Mississippi sets educational standards for massage therapists higher than many other states. In order to be approved by the Board, massage therapy programs must follow a set curriculum.
Students who complete their massage therapy education in Mississippi will be poised to seek licensure at home or in any of many other states. Students who begin their careers in Mississippi will need at least hours of massage therapy education.
Mississippi courses are comprised of hours of in-class education and an additional hours of work performed under supervision in a student clinic. At least 50 of the hours will be spent actually giving massages at the clinic; the remaining hours will be devoted to instruction and evaluation. The clients themselves will be included in the evaluation process. Classroom education is divided into three broad categories: theory and practicum, body sciences, and allied modalities.
Each comprises hours. Included within the theory and practicum hours will be at least hours of demonstration and practice of techniques. Instruction will include client evaluation and draping as well as soft tissue techniques such as kneading, percussion, and stretching.
The hours will include at least ten hours of legalities and 20 hours of other Board-mandated content such as indications and contraindications. Allocation of the remaining hours is left to the discretion of the individual program but must be in accordance with state law. In the body sciences content area, too, the Board has been specific. Again, programs are left some discretion; the other hours may be allocated in a variety of ways. Fully hours may be distributed among the required areas or devoted to other appropriate wellness topics, such as trigger points or special populations.
