Our 1,000-hour massage therapy certification program gives students the skills and knowledge needed to excel as practitioners in the rapidly expanding field of integrative wellness.

This program offers a holistic approach to massage, with a strong foundation in the biological sciences, a broad range of therapeutic techniques, and an opportunity to explore career pathways leading to specialization. 

The program's educational philosophy is based on personalized, accessible approaches in an atmosphere of curiosity, respect, and exploration. A rolling admissions schedule creates a dynamic classroom experience where students have the opportunity for teamwork and collaboration.

Graduates embark on their professional paths with the experience needed to succeed in a variety of settings, including private practice, medical centers, athletics, and the wellness and spa industries. 

The curriculum is grounded in experiential learning, with an emphasis on personalized education and learner empowerment in both the science and massage classrooms. Students graduate with a solid sense of self-care practices that support professional sustainability, an informed perspective on ethical, socially conscious business practices, and a deep understanding of how touch therapy impacts physical and mental well-being. Their broad and diverse toolkit equips them to positively impact clients' individual lives and enhance the spectrum of healthcare options within their communities.

This certification program meets the New York State Department of Education’s requirements for massage therapy licensing. Upon graduation, students are qualified to sit for the New York State licensing examination. 

The 1,000-hour massage certification program spans 33 weeks, supports the progressive development of hands-on skills and scientific literacy, and incorporates a rolling admissions structure that accepts new students every ten weeks. The program structure creates a dynamic classroom experience where students have the opportunity for teamwork and collaboration. Core classes repeat in all three program segments, allowing students the opportunity to explore different aspects of the work, vary their approaches, and deepen their understanding as they move through program segments. 

The first 30 weeks of the program offer a full-time weekday schedule with classes from 9 am - 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Throughout their 30 weeks on campus, students practice weekly massage sessions in clinics outside of these hours. The clinic schedule is flexible and offers evening and weekend options. Once students complete 30 weeks on campus, they embark upon a three-week Community Practicum that includes off-campus work offering massage at community facilities. Students work in a variety of settings, adapting to different environments and populations, and orchestrating the related demands and responsibilities.

Start your journey with us—rolling admission every 10 weeks! Our first cohort launched on September 29, 2025.

Next start dates:

November 30, 2026

February 22, 2027

May 3, 2027

July 5, 2027

Foundations of Touch: Provides foundational skills such as introduction to health care terminology related to massage therapy, comfort and ease within oneself, and essential communication and interpersonal skills for professional engagement.

Beyond Business: Prepares students to enter into the profession of massage therapy, addressing professional ethics, career opportunities and sustainability, best practices in business for sole proprietors, small businesses, as well as for empowering self-advocacy in employment settings.

Massage Modalities: Multifaceted learning of a variety of massage techniques, modalities, ancillary applications, and integrated approaches including: Swedish Massage, Embodied Awareness and Professional Sustainability, Reflexology, Integrated Somatic Awareness, Essential Oils, Hydrotherapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Shiatsu, Eastern Approaches to Massage and Bodywork, Work with Special Populations, Spa Therapies, Seated Massage, Myofascial Technique, Deep Fascial Massage, Polarity Massage, and Active Isolated Stretching.

Myology and Kinesiology: Muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems and their interrelationships in biomechanics and coordinated movement are at the core of this course.

Medical Conditions: Common medical conditions that present in massage therapy practice, and clinical decision making are covered in this course.

Anatomy and Physiology: Structure and function of major systems of the human body, including biophysics, cellular biology, cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems

Student and Community Clinic: Prepares students for the practice of massage therapy in a professional clinical setting. Drawing on techniques and skills learned in the program, students begin providing massage therapy sessions with one another in a supervised setting, then moving on to providing massage therapy as part of an integrated health care regimen for community members, supervised by our clinical staff.

Community Practicum: Building on their previous clinical work, students will conclude their program with off-site practicum set across various settings in the community, and supervised by clinical staff who will coordinate the delivery of massage therapy in these unique settings.

Living Essence Massage Institute faculty and staff are committed to fostering a culture that values and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our community. We believe that diversity encompasses a wide range of human differences, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, size, age, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, and cultural background.

Our commitment to diversity extends to our curriculum, practices, and interactions within our school. We recognize the importance of representing diverse perspectives and experiences in our educational programs to better serve our students and prepare them to work effectively in an increasingly diverse world.

We are dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment where everyone is treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity. We strive to remove barriers to access and success for underrepresented and marginalized groups and actively work to address systemic inequalities within our institution.