Abstract:
The purpose of this report is to review current industrial needs and educational
requirements related to the field of massage therapy. Areas of employment include
relaxation and stress management, pain reduction, physical therapy/rehabilitation and
fitness. This report was initiated at the request of the exercise science and technology
faculty at the Highland Lakes campus of Oakland Community College. The components
of the report include a comprehensive literature review, data from national massage
therapy associations, information from the Dun and Bradstreet employer database, an
analysis of current higher education massage therapy programs in the state, and other
relevant external information cited in the reference section of this report. Additional data
were acquired from phone interviews with businesses in southeast Michigan (Oakland,
Wayne, and Washtenaw counties) and with OCC students currently or recently enrolled
in some health-related programs.
Part of the objective of this study was to assess those skills, competencies, and
educational credentials companies consider essential for future employment
opportunities.
