The standard training for registered massage therapists requires around 2,200 hours of classes and practice. If you’re a beginner, this number may seem overwhelming, but the best massage schools in Calgary will help you enjoy the entire learning process.
The best massage schools in Calgary are not just for those who want a career shift. It is also for licensed therapists who want to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills.
If you’re still struggling to find which massage schools in Calgary will help you launch your career in massage therapy, you’re in luck. In this article, we present to you the best massage schools in Calgary!
Table of Contents
1. Aquinas College
| BEST FOR | Holistic Massage Therapy Classes |
| PRODUCTS | https://aquinascollege.ca/course/massage-therapy-diploma/ |
| WEBSITE | https://aquinascollege.ca |
| ADDRESS | 9705 Horton Rd SW C400, Calgary, AB T2V 2X5, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 825-712-6618 / [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon – Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSat – Sun, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Aquinas College in Calgary offers a comprehensive Massage Therapy Diploma program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in massage therapy. Located in southwest Calgary, the college provides a robust curriculum spanning over 2,200 hours of intensive learning, including practical lab sessions and hands-on experience in real-life settings. This program is ideal for those looking to enter the healthcare field and make a meaningful impact through therapeutic practices.
One of the standout features of Aquinas College’s Massage Therapy program is its flexible delivery options. Students can choose between onsite full-time classes and online synchronous/blended learning, allowing for greater accessibility and accommodating various schedules. This flexibility ensures that students can pursue their education without compromising other commitments, making it suitable for both local residents and those situated elsewhere.
The program’s curriculum is meticulously crafted to cover essential topics such as anatomy, physiology, and various massage techniques including Swedish massage, myofascial release, and neuromuscular therapy. Students also gain insights into therapeutic exercise, clinical assessment, and business skills essential for running a successful massage therapy practice. The emphasis on practical skills through clinical practice and outreach opportunities prepares graduates to confidently enter the workforce upon completion.
However, prospective students should consider the program’s intensive nature, spanning nearly two years with rigorous coursework and clinical hours. This structure requires dedication and time management skills to excel and complete the program successfully. Additionally, while Aquinas College offers support through student aid, including loans and scholarships, financial planning is crucial due to the program’s length and tuition costs.
In conclusion, Aquinas College’s Massage Therapy Diploma program stands out as a comprehensive pathway to becoming a certified massage therapist in Calgary. With a robust curriculum, flexible learning options, and practical training opportunities, the college prepares students for rewarding careers in various settings such as spas, wellness centers, and private practice.
Highlights
- Comprehensive curriculum covering anatomy, physiology, and various massage techniques
- Flexible delivery options with onsite and online synchronous/blended learning
- Hands-on experience through clinical practice and outreach program
2. Seminars for Health
| BEST FOR | Supplementary massage programs |
| PRODUCTS | Massage Therapy Classes, Webinars, Massage Therapy |
| WEBSITE | https://www.seminarsforhealth.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1822 10 Ave SW Suite 100, Calgary, AB T3C 0J8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 607-9389[email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
If you’re already a registered massage therapist, Seminars for Health (SFH) is your best bet.
Offering 130 courses, SFH is the one of the best massage schools in Calgary for therapists who want to further their practice. You can take any of their classes on dynamic cupping, assisted stretching, tissue manipulation, and many more.
You can also enjoy these classes because they’re self-paced and easy to follow. They even offer online classes and webinars available to anyone worldwide.
SFH is certified by massage therapy organizations such as Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association (CRMTA) and Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC).
Highlights
- Certified by nationwide medical associations
- 130 online and in-house courses
- Self-paced courses
Customer Reviews
With various courses and numerous massage therapists, Seminar for Health can guarantee you’ll receive the best knowledge and training for massage therapy. These reviews from their students highlighting their favorite courses:
“I’ve taken a few courses with Seminars for Health, the most recent one being the online Effective Tissue Manipulation. I feel it’s given me a different perspective and has helped make my work more interesting again, always a plus!”
“Great company to broaden your learning experience with! The cupping course was very knowledgeable and we had a lot of fun while learning! Michelle was such a great help with helping us achieve a great technique”
3. Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
| BEST FOR | Acupuncture |
| PRODUCTS | Traditional Chinese Medicine Classes |
| WEBSITE | http://www.cctcma.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 4014 Macleod Trail SE #107, Calgary, AB T2G 2R7 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 287-8688[email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CCTCMA) offers a 3-year acupuncture training, a 4-year doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the standard 2200-hour course on massage therapy.
What makes CCTCMA one of the best massage schools in Calgary is its hands-on approach. With the school’s small class sizes and extensive practicals, students receive the utmost attention.
With CCTCMA, you can be sure that you’re in capable hands because of their highly-skilled and experienced instructors. The teachers have master’s degrees in TCM and 15 years of teaching or working experience in the massage industry.
Highlights
- Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture
- Experienced and knowledgeable teachers
- Hands-on training and learning
Customer Reviews
Students enroll in CCTCMA to know about acupuncture and massage therapy, but they end up learning more than just that. Here are the reviews to convince you to try out CCTCMA’s programs:
“ I have been a student at CCTCMA for 2 years and it’s been an awesome experience I would highly recommend this school to anyone… you learn how to make raw herbs and you practice acupuncturing and learn other modalities in the second year which help makes you feel confident for the last year.. The support from the teachers and faculty is awesome where passing is a priority to become a successful practitioner…”
“This is a reliable and comfortable school and clinic for me. I took a few years to inspect before I decided to become a student. My third year acupuncture classes will start in September. I am grateful for my decision after 2 years of dedicated study here. Highly recommend to anyone who’s interested.”
4. Alberta College of Massage Therapy & Manual Osteopathic College of Canada
| BEST FOR | Introductory massage therapy classes |
| PRODUCTS | Massage Therapy Programs, Continuing Education Programs, Massage Services |
| WEBSITE | https://www.acmt.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1167 Kensington Crescent NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1X7 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (877) 768-8400 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
If you’re new to the massage therapy industry, then Alberta College of Massage Therapy is the best massage school in Calgary for you. They have been in the industry since 2001.
Their classes have flexible learning hours so that you have control over your schedule. The school offers a 1-year spa massage practitioner program and a 2-year massage therapy program for beginners.
ACMT also offers a Manual Osteopathic Therapy program for registered therapists who want to specialize in their services.
Highlights
- Programs for beginners
- Continuing programs for osteopathic therapy
- Flexible learning hours
Customer Reviews
If you’re still thinking about whether you should enroll in this best massage school in Calgary, these reviews may help you decide:
“I love the service here. Students and teacher are very nice and they have a very deep understanding of human anatomy. The location is in a nice area and easy to find.”
“At 40 something, I made a big leap and decided to enroll in a massage therapy program. After researching several programs in Western Canada, I decided on ACMT. I have felt supported by ACMT and their amazing staff from the moment I inquired about the program. From my initial visit to a student clinic to my pre enrolment interview with principal Dawn Sherman, my experience has continued to be exceptional. The teaching staff is great and curriculum is delivered in a way that aligns with my learning style.”
5. MH Vicars School Of Massage Therapy
| BEST FOR | Widely acclaimed massage therapy programs |
| PRODUCTS | Massage Therapy Classes, Massage Services |
| WEBSITE | https://www.mhvicarsschool.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 200 Country Hills Landing NW #101, Calgary, AB T3K 5P3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 567-1451[email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | By Appointment |
Among the massage schools in Calgary, MH Vicars was the first school to be recognized by the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta. Because of their expertise and acclaim, the school’s graduates are always in high demand for employment.
You can guarantee that you’ll learn a lot from them because they have the best massage educators and most experienced registered massage therapists as their faculty.
MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy also has financial solutions and beginners’ workshops for enthusiasts who struggle with starting a program.
Highlights
- Blended learning approach
- Financial aid
- Beginners workshops
- Highly-demanded graduates
Customer Reviews
MH Vicars has long been one of the best massage schools in Calgary and Alberta, and it continues to be competitive with other schools in the industry. Here are the reviews to verify this claim:
“My experience at MH Vicars was 5 stars. The staff and administration are amazing. My instructors and the curriculum set me up to succeed in the provincial board exams in Newfoundland. MH Vicars staff and students continue to elevate massage therapy as a health care profession and Alberta is lucky to have them.”
“This school is, in my mind, one of the best. Their standards are amazing, they do their best to ensure all graduates are practicing as safely as possible, and the instructors genuinely care how well we do (even if it doesn’t seem like it at times). In short, they typically will go above and beyond (again, within reason) to ensure you’re accessing the best curriculum available in Alberta.”
6. NIWE Academy
| BEST FOR | All-around beauty school |
| PRODUCTS | Massage Therapy Programs, Aesthetics Programs, Beauty Services |
| WEBSITE | https://www.niwe.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 3817 27 St NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 7G2 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 453-8200 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
If you want to learn about massage therapy and all-around aesthetics services at the same time, then NIWE Calgary is the best school for you.
The school offers blended learning programs on massage therapy, hairdressing, nails, barbering, and comprehensive aesthetics.
Based on their track record, their graduates become skilled and experienced enough to build their own massage business, while some work in the most prominent Calgarian aesthetics companies.
NIWE also has ties to numerous commercial partners and has been awarded the Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence.
Highlights
- All-around aesthetics
- Partnership with businesses
- Blended learning
Customer Reviews
NIWE is your best pick of the best massage schools in Calgary for everything related to beauty and aesthetics services. Read these reviews from students and business owners who benefited from their classes:
“I am an esthetician and I was looking at getting certified for massage therapy. NIWE has an awesome scheduling for their classes, I was able to attend early in the morning and then go to work. The instructors are very knowledgeable.”
“NIWE is a great school of Massage Therapy and Esthetics. With our experience dealing with some of their graduates and students, we have been treated with respect and professionalism. Their students are on time, well mannered and most of all skilled – qualities that are hard to come by when you are looking for people who are needed to do a job.”
7. Samadhi Thai Massage School
| BEST FOR | Thai Massage Training |
| PRODUCTS | Thai Massage Training Course & Certification |
| WEBSITE | https://samadhithaimassage.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Calgary, AB |
| CONTACT DETAILS | https://samadhithaimassage.com/contact/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact for more details |
Francine Petit of Samadhi Thai Massage School is one of the highest qualified Thai Massage Therapist in Canada with 22 years of experience studying under many different masters and lineages. She is accredited as a Registered Thai Therapist and Advanced Practitioner and Instructor with the Thai Healing Alliance International since 2006.
She is also a Registered Massage Therapist in Alberta, Canada in Orthopedic Massage. Manual Osteopathy Practitioner.
Highlights
- Traditional Thai Massage courses
- Jap Sen Herbal Thai Massage Course
Customer Reviews
Here’s what people are saying about Samadhi Thai Massage School:
“Traditional Thai Massage with Francine is an amazing course with so much to offer.
With its small class size, set in a warm cozy atmosphere, it makes it feel like a retreat getaway.”
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With the best massage school in Calgary, you can be a highly-skilled registered massage therapist in no time.
After receiving your certification and license, you may want to apply to the best massage boutiques in Calgary. These massage boutiques are sure to provide the best training for massage therapists and the best services for clients.
