Certificate
Redwood Campus
The Massage Therapy program at Rogue Community College is designed to help you thrive in today’s wellness industry by combining exceptional training, strong communication skills and a supportive learning environment. You’ll develop the ability to promote relaxation, relieve pain and support overall wellness through therapeutic touch — while also learning how to communicate clearly, build client trust and deliver professional, client-centered care. Through a blend of in-depth classroom instruction and extensive hands-on practice in state-of-the-art facilities, you gain real-world experience that prepares you to work confidently and effectively. A key part of your training takes place in RCC’s on-site clinic, where you work with members of the community in a professional setting. This clinical experience allows you to apply your skills with real clients, refine your techniques, and strengthen your communication in authentic, real-world scenarios — all within a supportive, supervised environment.
The four-term certificate program allows you to enter the workforce quickly while meeting Oregon state licensure and national certification requirements. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue opportunities in clinics, spas, wellness centers or to build a successful private practice with the skills, professionalism and confidence to succeed in a competitive industry.
Program Highlights
In this program, you gain practical experience from day one while building a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and therapeutic techniques. You also develop a clear understanding of professional ethics and boundaries, ensuring you provide safe, respectful and client-centered care in every interaction. As your training progresses, you learn how to create individualized treatment plans, document client progress clearly and accurately, and communicate findings in a professional, health-centered setting. This comprehensive approach strengthens both your clinical expertise and your professional integrity, preparing you to build a sustainable, long-term career in the wellness and health care industry. Program highlights include:
- Meets Oregon State Board of Massage Therapy education requirements.
- Meets Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) requirements to sit for the MBLEx.
- Includes over 250 hours of science coursework, including anatomy, physiology and kinesiology.
- Provides over 300 hours dedicated to the study of different massage modalities.
- Includes in-person clinical experiences serving real clients in a supervised setting.
- Integrates ethics, professional boundaries, client-centered care and strong communication skills throughout the curriculum.
- Ensure industry relevance and workforce alignment as a community-driven program guided by an active advisory board.
FAQs
Yes, since we are a fully accredited institution, RCC Massage Therapy students may apply for financial aid. For more information, visit the Cost & Aid page [link].
Because RCC is a public community college, we can offer our program at a significant savings as compared to private schools.
Yes, while this program is a one-year certificate program, some credits earned may be applied to the Associate of General Studies degree.
No, the program is only offered in Grants Pass. However, a number of students do carpool from the Medford and Ashland areas.
The program is only offered during the day.
RCC’s Massage Therapy faculty are all licensed massage therapists (LMT). They spend many hours studying various trends and meet yearly with our Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from local health care facilities, community members, RCC students and alumni.
Yes, many students decide to take the program over a two-year period. However, students must re-apply every year.
Yes, RCC is accredited through the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). The Oregon State Board of Massage Therapists has reviewed and approved our curriculum.
You can apply to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists and have an official review your education. OBMT will inform you of coursework you may be missing or if you have met the educational requirements. If you have transcripts and course outlines from your schooling, the RCC Massage Therapy Department Chair can assist you with an unofficial educational review and advise you on classes that may complete your educational requirements.
Oregon law (ORS 687.051) requires you to be at least 18 years old to apply for massage therapy licensure.
Students can expect to dedicate about 15-25 hours per week to the Massage Therapy program. Classes and labs are held at the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass and are scheduled across multiple weekdays, typically from morning through early afternoon. During fall, winter and spring terms, regular on-campus attendance is required, usually four to five days per week.
Coursework includes a blend of lecture, hands-on lab and modality training such as Basic Swedish Massage, Kinesiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Myofascial, Trigger Point Therapy, Pathology and Integrated Studies.
Because of the consistent schedule and required attendance, this program is best suited for students who are not working full time during daytime hours.
See Students in Action
