To complement “Positive Influence: Become a Massage Therapy Instructor,” by Ariana Vincent, in the June 2015 issue of MASSAGE Magazine. Summary: These organizations maintain many resources to assist present and future massage therapy instructors.
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE)
Educational Resources for Massage Therapy Teachers
This database, compiled by massage therapy education professionals, includes websites, books, teacher trainings and more, designed to help education providers achieve the guidelines set forth in the National Teacher Education Standards Project (NTESP).
afmte.org/teacher-education-resources
AFMTE’s National Teacher Education Standards Project (NTESP)
This page contains information about and links relevant to the NTESP, the goal of which is “to create a culture of teaching excellence in our field.” It outlines the phases of the project, plus the competencies and standards it aims to create.
Ariana Institute’s Massage Therapy Instructor Course
Designed for massage therapists who want to teach or instructors who want to improve their teaching skills, this course focuses on learning theories, planning lessons and activities, technology, and marketing strategies.
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)
Instructor Resource Programs
This massage instructor resource center for ABMP members includes webinars, a newsletter and textbook.
abmp.com/instructors/instructor_development.php
Coursera Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education
Taught by an instructor from the University of Michigan, this 8-week online course covers educational theory, instructional methods, applied teaching techniques and teaching strategies.
coursera.org/course/instructmethodshpe
Education and Training Solutions
This company offers several online courses, including Teaching and Learning Online, which familiarizes therapists with techniques and strategies for instructing students online. Courses are presented using Moodle, an interactive, open-source learning system.
educationtrainingsolutions.com/about-us
Entry-Level Analysis Project (ELAP)
ELAP’s goals were “to define knowledge and skill components of entry-level education and recommend the minimum number of hours schools should teach to prepare graduates for safe and competent practice” of massage. The site contains reports and webinars on the information gathered.
Florida Board of Massage Therapy
Education and Training Programs
On this page, search for approved schools, apply for approval and learn about the requirements for massage educational programs in the state of Florida.
floridasmassagetherapy.gov/education-and-training-programs
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)
Continuing Education Providers
This page of the NCBTMB’s site contains a list of information and frequently asked questions about becoming a CE provider and renewing your provider status, as well as massage CE course guidelines and tools.
NCBTMB Approved as New York CE Sponsor
The New York State Education Department only recognizes massage continuing education from providers who meet their new guidelines; this page provides a list of those sponsored by the NCBTMB and recognized as approved providers in New York.
About the Author
Ariana Vincent is CEO and founder of Ariana Institute for Wellness Education (arianainstitute.com), which offers a course in becoming a massage therapy instructor. She is a National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork-approved provider of continuing education and a massage therapy instructor. She has been an educator for more than 16 years and a massage therapist for more than 34 years.