National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) Expands Training Program: School of Massage Debuts Comprehensive 900-Hour Curriculum

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To empower students with a more comprehensive massage therapy education, the National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) is expanding its core curriculum with the launch of a new 900-hour massage therapy training program. Since 1998, NMTI has established its reputation as one of the leading massage schools on the East Coast, helping thousands of graduates prepare for a rewarding career in massage therapy. The latest program enhancements integrate new components into NMTI's massage therapy courses, enabling students to develop a broader base of knowledge and master a wide variety of massage therapy techniques.

NMTI's 900-hour curriculum will consist of eight course modules: an introductory-level class; six massage therapy courses focusing on specific types of therapy and areas of the body; and a deep-tissue specialty module. While the existing 720-hour program covers many of these topics, the expanded curriculum adds instruction in a number of areas, including active isolated stretching, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy and condition-specific massage therapy. It also incorporates training in geriatric, prenatal and sports massage therapy, which had been offered as 90-hour specialization modules under the current program.

In addition to awarding students a diploma, NMTI's school of massage prepares students to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and apply for state licensure. Students who complete NMTI's training program have access to the school's Career Services specialists, who are dedicated to helping graduates explore appropriate employment opportunities and job placements. In fact, NMTI recently announced a strategic partnership with spa franchise giant Massage Envy, which agreed to offer employment as well as exam and license sponsorship to qualified NMTI graduates.

The enhanced massage therapy training program blends theory and practical, hands-on learning through a combination of lecture, clinic and laboratory classes. The new courses will cover anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, business and professional ethics, massage theory and massage techniques. NMTI also focuses on a number of areas that are designed to position students for academic and professional success including time management and study skills, certification exam preparation and strategies, and employability and career skills.

Ron Diana, NMTI's National Director of Education and Academic Affairs, and Carrie Grice, NMTI's Faculty and Education Development Specialist, developed the new 900-hour massage therapy curriculum together with NMTI's advisory board.

"Employers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region have long recognized the National Massage Therapy Institute as a premier school of massage based on the skills, knowledge and preparedness of NMTI graduates," said Robert P. Cappel, President of NMTI. "The new massage therapy program builds on the existing program's strengths, while introducing new components that allow for a more comprehensive educational and clinical foundation. We believe the new curriculum enhancements will enable students to achieve an even higher level of preparation and specialized expertise, and prepare them for a wider range of career opportunities in the massage therapy field."

NMTI is an accredited massage therapy school, with accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).  Its four campuses include a Northeast Philadelphia massage school; a school of massage in Wilmington, Delaware; a New Jersey massage therapy school serving the Atlantic City area; and a massage therapy school in Virginia serving the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.

Enrollment for the 900-hour program opened December 1, with classes commencing in January 2012.

For employer testimonials and information on hiring NMTI graduates, visit http://www.HireNMTI.com. Further details on the National Massage Therapy Institute - including admissions, financial aid, job placement and more - can be found at http://www.NMTI.edu.

About the National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI)

The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) has a singular focus and passion: professional massage therapy training. The school's Massage Therapy programs have been carefully crafted by industry experts and aim to produce highly qualified massage therapists to meet the industry's growing demand. NMTI is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). NMTI has four convenient locations in Northeast Philadelphia, PA.; Falls Church, VA.; Wilmington, DE.; and Egg Harbor Township, NJ. To learn more about the National Massage Therapy Institute, please visit http://www.NMTI.edu.

Media Inquires:

Amanda Ignaut
National Massage Therapy Institute
Phone: 212-677-9898 ext. 108
E-mail: aignaut at conversionpt dot com
http://www.NMTI.edu

This press release distribution was issued by PR Syndication.

SOURCE National Massage Therapy Institute