Online Massage Therapy Schools: Comparing Top Programs

Profiles of Popular Programs

6 Key Questions to Ask When Looking at Massage Therapy Classes Online

There are plenty of online massage therapy courses and programs to choose from. To help prospective students narrow down their list of potential schools, we’ve come up with six essential questions to ask.

1. Are the school and massage therapy program properly accredited?

The two types of accreditation that apply to a postsecondary schools are institutional and programmatic. Ideally, you should choose a school that has both types of accreditation and is approved or recognized by the licensing or certification board in the state you want to work.

• Institutional accreditation refers to whether the school, as a whole, meets certain basic educational standards. Most schools receive this accreditation from a regional or national accrediting body.
• Programmatic accreditation covers a specific program at a school. For massage therapy, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is what you should look for.

It’s important to note that some schools are approved or recognized by a state certification or licensing board, but they may not have programmatic accreditation.

But what if a school doesn’t have all three approvals?

It may still be a good option. For example, not all states have a massage therapy licensing or certification board.

Some massage therapy professional organizations can provide program approval that can still indicate a particular school has a high-quality massage therapy program, even if that program is not officially accredited at the programmatic level.

One good example is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Rule of thumb: If a program isn’t accredited, recognized by a particular state’s massage therapy licensing board, or approved by a professional organization, make sure it at least has institutional accreditation.

2. Are the online classes designed to prepare me to take the MBLEx exam?

If a school doesn’t specifically tout its MBLEx-based curriculum, that doesn’t mean it won’t prepare you for licensure. You’ll just need to ask additional questions as to how the curriculum prepares its students.

Practically all states that regulate massage therapists use the MBLEx as the main entry-level licensing exam. Therefore, it’s good to choose a program with a curriculum designed to facilitate the passage of this exam.

3. Does the curriculum meet my state’s massage therapy licensing and/or certification requirements?

The curriculum of most accredited programs generally meets most state licensing requirements. But, just because a curriculum meets the standards for one or more states does not mean the curriculum will meet the requirements for all states.

For example, if you want to work in Nevada, studying through an online massage therapy program is not accepted.

Many schools present answer to this question on their website, often on a “program disclosure document.” This will have other useful information such as gainful employment after graduation, cost of attendance, and how long it takes to complete the program.

The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals website also has a helpful map that shows licensing requirements for each state as well as state board contact information.

4. Does the program meet the requirements for the professional certifications I want to pursue after graduation?

Professional certifications may not be required to work as a massage therapist in most states, but it’s still a good idea to consider obtaining them. It can increase your marketability and allow you greater choices in employment.

Each certifying body has its own eligibility requirements, including completion of an approved massage therapy program. One such example is board certification from the NCBTMB, which requires graduating from an approved school.

Certain specific requirements also exist, such as expecting applicants to show they have finished a curriculum with at least 200 hours of hands-on, western-based massage training at clinics or labs.

5. Where is the in-person, clinical portion of the classwork taught?

If you’re interested in enrolling in an online program, remember that you’ll have to complete the hands-on training as well. This usually means going to the school’s campus for the in-person portion of the curriculum.

If a school has multiple locations, you’ll need to confirm which ones provide you the opportunity to gain your hands-on training and experience.

Don’t be surprised if a school you’re interested in attending has two or more campuses, but only one of them offers the in-person training.

6. Are the classes or program eligible for financial aid?

Given the relatively short duration of a massage therapy program, they’re not the most expensive post-secondary credentials to earn. However, they can still cost a significant amount of money, so looking for financial aid is sensible.

Most forms of financial aid, especially from the state or federal government, require admission into an accredited school or program. Even if your chosen school isn’t accredited, there may be other forms of financial aid available.

Ask your financial aid advisor for guidance.

Program Options in Online Massage Therapy School

Prospective massage therapy students can choose between several different program types and specializations while in school. These can include college degrees or niches like sports massage or reflexology. Here’s a breakdown of the options.

Degree Levels in Massage Therapy

As a massage therapist, you have the option to earn a diploma/certificate, or an associate degree. Your choice depends on your academic, professional, and personal goals. Review both options below before making your decision.

Diploma/Certificate

The diploma or certificate program is perfect for individuals who want to start practicing as a massage therapist in the shortest amount of time possible.

• Quickest route to becoming a massage therapist: The diploma or certificate program serves as the quickest route to obtaining the necessary education and training to become a licensed massage therapist in the school’s respective state.
• May make you eligible for licensure: Depending on the program, graduates may also have the necessary credentials to become licensed in many other states.
• Entry-level curriculum: The curriculum will be completely devoted to massage therapy techniques. Background topics include professional obligations of massage therapists and underlying medical theories that help provide a foundational context for more advanced training.

Associate Degree

An associate degree in massage therapy is ideal for students who either want a full college education or who anticipate eventually moving on to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

• More comprehensive education: The associate degree route offers all the same courses as most diploma or certificate programs, plus general education courses to provide a well-rounded education.
• Requires more time in school: Given that the amount of coursework is practically doubled, earning an associate degree generally takes twice as long to complete as a diploma or certificate in massage therapy.
• Provides a pathway to furthering your education: Having this degree provides a great head start on a bachelor’s degree, should you choose to take that academic route.

Massage Therapy Specializations

The average person may not realize there are many massage modalities and techniques, each with their own styles and benefits. Being trained in one of these specializations not only helps a massage therapist better meet the needs of clients, but also helps in professional marketability.

Attending Massage Therapy Classes Online: How It All Works

Most schools and colleges offer massage therapy training in a hybrid format that combines both in-person and online instruction. You can expect to complete general education and some foundational massage therapy classes remotely, or about 40 to 50 percent of your coursework.

Depending on the program, online instruction may include classes such as accounting, biology, small business management, marketing, and more. The remaining require in-person, hands-on physical training or laboratory components.

Common Online Massage Therapy Courses

Required classes and training sequences vary between schools and programs. The following is a sample of common courses typically offered by online massage therapy programs.

Primary Skills You’ll Learn

Each school has the freedom to design its own curriculum, but students will generally learn the same set of core skills and knowledge, including:

How Much Does Online Massage Therapy School Cost?

The cost of earning a massage therapist credential varies widely based on a number of factors, including whether the student is earning an associate degree or certificate/diploma.

Other factors that can impact cost:

• State and county residency status
• Type of school—private versus public
• Enrollment status—full-time versus part-time
• Course delivery—online versus on-campus classes

Here are a few examples of what a massage therapist student can expect to pay for their education. Note: The following tuition figures are from February 2025, but please check school websites to confirm tuition and other costs.

Salary and Career Outlook for Massage Therapists

Massage Therapy Student Resources

Starting your training to become a massage therapist may bring up questions or incite your curiosity to learn more about the profession. This shortlist of additional resources will help you get the most out of your education and achieve your professional goals.