What is Accreditation?

According to the U. S. Department of Education, accreditation is the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution or program that meets the agency's standards and requirements. Accreditation can help by:

•    Providing standards for schools or programs;
•    Establishing a school's credibility and making it stand our from the competition;
•    Assuring students that they are receiving a quality education;
•    Allowing the public to identify competent practitioners.

Graduation from a recognized, accredited school is also becoming a requirement to legally practice in some states. It is clear that accreditation is becoming a more important consideration, both for those looking to attend massage therapy school and for the schools themselves as they work to gain a competitive edge and prepare their students for a successful future. There are two main types of accreditation agencies: institutional and programmatic.

Institutional accreditation accredits an entire institution or school, such agencies include:
•    Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES);
•    Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET);
•    Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT);
•    Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS);
•    Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Programmatic accreditation accredits the specialized educational programs and curriculum that prepare students for entry into a specific profession. The two agencies that offer programmatic accreditation for massage therapy are:
•    Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
Note: COMTA also provides institutional accreditation for those schools that only offer massage therapy and bodywork programs.
•    National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
 

The State of Accreditation for Massage Today

Currently, accreditation is voluntary for the approximately 1,500 massage therapy schools in the United States, and only 20 percent of schools are accredited.

What Massage Schools Are Accredited Near Me?

To learn more about which schools are accredited in your area or to contact the accrediting agencies, visit:
•    U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov
•    The Council for Higher Education website at http://www.chea.org

Member Views about Accreditation

Most AMTA members feel that consistent standards are important to ensure quality. According to AMTA's November 2006 survey with Professional members:
•    94 percent agree that consumer have a right to expect that massage therapists have consistent training and skills.
•    91 percent agree there should be minimum education requirements for individuals to enter the field of massage therapy.
•    90 percent believe that all schools should be accredited.
•    88 percent agree all massage therapists should graduate from an accredited school.
•    59 percent feel that their own initial massage therapy training adequately prepared them for the profession.
•    9 percent feel that most massage therapists are adequately trained to practice massage therapy.