The Parent's Guide to BCMT
Thank you for your interest in the Boulder College of Massage Therapy. We hope that this guide will provide you with useful information about the College and that you will come and visit us in Boulder, Colorado.
Click here for the 2008 massage therapy industry fact sheet AMTA.
Click here for the 2008 consumer survey fact sheet from AMTA.
Parent's guide by topic:
Massage Therapy is a Booming Profession
Massage therapy is about making a difference in the lives of others, loving what you do, and having passion for your work. It is also a booming profession that offers an alluring range of choice in working environments and conditions for practicing massage therapists. According to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2002, employment opportunities for massage therapists were expected to grow at a faster than average rate. Through 2012, massage therapists are likely to see a 21% to 35% increase in job opportunities.
BCMT is Celebrating Over 30 Years of Excellence
Established as a non-profit in 1975, BCMT is one of the only massage therapy schools in the world that can boast over 30 years of experience in massage therapy education. We are proud to have over 3000 alumni around the world, hosting students from all 50 states and 21 countries.
BCMT is a Non-Profit College
The public demand for massage has been steadily rising. The American Massage Therapy Association analyzed a study on the use of alternative medicine that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association
(November 1998) and estimated that consumers spend $4-6 billion a year on visits to massage therapists. Massage therapy is increasingly becoming an “industry.” The good news is that there are lots of job opportunities for our graduates. The bad news is that a massage therapy education is increasingly becoming a corporate venture and a for-profit business. The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is an independent, not-for-profit massage therapy college, and has been for over 30 years. Our bottom line is: to provide our students with superior training in massage therapy.
We’re in One of the Best Cities to Live in the US
BCMT is located in Boulder, Colorado, one of the best cities to live in the US according to Fortune, Outside, Men’s Journal, Runner’s World, the New York Times, and numerous other national publications. Boulder is situated at the base of the Flatirons, at an altitude of 5,563 feet, and just 30 minutes from Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park. Area residents enjoy hiking, rock climbing, cycling, fishing, hang gliding, kayaking, running, area ski resorts, snowshoeing, and a wide variety of cultural events. Boulder is also home to the University of Colorado, which exerts a major influence on the city's industry, economics, and demographics, providing diversity to the city's population.
Our Facility is One of a Kind
BCMT students benefit from our state-of-the-art facility, which was specifically designed for comprehensive training in massage therapy. Our 31,000 square foot facility includes a professional 12-room clinic, a fully equipped spa training classroom, a computer lab, a reference library, a student lounge and patio area, a wellness bookstore, large group lecture rooms, and massage therapy training classrooms with tables and futons.
Our Programs Are Challenging
Although the only educational prerequisite for applying to our college is a high school diploma or equivalent, most of our students have completed some college work. We also have healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, who have graduated from our programs. To prepare academically, we recommend that high school students take challenging courses such as English Literature, Expository Writing, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Chemistry to prepare for their education at BCMT.
We Offer a Web of Support
BCMT is a community dedicated to providing support to each and every one of its members. We encourage our students to take advantage of all the support and the services we have put in place to ensure their success at our College.
Advisors – Our Academic Affairs Manager oversees academic advising with the cooperation of our team of over 45 instructors, who are specialists in their subject areas.
Financial Aid Counseling – In 2005, 100% of BCMT students, who applied for Federal Financial Aid, qualified. Let our Financial Aid Advisor assist you in putting together a plan that meets your needs.
M-1 Visa Counseling – BCMT has alumni from over 21 countries, so we have extensive experience working with international students. We issue I-20 applications for M-1 visas for accepted students, and we can assist you (and your family) in getting set up in Boulder.
Tutoring - Free peer tutoring is available to all students as well as low-cost group tutoring. Instructors and Teaching Assistants (TA’s) also provide tutoring services.
Testing center - Students who require a quiet testing environment are encouraged to take written exams in our testing center. Additional accommodations for testing are also available.
Special needs accommodations - Students with documented disabilities may request special needs accommodations such as tutoring, notetaking, and books on tape/DVD.
Mentoring - Incoming students are matched with continuing students to provide them with personal support during their time at BCMT. Additionally, all students receive five hours of professional mentoring from a faculty member or a professional in the field prior to graduation.
Counseling center – Students are encouraged to take advantage of this low-cost ($5 per counseling session) service, which offers personal counseling in areas such as stress management, time management, and interpersonal communication.
Wellness - BCMT students enjoy (deeply) discounted sessions in our massage therapy clinic as well nearby clinics at Southwest Acupuncture College, and the Rolf Institute.
Top 10 Questions Parents Ask Us
We welcome your involvement in planning your child’s postsecondary education. Your support is a key component to your child’s success in our program. We get lots of questions from our prospective students and their families, and we strive to answer each and every one of them to your satisfaction. Here are the ones we get most often:
Q. How long is your program?
A. Students who elect to study full-time may graduate in one year, and go to work immediately anywhere in the United States and many places abroad. Part-time students typically graduate within two years.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The Certificate in Massage Therapy is $13.16 per contact hour. Compare this to the tuition at a four-year college, which will cost between $40,000 to $60,000.
Q. Is there financial aid available?
A. Yes, and there are many ways to fund one’s BCMT education. Let us help your family choose the option that works best for you. It is recommended that you contact our Financial Aid Advisor to discuss your specific financial situation.
Q. Does your program include real-life experience such as internships?
A. Yes, our supervised internship and outreach program allows students to explore various specializations while contributing to the community. Opportunities include work with Boulder Community Hospital, Rose Medical Center Hospital, Hospice of Boulder County, professional sports teams such as the Colorado Rapids and the Colorado Crush, the University of Colorado at
Boulder and University of Denver athletic departments, as well as chiropractic clinics and spas.
Q. Do you offer job placement or career counseling?
A. Yes, we do. To help our graduates find jobs after graduation, BCMT offers extensive career placement services to our alumni association members. Additionally, our curriculum includes business classes that give students a head start in their job search, and prepare them for self-employment.
Q. Where can your graduates find a job after graduation?
A. While many massage therapists maintain private practices, they may also seek employment at a wide variety of places such as:
• Spas
• Hospitals
• Cruise Ships
• Sports teams
• Massage clinics
• Chiropractic clinics
• Physical Therapy clinics
Q. How much money can a massage therapist make?
A. Massage therapists can make anywhere from $45.00 to $70.00 an hour or more, depending on the type of employment and geographical area. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that the yearly income for the average massage therapist who does 15 massages a week is $29,250. Not bad for one year of professional schooling!
Q. Can you help us get set up with housing and part-time jobs?
A. Yes, we can. You may request a detailed housing guide from one of our Admissions Coordinators, or download it from our website. There are several apartment complexes within walking distance of the College that we recommend to our students. Our Admissions staff can also direct you to the best resources for finding part-time jobs.
Q. What about health insurance? Is it required?
A. BCMT does not require that students have health insurance, but we recommend that they do. If your son or daughter is on your health plan and you’d like to continue his or her coverage, your insurer will need verification of enrollment. Please have your son or daughter contact our Director of Enrollment & Services for an enrollment verification form.
Q. What’s the next step? Can we set up a visit to the College?
A. Yes, you can! Please contact our Admissions Office by email: admissions@bcmt.org or by phone: 303-530-2100, and they can help arrange your visit. If it fits your travel plans, we recommend you attend one of our open houses, which are scheduled on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. For a complete schedule of open house events [click here]
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