News Releases

Owens Community College Introduces New Massage Therapy Associate Degree Program

Owens Community College is expanding its School of Health Sciences academic curriculum by announcing the creation of a new massage therapy associate degree program. Beginning Fall Semester 2006, the new academic program will be offered on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses.

The new two-year associate degree program recently received formal approval by the Ohio Board of Regents.

“The need for highly skilled and trained massage therapists is growing as a result of medical personnel and the general public recognizing the value and importance of massage therapy to health living,” said Beth Ann Hatkevich, Owens chair of the occupational therapy assistant and massage therapy. “The College’s School of Health Sciences sees the establishing of a new massage therapy associate degree program as an opportunity to meet Northwest Ohio’s health care demands by educating future massage therapy professionals.”

The new associate degree requires 68 credit hours of coursework, which includes learning about the history of medical massage, scope of practice, professional ethics, business practices, specific hands-on mobilization techniques, various massage techniques and the anatomy and physiology of the human body as it relates to the practice of massage therapy.

Owens’ program is designed to prepare highly competent massage therapists for service delivery in rehabilitation and pain management centers, as well as hospitals, palliative care and hospice centers. Graduates will also have the opportunity to work in geriatric massage and nursing homes, chiropractic offices, health and wellness centers, and corporate-industrial wellness programs, among other health-related locations.

“A career within massage therapy isn’t limited to full-time work for a private company or an organization,” explained Hatkevich. “Many massage therapists choose to establish their own private practice in-home, allowing for more flexibility in balancing life outside of work.”

In addition to the new two-year associate degree, the School of Health Sciences offers a recently established certificate program in massage therapy. The 13-month program is offered twice per academic year and designed to prepare highly competent massage therapists for service delivery in variety health-related settings.

For additional information about Owens’ new massage therapy associate degree, call (567) 661-7175 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7175. Fall Semester classes begin on August 21.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.