SCHEDULE DATES:
Saint Albans office
January 18, 2024 to November 14, 2024
THURSDAYS 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
every other SATURDAY, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, starting Jan 27th
six SUNDAYS, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, starting April 21st
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, except for recipients of the GI Bill®. For GI Bill® recipients, Wellness Massage will refund the unused portion of prepaid tuition and fees on a pro rata basis. The exact proration will be determined by the last date of attendance. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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 twelve students who submit an application along with a $200 deposit will be accepted into the program.
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. 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. 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. We buy our tables from Custom Craftworks and have been for over 25 years. They build beautiful, quality tables and give us a discount that we extend to you. The tables range in price from $350 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.
For veterans and dependents, the staff will determine the eligibility of transfer credits on a case-by-case basis. The school will grant credit appropriately and shorten the training time proportionally.
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.CIVIL RIGHTS STATEMENT
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;fax: (202) 690-7442; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Any covered individual, is permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a certificate of eligibility can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) website – eBenefits, or VA 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
1. The date on which payment from V A is made to the institution,
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
Wellness Massage Center & Institute will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
