Massage therapy is a career built on something no screen can replace: human touch. Massage therapy supports wellness by working with the body’s soft tissues to help relieve discomfort and promote relaxation. It’s a hands-on practice with deep roots across many cultures, shaped over time by the simple goal of helping people feel better in their bodies.
Our massage therapist program is designed for students who are eager to do more than memorize anatomy terms. They want to start building real massage skills so they can leave their training able to provide a skilled service to clients. When you are a student at Alva Beauty Collective, you can learn how to combine real-world massage therapist techniques with client care.
Our 500-hour program blends learning theory at home with supervised, hands-on practice in our Lemon Grove campus. You can develop real abilities, and when you are ready, we’ll help you apply for certification and prepare to sit for the licensing exam.
The new state law now officially recognizes CAMTC Certificate Holders as health care providers. California is now one of the few states to designate massage therapists as health care providers. Learn more about our Massage Therapist Course and start enrollment today.
My experience at this beauty school has been a dream come true! I am excited to be a part of the Cosmetology program offered here with amazing educators like Amber and Daisy and the front desk staff is always so friendly and welcoming. I’m new at this program and already learned so much!
Thoroughly enjoyed my time at ALVA, loved building connections with my instructors/classmates while learning up to date techniques in the manicurist business world. Really appreciated getting real-world beauty service experiences. Also had so much fun while there!💕
After being in the dental field for 23 years I decided to go back to school To follow a passion of cutting hair. ALVA was a perfect opportunity to get the schooling I needed to be able to qualify for state board exam and not break the bank. The speedy curriculum and flexible hours made this possible for me. As a Mom and full time employee I needed that flexibility. They were very accommodating when my work schedules changed. The teachers are very knowledgeable on current protocols and techniques. The atmosphere is relaxed but offers the competitiveness that is sometimes helpful in that drive to be better. As one of the older students, I felt right at home and enjoyed the young energy that filled the air. My only regret… Is that I did not do this 23 years ago! The beauty industry is always growing and very competitive when it comes to what you can make financially. I should have done this so long ago!
Our 500-hour training program is designed to help you develop both your massage abilities and your readiness to work in a professional spa environment. You can learn more about how the body works and how to maintain standards of safety and professionalism. Our program allows you to do the theory portion of your coursework at home, giving you more flexibility about when and where you do your training. Then you’ll come to our campus to put that theory into practice, three times a week (day or evening classes are available).
Eventually, you can progress to providing massage services to real clients in our student salon. All services are provided by students under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Massage training can support a range of career directions, depending on your goals and the setting you choose. Graduates may pursue roles such as:
If you are ready to think through the next steps on your career path, we can help. Talk to our team to learn more about your training options.
We can help make paying for your massage therapist training easier with our in-house payment plans. We offer flexible payment options, including weekly and monthly payments, so you can choose a plan that fits your budget and your schedule. We may also have 0% interest plans available, depending on what’s available at the time you enroll. Talk to our team about payment options, and they can help you plan a realistic budget for spreading out the cost of your massage education.
The Massage Therapist Program includes 500 hours of training. Part of this time will be spent on distance learning, while the bulk of it will take place in our Lemon Grove campus. How long it takes you to complete the 500 hours of training will depend on your personal motivation, attendance, and how quickly you progress in your skills. During a campus tour, our team can help you create a realistic timeline for completion.
Yes! Hands-on training is a core focus of our program. Students can practice massage therapy on volunteers as they develop techniques and professional habits. Later, they can have opportunities to work with real clients in our student spa, working under the supervision of licensed massage professionals.
Yes! We offer TFC financing, MYCAA funding, and in-house payment plans to help make your education more accessible. Our admissions team can help guide you through the available options and find a plan that works best for you.
The first step is to schedule a tour. Because our training is technique-first, it’s important to see the learning environment where you will practice your massage skills. Our team can then answer any questions you might have and help you complete an application and submit any documents required. Once you are enrolled, you can set your schedule and start your training on any Monday!
To enroll in our massage therapist course, you’ll need:
Ready to see what massage therapist training looks like in real life? Come visit our Lemon Grove campus today.
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