Program Catalog

The Wisconsin School of Massage Therapy provides a comprehensive program consisting of 630 in-class, live supervised instructional hours. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for a successful career in massage therapy.

Try Out Our Class for Only $25 Introduction to Massage Therapy

  • Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024
  • 11am - 1pm
Massage School Classes

Course Descriptions


72 Total Hours

Here students will learn about body organization, anatomical terminology, and the systems of the body. A general orientation to the healthy human body sets the stage for understanding musculoskeletal work.

80 Total Hours

This course helps students gain an awareness of how the body moves by learning the specific muscle and bone anatomy. Material is thoroughly presented and learned through multiple modes, especially through palpation of body tissues.

52 Total Hours

Massage therapists are in direct contact with a multitude of varied clients’ bodies. In this class, students learn how to work safely and effectively with many medical conditions.

318 Total Hours

Students will learn to:

  • Communicate with clients by learning their medical backgrounds, expectations for a massage session, empathetic listening, and obtaining feedback.
  • Create a treatment plan based on the client’s history, expectations, postural analysis, past massage/chiropractic experiences, and doctor’s recommendations.
  • Develop, organize, and manage a client session.
  • Keep accurate client records to document work accomplished and planned work for the future.
  • Apply appropriate techniques using hands, fingers, thumbs, elbows, forearms, and hand-held tools.
  • Develop palpation skills and knowledge of the anatomy of the muscles and bones simultaneously.
  • Self-assess, utilize self-care and use good biomechanics.
  • Set appropriate boundaries with clients.
  • Use thermal therapies to supplement massage.
  • Use Contemporary Western Massage techniques as well as Therapeutic Massage techniques as needed by clients.
  • Use Sports Massage techniques to enhance athletic performance.
  • Do a basic routine of chair massage as well as some advanced therapeutic techniques to use with clients in the workplace.
  • Use Active Isolated Stretching both with clients and as self-care.
  • Design sessions for special populations.

Students will be expected to complete at least 1 hour of massage practice outside of school hours as homework each week. Additionally, there will be typical assignments of reading and writing associated with class work.

Students are required to perform two 60-minute massages for instructors; one before the student clinic begins and the second prior to the last month of their program. These massages are scheduled outside of class time. Any instructor massages completed in the last month of a school program will be considered late and assessed a $40 fee.

50 Total Hours

Students need to learn the basics of business practices relevant to the practice of massage therapy. Business basics such as advertising, money management, and interviewing are some of the topics covered here. In addition, students will learn the law as it applies to massage therapy in Wisconsin and how to deal with various ethical situations in the massage practice.

8 Total Hours

​Since massage therapists are healthcare workers and could see a situation needing emergency procedures, certification classes in CPR and First Aid are required in massage training. Students who have current certifications in these disciplines with documentation showing they are current at the time of graduation may waive this class. Students may also opt to take these classes elsewhere if they provide proof of having done so. Additional fees apply.

50 Total Hours

About halfway into the program students will work with the public in the offices at the school. Instructors will supervise their work by observing and conferring with students afterward. This is an important step in helping the student gain confidence and competence in working with previously unknown people. It will also provide a valuable service to residents of the surrounding communities. The nominal clinic fees collected by the school help to keep tuition low. The last 10 hours of the clinic are for the practice of therapeutic techniques at the end of the program. WSMT graduates are often invited back for complimentary therapeutic clinic massages. Please be aware that students are expected to work with people in the clinic of all ages, races, sexes, and conditions (when appropriate for massage work) and that any clinic absences must be made up at a later time/date as arranged with the instructor. As a great help to gaining meaningful employment, WSMT provides a personalized Final Clinic Evaluation document for each graduate which can be included with applications and resumes. Employers appreciate this endorsement by the school of each graduate we are sending into the field.

Thank You

Thank you for your interest in the Wisconsin School of Massage Therapy! We look forward to engaging you in dynamic and practical education in massage therapy. We are constantly improving as we evaluate our programs as a result of analysis of our student exit surveys, implementation of our yearly institutional plan and the staff’s own continuing education. We hope you join us for an exciting learning journey! Feel free to call or email us with any questions you have about our program. We will happily answer your questions and offer you a tour of the school. In addition, arrangements may be made to have you observe a current class to give you an even better feel for the massage school environment.