Become a Massage Therapist. Hands-on training in Carson.
Learn by doing: therapeutic massage techniques, anatomy, and client care through hands-on practice at our Carson campus, plus a 240-hour externship in a real treatment setting. We help graduates apply for CAMTC state certification. Financial aid available for those who qualify.
- Hands-on massage training
- Real client practice
- CAMTC application help
- Approved to train veterans
Get started
Start your Massage Therapy application
Reserve your seat for the next class. An admissions advisor will follow up during business hours.
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New modules start about every 4 weeks. You can enroll at the start of any module.
Watch inside
Step inside the Massage Therapy program
Watch the program overview and hear directly from our students.
Why CHAC
Why students choose our Carson campus
Four reasons students choose California Healing Arts College.
Learn massage by doing, not watching
Practice therapeutic massage, modalities, and sports massage on real tables in real practice sessions.
We help you apply for CAMTC certification
Upon completion, graduates are assisted with the application process for state certification with the California Massage Therapy Council.
240-hour externship in a real setting
Your final two modules are a 240-hour externship in an affiliated site with real clients and real treatment settings.
Serving Southern California since 1988
Approved to operate by the state of California since 1988 and accredited by ACCSC.
36 weeks to graduateIs this you?
You don't just study massage. You practice it.
Massage is learned by touch. This program is built for people ready to develop real technique and start a career helping others feel better.
- You want a hands-on career helping people
- You want a clear path toward CAMTC state certification
- You want practical training, not only online classes
- You need flexible day or evening classes
Program overview
Everything you need to know at a glance
Skills you'll master
Therapeutic massage skills: ready for real clients
Massage therapy skills
- Fundamentals of therapeutic massage
- Swedish massage techniques
- Deep tissue and integrative massage
- Therapeutic modalities
- Sports massage
- Body mechanics and draping
Professional practice skills
- Anatomy, physiology, and pathology
- Kinesiology
- Patient management
- Medical terminology
- Indications and contraindications
- Business, ethics, health and hygiene
9-module curriculum
The 9-module program (MT&PTA)
Nine modules over 36 weeks: seven hands-on modules at the Carson campus, then a 240-hour externship. You complete the clock hours needed to apply for CAMTC certification.
Medical Terminology for Massage Therapists
Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage
Anatomy & Physiology
Patient Management for Massage Therapy
Therapeutic Modalities
Introduction to Massage thru Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Sports Massage Therapy
Externship 1: 120 hours
Externship 2: 120 hours
One combined diploma program: the Massage Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide (MT&PTA) program trains you for both massage therapy and physical therapy aide roles. CAMTC note: certification requires 100% of total clock hours, and more than eight absences may disqualify a student, so every hour counts. Additional hours are required per module for homework and class preparation. See the CHAC School Catalog for the full outline.
Hands-on training
Real equipment. Real practice. Real confidence.
Career opportunities
Where CHAC Massage Therapy graduates can work
Graduates can pursue entry-level massage therapy opportunities in wellness and healthcare settings, including chiropractic and medical clinics, health clubs, salons, and spas.
Career support included
You're not on your own after graduation.
- Resume preparation and coaching
- CAMTC application assistance
- Interview coaching
- Job leads after program completion
Job titles vary by employer and may require additional licenses or certifications. CHAC provides career assistance but does not guarantee employment.
Tuition & financial aid
Multiple ways to pay
CHAC is authorized to offer federal grants and loans to qualified students. Our Financial Aid Office reviews your options with you one-on-one.
Federal Pell Grant
For those who qualify: federal grant aid that does not have to be repaid. We help you complete the FAFSA.
Federal Student Loans
Federal Stafford Loans are available to eligible students through the U.S. Department of Education.
Veterans Education
This program is approved under Title 38, United States Code, to train eligible persons and veterans.
Ask Financial Aid
Not sure if you qualify? Submit the form and our Financial Aid Office will review your options with you.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined per student by the Financial Aid Office. Tuition, fees, and total program charges are listed in the current CHAC School Catalog and Enrollment Agreement.
Enrollment process
From form to first day in 4 steps
Submit the form
Name and phone. Takes 60 seconds.
Admissions call
An advisor follows up about questions, start dates, and funding eligibility.
Tour the campus
Visit Carson, see the labs, and meet with an admissions representative.
Enroll & start
Complete your application, finalize funding, and arrive for Day 1.
Campus location
Carson Campus
California Healing Arts CollegeCampus details
Enrollment questions
Answers to what you're wondering
How long is the Massage Therapy program in Carson?
800 clock hours over 36 weeks: nine modules, including a 240-hour externship. Graduates earn a diploma in under 9 months.
Does CHAC help with CAMTC certification?
Yes. The program is designed to prepare graduates for California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification or for individual city and county licensing requirements, and CHAC assists graduates with the CAMTC application process. Certification is granted by CAMTC, requires a separate application and fees, and requires completing 100% of the program's clock hours.
Is the Massage Therapy program online?
No. This program is fully hands-on and taught in person at our Carson campus. Massage is learned by doing, on real tables in real practice sessions.
Is this the same program as the Physical Therapy Aide program?
Yes. CHAC offers one combined Massage Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide diploma program. You graduate trained for both massage therapy and physical therapy aide roles.
What are the class schedules?
Classes run Monday through Thursday, with a morning session from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and an evening session from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. New modules start about every 4 weeks, and you can enroll at the start of any module.
Can I use veterans education benefits?
Yes, if you are eligible. This program is approved under Title 38, United States Code, to train eligible persons and veterans. Verify your benefits with Admissions.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, for those who qualify. CHAC is authorized to offer federal grants and loans, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Loans. Our Financial Aid Office reviews your options with you one-on-one.
Is CHAC accredited?
Yes. California Healing Arts College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Your future starts now
Ready to start your Massage Therapy career in Carson?
Submit the form and an admissions advisor will follow up during business hours with the next start date and your aid options.
Accreditation & approvals: California Healing Arts College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC, accsc.org) and approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE, bppe.ca.gov).
Read full disclosures
CHAC does not guarantee employment, specific earnings, certification, licensure, or career outcomes. Individual outcomes vary by student. See our School Performance Fact Sheet for completion and placement data. The current CHAC School Catalog and Enrollment Agreement supersede any statement on this page.
Information on this page is believed to be current at the time of publication and may change without notice. Always refer to the most recent CHAC School Catalog and School Performance Fact Sheet, both available from Admissions and at chac.edu/catalog, before signing an enrollment agreement. Photos may include actual CHAC students or stock imagery; images are illustrative only.
CAMTC certification is granted by the California Massage Therapy Council, requires a separate application and fees, and is not awarded by CHAC. CHAC assists graduates with the application process. Program policy requires completion of 100% of total clock hours to qualify; more than eight absences throughout the program may disqualify a student from eligibility.
CHAC is approved under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, to train eligible persons and veterans. Verify your specific benefits eligibility with Admissions. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
CHAC is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, or belief.
Students or members of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling toll-free (888) 370-7589 or at bppe.ca.gov.
If you submit a form on this page, you provide express written consent to be contacted by CHAC by phone, text, and email, including via automated systems, about enrollment, even if your number is on a Do Not Call registry. Consent is not required to enroll. Reply STOP to any text to opt out.
Tuition, fees, and total program charges are set forth in the current CHAC School Catalog and Enrollment Agreement. Pricing and financial aid eligibility are determined per student by the Admissions and Financial Aid Office.