Massage Therapy Education in Ontario

The following educational programmes are approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and lead to Registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and the right to use the protected titles “Massage Therapist” and “Registered Massage Therapist”.

Algonquin College of Applied Arts & Technology
Nepean

Bryan College of Applied Health and Business Sciences
North York

Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy
Cambridge, Toronto

Canadian College of Health Science and Technology
Windsor

Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
Scarborough

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Canada
Toronto

Collège Boreal
Sudbury

D’Arcy Lane Institute
London

Elegance School of Esthetics
Cornwall

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care
Barrie, Hamilton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Windsor

Fanshawe College
London

Georgian College
Barrie

Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto

Institute of Complementary & Alternative Therapies
Toronto

International Academy of Massage Inc.
Ottawa

Kikkawa College
Toronto

Lambton College of Applied Arts & Technology
Sarnia

Medix School
Kitchener, London, Scarborough, Toronto

National Institute
Brampton

Northern College (Program starts Fall 2013)
Timmins

Ontario College of Health & Technology
Stoney Creek

Protégé School
Scarborough

Royal Canadian College of Massage Therapy
Toronto

Royal Institute of Science and Management
Scarborough

Sir Sandford Fleming College of Applied Arts & Technology
Peterborough

Sutherland-Chan School
Toronto

Trillium College
Burlington, Kingston, Kitchener, Oshawa, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Toronto

Wellsprings College of Massage Therapy and Esthetics
Richmond Hill

Westervelt College
London

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario does not approve/register programmes or schools. As such, the College does not grant approval to educational institutions to market programmes as having been approved by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario or to use the College’s logo in marketing materials.

In considering a career as a Registered Massage Therapist, choosing the school is one of the most important decisions to make. It is both a large investment of time and money so investigate and talk to as many different schools as possible. The following suggestions are a guide in considering a potential school:

Personal needs and preferences:

• What size school is preferred?

• Living in a small town? In the city?

• Calculate living expenses and what is affordable? Is

• commuting a viable option?

• What kinds of living arrangements are available?

• Are good supports (friends and family) close by?

• Is adequate child care available?

The “feel” of the school:

• Is the staff friendly and helpful?

• Are classes open for visits to and to sit in?

• Does the school set appropriate admission standards?

• Are written materials provided that clearly explain the school’s policies, tuition and other expenses, and application process?

• Does the school sign a contract with its students?

• Is the atmosphere of the school welcoming?

• Is there the opportunity to speak to current students and/or graduates? Is the message resonating?

The school’s reputation and standing:

• How long has the school been in business?

• Does it have a reputation for high standards?

• What is its history of success at the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario certification exams? (see our Annual Examination Statistics by School on the right side of this page)

• Is the school in good standing with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities?

• What is its Ontario Student Assistnce Program (OSAP) default rate?

• Does it have external programme accreditation from a respected accreditation agency?

• Does the school have positive name recognition with employers?

• Will being a graduate of this school enhance employability/opportunities for successful practice?

• Does the school participate actively in the Massage Therapy profession and the regulation of Massage Therapists?

• What are its professional affiliations?

The quality of the school and the programme:

• Does the school’s curriculum meet the Massage Therapy Competency Standards set by the College?

• Are its facilities adequate to deliver its programme?

• How many direct clinical care hours does each student receive?

• Do the clinical experiences provide diversity of involvement with many types of clients and health conditions?

• Does the school have a community outreach programme?

• Are all student placements fully supervised by on-site Massage Therapists?

• What are the student/teacher ratios in the school’s various educational experiences?

• Does the school have teachers with strong reputations in the subjects they teach ?

• Are there Massage Therapists on staff in all subject areas?

• What is the school’s faculty turnover rate?

• Does it have an on-going instructor professional development programme?

• Does it have a continuing education programme for its graduates?

• Can students pursue their particular interests in the school’s programme?

• Are the school’s academic policies clearly stated?

• What happens if a student fails?

• Are students given transcripts/progress reports during the programme?

• Does the school have a code of ethics and support the principles of professionalism?

Services available to students:

• Does the school have a library and quiet study area?

• Does it have a student lounge?

• Is tutoring available?

• Are there remedial clinics?

• Is there study skills support?

• Are there services for students with special needs?

• Is there a student guidance/counselling service?

• Do the students have a representative voice that is listened to?

• Are students fully covered for insurance?

• Do students feel well served by the school?