The philosophy and curriculum of this collaborative program incorporates and utilizes evidence-based practice, clinical decision making, and therapeutic relationships as the basis of massage therapy. Students work collaboratively with peers and faculty to develop massage knowledge and skills that meet the Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators as set out by the Federation of Massage Therapy Regulatory Authorities of Canada.

In the classroom, students focus on the theoretical frameworks that relate to massage and applied sciences. In the lab and clinic setting, students integrate knowledge from program courses to provide evidence-based, client-centred care. Under the guidance of a Registered Massage Therapist, students both receive and perform treatments. Students engage in diverse practicum experiences by practicing in a variety of clinics and outreaches. Please note that students are required to provide their own transportation to practicum placements.

Mission statement: Through a student-centred environment focused on success, Georgian’s Massage Therapy graduates are competent, professional therapists who are accountable for the standards of the profession, and are responsive to the needs of the consumer.

Flexible progression: Massage Therapy is a fast-track program delivered in six consecutive semesters. There may be flexibility to take a break between semesters. Connect with your program co-ordinator to explore possibilities.

Intake information

Start date	Campus
Winter 2025	Barrie
Fall 2025	Barrie

Tuition and fees

Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-integrated learning

This program includes a clinical placement component where you’ll get clinical experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional.
Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Ready to apply?

Apply as a domestic student

Apply as an international student

Still exploring your study options?

What are the admission requirements for the Massage Therapy program?

Massage Therapy admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required)
It is recommended that a student take one additional science (Physics, Chemistry, Exercise Science or Introductory Kinesiology)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Additional information

Students must complete a Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) for participation in the program. Students are responsible for ensuring all CPP requirements are complete at the designated time. Please refer to the Placement Office website for details- https://www.georgiancollege.ca/student-life/student-services/placement-offices/

Information about placement requirements

To help you navigate the requirements to complete the clinical placement component(s) of this program (e.g. immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and other non-academic requirements), please review the details below.

For more information about placements, visit the Placement Offices webpage.

Placement requirements

In order to provide quality practicum placements (“Placements”), students are placed in a variety of agencies, largely in the region serviced by the campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to Placements. Placements may vary in length (e.g. six to 12 hour days) and may include weekends and evenings, with varying start and end times (e.g. day, afternoon, overnight).

Many programs, including Health and Wellness, have immunization, First Aid and CPR, criminal record screening and other non-academic requirements that need to be met prior to Placements starting. You are responsible for carefully reviewing and meeting these requirements. The failure to meet them may mean that the host agency may refuse to accept you for a Placement or, if you have started one, that you may be prevented from continuing. The result may be that you cannot complete your program. Program-specific requirements can be found on page 2 of the Clinical Preparedness Permit specific to your program.

You are responsible for meeting all immunization, criminal screening and other requirements by the deadline provided by your program and before you start your Placement.

Notes regarding the Criminal Record Check (“CRC”) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)

Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not yet pardoned or who have adverse entries on their CRC or VSS will be prohibited from proceeding to a Placement. Such a student will normally be counselled to withdraw from the program because the successful completion of a Placement is a program requirement.

Obtaining the CRC and VSS usually requires a processing time of up to 12 weeks and can vary between police jurisdictions. As some jurisdictions require longer lead time for processing, ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. Record checks and screenings conducted earlier than six months may not be considered current and not be acceptable. Refer to your Clinical Preparedness Permit for information regarding this. A host agency may refuse a Placement if the CRC or VSS is not satisfactory to it. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary completed documents prior to the start of a Placement at the designated check time, and in the format set by Georgian College and stated in the Clinical Preparedness Permit Information Package. More information can be found on the Placement Offices webpage.

The costs associated with the provision of the CRC and VSS, anything related to them (including, if applicable, obtaining a pardon), and meeting any immunization and other Placement requirements, are to be borne by the student. The non-academic requirements of clinical agencies as described in the Clinical Preparedness Permit are subject to change at any time and host agencies may accept or decline students for any reason at their discretion. Georgian College is not responsible for any of the costs associated with the foregoing, nor for the consequences of failing to comply with, any of the requirements set out above.

What career paths can I take as a massage therapist?

Your Massage Therapy diploma gives you many career opportunities

A Massage Therapist is a valued member of the Health Care Team. Once registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, graduates are qualified to work as a primary health care provider who supports and promotes the health, well-being, and quality of life of their clients. Graduates may give direct client care in a variety of inter-professional settings including:

private practice
massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy clinics
interdisciplinary clinics
hospitals
long term care facilities
sports teams
fitness institutes
private corporations/industries
teaching environments

Pathways

Turn your Massage Therapy diploma into a degree!

Upon graduating from Georgian’s Massage Therapy advanced diploma program, consider furthering your studies.

Georgian has several articulation agreements with a number of university programs offering many desirable options for our graduates.

Browse available articulations

Accreditation

Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA)

The Massage Therapy program at Georgian College is accredited by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA).

“CMTCA’s rigorous standards and comprehensive accreditation process help education programs strengthen and improve the quality of the education they provide. Students of CMTCA-accredited programs can be confident that their training is helping them become qualified, competent, and caring health care professionals.” (Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation, https://www.cmtca.ca/)

College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO)

Georgian’s Massage Therapy program is recognized by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to write the registration examination to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

“The [CMTO] is the regulatory body that oversees Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs/MTs) working in the province. CMTO receives its authority from the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Massage Therapy Act, 1991. CMTO is not a school or an organization that advocates on behalf of RMTs. CMTO exists to protect the public interest.” (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, https://www.cmto.com/about-cmto/what-we-do/)

Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO)

Massage Therapy students and graduates are eligible to become members of the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO).

“The [RMTAO] is a member-driven, not-for-profit professional association for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in Ontario. The RMTAO exists in order to advance the profession of massage therapy in Ontario. The RMTAO advocates on behalf of the profession and provides resources and opportunities to help RMTs improve their knowledge, navigate the latest research and grow their practices.” (Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario, https://www.rmtao.com/about-rmtao/whatwedo)

What courses are included in the Massage Therapy diploma program?

Course overview

26 Program Courses
10 Clinical Placements
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Massage Therapy program outline.