Frequently Asked Questions

What sets DIMS apart from other schools?

Our instructor team, curriculum variety, schedule flexibility, affordable payment options, internship program, supportive administrative team, and plethora of massage products all set DIMS apart from other schools.

Our instructors collectively bring together 80 years of massage experience. Each of our instructors is friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping you be the most professional and skilled massage therapist. They have knowledge and experience with every technique we teach, but they also have specialties within the industry that we highlight and share in classes and at clinic.

Our curriculum is unique because it offers a variety of massage modalities to learn that will help you cultivate your own unique massage style and practice. We include so many different types of massage techniques into our program, both from a Western and an Eastern approach. For the Western techniques: Swedish massage, Deep tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Sports massage, Thai Massage on the Table, Prenatal massage, Postural assessment, Client Intaking, Body Treatments, Hot and Cold Stones, Reflexology, Chair massage, and Aromatherapy. For Eastern techniques: Traditional Thai Massage (on the floor), Seated & Side-Lying Thai Massage, Thai Prenatal Massage, Assisted stretches, Acupressure, Energy Lines, Breathwork, Qi Gong, Thai Reflexology, Cupping, Gua Sha, and Thai Element Theory.

Our schedule is self-paced and created for those who need schedule flexibility. The program is a hybrid program, where you do some hours at home, online, and then you come in person to practice at our clinic. The online portion has live Zoom classes, but students can watch the recordings at a later time if the live Zoom class doesn’t work for them. The in-person hours at our clinic are flexible as well. We have our scheduled clinic days/times, and you can come to as many or as few as you can each week, as long as you graduate within the 18-month window.

Our tuition is competitively priced, and we offer discounts to pay in full, a discount to pay a 12-month, zero-interest payment plan, and a zero-interest 18-month payment plan. Our goal is to offer students tuition-payment options and to meet students at their varied financial situations.

Our internship program is unlike anything other schools are doing. We have robust professional connections with our Internship Partners, which are massage businesses throughout Colorado that bring on our students to intern and work at their business as a student massage therapist, while the student is in school and for school practicum hours. Our Internship Program is an incredible way for students to work with real work situations, to explore the work environment they like best, to learn from other massage professionals, to learn invaluable business and communication skills, to improve on their clienteling capabilities, to add experience to their resumes, to have a potential job lined up immediately upon graduation, and to have professional connections for life.

Our administrative team is dedicated to the life cycle of the students – that means from the moment they reach out to us in admissions, to every detail and question they have along the way as a student, to their graduation experience, and beyond that to supporting them as alumni. This administrative team is supportive, caring, understanding, helpful, highly communicative, and an overall ally for every student. They do regular check-ins with students as well as schedule meetings to review any and all aspects a student may need help with.

We love massage products, and we have many different kinds of products for students to practice with and learn about at clinic. We carry seven different product lines, including lotions, creams, salves, and essential oils, all with a variety of consistencies and effects. These products are included in the cost of tuition and can be used at the clinic. We also teach about retailing and how to comfortably educate your clients about products, and to have another stream of income with your massage practice

How much does the program cost?

The base tuition is $9,800, and we offer tuition discounts depending on payment method, including interest-free payment plans that allow students to pay month by month without accruing interest. See tuition page for details.

How long does it take to finish?

This program is all self-paced, so students get to decide how quickly they finish. We give students 18 months to complete the program, so they can take the full year and a half, or finish in as little as 4 months! For example, a student who completes the 650 hours in 6 months would need to complete around 27 hours a week.

Can I continue working full-time while completing the program?

We have had many students work full-time while completing the program since it is all self-paced and self-scheduled. All classes are conducted online via Zoom, allowing students to attend the live session or watch a recording at their convenience. Then the hands-on portion is all self-scheduled. Students will have 18 months to complete the program, so they can take their time and continue working.

How do you help prepare students for employment after graduation?

Our internship program gives students the opportunity to earn their hours working on public clients, allowing them to build a foundation with businesses that could hire upon graduation. We also send out job leads and contacts with trusted businesses or partners that are hiring after students graduate.

Do you accept FAFSA?

While we are not able to accept any FAFSA, federal aid, or military benefits, we do offer interest-free payment plans that allow you to pay month by month without accruing interest. We are also happy to accept any personal loans or any scholarships that you’re able to find through your own organizations, businesses, etc, as long as they don’t require FAFSA participation.

Do you have financing options available?

Our school has one of the most competitive and affordable tuition of all massage schools in Colorado. We have low deposit requirements and accept tuition through interest-free payment plans. We don’t participate in federal accreditation for student loans and grants in order to keep our costs down and maintain a private school status.

What are your MBLEx pass rates?

Our current MBLEX pass rate is 87%, which is higher than the state average. It’s part of our program curriculum to prepare students for this exam and provide them with study resources. We integrate MBLEx preparation into every clinic, and every class has a corresponding MBLEx module to study as well. We also have a full clinic devoted to MBLEx test preparation every few months.

What times are the student clinics open to complete my hands-on hours?

The student clinic scheduling is all self-paced, so you get to pick your schedule and attend clinic when it works best for you.

The clinic is open four days a week:

Mondays: 10am to 2pm and 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Tuesdays: 10am to 2pm
Thursdays: 10am to 2pm and 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Fridays: 10am to 2pm and 2:30pm to 6:30pm

Can I get any credit for previous experience in a related field?

We offer comped hours for varying levels of experience, from registered nurses to acupuncturists. This allows students to move quicker through the program by reducing the number of required hours. If you think this could apply to you, feel free to reach out for information.

Do you accept Voc Rehab?

We do not accept VOC Rehab.

What prerequisites do I need to start?

Our only requirement is that students are 18 years or older to enroll. We do not require a high school diploma or GED.

Can I earn my hands-on hours in another state?

While you can complete up to 480 hours of the program online from another state, a minimum of 170 hours must be completed hands-on here in the state of Colorado. You can choose to do more of these hours hands-on, but all hands-on hours must be completed within Colorado. Since our school is approved through the state of Colorado, you would need to test for licensure here and transfer your license to the state of your choice.

Can I transfer to another state?

Every state has different hourly requirements for licensure. If you want to transfer, reach out to the massage board in your state to see what they would require for that process. Typically, students find that it is best to test and get their license here in Colorado, and then transfer the license. If that state requires more hours, you may need to complete continuing education.

Do you offer continuing education? Or separate Thai classes?

We do not offer any continuing education or separate classes for Thai or other modalities. Our core curriculum is very comprehensive by including a diverse range of modalities, allowing students to explore a variety of massage without taking additional courses. We can recommend CE classes to our students and often demonstrate and discuss other modalities to learn more in-depth upon graduation and further into your practice.

Do you offer classes only on weekends?

While students can decide to complete their online classes whenever they choose, including weekends, our student clinic is closed on weekends. If students want to complete hands-on practice during the weekends, they can look into our Internship program.

How many classes do I need to complete to start coming in for hands-on practice?

You will only need to complete your first two massage classes: Intro to Massage and Swedish. Once you’ve taken your Swedish class, you can sign up to come into the clinic to practice Swedish hands-on in person.

Can I transfer credits from a previous school?

Credits from another institution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. DIMS does not guarantee transferability of our credits to another institution. Get in touch with us if you have previous credits that you want applied.

What happens if I can’t make it to every class?

While students have a live session available to them, our online classes are recorded so you can watch them at your own convenience. Graduating from our program does require 650 hours of work, but you have 18 months to finish.

What kind of massage techniques will I learn?

Our curriculum is very comprehensive, offering a variety of Eastern and Western techniques. For the Western techniques: Swedish massage, Deep tissue, Myofascial, Trigger point, Sports massage, Thai Massage on the Table, Prenatal massage, Postural assessment, Client Intaking, Body Treatments, Hot and Cold Stones, Reflexology, Chair massage, and Aromatherapy. For Eastern techniques: Traditional Thai Massage (on the floor), Seated & Side-Lying Thai Massage, Thai Prenatal Massage, Assisted stretches, Acupressure, Energy Lines, Breathwork, Qi Gong, Thai Reflexology, Cupping, Gua Sha, and Thai Element Theory.

Are you Accredited?

We are certified by the Division of Private and Occupational Schools. This is the only certification necessary for a school to be an occupational school in the State of Colorado. We don’t participate in federal accreditation for student loans and grants in order to keep our costs down and maintain a private school status. Accreditation merely gives a school the means to accept loans and grants but does not determine the status of a school, the quality of the school’s education, or affect the future employment of a student who has attended the school.

Do I need strong hands?

No, you do not need strong hands. We teach you not only the proper body mechanics when you are using your hands but many different techniques to use other parts of your body to avoid hand injury and overuse. We teach and prefer using our knuckles, elbows, knees, and feet to deliver pressure and we recommend the variety to maintain balance and have longevity with your practice.

Do I have to get naked?

During our Eastern modules, you are fully clothed while receiving a massage. We do ask for you to undress to your comfort level during the Western modules. It is important for us to teach proper draping and for you to practice that as well, but your comfort level can vary. Some students wear short shorts under the sheets to feel more comfortable. Respect for a client’s privacy is paramount in the massage industry and for our instruction. We uphold high ethical standards with the art and practice of draping.

Where can I work as a massage therapist?

The options are limitless with Massage Therapy. You can work in spas, yoga studios, private practice, chiropractic offices, and beyond. We offer assistance throughout the program with business and goal-building courses as well as job search assistance. Also, our Internship Program, while a student is an incredible asset in trying out different work sites, for practicum hours to see which work environment you prefer.

What can I do after I graduate and get my license?

After you finish our program and take and pass your national exam, you can apply for your license. With your license, there are many different avenues you can take, including working in a day spa, working with a chiropractor or physical therapist, working as a mobile massage therapist, a solo massage therapist, opening your own studio, and so many other options! We are glad to also help you find your career path even after you’ve graduated.