Our curriculum has been designed to teach the art of massage therapy, while also teaching sound business practices which prepare the student for success in the marketplace. Students learn massage therapy theory and technique through traditional Swedish massage. We explore numerous body therapies which will enhance the studentís future practice. From sports massage to medical massage to spa treatments, we continuously emphasize correct body mechanics and proper movement.

In order for each student to have a solid technical and scientific understanding and a way to communicate with other health care professionals, we teach anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and pathology.

South Carolina Massage & Esthetics Institute not only prepares the student to become a knowledgeable and effective massage therapist, but ensures that the skills needed to become successful in the marketplace as a private practitioner, independent contractor, employee or entrepreneur are taught, as well.

Graduates will find they are equally comfortable in settings which emphasize prevention and stress reduction, as they will be in those settings which focus on rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries or dysfunction. 

Upon meeting all of the requirements for graduation, a Certificate of Completion in Massage Therapy is granted and the student will be eligible to choose one of the licensure examinations:

National Certification Exam For Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB) National Certification Exam For Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) Massage & Bodywork Licensure Examination (MBLEx)

and apply for a license to practice massage in the state of South Carolina.

Days, Times, Clock Hours:
Day students in Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Bluffton attend classes Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm; evening classes meet Monday through Thursday, 6 pm to 10:30 pm. Students attend their choice of student clinics and advanced training seminars, which are offered throughout the week and on week-ends. The 600 hour course takes six months to complete full time; one year, part-time. Fifty-five hours are to take place outside of the classroom during assigned externships, individual practice sessions or community events. Class size will remain such that individual attention will be stressed, with the student/teacher ratio for lectures not exceeding 1 teacher for every 24 students and hands-on instruction not exceeding 1 teacher for every 12 students.

In describing our program, reference is made to the term “clock hours.” Curriculum in vocational schools is often described this way, rather than in terms of credit hours. A clock hour is one in which instruction takes place for at least 50 minutes of each hour.