Massage Therapy Program Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers below to common questions about our ACMT massage therapy program.

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Find answers to common questions about the massage therapy program in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta at MaKami College. Click on each question below to get more information about the program, how to become a massage therapist, advisory services offered, student massages, and more. 

Massage Therapy Program Overview

Upon completion of your second year of our ACMT Program, you will get an advanced certification that allows you to work as a licensed 2,200-hour massage therapist and provide health insurance claim receipts.

Our massage therapy program is 3,000 hours and is the most comprehensive, industry-leading program in Alberta.

This qualification is important when looking to find a job as a massage therapist or to open your own massage therapy practice.

Yes. Please see the Clinical Massage Therapy Program Curriculum for further information about the massage therapy courses and program.

Completion of the MaKami College Massage Therapy Program is recognized Alberta-wide, and in some cases nationally and internationally.

The complete Advanced Registered Massage Therapy diploma program runs for two-years or 3,000 hours. Completion of the program can open the door to a wider variety of massage therapy career options upon graduation.

Massage therapists looking to upgrade your 500-2,200 hours into a 3,000-hour diploma can apply to upgrade your massage therapy hours or for advanced credit. You may even qualify for some financial assistance. Contact us to find out more information.

MaKami College maintains extremely high instructor qualification standards. Our faculty have extensive industry education and experience along with educational training and knowledge. Even our learning assistants are trained on site for many years in our educational training and expectations. All faculty are expected to take ongoing continuing education and training as a commitment to exceeding industry standards.

Yes it is! MaKami is a public, post-secondary college in the province of Alberta and is listed on the Government of Canada’s list of Designated Learning Institutions. We are also in good standing with NHP CanadaCRMTA, and the Canadian Sports Massage Therapists Association.

MaKami College offers plenty of hands-on massage therapy training taught by professional massage therapists who are leaders in the industry. MaKami is unique in offering unlimited academic support to its students through Learning Strategists, tutors, counsellors and more.
We also assist you in gaining your practical experience through practical classes, outreach events and four weeks of practicum placements (two weeks in first year, two weeks in second year).

Yes. MaKami College is currently the only Licensed Massage Therapy College in Alberta to provide a two-year, 3,000-hour diploma program in Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy.

Your first year of study includes plenty of hands-on training and a two-week job shadow placement. Upon successful completion, this allows you to practice as a licensed massage therapist. Your second year of study gives you a total of 3,000 hours of training. During the second year students are able to work as a massage therapist doing their paid practicum while finishing their program requirements, gaining valuable real-life experience prior to graduation. This training will allow you to write receipts for insurance and work in any type of clinical or spa setting. View the full massage therapy program curriculum.

Availability & Accessibility

This program is taught in Alberta at the Edmonton campus and both Calgary campuses with online classes available. Each student receives an iPad loaded with their course materials when they begin classes.

Yes. We have several online learning options and offer a cutting-edge iPad-based curriculum. Both in-person and online massage therapy courses are offered. However, as massage therapy is a very hands-on program and career, we do encourage students to attend in-person practical opportunities through practical classes, outreach events and practicum training when it is safe to do so. IPads will be provided for massage therapy students.

Definitely! We run weekday and weekend classes as well as online learning classes to help you fit your classes into your schedule. Our blended learning option allows students to take massage therapy courses online and learn hands-on in the classroom. Talk to a student advisor to learn more about your flexible classroom work and online course work options.

Your courses will be taught in English. However, our iPad-based learning allows students to translate the course content to their preferred language for a more comprehensive learning experience.

We do have tutors and free ESL classes available for students who do not speak English as their first language and would like additional support.

Yes, students at MaKami can apply for disability funding, and MaKami also offers academic support for people with learning and physical disabilities. Please contact our Student Advisory Services for more information on disability funding and support services.

Eligibility and Admissions

Standard Admission

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be minimum 17 years of age
  2. Successful interview with school administration
  3. Alberta high school diploma/non-Alberta equivalent

Mature Admission

Programs using Mature Admissions must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be minimum 18 years of age.
  2. Successful interview with school administration
  3. Successful completion of a Wonderlic Exam equal to grade 12 or above OR Successful completion of a post-secondary program in Canada

Learn more about the admission requirements for International Students.

See if you’re eligible with our pre-approval survey or by speaking to a student advisor to check our specific program prerequisites.

Requests for withdrawals and refunds must be in writing. Please refer to Alberta Student Enrollment Contracts attached in your orientation package for detailed information and cost calculation on refunds.

Our licensed massage therapy diploma programs start every two months.

Contact a student advisor for more information on upcoming program start dates at your chosen campus.

To apply as an International Student, you must be 17 years of age or older, you must provide international educational documentation for review, you must obtain and provide evidence of a study permit, among other requirements, Learn more by visiting our International Students page.

Massage Therapy Program Curriculum

Our 3,000 hour Massage Therapy program offers extensive theory-based and hands-on training in online, in-person or a blended format. In the first year, students will learn the foundations of the human body along with basic massage techniques in their massage therapy courses. Second-year students will learn advanced massage therapy techniques to learn how to treat and prevent injuries.

View our full Massage Therapy program curriculum here.

Student Massages

View our Student Massage page for more information, FAQs, and to book a massage.

If you have additional questions about MaKami’s massage therapy program, please talk to one of our advisors.

Interested in Massage Therapy at MaKami College?

Are you ready to see if you have what it takes to become a massage therapist? Answer a few questions below and get pre-approved today!

Student Success Stories

Our students go on to do amazing things! Here’s what some MaKami Alumni are doing with their advanced massage therapy training.

Allison – Gaining Confidence and a Path to a New Career 

Allison Taylor worked as a health care aide before deciding to enroll in MaKami College's Business Administration certificate program.

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The Jones Family – Finding the Support They Needed to Thrive

Richard Jones and his children discovered renewed purpose in their lives and careers after graduating from MaKami College’s Business Administration program.

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Jennifer – Pursuing a Career with a Healthy Work-Life Balance 

After working as a nurse for 20 years, Jennifer Miller decided to become a massage therapist so she could have more of a work-life balance.

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