Massage Therapy

A vocational training program which combines theoretical teaching and practical experience, this holistic program is designed for students aspiring to become licensed massage therapists in the State of New Mexico.

UNM-Taos has been offering an Massage Therapy Certificate Program with an emphasis on the medical massage model since 2007.

Medical Massage techniques use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery.

The program’s mission is to impart the knowledge and experience that will prepare graduates to qualify for applying to the New Mexico State Massage Therapy Board for licensure which is required for entry-level employment in the Massage Therapy Profession.

The Integrative Massage Therapy Faculty are dedicated to guiding students through the licensure process which includes:

• successful completion of the 650-hour Massage Therapy Certificate Program
• application and passing of the national Massage and Bodywork Licensure Exam (MBLEx)
• application and submission of required documentation to the New Mexico State Massage Therapy Board for licensure.

Our department is available to mentor students in obtaining employment and developing their career.

650-Hour

The 650-hour Certificate in Integrative Massage Therapy meets the minimum requirements necessary for taking the national Massage and Bodywork Licensure Exam (MBLEx).

Supplemental Catalog Link for details about the program. Find course descriptions here MAS

How to Apply

Formal application and acceptance into the program are required before enrolling in classes with MAS prefix. 

Candidate's applications must be submitted 1 month prior to the beginning of Fall semester. 

Massage Therapy Program Application Form

MAS - MASSAGE THERAPY

Most MAS courses require enrollment in the massage therapy program. One credit courses may be taken for continuing education by massage therapist or equivalent skill set.

MAS 250. MASSAGE THERAPY I. (5)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
For students enrolled in massage program. This course focuses on expanding the palpation skills of massage student therapists focusing on deep tissue techniques, kinesiology, muscle anatomy and physiology.

MAS 251. MASSAGE THERAPY II. (4)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course will build on medical massage fundamentals learned in MAS250. Students will learn and apply hydrotherapy, energy, oriental medicine, sports massage, contraindications and disease education. Other massage modalities may be explored at the discretion of the instructor. Students will work on each other in a safe, supportive, and professional environment.

MAS 252. MASSAGE THERAPHY III. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course is for students enrolled in the UNM Integrative Massage Therapy Program who have successfully completed Massage Therapy II. This course will provide the opportunity for students to refine their understanding of Medical Massage fundamentals as well as an opportunity to practice. Students will continue learning application of hydrotherapy, sports massage, contraindications and disease education. This course is meant to be taken in conjunction with the clinical practicum. Other massage modalities may be explored at the discretion of the instructor. Students will work on each other in a safe, supportive, and professional environment.

MAS 253. DEEP TISSUE TECHNIQUES I. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
For students enrolled in the massage program. This course builds on previous courses and deepens the palpatory skills as well as the understanding of pathology, muscle anatomy and physiology. This course offers an introduction to myofascial release and is open to professionals seeking continuing education.

MAS 254. MYOFASCIAL AND MYOSKELETAL TECHNIQUES IN MASSAGE THERAPY. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
For students in the massage program or professionals seeking continuing education. The focus of this course is myofascial and myoskeletal techniques. Students will further their understanding of myofascial anatomy and learn how to incorporate the techniques.

MAS 255. CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN MASSAGE THERAPY. (6)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
For students enrolled in the Massage Therapy Program. This course will provide the opportunity for students to practice their basic medical massage fundamentals in a professional massage setting with the public and is required course.

MAS 257. INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL BALINESE MASSAGE. (1)
Pre- or corequisites: None.
Students learn the healing art of traditional Balinese massage, anthropological studies, religious influences, cultural diversity and hands-on techniques used in Bali. This course is open to all students and professional massage therapists for continuing education. Emphasis on visceral application and channel theory.

MAS 258. INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE. (3)
Pre- or corequisites: None.
Traditional Thai massage is an experience of rhythmical movement where the practitioner leads the receiver through a flow of passive yoga stretches, deep muscle pressure and joint mobilization. An introductory, full-body sequence of Thai massage will be taught. Class will emphasize meditative awareness, breathing, use of body weight and posture. This course is open to all students and professional massage therapists for continuing education.

MAS 259. EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program or massage training.
This class focuses on the various exercise testing evaluations, dietary approach for peak performance, the physiology of exercise, and exercise for special populations i.e. diabetes. This course is required for the massage therapy program and continuing education for professionals.

MAS 260. CULTURAL DIVERSITY COMPETENCY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ETHICAL ISSUES. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course addresses the ethical and cultural component of massage therapy as it relates to allopathic and complementary alternative medicine settings and is a required course in the massage therapy program.

MAS 261. CRANIAL SACRAL II. (3)
Pre- or corequisites: MAS 265.
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course will continue in the education of Cranial I (MAS 265) and offer a more in-depth experience of bio-mechanical, somatio-emotional, an energetic aspects of Craniosacral therapy. Students will have an opportunity to acquire and practice specific, safe, and effective cranial techniques that are enhancement to a new or existing massage practice. This course is open to all students and professional massage therapists for continuing education.

MAS 265. CRANIAL SACRAL I. (3)
Pre- or corequisites: None.
In introduction to concepts in craniosacral therapy, which will introduce students to the bio-mechanical, somatio-emotional, an energetic aspects of the field. This course is open to all students and professional continuing education.

MAS 270. ORIENTAL MEDICINE HANDS-ON. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course is one of the require oriental medicine courses required for students enrolled in the massage program. It will introduce and advance the understanding of yin/yang theory, five element theory and how it is directly applicable to massage sequencing.

MAS 280. MASSAGE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY. (3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course is for students enrolled in the massage. This course will provide the opportunity for students to learn how body systems affect the ability to move and how movement in turn influences the body systems, deepening an understanding of the concept ‘movement as medicine’. Also examining how correct nutrition, diet and supplementation can enhance overall health. We will promote a deeper understanding of human anatomy at a conceptual and tactile level, a portion of the class will involve hands on exploration of concepts with related massage techniques.

MAS 293. TOPICS IN MASSAGE THERAPY. (1-3)
Restriction: admitted to UNM-Taos Integrative Massage Therapy Program.
This course is for various topics in massage therapy. It offers a wide variety of continuing education and topics in massage therapy from 1- 3 credit hours. Courses will vary depending on the need of the student body and developments in massage therapy.