of the learning process for a massage therapist is to practice and receive proper feedback. The clinic practicum lets students work with a range of body types and conditions and build the confidence to work with clients after graduation. During and after each session, the person receiving the massage gives feedback and completes an evaluation form, so the student gets immediate, direct feedback. This course is 150 hours of lab work. This course includes lecture, lab/practice, group discussions, and online work.

With the lab/practice hours, some of these hours could be done via an internship with an approved internship site after all classes and hands on trades have been completed, which is
more than 20% of the program hours

Business/Ethics

15 Theory hours

This course includes the following topics: Maintaining professional boundaries while responding to clients emotional needs, client interviewing techniques, communication with other health professionals, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, code of ethics and standards of practice, issues of confidentiality/HIPAA, basic psychological and physical dynamics of practitioner/client relationship, legal and ethical parameters of scope of practice, planning strategies for single and multiple sessions, session record keeping practices, outsourcing business needs (e.g., insurance billing, bookkeeping), regulations pertaining to income reporting, need for liability insurance, legal entities, marketing, and advertising. This course includes lecture, lab/practice, group discussions, assignments, and online work.

Students with applicable adjacent industry experience are eligible for ‘Comped Hours’. Comped hours do not decrease the amount owed for tuition. Instead, applicable industry experience reduces the required practicum hours.

Please contact the office at info@denverintegrativemassageschool.com for additional information about comped hours.