Massage Therapy (600 Hours) is a Diploma program offered by Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes in Minneapolis, MN. The program takes 20 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $10,300.
Program Overview
At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, we offer a massage therapy program that not only trains you in the art of massage, but prepares you with the tools you need to jumpstart a thriving career in bodywork.
In just 18 short weeks, you can gain the knowledge and hone the trusted techniques that are foundational to a massage therapy career rooted in whole-body wellness and Aveda rituals.
Our Minneapolis massage therapy program combines textbook study, demonstrations, exams, and practical application to provide you with the comprehensive experience you need to jumpstart a career in massage therapy. To complement your new massage skills, you’ll also round out your education with business and retail coursework.
Our training includes extensive hands-on experiences in therapeutic massage and wellness techniques.
Before graduating, you’ll also gain over 200 hours of hands-on clinical experience with real clientele.
Learn how to create wellness through the power of touch in just a few months. A balanced study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, aromaology, spa treatments and body movement techniques adds depth to the massage techniques you’ll use to address the individual needs of your guests. After completing course requirements and 600 hours, you’ll have the skills you need to find employment in a spa, health club, or in a clinical environment.
What sets this Program apart
At this flagship campus of Aveda Institutes, our students come for far more than just skillbuilding. The students at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis value our focus on wellness—both personal and environmental—and rituals rooted in ancient beauty practices that still resonate today with a modern twist.
Beyond the classroom or clinic floor, students have the chance to participate in two fashion shows during the year: one for Breast Cancer Awareness and another—fittingly for the Aveda brand that walks the talk on environment sustainability—celebrating Earth Month. Our active community also proudly participates in Minneapolis’ annual Pride parade and fest.
It’s not just our physical building that has history, either. The proof points of our program are our noteworthy alumni. Among our distinguished Minneapolis graduates are beauty pros who have made it to the pinnacle of their fields, including the celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness; David Wagner, founder and CEO of Juut Salonspa; and Janell Geason, global artistic director and educator for Aveda’s makeup division.
Home to one of the nation’s leading Aveda programs, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis combines strong graduation (85.7%), placement (77.8%), and licensure (94%) outcomes with advanced esthetics training opportunities.*
Admission Requirements and Process
The massage therapy course at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis requires the following:
- Age: 16 years
- Education: A high school diploma or equivalent
- Photo ID: Identification should include birthdate
- Proof of Citizenship or lawful Status: Documents accepted include U.S. birth certificate, U.S. permanent resident card, U.S. passport, U.S. certificate of citizenship, U.S. naturalization certificate, or a non-immigrant visa
- Social Security Card
- Admission Fee: Applicants must submit a non-refundable admission fee
You will receive a written notice of acceptance or rejection. To schedule an informational interview, call the Admissions Department at (612) 378-7400 or (800) 274-6778, option 1.
General Requirements
- Career planning sessionHave a career planning session with an admissions manager.
- Letters of intent and recommendationSubmit a letter of intent and a letter of recommendation.
- Enrollment application and feesSubmit a completed enrollment application and pay the $50 application fee and the $50 enrollment fee.
- Proof of age and lawful statusProvide proof of age (driver’s license, U.S. passport or government-issued identification) and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status.
- Immunization recordSubmit an immunization record as required by Minnesota law (M.S. 135A.14), unless an exception applies.
- High school completionProvide a copy of a high school diploma, GED certificate or transcript showing high school completion; homeschool and foreign diplomas must meet the catalog’s verification rules.
- Massage waiverMassage Therapy students must also submit a signed massage waiver form.
Application Process
- 1Career planning sessionHave a career planning session with an admissions manager; call the Admissions Department at (612) 378-7400 to schedule an informational interview.
- 2ApplySubmit a completed enrollment application and pay the $50 application fee and $50 enrollment fee.
- 3Submit your documentsProvide your letter of intent, letter of recommendation, proof of age, proof of citizenship or lawful status, immunization record and proof of high school completion before signing the enrollment contract.
- 4Financial aidComplete the FAFSA (school code 014847); students are encouraged to begin the financial aid process three months before the class start date.
- 5AcceptanceYou will receive a written notice of acceptance or rejection.
Program Schedule
Full-time schedule: Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (45-minute break) (33.75 hours per week, 18 weeks total). Starting November 2026: Monday through Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm (1-hour break) (30 hours per week, 20 weeks total).
Upcoming start dates: November 23, 2026.
- November 23rd, 2026
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition: $10,300. Kit fee: $2,200 (kit fees are mandatory and may not be pro-rated; students may not opt out of kit fees). Application fee: $50 (nonrefundable; not eligible for VA funding). Enrollment fee: $50.
Total of listed charges: $12,600.
Students may make full payment at the time of enrollment; otherwise, students receive a payment schedule in their enrollment contract.
Financial aid is available for those students that meet the necessary requirements. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes participate in the Pell Grant Program and the Federal Direct Loan Program. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov using federal school code 014847.
Veterans’ benefits are not available in all institute locations, and only to those who qualify.
State grants — Minnesota: the Minnesota State Grant is available to Minnesota residents who meet its eligibility rules; undocumented students can apply through the Minnesota Dream Act application.
Award Year 2026-27 Cost of Attendance (estimated room, transportation and personal expenses per month in the largest program): living with parent and no dependents $1,418.00; all others $1,985.00.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute graduates who enroll in another program receive a 15% discount off the published tuition rate.
Net Price Calculator: https://avedaarts.edu/wp-content/themes/avedaarts/net-price-calculators/npcalc-minneapolis.htm
Curriculum
The course of study is comprised of 600 clock hours. Each of the subjects listed below will be covered in the theory and practical work.
In your 600 hours at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, you’ll encounter a diverse roster of essential topics that will help you launch a new career. These include:
- Anatomy and physiology: anatomical terms and the various body systems
- Pathology: safeguarding guest health, indications and contraindications, and more
- Massage theory: principles of massage, body mechanics, ethics and boundaries, proper draping techniques, and other topics
- Massage modalities: focused on Swedish and deep tissue, but also on reflexology, trigger points, lymphatic massage, energy balance, acupressure, chair/clothed massage, sports massage, prenatal massage, and other services
- Plant aromaology: essential oils and selecting and using Aveda blends
- Clinic practice: sanitation, time management, Aveda rituals, and therapist injury prevention
- Career development: resume and interview tips, building a book of business, marketing promotion, and more
After completing your massage therapy course, you’ll be well-positioned to become a professional massage therapist in salons, spas, and exclusive Aveda locations.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
The State of Minnesota has no state licensing regulations concerning the practice of massage therapy. Each city or county in the state decides if and how they will regulate massage therapists.
Career opportunities in Massage Therapy include massage and body-work specialist, spa and/or health club therapist, spa manager, spa owner, private practice, chiropractic and physical therapy clinic, and sports massage.
Graduation, placement and licensure (NACCAS 2024 Annual Report; cohort of students scheduled to graduate in 2024 — Minneapolis, Massage Therapy): graduation 96.55%, placement N/A, licensure N/A.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes do not guarantee employment to students; however, the schools assist students in finding employment, hold annual job fairs, and can assist with out-of-state placement subject to licensing transfer.
What to expect as a Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes student
We’re located at the edge of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, just blocks away from Nicollet Island and a mile from the University of Minnesota – Minneapolis campus. Our central location near the University and Central intersection offers easy access to many parts of the city, including historic Main Street.
Located on multiple Metro Transit bus lines and within walking distance of a variety of local restaurants, lunch breaks and commuting are convenient and accessible. At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, you’ll learn beauty surrounded by beauty. The institute occupies a beautifully restored historic brick building, the Cataract Lodge. Built in 1926 in late Gothic Revival style for the Masons, the building was purchased in the 80’s by Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher for the very first Aveda Institute.
The five floors contain elegant marble staircases lined with original stained-glass windows, two incredible ballrooms, a retail space, and even a domed meditation room with ceiling crystals. A building this inspiring could be where you attend beauty school as the next step in your career.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, founded in 1982, develops entrepreneurs in beauty while promoting personal well-being and environmental responsibility. Students learn from passionate instructors who help them master essential skills within a global community focused on excellence. The institute offers various career paths, making it an ideal starting point for a career with a recognized brand.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology; licensed as a private career school with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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