Meet with FGC Staff
Learn more about the College and this program by scheduling an appointment with an
admission counselor. You can select in-person, phone or virtual meeting. We encourage
you to visit campus if possible to see the beautiful landscape and feel the caring
vibe from faculty and staff.
Program Notes
The Massage Therapy program at FGC offers three tracks: Traditional, Healthcare Professional
Bridge and Accelerated Bridge.
Traditional
The traditional option of the massage therapy program is a two-semester, full-time
program designed for beginners with no prior experience in healthcare who wish to
develop skills in therapeutic massage. This comprehensive two-semester curriculum
introduces students to fundamental techniques including Swedish massage, deep tissue
work, and athletic massage approaches. Students will gain essential knowledge of human
pathologies and how massage techniques can facilitate healing processes. The program
also covers hydrotherapy applications, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial techniques,
flexibility enhancement, range of motion exercises, and introductory concepts from
Eastern healing traditions including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices.
First Semester
- MSS 0215 - History & Standards for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250 - Introduction to Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250L - Introduction to Massage Therapy Lab
- MSS 0156 - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0156L - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy Lab
Total Semester Clock Hours: 390
Second Semester
- HSC 0003C - Basic Health Care Worker
- MSS 0216 - Legal, Ethical, and Business Practices
- MSS 0300 - Hydrotherapy Modalities
- MSS 0300L - Hydrotherapy Modalities Lab
- MSS 0281 - Allied Modalities
- MSS 0803C - Massage Therapy Clinical Practicum
Total Semester Clock Hours: 360
Total Program Hours: 750
Healthcare Professional Bridge
The Healthcare Professional Bridge pathway is specifically structured for licensed
healthcare practitioners (including Paramedics, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered
Nurses) seeking to expand their clinical capabilities with massage therapy skills.
This part-time two-semester format accommodates working professionals while teaching
essential massage modalities including Swedish techniques, deep tissue approaches,
and athletic massage applications.
Students will enhance their existing medical knowledge with specialized understanding
of how therapeutic massage complements traditional treatment protocols. The program
also covers hydrotherapy applications, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial techniques,
flexibility enhancement, range of motion exercises, and introductory concepts from
Eastern healing traditions including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices.
Articulated Credit for Professional Licensure: LPN, RN, Paramedic
- MSS 0156 - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0156L - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy Lab
- HSC 0003 - Introduction to Health Care
- HSC 0003L - Introduction to Health Care Lab
Total Articulated: 240
First Semester
- MSS 0215 - History & Standards for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250 - Introduction to Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250L - Introduction to Massage Therapy Lab
Total Semester Clock Hours: 240
Second Semester
- MSS 0216 - Legal, Ethical, and Business Practices
- MSS 0300 - Hydrotherapy Modalities
- MSS 0300L - Hydrotherapy Modalities Lab
- MSS 0281 - Allied Modalities
- MSS 0803C - Massage Therapy Clinical Program
Total Semester Clock Hours: 270
Total Program Hours: 750
Accelerated Bridge
The Accelerated Bridge pathway offers an intensive one-semester program exclusively
for graduates of accredited Physical Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapy degree
programs looking to incorporate massage therapy into their practice. This concentrated
curriculum builds upon existing anatomical and physiological knowledge while developing
proficiency in Swedish massage techniques, deep tissue approaches, and athletic massage
applications. Students will integrate their rehabilitation expertise with complementary
skills including hydrotherapy applications, myofascial release techniques, flexibility
enhancement methods, range of motion protocols, and introductory concepts from Eastern
healing traditions including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices.
Articulated Credit for Professional Licensure: LPN, RN, Paramedic
- MSS 0156 - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0156L - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy Lab
- HSC 0003 - Introduction to Health Care
- HSC 0003L - Introduction to Health Care Lab
- MSS 0300 - Hydrotherapy Modalities
- MSS 0300L - Hydrotherapy Modalities Lab
- MSS 0803C - Massage Therapy Clinical Practicum
Total Articulated: 372
First Semester
- MSS 0215 - History & Standards for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0216 - Legal, Ethical, and Business Practices
- MSS 0250 - Introduction to Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250L - Introduction to Massage Therapy Lab
- MSS 0281 - Allied Modalities
Total Semester Clock Hours: 378
Total Program Hours: 750
Part-Time Pathway
First Semester (must start in Fall or Spring)
- MSS 0156 - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0156L - Anatomy & Physiology for Massage Therapy Lab
The following course can be taken in the first spring or fall semester depending on
desired course load
- HSC 0003 - Basic Healthcare Worker
The following course can be taken in the first spring or summer semester depending
on desired course load
- MSS 0217 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices
Total Semester Clock Hours: 150-273
Second Semester (must be either Spring or Summer)
- MSS 0215 - History & Standards for Massage Therapy
- MSS 0217 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices (If not previously taken)
- HSC 0003 - Basic Healthcare Worker (Spring ONLY - if not previously taken)
Total Semester Clock Hours: 30-153
Third Semester (must be in Fall)
- MSS 0250 - Introduction to Massage Therapy
- MSS 0250L - Introduction to Massage Therapy Lab
- HSC 0003 - Basic Healthcare Worker (if not previously taken)
Total Semester Clock Hours: 210-300
Fourth Semester (must be Spring)
- MSS 0300 - Hydrotherapy Modalities
- MSS 0300L - Hydrotherapy Modalities Lab
- MSS 0281 - Allied Modalities
- MSS 0803C - Massage Therapy Clinical Practicum
Total Semester Clock Hours: 237
Total Program Hours: 750
Admission Requirements FGC
- Submit High School transcript(s) to Office of Enrollment Services
- Submit College transcript(s) for any institutions previously attended
Apply Now
Program Requirements
To complete the requirements for the Massage Therapy program, please follow these
steps:
Have a high school diploma or GED certificate and submit an application to FGC.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Take the TABE entrance exam, and
- Pass the required drug screen and finger print based background check.
- Meeting with the Program Coordinator provides an opportunity to answer questions and
provide the student with a Program Application package. Please bring the following
information to your appointment:
- Proof of Florida residency
- Copies of TABE test scores
- Proof of health insurance
- Valid driver’s license
**Make sure to adhere to all deadlines and requirements for a successful application.**
Apply Now for Massage Therapy
Location
Florida Gateway College Main Campus
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30-3:00 with additional time after classes and on Fridays for lab
practice and testing
Costs
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $TBD
*All fees and expenses are estimated and subject to change.*