Level I, Level II,
Level III
Required Core Curriculum Hours
(Students must complete 90% or better of each listed course to pass
the course requirements.)
Students must complete a minimum of 570 hours to sit for the State
of Hawaii Massage Therapist License (MAT) Exam.
- Click
here for Spring 2009 Schedule
Introduction to Massage 10 hours
Objectives: To provide prospective students an overview of massage as
a profession. Students will explore their learning style and practice
proper body mechanics as well as observing different bodywork therapies.
1. Massage as a Business, and Learning Strategies. 4hrs
2. Biomechanics of Bodywork. 3 hrs
3. Eastern/Western/Hawaiian Bodywork Demonstrations. 3
hrs
Anatomy & Physiology-Skeletal and Muscular Systems* 30
hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of the functions, descriptions and
locations of bones and muscles of the body.
1. Orientation to Anatomical Terminology.
2. Learning Composition, location of all bones, muscles, and joints.
Anatomy & Physiology-Major Body Systems* 30
hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of functional aspects of nervous,
cardio-vascular, respiratory, lymphatic and endocrine systems of the
body.
1. Orientations of the effect of massage on these various body systems.
2. Overview of Body Systems Functions.
3. Physiology of the Body Systems.
Wellness Skills 9 hours
Objectives: Self-care classes to maintain physical, mental and emotional
health as a massage therapist.
Swedish/Esalen Massage* 48 hours
Objectives: Demonstrate competency and knowledge of the five basic strokes
(effleurage, petrissage, friction, percussion, and vibration) and joint
movements with proper draping and body mechanics, under direct instructor
observation; to demonstrate hands on application of the Swedish/ Esalen
routine, with feedback evaluation. Ethical and professional behavior
is stressed throughout this class.
Communication & Effective Listening Level I 7
hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Review of ethical issues. Participation in
class through active discussion, role playing, and practice of active
listening. Proper intake assessment, giving appropriate feedback and
maintaining client rapport are highlighted.
1. Skills necessary to become an effective massage therapist.
a. Active listening.
b. Proper intake
procedures.
c. Maintaining healthy
boundaries.
d. Appropriate feedback
techniques.
e. Dealing with
sensitive issues.
Introduction to Sports Massage* 10
hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate knowledge and competency of compression,
and stretching with hands on application in class, under direct supervision
with feedback evaluation.
1. Overview of sports massage for maintence as well as pre and post
race/event massage.
2. Introduction to postural analysis.
3. Basic techniques to reduce chances of sports injury.
a. Compression.
b. Cross fiber work.
c. PNF stretching.
4. Improving range of motion, strength, and performance.
5. Decreasing recovery time from exercise and strain.
Laws & Ethics 3 hours
Objectives: Participation in class will demonstrate competency in comprehension
of ethical behavior issues and laws governing massage.
1. Overview of State of Hawaii laws governing massage.
2. Ethical and professional issues of massage practice.
a. Proper communication.
b. Respect of boundaries
between client and therapist.
c. Confidentiality.
Geriatric Massage 3 hours
Objectives: Understand principles of working with the older adult -
in various health conditions.
1. Frail.
2. Age appropriate.
3. Hands on demo will be supervised.
150 Total Classroom Hours
Documented Requirements
• MAHA A & P Notebook tests (1-18) 5
hours
• Minimum Documented Practice Hours 30
hours
• Mosby's Theory Questions 5 hours
40 Minimum Total Practicum Hours Required
* Content learned is evaluated by passing a hands on competancy exam
or a written exam with 70% or better result.
Winter/Spring
2009 Schedule
Lomi Lomi Massage* 34 hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate knowledge of Lomi Lomi techniques
and routine with hands on application in class under direct instructor
supervision with feedback evaluation.
1. Introduction to Hawaiian philosophy, principles and roots of Lomi
Lomi massage, symbology of Hula and Huna.
2. Full body Lomi Lomi techniques and routine.
Structural Kinesiology* 30 hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate competency and knowledge of structural
Kinesiology material and to demonstrate the ability to appropriately
palpate bony landmarks and major muscle attachments of the body and
know their functions.
1. Origin and insertion points of major muscles of the body.
2. Muscle function and movement.
3. Proper palpation for massage.
Sports & Hydrotherapy 23 hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate knowledge and competence of deep
compression, cross fiber work, trigger points, hydrotherapy, and cryotherapy
with hands on application in class, under direct supervision with feedback
evaluation.
1. Further view into postural analysis and sports massage.
2. Continuation of techniques to reduce chances of sports injury.
a. Compression.
b. Cross fiber work.
c. PNF stretching
d. Trigger points.
e. Hydrotherapy.
f. Cryotherapy.
3. Improving range of motion, strength, and performance.
4. Decreasing recovery time from exercise and strain.
Myofascial Release Massage* 33 hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate knowledge of Myofascial release
techniques and routine with hands on application in class, under direct
instructor supervision with feedback evaluation.
1. Theory and principles of effective deep tissue work.
2. Anatomy and palpatory skills.
3. Appropriate body mechanics.
4. Hands on techniques based in deep tissue.
Communication & Effective Listening Level II 3
hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Participation in class through discussion
of the below mentioned skills as well as practicing of active listening.
Roll playing common massage client/therapist situations and addressing
individual student personal process.
1. Skills necessary to become an effective massage therapist.
a. Active listening.
b. Proper intake
procedures
c. Maintaining healthy
boundaries.
d. Appropriate feedback
techniques.
e. Dealing with
sensitive issues.
Reflexology* 34 hours
Objectives and Evaluation: Demonstrate knowledge and location of all
major body and organ related points. Also, to demonstrate hands on application
of reflexology routine on instructor as well as on client, under direct
instructor supervision with feedback evaluation.
1. Reflexology theory.
2. Demonstration of reflexology.
3. Practice of reflexology points in feet, legs, and hands.
4. Training in basic treatment routine.
165 Total Classroom Hours
Required Clinical and Outside Practicum
• Clinical Practicum* 40 hours
• Documented Practice 20
hours
Practical Application and Supervised Clinical Massage
Level II - 100 hours offered
Objectives and evaluation: Practice massage techniques with the public
under the direct supervision of a licensed massage therapist in order
to improve skills using various modalities, with verbal feedback from
instructor regarding technique, stroke sequence and proper body mechanics.
These on-campus and off-campus events also allow the student to practice
his/her record keeping, including medical history, SOAP notes and written
feedback from client.
1. Practice hands on application of various massage modalities on people
from the general public.
2. Practice hands on application on people from special populations,
such as athletes and senior citizens.
60 Minimum Total Practicum Hours Required
Note: 100 Hours of Level II Supervised Clinical Practicum are Offered.
* Content learned is evaluated by passing a hands on competancy exam
or a written exam with 70% or better result.
Winter/Spring
2008/2009 Schedule
Pathology & Treatment of Soft Tissue Injury* 30
hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of causes of injury, reaction to injury,
evaluating efficacy of treatment available and approaches to caring
for injured client.
1. Review of anatomy.
2. Typical injuries to joints and soft tissues.
3. Physiology of the natural healing process.
4. Body's response to injury.
5. Diagnosis of nerve damage, joint and muscle injury.
6. Developing protocols.
Advanced Swedish Massage* 30 hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of traditional European Swedish massage
techniques with hands on application in class, under direct instructor
supervision with feedback evaluation.
1. Traditional European Swedish therapeutic massage.
2. Deep back muscle manipulation technique.
3. Facial tissue massage.
4. Advanced petrissage to enhance nervous system function.
5. Integrating Swedish/Esalen massage style with advanced Swedish massage
techniques.
Shiatsu* 40 hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of point location and application
of Shiatsu technique with hands on application in class, under direct
instructor supervision with feedback evaluation.
1. Shiatsu theory.
2. Basic five-element theory and meridian flow.
3. Demonstration of Shiatsu.
4. Practice of Basic Shiatsu style acupressure points.
Integrative Bodywork Techniques* 20
hours
Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of how to integrate different modalities
of bodywork with hands on application, under direct instructor supervision
with feedback evaluation.
1. Review of effective techniques for upper and lower back problems.
2. How to integrate variety of bodywork styles to enhance structural
balance and well being.
Successful Business Practices and Management 20
hours
Objectives: Define personal and professional goals for success as a
massage therapist, demonstrate knowledge of office procedures and requirements
for working in various employment situations with focus on hotel/spa
environments, and interact with spa directors or principle therapists
at massage establishments who will outline employer expectations.
1. Basic business skills.
2. Office Procedures.
a. Billing, record
keeping, and file set-up.
b. Interfacing with
medical insurance providers.
c. Tax forms.
3. Goal Setting: Short and long term.
4. Personal presentation and making a positive impression.
5. Exploring employment opportunities.
140 Total Classroom Hours
Required Clinical and Outside Practicum
• Clinical Practicum 40 hours
• Business Practicum 5 hours
• Documented Practice 20 hours
Practical Application and Supervised Clinical Massage Level III
- 100 hours offered
Objectives: Practice with the public under the direct supervision of
a licensed massage therapist in order to improve skills using various
modalities, with verbal feedback from instructor regarding technique,
stroke sequence and proper body mechanics. These on-campus and off-campus
events also allow the student to practice his/her record keeping, including
medical history, SOAP notes and written feedback from client.
1. Practice hands on application of various massage modalities on people
from the general public.
2. Practice hands on application on people from special populations,
such as athletes and senior citizens.
65 Minimum Total Practicum Hours Required
Note: 100 Hours of Level 3 Supervised Clinical Practicum are Offered.
* Content learned is evaluated by passing a hands on competancy exam
or a written exam with 70% or better result.
