Survey Shows Recession's Impact on Massage Schools

The number of massage therapy training programs offered in the United States has declined for the first time since 2009, according to a new report from Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). The report shows that there are currently 1,440 institutions that offer massage training, down from 1,600 in 2009. This is the first reported decline in the 12 years ABMP has conducted the survey. The association has conducted a census every two years since 1999.

ABMP’s 2011 Massage Therapy Program Enrollment Census attempted to reach every massage therapy program in the United States over a four-week period, gaining participation from 75% of programs. This year’s results show a 10% decrease in the number of training programs since 2009, and an 11% decrease in the number of graduates from 2008 to 2010. The number of students enrolled in massage schools also showed a decline, from 59,663 in 2009 to 50,008 this year—a decrease of 16.2%.

Much of the loss took place in proprietary schools—institutions that are typically single-campus, single-owner and often not accredited. Only 23.6% of massage training programs offered by these schools were accredited and eligible for federal funding.

“In a recession, it is more challenging for any school to find students who can afford tuition,” says Les Sweeney, nationally certified massage therapist and ABMP president. “Accreditation and student access to federal financial aid can make a significant difference to a school’s enrollment and graduation rates.”

Among proprietary schools, accredited programs on average graduate more than twice as many students as their nonaccredited colleagues.

Enrollment in massage therapy training programs peaked in 2004/2005, and has been leveling off since then. ABMP predicted in 2009 that numbers would decline, due to a combination of economic trends and a natural adjustment to demand following the previous boom years for the field.

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