MASSAGE
THERAPY
Prepare to become a PA Licensed Massage Therapist to work in spas, rehabilitation clinics, medical offices, or launch your own private practice.
What you will do:
Prepare for an entry-level career in massage therapy with comprehensive, hands-on training. Learn anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and a variety of therapeutic massage techniques, including Swedish massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, shiatsu, and aromatherapy.
You’ll also develop professional skills in ethics, documentation, hygiene, business practices, and Pennsylvania laws and regulations. Graduates are eligible to sit for the MBLEx, the licensing exam required to practice massage therapy in Pennsylvania.
What the numbers say:
One license. Several modalities.
The only massage therapy diploma in the region that combines classical bodywork, clinical techniques, and a 100-hour public client clinic. All leading to MBLEx eligibility and a PA license.
100 Hours of Real Clients · Instructor Supervised · Open to the Public
Students practice Swedish massage, lymph drainage, neuromuscular, and myofascial techniques on real public clients under direct instructor supervision.
Body Balance.
Massage Practice.
01
Swedish
02
Deep Tissue
03
Lymph Massage
04
Neuromuscular
05
Myofascial
06
Sports + Spa
Hands-on AI-safe.
PA licensure ready.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx; additional fees apply). Licensure is required to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Skills you’ll walk out with:
Eight things you will be able to do on real clients, with real technique before you graduate.
Perform Swedish massage with proper draping, pressure, and sequencing
Swedish massage is the foundation of the program. Students master effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction before advancing to clinical modalities.
Apply lymph drainage, neuromuscular, and myofascial release techniques
Integrate aromatherapy, reflexology, and shiatsu into full-body sessions
Students learn to incorporate integrated bodywork techniques as add-on services, a direct way to increase client satisfaction and session value.
Assess clients, document sessions, and adapt treatment plans professionally
DEC teaches intake assessment, SOAP note documentation, and adaptive treatment planning. The clinical skills that distinguish licensed therapists from untrained practitioners.
Practice 100 hours on real public clients in the student massage clinic
Sit for the MBLEx and qualify for a Pennsylvania Licensed Massage Therapist license
The MBLEx is the nationally recognized licensing exam required to practice in Pennsylvania. DEC’s 750-hour curriculum covers all tested domains.
Understand anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology at a clinical level
Build a massage practice — pricing, scheduling, ethics, and PA regulations
How long is the Massage Therapy program at DEC?
750 hours, broken down.
Two instructional periods covering anatomy, classical bodywork, clinical techniques, and 100 hours of supervised public client practice.
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Body Systems · Musculoskeletal Anatomy · Kinesiology · Pathology · Contraindications · Client Intake and Health History
CLASSICAL MASSAGE
Swedish Massage · Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Friction · Draping Techniques · Pressure and Pacing · Full-Body Sequencing
CLINICAL TECHNIQUES
Lymph Drainage · Neuromuscular Therapy · Myofascial Release · Sports Massage · Trigger Point Work · Pain and Injury Applications · Prenatal Considerations
SPA THERAPIES &
INTEGRATED BODYWORK
Aromatherapy · Reflexology · Shiatsu · Hot Stone · Add-On Service Design and Execution · Essential Oils · Crystals
ETHICS, BUSINESS & LAW
Hygiene and Sanitation · Professional Ethics · SOAP Documentation · PA Laws and Regulations · Business Development · Self-Employment
STUDENT CLINIC
Real Public Clients · Instructor Supervision · All Modalities Applied · Session Documentation · MBLEx Exam Preparation
Hands-on from day one.
DEC’s massage therapy clinic puts students in real sessions from the first semester: Swedish, deep tissue, and clinical techniques on real clients under licensed faculty supervision.
Get the full guide.
Tuition. Financial aid. Sample schedule. What to expect on day one. PDF, no spam, straight to your inbox.
Real numbers, real schedule, no sales pitch. Know exactly what you’re signing up for before you commit. Straight to your inbox.
Where the career goes.
Licensed Massage Therapists in Pennsylvania work across spas, sports medicine, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. Demand is steady and growing as employers recognize massage as essential healthcare.
HIGH
Pennsylvania has thousands of active LMTs and there is continued demand across medical, wellness, and sport recovery sectors.
Working at:
DEC Massage Therapy graduates have worked at spas, wellness centers, sports facilities, and private practices across southwestern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Spin Unlimited
Luxury Lash & Brow Studio
Plus dozens more, and the studios our graduates have opened themselves.
Alumni spotlight.
Graduate (Massage) Class of 2023
JoyLyn “Red” Lowden
“I was a housewife for 27 years, I homeschooled my three children and they grew up and moved away… My husband and I split and so I had to find a new adventure. I found Douglas…they were so kind…it was exciting because it gave me a future to look forward to. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can be 19 or you can be 60. This is an amazing life-changing career, and it makes a difference.”
PA LMT LICENSE
MBLEx EXAMINATION
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam, the national standard for entry-level massage therapy licensure.
AROMATHERAPY CERT
Certificate of Achievement, complements massage practice with essential oil therapy techniques.
REFLEXOLOGY CERT
Certificate of Achievement, targeted pressure-point therapy for the feet, hands, and ears.
Who’s at the table.
CHELSE McQUAIDE
- Coordinator of Massage Therapy
ASB, Massage Therapy, McCann School of Business & Technology · Licensed Massage Therapist
With more than a decade of experience in spa and chiropractic environments, Chelse combines expertise in therapeutic modalities and pain management with a commitment to helping students develop the knowledge, confidence, and client-centered approach needed for success in the field.
CHRISTINA BENTON
- Instructor
Diploma, Massage Therapy, Laurel Business Institute · Licensed Massage Therapist
Christina brings more than 20 years of experience in the massage industry, including work at Nemacolin Woodlands and as a private massage therapist managing her own mobile practice. Her extensive hands-on experience, understanding of client care and billing procedures, and attention to detail help students build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of massage therapy.
You asked.We answered.
What are the admission requirements for this program?
A prospective student seeking admission to the Massage Therapy Program must:
- Be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate.
- Complete an application form and pay a one-time application fee ($50.00) and one-time registration fee ($100.00).
- Request an official high school transcript be sent directly to the Admissions Department.
- Successfully complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination with a minimum score of 17.
- Sign an Enrollment Agreement.
- Sign the “Student Acknowledgement of DEC Massage Therapy Licensure Pass Rates” outlining the annual passing rate of DEC’s graduates on the approved examination of licensure for the past two (2) calendar years.
How long is the program and what is the schedule?
- Length: 11 months/2 instructional periods
- Classes typically held Tuesday-Thursday; 3-6 classes each instructional period (on-ground)
- The Massage Therapy Program has classes scheduled weekdays between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. In general, students attend two days per week, no more than 8 hours per day, for a total of 16 hours per week.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available to those who qualify. Funding options may include federal Title IV aid (such as Pell Grants and Direct Student Loans), Veterans’ Education Benefits, agency-sponsored funding (e.g., Office of Vocational Rehabilitation), institutional and external scholarships, and private financing options.
What will I be able to do after I graduate?
This program develops skilled therapeutic practitioners prepared to support client wellness through a variety of clinical and relaxation-based massage techniques. Career opportunities include:
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Spa Massage Therapist
- Clinical Massage Therapist
- Sports Massage Therapist
- Rehabilitation Massage Therapist
- Chiropractic Office Massage Therapist
- Medical Massage Therapist
- Wellness Center Therapist
- Massage Studio Practitioner
- Mobile or On-Site Massage Therapist
- Self-Employed or Private Practice Massage Therapist
What does a typical class day look like?
Class days vary by course and topic. Some days focus on theory-based classroom learning, while others emphasize hands-on practice and clinic experiences to build real-world skills.
What certifications or licenses does this program prepare me for?
- Preparation to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- Once certification is obtained, graduates apply for licensure with the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy
What is the MBLEx and will this program prepare me for it?
The MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) is the official licensing exam utilized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy to grant professional licenses. Passing this exam is a mandatory requirement to legally practice massage therapy in the state of Pennsylvania.
Our Massage Therapy Program provides the comprehensive training and instruction needed to ensure you are fully prepared for the exam and your future career.
Our curriculum prepares you for MBLEx success through the following components:
- Targeted Exam Preparation: We provide dedicated test preparation within the curriculum to review the specific safety, ethics, and theory guidelines covered on the computerized test.
- Core Academic Instruction: Your courses cover the essential anatomical sciences, kinesiology, and physiological concepts tested on the exam.
- On-Campus Student Clinic: You will build hands-on confidence for the applied, scenario-based questions on the test by working on actual clients in our supervised student clinic.
Is Pennsylvania licensure required to practice massage therapy?
Yes, Pennsylvania law requires anyone practicing massage therapy to hold a valid license issued by the PA State Board of Massage Therapy.
Our Massage Therapy Program directly prepares you to meet these state standards, including successfully sitting for the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination).
Why is massage therapy considered an AI-safe career?
Massage therapy is considered an AI-safe career because it relies entirely on physical human touch, tactile sensitivity, and face-to-face personal trust. Artificial intelligence and digital automation can process data and manage software, but they cannot replicate the human physical presence or the intuitive, hands-on adjustments required to safely treat an individual’s unique muscle tension and body layout.
Does a criminal history affect my career options in massage therapy?
Applicants with a criminal history should be aware that they will face challenges in securing employment in the healthcare industry. All applicants with a criminal history are advised to give serious consideration to enrollment in the Massage Therapy program.
While you’re here:
Other Beauty & Wellness paths that share faculty and complement the massage therapy profession:
ESTHETICIAN
+ NAIL TECH.
Train in skincare and nail services, then graduate prepared for two Pennsylvania licenses.
ESTHETICS PROGRAM.
Spa skincare, facials, and waxing: licensed in four months and into a treatment room.
Can I take both programs at DEC?
YOUR MASSAGE TABLE IS WAITING
10 months from your first day to a PA Licensed Massage Therapist. Ready to practice anywhere in the state.