Professional Clinical Massage Therapy is a Certificate program offered by Southeastern College in Columbia, SC. The program takes 8 months to complete, with tuition of $9,200 per semester.
Program Overview
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 FSMTB to be eligible to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Upon passing, the student may apply to The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation-South Carolina Board of Massage/Bodywork Therapy, which is the stage agency authorized to determine if the applicant qualifies to become a Licensed Massage Therapist in South Carolina. A criminal record may prevent the student from obtaining employment in the field.
To be licensed as a massage therapist in South Carolina, a person must: (1) be at least 18 years of age and have received a high school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma; (2) have completed a 650-hour course of supervised study at an approved school; (3) have received a passing grade on an approved examination.(Section 40-30-110, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended (the Massage/Bodywork Practice Act, Act 387 of the 1996 General Assembly)). For additional information and an application for licensure, contact the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), Office of Business and Related Services, P.O. Box 11329, Columbia, SC 29211-1329; telephone (803)896-4588; http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/MassageTherapy/. LLR accepts for licensing the tests of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
(FSMTB) http://www.fsmtb.org; and (4) be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the U.S.
Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea involving a crime involving drugs, moral turpitude, or other criminal charges may prohibit licensure or employment.
The massage therapy program curriculum Southeastern College offers is designated to prepare students to take the FSMTB Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). For information on the MBLEx, contact FSMTB, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37219 (P.O. Box 198689, Nashville, TN 37219-8689, http://www.fsmtb.org).
Students who perform massage as part of their curriculum (whether on or off the school premises) must wear a nametag identifying themselves as students and naming the school. Students cannot charge or accept tips and cannot advertise.
As part of their coursework, students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of clinical work. These 100 hours are required in addition to regularly scheduled class hours. These hours must be under the supervision of an instructor and students may not receive reimbursement or tips for these hours. Students may not practice massage for remuneration until they finish the coursework, take and pass an exam for state licensure and receive licensure from LLR.
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.
Admission Requirements and Process
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.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentProvide verification of standard high school graduation (transcript or diploma), GED completion, or a foreign secondary credential evaluated as equivalent to U.S. high school…
- Entrance examinationAchieve a minimum score of 17 on the Wonderlic entrance examination for this program, or provide equivalent results (SAT 950, ACT 18 or ASVAB 50).
- Pre-enrollment interviewComplete a pre-enrollment interview with an Admissions Coordinator to determine the necessary requirements for entrance into the program.
- Background check and drug screeningComplete a background check and drug screening where applicable.
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions CoordinatorComplete a pre-enrollment interview with an Admissions Coordinator to determine the necessary requirements for entrance into the program.
- 2Provide proof of high school graduationArrange for your school or the issuing agency to send your high school, GED or degree credentials directly to the admissions office.
- 3Take the entrance examinationTake Southeastern College's entrance examination (minimum Wonderlic score of 17 for this program) or provide SAT, ACT or ASVAB results.
- 4Complete the enrollment processComplete the enrollment process well before the date you have chosen to enter school; this permits proper scheduling and ensures availability of classroom space.
- 5Apply for financial aidComplete the FAFSA (school code 037464) and make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer at your campus.FAFSA Code for Columbia Branch Campus: 037464Complete FAFSA Application
Program Schedule
Program length. This program can be completed in 8 months for full-time students.
Campus hours. Classes are in session year-round, except for the holidays and vacations listed in the Academic Calendar. The Columbia and North Charleston campuses are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 11:00 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.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition and fees (South 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: 037464.
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.
Net price calculator. Southeastern College Net Price Calculator
Curriculum
To receive a Certificate in Professional Clinical Massage Therapy, students must complete 740 instructional clock hours. This Certificate program can be completed in 8 months for full-time students.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Career Outcomes
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 FSMTB to be eligible to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Upon passing, the student may apply to The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation-South Carolina Board of Massage/Bodywork Therapy, which is the stage agency authorized to determine if the applicant qualifies to become a Licensed Massage Therapist in South Carolina. A criminal record may prevent the student from obtaining employment in the field.
To be licensed as a massage therapist in South Carolina, a person must: (1) be at least 18 years of age and have received a high school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma; (2) have completed a 650-hour course of supervised study at an approved school; (3) have received a passing grade on an approved examination.(Section 40-30-110, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended (the Massage/Bodywork Practice Act, Act 387 of the 1996 General Assembly)). For additional information and an application for licensure, contact the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), Office of Business and Related Services, P.O. Box 11329, Columbia, SC 29211-1329; telephone (803)896-4588; http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/MassageTherapy/. LLR accepts for licensing the tests of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
(FSMTB) http://www.fsmtb.org; and (4) be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the U.S.
Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea involving a crime involving drugs, moral turpitude, or other criminal charges may prohibit licensure or employment.
The massage therapy program curriculum Southeastern College offers is designated to prepare students to take the FSMTB Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). For information on the MBLEx, contact FSMTB, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37219 (P.O. Box 198689, Nashville, TN 37219-8689, http://www.fsmtb.org).
Students who perform massage as part of their curriculum (whether on or off the school premises) must wear a nametag identifying themselves as students and naming the school. Students cannot charge or accept tips and cannot advertise.
As part of their coursework, students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of clinical work. These 100 hours are required in addition to regularly scheduled class hours. These hours must be under the supervision of an instructor and students may not receive reimbursement or tips for these hours. Students may not practice massage for remuneration until they finish the coursework, take and pass an exam for state licensure and receive licensure from LLR.
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 38) and 67% employment rate (of 24).
Professional licensure disclosure: Certificate-Professional-Clinical-Massage-Therapy-Disclosure-Form-2026.pdf
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Southeastern College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The program meets the minimum standards of the South Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy (SC LLR). The Columbia and North Charleston campuses are licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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