What does the school look like? There are no pictures on this website!

Here are some pictures of our 4,500 sq.ft. setting:
Reception area
Waiting area
Hands-on classroom sample
Lecture room sample
4th floor hands-on classroom sample

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How long is your Diploma program? Why 600 hours?

Our state-approved Massage and Bodywork Diploma program is 600 hours long. Depending on which scheduling option you select, you may finish it in 6.5 to 7 months or 10.5 to 11 months. See the current schedule at: www.newschoolmassage.com/program_schedule.html

We chose to set the program duration to 600 clock hours because this number exceeds the requirements set forth by AMTA, ABMP, National Certification Board, Federation of Massage Licensing Boards, and State of Illinois licensing requirements. All of the above bodies require 500 hours of classroom instruction. Also, the majority of states that regulate massage therapy require between 500 and 600 hours of training.

Our 600-hour program develops superb massage therapists who can work in a hospitals, spas, private practice or any other setting. At the same time, we continue to monitor industry trends and, naturally, if it becomes important to increase the number of hours for licensing purposes we intend to do so.

Schools that offer Federal Financial Aid typically have programs in excess of 720 clock hours. The 720-hour requirement is necessary for the school to participate in federal grants (600 hours for loans); it is not a reflection of massage industry trends, even if some schools would like you to think so. Remember, the industry norm is in the 500-hour to 600-hour range.

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Are you approved by the State? Accredited?

We are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as a private vocational school, which is the requirement for taking the National Certification Exam or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and becoming licensed. We are also members of ABMP and AMTA.

A separate, voluntary accreditation process is to have an outside agency review the school's processes, policies, and (in case of programmatic accreditation) curriculum. This process is used mainly by massage therapy schools that are interested in participating in federal financial aid programs. From our perspective, accreditation of private vocational schools results in higher tuition to the students and larger classrooms. This may work well for schools but not necessarily for the students.

In May 2003, we hired an accreditation consultant to ensure that all our processes, curriculum, financials, student records, and overall standards are "accreditation-ready". Yet, we do not feel that it would serve any purpose to be tied to an accreditation agency at this point, especially since we do not plan on participating in federal financial aid programs, which is one of the main objectives of schools pursuing accreditation.

In addition to the Illinois State Board of Education, we have reviewed and approved by several outside bodies and agencies, such as the Dept. of Homeland Security (for sponsoring International Students), Veterans Administration (for GI Bill Benefits), Illinois Department of Workforce Development (for WIA grants) and massage industry entities such as National Certification Board, American Massage Therapy Association, and Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.

We constantly monitor the industry and may participate in an accreditation process at a later time, if it makes sense for our program and the students.

Remember that the requirement for licensing in Illinois and for taking the National Certification Exam or Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam is the completion of a state-approved program (not an 'accredited' program).


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How much is tuition? What is included?

Please click here for up-to-date tuition information.

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How does your diploma program differ from other massage therapy programs?

Let us start by saying that whether you come to our school, or attend any of the other larger, corporate massage therapy schools in the downtown Chicago area, if you do the required work and receive good grades you will pass the licensing exam and you will become licensed.

The curriculums of all area programs are similar to a great degree because they have to meet the standards defined by the National Certification Board, AMTA, ABMP, and the Massage Licensing Law. The difference among schools has to do primarily with the school's business model, practices, philosophy, and how the core Diploma program is implemented.

We have positioned ourselves as a boutique school with sole emphasis on massage and bodywork. It is our belief that although you can graduate from any school and become licensed, the schooling that you receive has a direct impact in the kind of therapist that you evolve into. Our small classes, attention to student learning needs, comprehensive curriculum, and focus on creating value ensure that our graduates are not only fully academically prepared but possess what it takes to be successful in the marketplace. Our National Certification performance indices, placement statistics, and our graduates' success stories are all testimonials to the success of our program.

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What are the demographics of your classes?

Our student body reflects the diversity of this great city, and the industry in general. The following demographics apply to our current classes: