How much does it cost? 

• Tuition is $15,900.00. This may be paid in full, or, in thirds by the term at $5,300 per term

• Monthly installment plans, including a 5% simple interest charge, are also available. In the 20-month program, a down payment of $795.06 is required, followed by 19 consecutive monthly installments of $861.22.

• The 10- month program requires a down payment of $1,590.03, and 9 consecutive monthly installments of $1,656.30. This does not include your books and supplies, a portion of which can also be financed by PMTI.

 

Can I get financial aid?       

• PMTI does not offer Federal Financial Aid.

• PMTI offers installment payment plans as noted above, and there are some opportunities for partial student sponsorship.

• PMTI works with certain rehabilitation and training organizations to provide education and services for certain populations.

• PMTI has been approved by the Dept. of Education as an eligible institution for deferring existing student loans.

• Partial tuition sponsorships for payment of tuition are often available.

• PMTI is happy to provide necessary information to any private lender or scholarship provider of your choice.

How much will I spend on supplies, books, etc.?

• Anywhere from $700 to $1,500, depending on what kind of table you buy and where you purchase your table and books.

• Bargain bundles including a massage table, sheets, textbooks and a clinic shirt are designed to provide an extraordinary value for students, and PMTI will be happy to provide financing. Please ask if you would like further information.

• Textbooks when sold separately are approximately $330. Payments may be made by cash, check or credit card.
   

What does licensing cost?      

• The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) costs approximately $265.

• State and county licensing can vary from $100 to $625 and usually covers a 2-year period.

• We highly recommend you maintain all necessary levels of licensure and insurance in order to protect yourself and your practice.

Can you accommodate my schedule?

 

20-Month Program:

• Students attend two regular weekly classes. The first class of the week is an academic class, and the second is a practical class. Potential students have two different schedules to choose from:

  • Option A: All-Day Monday
    9:00 am – 1:00 pm Academic Classes
    2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Practical Class
     

  • Option B: Evening Classes on Monday/Thursday
    6:00 pm – 10 pm
     

10-Month Program:

• Students attend four regular weekly classes. Academic classes occur in the morning and practical classes occur in the afternoon.

  • All-Day Tuesday and All-Day Thursday
    9:00 am – 1:00 pm Academic Classes
    2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Practical Class
     

• Note: Additional requirements include 60 hours of Student Clinic, 24 hours of Group Tutoring, and one day-long Weekend course per month.

• Schedules are subject to change each term.

Will I have to miss work to attend PMTI?       

You may have to take off a couple days off from work during the program to attend some of your classes. These dates are identified well in advance in order to allow you to make plans.

 

How soon do I need to apply?

We recommend you submit your application at least three (3) weeks in advance of the schedule you select.

 

Do I have to do lots of studying?      

• The amount of studying required depends somewhat on the individual.

  • Independent study for academic classes can take a minimum of 1-3 hours per class, depending on how well you want to learn the material and how easy or difficult it is for you.

  • Independent study for practical classes consists of two 1-hour massage sessions per class, plus some additional time to document your sessions in writing.

What’s the real time commitment?       

The time commitment is significant. While the actual hours will vary throughout the program, you will have 8 hours of class time each week in the 20-month program, and 16 hours a week in the 10-month program.

As previously mentioned, and in addition to weekly homework, you will also need to complete a series of weekend classes, student clinic and group tutoring hours throughout the course of your enrollment.

For the average student, it takes approximately 15 to 20 hours a week to be successful in the 20-month program. Students attending the 10-month program should be prepared to commit to 35 to 40 hours a week.

This can add up to a lot of time, and we want to make sure you are fully prepared to make the kind of commitment that can insure your success. The time you invest in your education is an investment in your career and your future. Employers report that PMTI graduates are some of the best-prepared and most highly skilled practitioners in the industry.
 

Do I have to give up my weekends?      

You can typically count on being in class one weekend day a month. However, if you have good weekend availability, Student Clinic dates and SIPs may also be scheduled on weekends.
 

How soon do I need to apply?

We recommend you submit your application at least one (1) month in advance the schedule you select

 

Do I have to be fully undressed?

There are screens in each classroom for students to undress behind. As a student recipient of massage, you will be expected to fully undress and come to the massage table wrapped in a sheet. Your exchange partner will be instructed to use the draping techniques our instructors teach in the classroom, and you will always be respectfully draped during any practical massage exchange. The only area of the body that will be exposed is the area of the body being worked on, and the rest of your body will be covered by a sheet when you are on the table. We will also teach you how to get on and off the table while staying covered by a sheet.

 

Do I have to work with opposite/ same sex students?    

We do ask that you work with students of all profiles, including students of the same and opposite sex. Part of your professional development involves getting comfortable with working on a variety of people and body types. Practicing this in the safe environment of the classroom and clinic helps you grow professionally and personally.

 

How do you promote professionalism of massage therapists?      

Our program places a strong emphasis on professionalism and ethics. We emphasize the development of appropriate professional boundaries, and we teach you how to communicate effectively with your clients about the behavior that is expected from them. We also teach you how to handle inappropriate commentary and behavior.

 

Is the program difficult?      

Each student generally finds that they become challenged in new ways. For some, this might mean developing more effective study habits so that academic material is easier to learn. For others, being in a practical class working on fellow students can be scary at first.

Our staff works with each student to offer the support necessary to meet their goals. At the same time, your learning process is something that we ask you to take personal responsibility for.
 

What if I have a learning disability?  

We have helped students with many different learning styles and challenges to successfully complete the program. Materials are presented in several formats to accommodate a variety of learning styles. Our staff also offers one-on-one tutoring for academic and practical subjects. Note: additional fees may be involved for tutoring.

 

Can I do this without being prone to injury?

We teach students how to do massage while emphasizing the importance of using good posture and body dynamics so you can avoid any repetitive stress injuries and enjoy a long career. We also teach methods of physical and emotional self-care so you can practice without hurting yourself.

 

How long will I really be able to do this?     

Many of our graduates have been in practice for well over 20 years. They attribute their longevity to a variety of things: use of appropriate body dynamics; good self-care techniques, and careful attention to career development. You can practice as long as you want to; it all depends on your goals.

 

Are there lots of tests?       

There are different tests throughout the program. Academic tests will measure how well you know the information, and practical tests will help determine how your skills are progressing. We use tests to give you feedback on things you’re doing well and things you can improve upon. If test-taking is difficult for you,
our instructors can make appropriate accommodations. Let us know what you might need.
 

Will I be able to get a job when I graduate?   

PMTI graduates are very positively perceived in the massage profession. The field is growing rapidly, and new opportunities are continually created.

PMTI has a strong alumni program and job referral network, and we continue to support you after graduation.
 

Can I do massage on a full-time basis? 

A full-time massage therapy practice does not necessarily equate to a full-time job of 40 hours a week. Some full-time therapists are comfortable doing 7 massages a day in a spa; others may choose to do no more than 3 or 4 a day. We give you the tools to support either possibility.

 

What’s the difference between physical therapy and massage therapy?    

Physical therapy tends to have a mechanical emphasis on restoring strength and/or movement to an area of the body that’s been compromised. Massage therapy is more of a holistic art, in which you integrate techniques that can impact mind, body, and emotions.

 

What opportunities are there after graduation? What paths can I take?  

We have graduates pursuing every career path imaginable... from spa work to sports massage, from research to health care. Massage is such an expansive field, and there are opportunities everywhere that will fulfill your interests.

 

How much can I charge? How much can I make?

Prices in this area can range from $75 - $120 for a 1-hour session, depending on location and practitioner’s experience. Demand and good self-care will determine your schedule. Massage is an entrepreneurial field; what you get out of it depends on your personal goals and the resources you put into your practice.
 

Can I practice anywhere?

Licensing varies from location to location, and it’s a good idea to check out the requirements in any state you’re planning to practice. PMTI’s program meets the pre-requisites for DC, Maryland, Virginia, and many other states, but not all of them. Check out www.amtamassage.org for a full list of requirements by state.

 

Will I be able to get licensed once I finish?

PMTI is an accredited institution of the Commission on Massage Therapy
Accreditation and is a member of AMTA and ABMP.

PMTI’s program meets the pre-requisites for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam, which is the certification standard used by most states. Our average pass rate on this exam for the last 8 years is 93+%. Check out www.amtamassage.org for a full list of other requirements by state.
 

Why should I choose PMTI?

We highly encourage you to visit any school you’re interested in attending to see if it’s the right fit for you. We hold regular Information Sessions so you can visit the school and hear about our programs. The date for our next Information Session is always listed on the website. You should pick the school that’s the best fit for you. Come visit us and see if we feel like a good fit. Our mission, vision and values statements are posted on our website and they will give you an indication of our educational and community values systems.

PMTI is the oldest program in the area, possessing over 50 years of history and knowledge in training exemplary massage therapists. We are a non-profit organization committed to providing the highest quality education in our profession. Our instructors are all practicing therapists who not only present the material but have you practice on them for feedback, something many other schools don’t do. Our graduates consistently report that once they started comparing experiences with other therapists, they found they were better prepared for professional practice than graduates from other schools, thanks to their education at PMTI.
 

Where is the school located?

• Location and Access:

  • PMTI is located at 8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The school is located in the heart of Silver Spring, between Cameron and Fenwick Streets.

• By Metro

  • Take the Red Line Metro to the Silver Spring station. At street level, walk north two blocks on Colesville Road, turn left and walk two blocks on Georgia Avenue. PMTI is on the right side of the street at 8701 Georgia Avenue.

• By Car

  • From DC: travel north on 16th Street, NW and turn right onto Spring Street. Continuing on Spring Street, cross over Georgia Avenue, following the bend and turn right onto Cameron Street. Travel two blocks and turn right onto Georgia Avenue. PMTI’s building entrance will be on your right.

  • From the Beltway: take the Georgia Avenue/Rt. 97 exit towards DC (southbound). Travel one mile and turn left onto Spring Street. Follow the bend and turn right onto Cameron Street. Travel two blocks and turn right onto Georgia Avenue. PMTI’s building entrance will be on your right.

  • From East (Bethesda): take East-West Highway in the eastbound direction (toward Silver Spring). Turn left onto 16th Street and follow around the bends to Georgia Ave. Turn right on Georgia Ave, travel several blocks, and turn left onto Spring Street. Follow the bend and turn right onto Cameron Street. Travel two blocks and turn right onto Georgia Avenue. PMTI’s building entrance will be on your right.

• Parking

  • There is metered parking on Georgia Avenue as well as on Cameron and Fenwick Streets. There is also a large public parking facility across the street between Cameron and Fenwick Streets.

  • Our building is just south of the corner of East-West Highway and Colesville Road in Silver Spring, one half block south of the Red Line's Silver Spring Metro Station and
    one block north of the D.C. Line.