SCHEDULE DATES:

Saint Albans office

January 16, 2025 to November 13, 2025

THURSDAYS 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

every other SATURDAY, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, starting Jan 25th

six SUNDAYS, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, starting April 20th

OR

Shelburne office

September 11, 2024 to June 18, 2025

WEDNESDAYS 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

every other SATURDAY, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, starting Sept 14th

one SUNDAY a month, 8:00 to 3:00 pm, starting Oct 13th

We have a 10 student limit per class 

TUITION COST - $9,500

Tuition/Reinstatement/Withdrawal

Tuition can be paid monthly or in lump sums. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, VSAC, offers grant assistance for those who qualify. Apply for a VSAC grant online or call toll-free (800) 642-3177 for an application. Students must pay at least $3,500 to start the first semester and an additional $3,500 to start the second semester that will not be refunded. Wellness Massage Center & Institute will refund 100% of tuition paid minus the $200 deposit if you withdraw before the first day of class. We will refund the unused portion of tuition and fees on a pro-rata basis. Each semester $3,500 of the tuition will be required and then the pro-rata status begins monthly.

Any student wishing to withdraw from our program is required to notify the Director in writing or verbally.  A student is considered a "no show" by failing to attend class for four consecutive class days without notifying the school.  At that time, the student will be dismissed from the program and the refund policy will be in effect from the last date of attendance. If for any reason the student can’t finish the program, tuition will be pro-rated at $850/month until completed. If tuition was paid in full, they will be refunded per month for the portion that was not completed, less $3,500/semester. Students are allowed to come back the following school year if they choose to continue but are required to reapply. Students must reapply with a $200 deposit and a written statement on how they will meet the program requirements if previously dismissed from the program. All applications will be reviewed by the Director for final approval. If accepted they will need to start the course from the beginning.

Students are given a discount for any continuing education course taught by one of our instructors. Students are welcome to come back and review their skills in any future class or continuing education course we teach for free the first time. If they would like to return again, they will be charged a small fee for review.

The Director of Wellness Massage Center & Institute will determine eligibility of transfer credits on a case by case business. The school will grant credit appropriately and shorten the training period proportionally.

Entrance Requirements

The first ten students who submit an application along with a $200 deposit will be accepted into the program.

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PROGRAM

Our program is an 11-month program, starting in January each year that meets every Thursday, every other Saturday, and six Sundays starting in April at our Saint Albans location. Our program that starts in September each year is a 10 month program that meets on Wednesday, every other Saturday and one Sunday a month at our Shelburne location. Our program is taught by three different instructors who provide a variety of theories on how to treat the body. You will also need to complete 40 internship hours by the end of the class. Those internship hours will consist of onsite massage for other businesses, at athletic events, or at fund-raising activities.

When onsite, we will teach you different types of massage to treat people, fully clothed, on a massage table or in a massage chair. 

The remainder of the internship hours will be done in our office working on our clients that we schedule for you. You will work on clients who are very experienced with body work and are able to give constructive feedback. The instructors will discuss treatment plans with you before you begin each session.

Our student clinic is a valuable learning tool for students, each setting has its own learning benefits.


MATERIALS

Students will need to purchase writing utensils, small tip markers, colored pencils, three sets of twin size sheets, two hand towels and a massage table.

Markers – We use the Anatomy Coloring Book as a resource for learning about the body. You will need markers or colored pencils for coloring this book.

Sheets – We suggest flannel sheets that you can buy anywhere. You can get them from Massage Warehouse, most department stores, or we can supply them. Anything less than $20 a set is a good buy.

Massage Tables – The tables must be purchased by our school. The tables range in price from $450 and up.

Books – All of the books required for class are included in the price of tuition. They will be distributed on the first day of class.

Oils – You will be given your first bottle of oil and face lotion. You may purchase any oils/creams/lotions on your own or through us.


ATTENDANCE

Students are allowed 4 absences throughout the program. One absence is counted if a student misses an entire day or the total of 9 hours. If absences are a problem, then students will be expected to make up the class time in scheduled review sessions. The cost of those sessions is $50/session. 

Attendance is vital for success; therefore, we take absences very seriously. If a student is chronically absent or late, then a meeting will be held with the instructors and the student. We will evaluate the situation and class status. We reserve the right to withdraw a student from the class in such cases.

Students are expected to complete our full program in order to receive Certification.


EXPECTATIONS & EVALUATIONS

Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the information in Anatomy & Physiology I and II by written examination. Students will also be tested on Oriental medicine, pathologies, business practices, ethics, and professionalism. These tests are not designed to trick students; they are designed to help students retain the most important topics being discussed. As licensed instructors, we are able to teach to any learning style. We will help you succeed if the will is there.

Students are also evaluated at least five times throughout the program. These evaluations are done by the instructors. Students perform a massage treatment on the instructor and are then evaluated on the effectiveness of the treatment. Students will need to schedule at least five hours a week on practicing massage outside of class. This practice is very important in learning the sequences that are taught, in learning how to work using proper body mechanics, and how to really feel the body. Practice does make perfect. Students will also need time to color and study for the anatomy portion of the class. This time can be a few hours for some and many hours for others. Your commitment to success will pay off in the end. We will try to help you learn study techniques so that this portion doesn’t take over your life.

Student conduct and academic success is monitored throughout the program. If a student isn’t meeting the academic standards and expectations of conduct they will be put on probation for a six week period. At the end of the six week period there will be a meeting to reevaluate their progress and determine whether they can continue or if dismissal is necessary.

Wellness Massage Institute students are expected to conduct themselves within the guidelines of the honor code and standard of conduct.  Stealing, lying and cheating are not acceptable.  We have a zero tolerance of harassment and discrimination.  Students are asked to report any harassment or discrimination to the program director.  Any person found to have been involved in discriminatory harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate suspension or termination. 

GRADUATION POLICIES/GRADING SYSTEM

Students must earn greater than or equal to 75% in any subject taught and must pass any of the pass/fail topics.

  • In Anatomy and Physiology I, there are four test scores that are averaged with a grade from your coloring book to get your final grade.

  • In Anatomy and Physiology II, there are ten test scores averaged with your coloring book to get your final grade.

  • In Swedish, there is an average score of two practical evaluations and documented home massages to get your final grade.

  • In Deep Tissue, there is an average of one evaluation and documented home massages to get your final grade.

  • In Shiatsu, there is an average of one evaluation, documented home massages and an exam to get your final grade.

  • In Business Practices and Ethics, there is an exam after lecture to get your final grade.

  • Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated after each course listed in the course outline and will be discussed with each student individually.

  • Students who drop below a 75% average after each course listed in the course outline have a period of 4 weeks to meet the minimum GPA. During those four weeks the student will be on academic probation. After that 4 weeks the staff and Director will reevaluate the student’s progress. If the student raises their GPA to 75% they will proceed with the program. If the student did not raise their GPA to 75% they will be dismissed from the program.


    STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FOR 750 HOURS OF MASSAGE AND WILL QUALIFY FOR THE     NCBTMB or MBLEX EXAMINATION.