Alpha School of Massage

Massage Therapy Program — 501 hours

Built for Speed | 24 Weeks / 6 Months Full-Time Daytime

The 501-hour Massage Therapy Program is designed for students who want a focused and efficient path into the massage therapy profession. The program combines online academic coursework with in-person hands-on instruction and supervised clinical experience.

Massage Therapy Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology 150 Total Hours Online: 150 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This course focuses on the structure and function of the human body, including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology. Students study body systems, movement, and conditions that may affect massage therapy. Because this course is delivered online, students can complete this academic foundation with flexibility while preparing for the hands-on portions of the program.

Basic Massage Theory 100 Total Hours Online: 25 | In-Person Live: 75 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Basic Massage Theory introduces students to the essential knowledge and skills needed to begin practicing massage. Online coursework supports the academic side of the subject, while in-person instruction focuses on developing hands-on technique and professional habits.

Students learn equipment use, ergonomics, body mechanics, sanitation, hygiene, standard precautions, draping, client assessment, treatment planning, recordkeeping, communication, indications, contraindications, and foundational massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, compression, friction, tapotement, vibration, direct pressure, stretching, rocking, shaking, and joint movement.

Massage Clinical Practicum 125 Total Hours Online: 0 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 125

Clinical Practicum gives students supervised, real-world massage experience. Students apply assessment skills, client communication, recordkeeping, sanitation, body mechanics, technique selection, ethics, and professional boundaries in a practical setting.

This is where students begin connecting their classroom knowledge to client care while developing confidence and professionalism under supervision.

Massage Allied Modalities 76 Total Hours Online: 0 | In-Person Live: 42 | Clinical/Practical: 34

Allied Modalities introduces students to additional massage and bodywork techniques beyond the basic foundations. Topics may include hot stone massage, pain management, sports massage, chair massage, aromatherapy, and massage applications for specific client needs or populations.

The in-person live instruction introduces and develops these techniques, while the clinical/practical hours allow students to apply them in supervised settings.

Florida Statutes and Rules 10 Total Hours Online: 10 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This subject teaches students the Florida laws, rules, and regulations governing massage therapy. Students learn the legal responsibilities connected to licensure, professional practice, and working within the standards required in Florida.

Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy 15 Total Hours Online: 3 | In-Person Live: 6 | Clinical/Practical: 6

Hydrotherapy covers the use of external agents such as water, heat, cold, and topical applications. Students also receive training connected to hot stone massage and pain management techniques.

The online portion introduces foundational concepts, the live instruction develops understanding and technique, and the clinical/practical portion allows students to demonstrate safe and effective application.

Massage Medical Errors Prevention 2 Total Hours Online: 2 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This course focuses on safe massage practice. Students learn how to avoid client harm, recognize endangerment sites, and perform massage techniques responsibly.

HIV/AIDS Education 4 Total Hours Online: 4 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This course covers the history, transmission, symptoms, treatment, prevention, and legal and ethical issues related to HIV/AIDS. It supports the student’s broader understanding of sanitation, safety, and professional responsibility.

Business Aspects of Massage 15 Total Hours Online: 15 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Business Aspects of Massage introduces students to the professional and business side of the massage industry. Topics include business practices, business structures, strategic planning, management, marketing, recordkeeping, and professional terminology.

Ethics of Massage 4 Total Hours Online: 4 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Ethics helps students understand professional conduct, communication, boundaries, standards of practice, scope of practice, and therapeutic relationships. This subject reinforces the importance of trust, safety, and professionalism in massage therapy.

Advanced Massage Therapy Program — 650 hours

Built for Affordability | 28 Weeks / 7 Months Full-Time Daytime

The 650-hour Advanced Massage Therapy Program is designed for students who want a more affordable option with expanded hands-on and career-focused experience. The program includes the core massage therapy education needed for licensure preparation while adding additional clinical, practical, and career training hours.

Massage Therapy Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology 150 Total Hours Online: 136 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 14

This course gives students a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology. Students study the structure and function of the body, body movement, muscles, areas of caution, endangerment sites, common pathologies, and the effects of massage on the body.

Most of this course is completed online, while the clinical/practical portion helps students apply body-system knowledge in a hands-on massage context.

Basic Massage Theory 141 Total Hours Online: 51 | In-Person Live: 90 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Basic Massage Theory provides expanded instruction in the foundational skills of massage therapy. Students learn equipment use, ergonomics, body mechanics, self-care, hygiene, sanitation, standard precautions, massage strokes, draping, session organization, assessment, treatment planning, recordkeeping, communication, indications, and contraindications.

The online portion supports the academic foundation, while the in-person live hours focus on building technique, confidence, and professional readiness.

Massage Clinical Practicum 125 Total Hours Online: 0 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 125

Clinical Practicum gives students supervised experience applying massage therapy skills with clients. Students practice assessment, recordkeeping, communication, contraindication awareness, technique selection, sanitation, body mechanics, ethics, and professionalism.

This course helps students move from learning massage to performing massage in a supervised, client-centered environment.

Allied Massage Modalities 85 Total Hours Online: 6 | In-Person Live: 24 | Clinical/Practical: 55

Allied Massage Modalities introduces students to additional massage and bodywork approaches that may include hot stone massage, pain management, sports massage, chair massage, aromatherapy, and massage applications for specific needs, conditions, or client populations.

The 650-hour program gives students more modality-related clinical/practical time than the 501-hour program, allowing for broader hands-on exposure.

Florida Statutes and Rules 10 Total Hours Online: 10 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This subject covers the Florida laws, rules, and statutes that regulate massage therapy. Students learn the legal and professional responsibilities required for massage practice in Florida.

Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy 15 Total Hours Online: 3 | In-Person Live: 6 | Clinical/Practical: 6

Hydrotherapy teaches students how to safely use water, heat, cold, and topical agents in massage-related applications. Students also receive training in hot stone massage and pain management techniques.

The subject combines online learning, in-person instruction, and clinical/practical application.

Massage Medical Errors Prevention 2 Total Hours Online: 2 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Medical Errors Prevention teaches students how to perform massage safely, prevent harm, identify endangerment sites, and avoid unsafe techniques.

HIV/AIDS Education 3 Total Hours Online: 3 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

This course covers HIV/AIDS history, transmission, symptoms, treatment, prevention, and related legal and ethical issues. It supports the student’s understanding of safety, sanitation, and professional responsibility.

Business Aspects of Massage 15 Total Hours Online: 15 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Business Aspects of Massage introduces students to the business side of the profession, including business practices, structures, strategic planning, management, marketing, recordkeeping, and professional terminology.

This subject is helpful for students who may want to work independently, build a clientele, or eventually operate their own massage practice.

Ethics of Massage 4 Total Hours Online: 4 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 0

Ethics teaches students professional communication, boundaries, ethical behavior, standards and scope of practice, and therapeutic relationships. This course helps students understand how to build trust and maintain professionalism with clients.

Advanced Career Training 100 Total Hours Online: 0 | In-Person Live: 0 | Clinical/Practical: 100

Advanced Career Training is a major feature of the 650-hour program. This course places students in an industry-style setting where they apply skills learned throughout the program.

Students practice assessment, communication, technique application, proper body mechanics, recordkeeping, safety, sanitation, business concepts, legal responsibilities, ethical standards, and the use of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to support client outcomes.

This additional 100-hour subject helps make the 650-hour program especially strong for students who want more hands-on experience before graduation.