Choosing a Massage School
If you are considering enrollment at EWSMT, you should visit our facility and talk with the school director to ensure that our programs and instructional philosophy meet your expectations. Arrangements can be made for you to attend a current class session and we can also put you in touch with our graduates for their impressions of our programs. Because you will be making a substantial investment in terms of time, money and effort, it is important to give serious consideration to how well the school matches your desires and expectations.
Does the school's philosophy and approach to massage and wellness correspond to your own way of thinking?
While placing proper emphasis on the technical aspects of massage and bodywork, East-West emphasizes a holistic approach, exploring various philosophies such as: the mind-body connection involved in health and healing, Western medicine compared to Eastern medicine, etc.
Does the school provide introductory sessions in its curriculum to acquaint the student with adjuncts to the main massage program?
In addition to the core bodywork courses, students become acquainted with related subjects, such as Aromatherapy, Chinese Medicine and Acupressue, and Lymph Drainage Therapy. These can be quite helpful in future career choices or continuing education.
Is the school affiliated with a national massage professional organization?
East-West School of Massage Therapy, Wyomissing, is a member of the AMTA Council of Schools--(American Massage Therapy Association).
Does the instructional staff have strong credentials in ALL aspects of education, massage-related experience, and teaching experience?
We have an in-depth instructional staff, all having excellent credentials in education, extensive backgrounds doing massage and bodywork, and long-term teaching experience. In addition, they each specialize in one or more areas of study, which ensures students learn state-of-the-art skills in each facet of their training. Potential students are encouraged to attend a current class session and/or talk to the instructors.
Is the school involved in continuing education programs?
This is usually in the form of workshops or seminars, providing excellent opportunities to learn additional skills from qualified experts in their field. East-West Continuing Ed Program
Is the cost of tuition reasonable?
Our tuition costs for both Therapeutic Massage and Shiatsu Therapy are very reasonable. If comparing tuition costs to other schools, it is important to note the total supervised classroom hours involved. Some schools include outside-of- classroom hours in their program totals, and students must pay for this as part of their tuition.
Is the hands-on supervised massage instruction more than 50% of the total classroom hours?
It should be(and is, at East-West)—in a good, typical 600-hour program.
Does the curriculum include a solid, practical background in the business aspects of the massage profession?
We have a solid course in professional business development. We recognize that graduates need strong skills in marketing, goal-setting, financial and business management, and communications to achieve success. Instructors have extensive experience in massage business start-up and operations. Prior graduates, who have established their own bodywork businesses, are invited to address current students to share first-hand experience.
Is the school dedicated to teaching only massage and bodywork, or does the massage program represent a small part of their overall educational offerings?
You should expect strong personal attention, with reliance on a competent staff to guide you in the many choices of a massage career. At East-West, the synergy of the school and the massage service business provides vast networking potential. This enables us to be aware of opportunities which we bring to the attention of students. We also track our graduates to maintain a record of their career experience.
