Desert Institute of the Healing Arts
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| Program Title
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Professional Massage Therapy Certificate Program |
| Date Program Established |
September 1982 |
| Number of grads per year |
160 |
| Basic Certificate Program Information: |
|
-Required Hours
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Massage/Shiatsu |
|
-Description
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Our comprehensive (1000hour day and 750 hour evening) programs are balanced with hands-on training experiences and the sciences. Students begin with basic Swedish Massage skills and advance into therapeutic skills including Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Assessment skills, and joint mobilization techniques. We stress the importance of good body mechanics and posture in order to promote a long career life in massage therapy. The programs are 11.5 months long. We are on a 14-week trimester system with 2 – 3 week breaks in between trimesters.
We offer unique experiences in our elective classes which offer a wide range of study options such as Prenatal Massage, Sports Injuries and Management, Massage for People with Disabilities, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, Qi Gong, and Shiatsu. Students enrolled in our 1000 hour Day Massage program take 266 hours of electives. Other students may enroll in elective classes on space availability for $12.00 per hour. Please review our catalog for a complete list of classes, or visit our website at www.desertinstitute.org.
The education is a life changing experience rewarding graduates with successful careers. Our programs are accredited by COMTA and ACCSCT. We offer part-time evening programs and fulltime day programs in Massage Therapy.
Our 700 hour Shiatsu program is 11.5 months long. Shiatsu is described in more detail in our catalog. Students who have completed Anatomy & Physiology and Business may qualify for a discounted price on tution. The program is accredited and recognized by the American Organization of Body Therapies of Asia. Please review our website for a complete description of our Shiatsu pgoram.
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| Number of hours/brief descriptions |
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| Anatomy/Physiology |
| -Hours |
252 |
| -Description |
Our anatomy course is complete & geared to the person who wants to understand how the human body functions. The study of anatomy helps students learn to evaluate through critical thinking skills and assessment techniques to create client-centered treatment plans. Our anatomy and physiology courses are divided into three levels. The anatomy and physiology course includes kinesiology, myology, neurology, pathology, osteology, lab and palpatory skills. Students study the structure and systems of the body in the beginning levels and work into the endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems in the advanced levels. We emphasize origin, insertion and actions of muscles and how muscles work together. Students learn myofascial structures as they relate to the theory of massage. Topics on back pain, arthritis, posture, injuries, immunity, are discussed as it related to being a massage therapist. Students also have practical experiences building muscles out of clay in their lab and learning to palpate for muscles on each other. |
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| Kineseology |
| -Hours |
|
| -Description |
Included in our anatomy courses |
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| Massage Theory |
| -Hours |
348.5 |
| -Description |
In addition to our 348.5 massage classes, students from the day program choose from 266 hours of elective courses which many include hands-on practice.
Our massage courses are divided into 3 levels in the day and evening programs. Students begin with Swedish techniques. The advanced levels teach contemporary forms of massage including Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Techniques, Lymphatic Massage, Positional Release, and advanced stretches. Students learn to assess a client’s needs by reading a health history form, interviewing and using muscle testing techniques, visual postural assessments, and palpation. Students are encouraged to learn how to do an effective treatment within a time-frame preparing them for most work environments. Students’ skills are tested through hands-on challenges working on instructors.
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| Pathology |
| -Hours |
28 |
| -Description |
In addition to the pathology taught in anatomy and physiology classes, students will learn in-depth knowledge of the etiology of disorders, indications and contraindications as they relate to massage therapy.
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| Professional Practice/Business |
| -Hours |
42 |
| -Description |
Students may take either Entrepreneurship or Business to fulfill this requirement. The instructor acts as a coach to help students define their goals and target markets for a successful practice. Business planning, resume writing, marketing, advertising, are all included. Whether students are wishing to work for himself or herself or for someone else, the course is set up to provide the tools to help them reach their goals. |
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| Technique: Practice |
| -Hours |
77/110 |
| -Description |
Students work in our student clinic where they are supervised and coached on how to improve techniques, body mechanics, client retention, interviewing skills and treatment planning. In addition to clinic, Day massage students practice in elective classes and community service work. |
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| Number of months to complete basic program |
11.5 |
| Clinic, internship and community outreach components of program |
Included in technique practice. |
| Placement Service
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Yes |
| Post Graduate Training:
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Post Graduate Training; Desert
Institute of the Healing Arts is an
approved provider for Category A
Continuing Education by the
National
Certification Board for Therapeutic
Massage and Bodywork. We also offer Thai Massage Certification, Reflexology Certification, and weekend
workshops in Asian bodywork styles and advanced massage techniques.
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| Number of hours/credits for certificate: |
| -Classroom
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923 |
| -Clinic
|
77 |
| Program Accreditation(s):
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Programs are accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation and institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. |
| Institutional Accreditation(s):
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Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. |
| Location of facility(ies):
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The Desert Institute of the Healing
Arts is located in the beautiful
southwestern Sonoran Desert,surrounded
by three mountain ranges. We are located near the University of Arizona in the West Univeristy historic district. The large alternative healing community in Tucson makes it a very supportive environment for training in Massage Therapy & Shiatsu Thearpy.
Within walking distance are shops,
restaurants and city parks. A major
bus line stops right outside the school and connects with other city bus routes
in downtown Tucson. Bicycles are also a viable transportation alternative in Tucson.
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| Description of facility(ies):
|
The education building is 6, 300 square
feet with five classrooms, kitchen,
lounge, and study space. There are
two practice rooms, each equipped with
a massage table, bolsters, clock,
stereo and futon. Students can use
these rooms to practice with each other
or meet practice clients. The student study room is equiped with skelatons, charts and a computer with internet service. We provide tutoring in anatomy, career and guidance counseling as well as long long placement assistance. The outside area has picnic tables and bike racks.
The administrative building is right next-door and houses the library and administrative offices. The library contains over 300 videos, periodicals, books, and a computer with Internet services. The nearby clinic and store offers both student and professional treatments, sells massage tables, futons, massage products, books, and healing art supplies. |
| Tuition Information:
|
Please check the catalog or call for
current prices on tuition. A deposit
of $150 is due at the time of enrollment. www.DIHA.org
Required books
and massage supplies
(lotions, sheets, tables) are not
included in tuition. Massage
tables
and lotions are provided by the
Institute for classroom instruction
and
clinic.
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| Financial Aid:
|
Federal financial aid in the form of Pell Grants and Direct Loans are available to qualifying students. In addition, Federal Parent Loans for students (PLUS) are available for parents of dependent students. For other private loans, Please inquire through our financial aid office. www.DIHA.org |
| Application Fees(s):
|
$50.00 application fee
Applications can be obtained by calling 1.800.733.8098 or visiting our website at www.DIHA.org |
| Enrollment Periods:
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September, January and May we enroll students in our one year Day & one year evening program.
Shiatsu starts once a year in September. |
| For Catalogs and Applications:
|
Desert Institute of the Healing Arts
140 E. Fourth
Tucson, AZ 85705
520.882-0899
1.800.733.8098
info@diha.org
www.DIHA.org |
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