Professional Clinical Massage Therapy

The Professional Clinical Massage Therapy program provides instruction in therapeutic massage with advanced training in the treatment of soft tissue ailments, postural distortions, and degenerative process of the body. The program prepares students for employment in medical based facilities such as physician’s offices, and rehabilitation centers, while also training students in the arts associated with a spa setting. Students receive training in massage law, basic massage theory techniques, allied modalities, and neuromuscular clinical massage theory techniques. Upon successful completion of this program, the student will receive a Certificate in Professional Clinical Massage Therapy.

Students who have successfully met all educational and institutional requirements for a Certificate in Professional Clinical Massage Therapy from Southeastern College are eligible to have their names submitted to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to be eligible to sit for the (MBLEx) examination. Upon passing, the student may apply to The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, which is the state agency authorized to determine if the applicant qualifies to become a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (LMBT) in North Carolina. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 90-629.1, the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy may deny a license to practice massage and bodywork therapy if an applicant has a criminal record or there is other evidence that indicates the applicant lacks good moral character.

Objectives.

The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to enter the community with the skills needed to work in a medical setting, as well as the basic skills necessary to perform as an entry level massage therapist. Upon graduation, students of Southeastern College will have a strong understanding of human anatomy and physiology, proper client communication skills, clinical evaluation and treatment skills, and the proper use and application of various therapeutic massage techniques.

All applicants will be required to do a pre-enrollment interview with an Admissions Coordinator to determine the necessary requirements for entrance into the program. To be considered for enrollment, applicants must supply verification of standard high school graduation, GED completion, or proof of graduation from a foreign institution comparable to a United States secondary school; home-schooled applicants are considered upon receipt of the proper state credential.

Prerequisites.

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Pass the entrance examination
• Background Check and Drug Screening where applicable
• Please see the Program Handbook for additional program policies.

Program length. This Certificate program may be completed in 8 months for full-time students during the day or evening.

Campus hours. Classes are in session year-round, except for the holidays and vacations listed in the Academic Calendar. The Charlotte campus is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Fridays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Start dates. The catalog publishes term dates (each term begins on a Monday; for example, the Winter 2027 semester begins January 11, 2027) but no program-specific start dates; contact the campus for the next start.

Tuition and fees (North Carolina). At Southeastern College, tuition and fees are charged to the student by the semester/pay period. Each semester is 16-weeks in duration for credit hour programs. Each pay period is 450 hours (900 clock hour program), 370 hours (740 clock hour program) and 500 hours (1500 clock hour program) in duration for clock hour programs. Southeastern College students are not charged by the course or by credit hours.

The catalog lists 2 pay periods for this program. The following fees are charged each semester/pay period in addition to tuition, and the one-time fees are charged at enrollment:

• Tuition per 370-hour pay period (full-time): $9,200.00
• Technology fee (per semester/pay period): $400.00
• Student services fee (per semester/pay period): $300.00
• Program fee (per semester/pay period): $100.00
• Lab fee (per semester/pay period): $100.00
• Application fee (one-time): $50.00
• Registration fee (one-time): $50.00
• Transcript fee: $5.00
• Diploma shipping and handling fee: $100.00

Tuition for students less than full time is charged based on a pro-rata calculation at the beginning of the semester/pay period. Programs that require a student kit will be assessed a fee accordingly. Textbook prices are available on the student portal by course. If applicable, students taking online courses who have the textbooks shipped will have shipping charges assessed for them.

Financial aid. Southeastern College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV Federal Aid Programs. Prospective students who seek financial assistance must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer. The college's aid programs include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Work Study and Southeastern College and private scholarships. Federal School Code (FAFSA) for this campus: 035553.

Military and veterans. Southeastern College is approved by the Florida and North Carolina state approving agencies for veterans training, and its VA Pending Payment Policy protects students using Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) or VR&E (Chapter 31) benefits. Tuition Assistance funds are available to eligible Service members; Active Duty students must meet with their branch of service before enrolling.

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Career focus. The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to enter the community with the skills needed to work in a medical setting, as well as the basic skills necessary to perform as an entry level massage therapist. Upon graduation, students of Southeastern College will have a strong understanding of human anatomy and physiology, proper client communication skills, clinical evaluation and treatment skills, and the proper use and application of various therapeutic massage techniques.

Credentialing.

Students who have successfully met all educational and institutional requirements for a Certificate in Professional Clinical Massage Therapy from Southeastern College are eligible to have their names submitted to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to be eligible to sit for the (MBLEx) examination. Upon passing, the student may apply to The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, which is the state agency authorized to determine if the applicant qualifies to become a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (LMBT) in North Carolina. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 90-629.1, the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy may deny a license to practice massage and bodywork therapy if an applicant has a criminal record or there is other evidence that indicates the applicant lacks good moral character.

Graduation and employment rates (ACCSC 2025 annual report, as of 10/10/2025). Full-time cohort starting April 2023 – March 2024: 71% graduation rate (of 49) and 35% employment rate (of 34).

Professional licensure disclosure: Certificate-Professional-Clinical-Massage-Therapy-Disclosure-Form-2026.pdf