Course Descriptions

This course is designed to introduce the student to the science of nutrition and the study of food nutrients and other substances, their action, interaction and balance. Special emphasis is placed on the interrelationship between diet, nutrition, health and disease.

This course provides students with an in-depth knowledge of massage techniques. Emphasis will be on the application of the basic massage stokes and their variations. Students will learn proper draping and positioning techniques and recommended client protocol. In regards to ethics, a variety of topics will be discussed and explored in order to help the students form their own written code of ethics.

This course teaches students to identify the location and movements of skeletal muscles. Students will identify bones and boney landmarks. They will learn muscle origin and insertion using specific boney landmarks as points of anatomical reference. They will learn directional terms and terms of movement. Students will learn to identify and describe the movement of each muscle.

This course introduces students to a variety of specialized modalities of massage. Specialization in the massage industry increases the marketability of therapists and is strongly recommended. Students will be familiar with the basic principles of each modality presented. In addition to lectures presented by the instructor, students will be responsible for researching modalities of particular interest to them.

This course prepares massage students to execute advance massage techniques. Students will learn optional techniques available to clients including abdominal massage, facial massage and massage of the gluteals. Massage for special populations will be discussed, including massage for the elderly and chair massage.

This course prepares the massage student to apply deep muscular therapy techniques. Emphasis will be placed on the use of proper body mechanics and the use of proper techniques to deliver deep tissue massage safely. Trigger point therapy will be used extensively in this course. Students will learn the use of massage tools. Individual muscles will be isolated and massaged with parallel and cross fiber techniques.

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the practical skills necessary to administer professional massage therapy treatments. In addition to performing massage treatments on the general public, students will also perform seated chair massage at scheduled on-site events as arranged by the instructor. This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the practical learned skills needed to work as a professional massage therapist.

This course is designated to prepare the students to take the National Certification Examination (NEC) issued by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Students will review anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, clinical pathology, massage theory, massage assessment and practice, adjunct techniques and business practices. Students will be taught to identify the areas where they need the most review and use outside texts to help them maximize their learning potential. A study guide and sample test questions will be used to exemplify the National Certification Examination. Students will be encouraged to apply to take the National Certification Examination after they receive their diploma.

This course covers the fundamentals of hydrotherapy and sports massage. Students will be taught to perform massage treatments specific to individual sports. The course addresses pre-, post- and event-sports massage techniques, as well as rehabilitative massage for injuries and maintenance massage. Students will also be instructed on the use of hydrotherapy techniques. Hydrotherapy will address the application of water as treatment in each of its three forms, hot and cold treatments, hydrocollators, body wraps and salt glows. These green techniques can be implemented into Swedish massage treatments and sports massage.

This course will introduce the massage therapist to the business aspects of operating a massage practice. Topics include client scheduling, budgeting, bookkeeping, marketing and massage-related business issues. The course will detail client/therapist business concerns and help prepare students to identify and solve these concerns in a professional manner. Students will learn to write and execute a detailed workable massage business plan.

This course discusses common pathologies that massage therapists are likely to encounter in their professional practices. It also discusses whether these conditions are indicated or contraindicated for massage and describes how they may be treated.

This course covers the protocol and techniques for a full-body one-hour lymphatic drainage massage. Students will learn massage techniques for anatomy and physiology of the lymph system. Students also will gain hands-on exposure to massage on medically frail clients of all ages.

Students will reinforce previously learned techniques. Students will consider various treatment protocols utilizing scientifically proven, outcome-based techniques including neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, travel trigger point therapy, muscle energy technique, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretching, active isolative stretching and positional release technique. Students will perform thorough patient assessments utilizing medical histories and objective findings through palpation, functional muscle testing, range of motion testing, postural examination and gait examination. Based on the assessment results, students will write a supplementary care-plan using carefully selected techniques and recommended exercises appropriate for the given condition. The supplementary care plan will be written as prescribed by a licensed physician, chiropractor or physical therapist, focusing on conditions such as thoracic outlet syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, low back pain, piriformis syndrome and plantar fasciitis.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 6 and 7. Students will explore the technical and artistic elements of theatre, examine theatre spaces and the roles of theatre artists and technicians, and study the history of theatre. Students will critically analyze a variety of works of theatre through reading scripts and viewing productions. Discussions will include how works of theatre express historical and social values which change over time, including power inequalities, identities, and contributions by diverse groups. No prior theatre background necessary.

Meets MnTC Goal Area 6. Students will gain performance skills and techniques through vocal and physical activities; improvisation; and by practicing, memorizing and performing various theatre pieces in front of the class audience. Students will also use imagination and apply analysis to build characters and scenes. Coursework will require showing respect and working collaboratively. No prior acting experience necessary.