Massage Therapy

The Massage Therapy program at IBS Maui campus is unique. In addition to learning the elements of Swedish massage, Lomi Lomi, Thai massage, Deep Tissue, Hot Stones and several other modalities, students are given a solid grounding in Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Theory. Students are also exposed to a clinical setting in which they can apply their practical skill (technique, time management and communication) to practice clients, helping them learn to operate in a profession environment. The student clinic is intended to bridge the gap between education and a spa or office environment to ensure a smooth transition into the professional community.

The massage therapy program is structured to provide students with the core competencies essential to become successful massage therapists. The 600-hour program exceeds both Hawaii State (Hawaii requires 570 hours) as well as national certification requirements. When completed, students will receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM), Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), and the Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy Examination.

Educational objectives. Upon completion of the course requirements, the graduate will be able to:

• Administer therapeutic modalities
• Model professional and ethical behavior
• Perform client consultation and assessment
• Demonstrate therapeutic interpersonal skills
• Apply safety and sanitation techniques to client care
• Perform Swedish massage

IBS partners with industry leaders to provide the best possible environment to excel in cosmetology. The Hair Dressing program partners with Chi and Paul Mitchell, the Nail Technology program partners with Gelish and Harmony, and the Esthetics program partners with MAC, Dermalogica, Poise Makeup and Borboleta. The combination of the facility, instruction and vendors set standards that are intended to put student on par with contemporary high end salons. In addition to being prepared for the State Board Exam we make sure our students have a strong foundation that will benefit them through their career in this field.

The facility consists of 5,000 square feet of purpose built space. Our instructors are highly-qualified and have years of experience in the practical and theoretical setting.

Finally, it is possible to combine studies in massage with the esthetics program to provide a student with the broader range of skills employers in Hawaii have come to expect. The varied aspects of education at IBS Maui provide a solid foundation from which a student can begin their professional career.

Facility. IBS opened our first campus in Hawaii in 2013. The Maui school is a completely new facility designed specifically to accommodate a cosmetology, barber and massage therapy school with the look and feel of a contemporary salon. There is 4,986 square feet of space that houses dedicated areas for hair, esthetics, nail technology, cosmetology, barber and massage therapy. The institution is comprised of 7 classrooms for theory and practical instruction.

To enroll, a student must be at least 18 years of age. If an applicant is less than 18 years old, the applicant will need parental consent. Applicants must have two forms of identification evidencing proper immigration status and age requirement, and will be required to provide proof of appropriate educational requirements (a high school diploma, high school transcripts showing the graduation date, a GED or High School Equivalency certificate, or official High School Equivalency diploma test scores). Students who have acquired hours at another school and wish to transfer those hours to IBS must provide certification of the transfer hours before the Enrollment Agreement is completed; acceptance of transfer hours is at the discretion of the school.

If an applicant is not from a high school where English was the primary language, an interview with the School administration will be conducted to determine language proficiency, and the School may request that the applicant pass an internal English language assessment. The Hawai'i Administrative Rules, Chapter 11-157, require all students to meet immunization requirements before they attend any post-secondary school in the state. Once all application requirements have been received, students receive a written answer within 10 business days. The School does not accept ability to benefit students.

Part time. Thursday – Saturday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (24 hours per week). The current program is part-time, Thursday through Saturday, which allows a student to graduate in approximately six months.

Start dates. The school's start-date page and catalog list no start dates after November 2025 and note that start and end dates are subject to change; the school's home page states it is currently undergoing a change in ownership. Contact the school for future dates.

The School administrative offices are open Mondays through Saturdays 8:30am to 5:00pm. Saturday Cosmetology, Hair Dressing, Nail Technology and Esthetics classes are currently not available.

Cost breakdown. Massage Therapy (600 hours): application fee $25, registration fee $150, tuition $8,500, books $350, $350 kit, state tax $433.50; total $9,808.50.

Books. Trail Guide to the Body, 6th edition ($150); Trail Guide to the Body Student Workbook, 6th edition ($50); Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice, 7th Edition, by Susan G. Salvo ($150).

The student is required to purchase the school kit and required textbooks through the School. Due to inflation, shipping cost and changes in supplies cost, the school reserves the right to change the cost of books, kits, supplies and tuition.

Internal financing option. An in-house plan in which IBS carries the tuition over the course of instruction. Students pay a flat $1,675 for the first month of class; beyond this, students must maintain a monthly fee of a minimum of $500 while attending classes, and the balance of any unpaid amounts is due by the expected graduation date.

Payment methods. Down payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card; there is a 3% service charge for credit card payments. The prices shown are cash prices. The State of Hawaii charges 4.712% General Excise Tax on all goods and services.

Scholarships. There are some financial resources for ethnic Hawaiians. Alu Like has several scholarship possibilities and OHA has a loan program for up to $19,999.00.

Veterans. IBS lists the Post-9/11 GI Bill®; students should check their eligibility status and the amount for which they qualify with their Service prior to enrolling. The VA will not certify the application fee.

Other charges. Students who attend beyond their contracted graduation date are charged an additional $250.00 per week. A program change may require a $35 amendment fee; locker key and parking pass replacements are $50.00 each.

Federal financial aid. The catalog states that IBS participates in federal financial aid programs for eligible students, currently the Pell Grant and Direct Student Loan programs, and that students seeking financial aid must complete the FAFSA and schedule a time with the Financial Aid Advisor.

Net Price Calculator. IBS publishes a net price calculator (2021-22 data) on its Resources page.

It is the goal of the School to prepare each student for a career as a Massage Therapist. The intention is to prepare a student for work in a professional clinic or spa.

Outcome rates (2023 NACCAS Annual Report, 2022 calendar year). For this program: graduation rate 81.82%, placement rate 100%, licensure rate 87.50%. Institution-wide: graduation 86.36%, placement 86.49%, licensure 97.14%. Graduation is based on students scheduled to graduate in 2022 who graduated by November 30, 2023; placement and licensure are measured by November 30, 2023.

Licensing. Hawaii issues a "segmented license", a separate certificate for Hair Dressing, Nail Technology, Esthetics, Cosmetology, Barbering, Massage Therapy and Instructor Training. Upon completion of the desired training, a graduate will be eligible to apply to take the licensing examinations for the respective practice areas; Hawaii does not reciprocate with any jurisdiction.