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You must be 18 years of age. You need to
complete and application form and supply all of
the required information, including your high school diploma,
physician's statement of health, official transcripts
from any schools attended, current resume, biographical
information, and two personal references. After this process
is complete, you'll need to schedule an interview with the
director. Please see our admissions
section for a full description of the application process.
 Q:
Are you accredited?
We are authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission,
the governing body for post-secondary schools in Tennessee.
Q: Do you have financial assistance?
Financial assistance
available for those who qualify. We are not approved
for Title IV grants/loans.
Q: So, when I finish I get my license?
Actually, you'll
receive a diploma stating that you have completed 600 hours
of training. You will then apply to the state for your
license and applicants will need to pass a competency exam
in order to get their license. We are confident our program
will prepare graduates for that test.
Q: How do I get my license?
We review the
entire application process in our TN Law classes.
Q: Can I move to any state and practice?
Each state has
different requirements. We encourage students to become
aware of various requirements prior to moving/completing our program.
Q: Isn't there a National Certification?
Yes. however,
this alone does not allow you to travel/practice nationwide. Even
with this certification you may need to meet other requirements.
Q: Then what is the National Certification good for?
It is a legally
defensible competency exam. Some states (including Tennessee)
use this exam as part of their licensure process.
Q: What types of job opportunities are available?
Lots!
Most graduates go into private practice and open their own
business. Many others wind up working in massage clinics,
doctors' offices, salons, day spa, gyms, business offices
doing seated-chair massage, and some even travel the
world doing massage in many locations.
Q: Can this field become overpopulated (like physical therapy)?
No. Each
person is going to seek out the therapist who meets their
needs. Every graduate of our program learns the same information,
yet each graduate has a style all his or her own. As
long as you're willing to put forth the effort to make
yourself known, you will succeed.
Q: What's the average annual salary for people in this
field?
Salaries can
vary dramatically depending on the situation. The range
can be anywhere from $13/$14K to $25K starting out.
It all depends on the scenario. Now, once a therapist
is established (for some this may take a year or so) it's
not unheard of to make $30 to $40K. Really, the sky is
the limit. As long as you are willing to put forth the effort,
the people will come.
Q: Do you offer a job placement service?
Although no direct
placement is guaranteed, a current listing of available employment
opportunities is kept on file. The file and advisement service
are available to all MBI students and graduates.
Q: Can I work as a massage therapist before I finish school?
You can do all
the free massage you want. You just can't be compensated
for it without a license (a stipulation of Tennessee law).
Q: How is your program different from the other schools?
1. We offer
a full time program that meets four days a week and allows
you to finish in 9 months.
2. We start hands-on classes by the second or third
day. Many other programs make you complete prerequisites
prior to any hands-on work.
3. You are given a syllabus on the first day of class
that tells you what is going on every day in class.
In other words, we have put the curriculum together already
- you just have to show up and participate. Other programs
have a college-style curriculum, where you have to decide/decipher
what to take and when.
4. And last but certainly not least,
MBI was established by educators. The program is based on many
years of experience, knowing what students did and didn't
want out of a program like this.
Q: How much at-home preparation/course work is there?
The
academic work IS college level material. However, our
instructors are experts at presenting this material in a fun and inviting
fashion. We also structure our classes so that the first two
hours are typically lecture and the second two hours can
include hands-on work. And, because it's
massage school, you're guaranteed to be getting at least three massages
a week--that's not too bad! On average we say you should
expect to spend three to six hours outside of class per
week depending on your study skills/habits.
Q: I haven't been in school in several years. I'm worried
I won't be able to pass.
As long as you're
willing to make the commitment to show up and participate,
WE will commit to making sure you understand the information and
pass the program. We do not "give" grades just to make sure
everyone passes. We will monitor your progress and intervene early if
we have any concerns about your progress.
Q: I work full time…I don't know if I'll have enough time
to work and come to class.
The majority
of our students work full-time jobs while coming to class. You
have to remember that although the information is college-level
material, we're
keeping it light and fun. And you'll be getting a massage
at least three times a week, which always helps reduce
YOUR stress. Finally, keep in mind that the program is
9 months and you'll be out and onto a new exciting profession.
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