Massage Therapy is a Diploma program offered by Stewart School in Sioux Falls, SD. The program takes 600 clock hours, 23 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $7,638.
Program Overview
Massage Therapy, 600 hours. Stewart School's Massage Therapy program trains students in Swedish and deep tissue massage over about 23 weeks. Students learn massage strokes, the body's systems and how to palpate muscles, and prepare for entry-level work in health care facilities, chiropractic offices, fitness spas and cosmetology salons, or to open their own massage therapy clinic.
Two terms. Term I (300 hours) covers anatomy and physiology, pathology, the theory and fundamentals of massage, and adjunct therapies; Term II (300 hours) continues anatomy, pathology and adjunct therapies and adds the business of massage and clinic assignments.
Modalities. Students learn Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, chair and hot stone massage, and are introduced to muscle energy techniques, Thai massage, reflexology, lymph massage, myofascial release, Reiki and cupping therapy.
What sets this Program apart
- A broad set of modalities. Beyond Swedish and deep tissue work, the program introduces sports, prenatal, chair and hot stone massage, reflexology, Reiki and cupping.
- Kinesiology and pathology. Theory hours cover how muscles function in movement and which diseases indicate or rule out massage, grounding each session in clinical reasoning.
- A four-day week. Classes meet Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- Small classes. Massage Therapy classes are limited to ten students, and massage students practise on each other and receive massages at no cost.
Admission Requirements and Process
Stewart School's Admissions Representative is excited to assist you on your enrollment journey. If you aren't ready to enroll just yet, you can still visit our school: fill out the Request Information Form and one of our Admissions representatives will reach out to schedule a time for you to visit and discuss our programs.
General Requirements
- Campus VisitA prospective student must participate in a campus visit.
- Enrollment Application and FeeComplete and submit, preferably no later than 60 days prior to class start, the Stewart School Enrollment Application with the required $50.00 application fee.
- High School Diploma or GEDSubmit a copy of high school diploma or official final high school transcript with graduation date, or GED Certificate with date of completion.
- State-Issued Photo IDSubmit a copy of a current State Issued Photo ID.
- Home School GraduatesHome school graduates must provide a diploma and transcript (showing date of completion), a certificate from the State DOE or local school district approving Alternative…
- English-Language DocumentsAll documents submitted must be in English. Foreign language documents must be translated by a recognized/reputable agency and verify the equivalent of a US High School Diploma or…
- Class Deposit FeeAfter receiving acceptance notification, submit the $100.00 class deposit fee no later than 30 days prior to class start.
- Background CheckThe school reserves the right to confirm any information submitted or complete a background check on any applicant. A criminal record/felony could restrict your ability to gain…
- Trial PeriodApplicants are allowed a short trial period of enrollment (8 scheduled days for Cosmetology, 3 for Esthetics & Massage Therapy and 2 for Nail Technology). Full acceptance is…
Application Process
- 1Request Information and VisitFill out the Request Information Form and an Admissions representative will reach out to schedule a time for you to visit the school and discuss our programs.
- 2Apply and Pay the Application FeePay the $50 application fee and complete the enrollment application, preferably no later than 60 days prior to class start.
- 3Submit Required DocumentsTurn in a copy of your high school diploma, official final transcript or GED certificate, and a copy of a current state-issued photo ID.
- 4Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA)Stewart School offers Federal Aid Programs including Pell Grants, Direct Stafford Loans and Direct PLUS Loans for those who qualify. You will need an FSA ID for the student and parent (if applicable) to sign the FAFSA.FAFSA Code for Sioux Falls: 010138Fill Out the FAFSA
- 5Acceptance and Class DepositOnce all requirements are met, Stewart School will send a formal notice of acceptance. After receiving acceptance, submit the $100 class deposit no later than 30 days prior to class start; the Admissions Rep will work with you on an available start date.
- 6Complete the Trial PeriodFull acceptance is determined after successfully completing the trial period (8 days for Cosmetology, 3 for Esthetics and Massage Therapy, 2 for Nail Technology).
Program Schedule
Weekly schedule. The Massage Therapy schedule is Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Freshman training. Massage Therapy freshman training runs 32 days, during which a student may miss no more than ten hours; the three-day trial period comes first, with no absences allowed.
Starts. Massage Therapy is offered once a year, and a class may be cancelled or delayed if fewer than six students enroll. Students may miss no more than 20% of scheduled advanced class hours in a term.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you attend a school that has been independently evaluated for educational quality.
Stewart School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.
Stewart School is also recognized by the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Sioux Falls Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (600 hours) | $7,638 |
| Books/equipment | $1,368.17 |
| Sales tax | $84.83 |
| Total program cost (valid through June 30, 2027) | $9,091 |
Fees outside the total. A $50 application fee is due with the Enrollment Application and a $100 class deposit is due at least 30 days before class starts; financial aid does not cover either. Tuition paid by credit card carries a 2% service charge.
Financial aid. Stewart School offers Federal Pell Grants, Direct Stafford Loans and Direct PLUS Loans to students who qualify in its Cosmetology, Esthetics and Massage Therapy programs; students complete the FAFSA using school code 010138. Financial aid may not cover the total program cost.
Paying over time. Tuition is due one week before class starts. With Time Pay, 50% of the total is due one week before class starts and 25% each at the one-quarter and halfway points of the scheduled hours; students may combine payment methods.
Cancellation and refunds. An applicant who is not accepted receives a full refund, including the application fee, and an applicant who withdraws by midnight of the third business day after orientation, signing the enrollment agreement, making a first payment or touring the school receives all money paid. Cancelling later but within the trial period refunds everything except the $50 application fee and $100 class deposit. After that, based on scheduled hours, the school keeps 20% of tuition from 3.51% of the program, 30% from 5%, 40% from 10%, 45% from 15%, 60% from 25%, and all tuition from 60%. Refunds are mailed within 30 days.
Other costs. For budgeting, the school's 2026-27 cost of attendance estimates a $430 licensure expense for massage therapy, plus monthly living costs.
Curriculum
Two courses, 600 hours. A 300-hour freshman theory course and 300 hours of applied practical instruction make up the program, shown below.
Grading and progress. Written grades weight chapter tests at 80% and homework at 20%, and practical skills are scored four times in each area on a 100-point scale. Grades run from Superior (94-100%) through Above Average (87-93%), Average (80-86%) and Below Average (75-79%); below 75% is failing. At each evaluation period, at 300 and 600 hours, students need an overall 75% grade average and 80% attendance of scheduled hours.
Graduation. Graduates complete their contracted hours and all class assignments, including job search, pass senior written and practical testing at 75% or higher, pass every advancement level, complete an exit interview and meet their financial obligations, and then receive a Stewart School diploma.
The required courses below are from Stewart School's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Freshman/Theory Course | 300 |
| Applied Practical Instruction | 300 |
| Totals | 600 |
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
| Freshman/Theory Course |
| Applied Practical Instruction |
| Totals |
Career Outcomes
Careers. After graduating and passing the required licensing exams, massage therapists may work in health clubs and fitness centers, wellness centers, massage clinics, spas and resorts, hospitals and medical centers, chiropractic and physical therapy offices, or on cruise ships, or run their own business as a sole practitioner.
Placement assistance. Stewart School works with area salons to help students find employment: salon managers present to the student body every month, a job board is kept for students, and employment is discussed at evaluations, mentoring sessions and one-on-one with the Student Services Coordinator as graduation nears. The school does not guarantee placement.
Working in another state. Stewart School meets South Dakota's licensing requirements but either does not meet, or does not know whether it meets, any other state's, including Minnesota and Iowa, so students planning to work elsewhere should expect additional steps or training.
What to expect as a Stewart School student
The campus. Stewart School has trained students in Sioux Falls since 1959. It sits at 604 N. West Avenue in a park-like setting next to Covell Lake, in a 15,799-square-foot, two-story building with a two-story open clinic floor, classrooms at the north end and a central student break room and lockers; no stairs are needed to reach the student areas.
Class size. Massage Therapy classes are limited to ten students, and the program is taught by a massage therapy and esthetics instructor.
Student benefits. Students may earn free personal services within their scope of practice once a month, receive 30% off services and full-price retail products, and use high-speed internet at school. The kit includes an iPad with Milady CIMA, and classrooms use laptops, projectors, iPads and Chromebooks alongside a library of books, periodicals and DVDs.
Professional standards. Students wear black professional attire and black shoes, with the issued smock whenever they are scheduled in the clinic, and may be sent home without the kit items a class needs.