Comparing Massage Therapy Schools in Michigan

Why Choosing the Right School Matters

Massage therapy is a growing profession in Michigan, with more people seeking natural and therapeutic care every year. According to Massage Magazine, “To become a licensed massage therapist in Michigan, you must complete a minimum of 625 hours of education from a state-approved massage therapy program if you do not already hold a license from another state.” The school you choose should also prepare you for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), which you must pass to become a licensed massage therapist (LMT). 

While several schools across the state offer training, each program is unique in its approach, curriculum, and philosophy. Choosing the right school can make all the difference in your career success and personal fulfillment.

 

Common Program Structures in Michigan

Massage therapy programs in Michigan vary from short-term vocational certificates to more in-depth holistic curriculums. Some community colleges offer certificate programs that focus on the minimum state requirements. At the same time, specialized massage schools may go beyond those basics by including additional techniques, advanced modalities, and clinical practice hours. According to the MBLEx Guide, “The curriculum must contain at least:

• 125 hours of instruction of body systems including anatomy, physiology and kinesiology

• 40 hours of pathology

• 10 hours of business, professional practice and ethics (minimum of 6 hours of ethics)

• 200 hours of massage and bodywork assessments, theory and application

• 85 hours of massage-related instruction as determined by the school

• 40 hours of supervised clinical practice”

When comparing schools, it’s important to consider not just the number of hours but the breadth of training, the opportunity for hands-on practice, and the teaching philosophy.

Factors to Compare Between Schools

When researching massage therapy schools in Michigan, keep these factors in mind:

• Accreditation & State Approval: Ensure the program is recognized by the State of Michigan. You can check that on the Pure Michigan License Search. 
• Curriculum Depth: Look for programs that include anatomy, physiology, pathology, and multiple massage modalities. 
• Clinical Experience: Hands-on practice with clients builds confidence and prepares students for real-world work. 
• Class Size & Learning Environment: Smaller class sizes often mean more one-on-one attention. 
• Holistic vs. Technical Focus: Some schools emphasize only the technical side, while others integrate holistic and natural health principles. 
• Continuing Education Opportunities: A school that offers advanced classes and CEUs allows you to grow your career beyond licensure. 

Comparing Michigan Massage Schools

Across Michigan, you’ll find a mix of community college programs, independent vocational schools, and holistic institutes. Community colleges may be more accessible geographically and offer lower tuition, but programs may be limited to the essentials. Independent massage schools often provide flexibility in scheduling and a stronger emphasis on therapeutic skills. Holistic institutes, such as the Naturopathic Institute, stand out by offering not only massage therapy training but also a broader foundation in natural health, which can open doors to additional career paths. We did the research for you:

School Name	Format	Program Length	Tuition	Inculsions	Hours	Application Fee
Academy of Alternative Healing Arts	In Person	38 Weeks	$8,000	Books, Insurance, Professional Equipment (table)	754	$100 non-refundable
Acupuncture and Massage School of Oriental Medicine	In Person	25 weeks	$8,800	Nothing included Additional expenses for textbooks and supplies	625	$75.00
Adrian School of Massage	In Person	12 months	$10,000	Massage Table, Textbooks	842	$800.00 down payment on tuition with the enrollment form
Alpena Institute of Massage	In Person	12 months	$11,280	Tuition, Student Insurance, Books, Massage Table, Misc. Supplies, and Registration fee of $100.00	625	$100.00 Refundable
American Massage Therapy Institute	In Person	25 Weekends	$14,000	Books and Lab Fees Included	700	No Application Fee
Blue Heron	In-Person	6-9 months	$9,940	Tuition Only Textbooks, Tables, and additional supplies are additional expenses	750	$100 non-refundable
Carnegie Institute	Hybrid	12 months	$13,975		625	$25 non-refundable
Creative Therapy School of Massage, LLC	In Person	9 months	$10,000	Tuition Only Additional expenses include a table, sheets, a liton, a stool, and textbooks.	625	There is an application fee, but you must attend a meeting to review all the details before applying
Dorsey College	Hybrid On Campus for 6 weeks and then online classes	9 months	14,700	Books, Scrubs, Sheets, Electronic Device, Cap, Gown, and one time to challenge a certification examination included	625	None
Flint School of Therapeutic Massage	In Person	7 months	$8,300	Tuition Only Additional Costs for MBLEx, Results, Fingerprinting, etc.  Textbooks and Supplies are not included either.	625	A deposit of $1,000.00 to hold your seat is required
Great Lakes School of Massage	Hybrid	8 months	Base is $9,800	Tuition Only An additional $275 is due on the first day for the Enhanced Modular Platform	625	$25.00 non-refundable
Guardian Massage & Reflexology Program	In Person	12 months	$7,200	Book and Lab fees included	625
Healing Hands Holistic Health Center School of Massage	In Person	50 weeks	$6,825	Tuition Only Additional cost for books is ~$500	625	$25 non-refundable
Health Enrichment Center, Inc.	Hybrid	12 months	$7,600	Textbooks included	625
Institute of Massage (IHSI)		9 months			625
Institute of Sanative Arts	In Person	6 months	$9,300	Books, student massage insurance, products used in class, and your first year of professional liability insurance through ABMP are included	625	$100
Irene’s Myomassology Institute	In Person	12 months	$12,789	MBLEx and a License from the State are included	654 (Core = 465 Electives = 112 Clinical Hours = 77)	$25 non-refundable
Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts	Hybrid	12-15 months	$12,812		625
Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage	In Person	10 months	$13,043	Textbooks, Scrubs, Cap and Gown, Massage Table, Sheets, two bottles of massager therapy product, one holster, student membership to AMTA and ABMP, and one-time only Mblex exam fee included	625	$25
Lansing Community College	In Person	12 months	$8,289.00 – 18,774.00	Tuition Only	625
International Thai and Therapeutic Massage Institute	Tailored to the individual	7 months	$9,900 to 12,000		650
Schoolcraft College – Radcliff Center	In Person	12 months	Resident $6,406   Non-Resident $7866.50	Books and supplies included	720
Synergy Wellness Academy	In Person	12 months	$10,400.00	Books, Massage Table, Misc supplies and expenses, Student liability Insurance, (1) Registration for Mblex included	700	$100 non-refundable
Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education	In Person	13 months	$8,900	Textbooks, manuals, graduation cap and gown, professional massage table (with leg bolster, face cradle and carrying case) included	625 + 100 independent study	Tuition is due upon enrollment, and a $25 fee may be retained if the applicant is rejected by the school.
The Salon Spa Academy	In Person	33 weeks part-time or 19 weeks if full-time	$13,260	Textbook and Kit Included	625	$100 non-refundable

The Naturopathic Institute Difference

The Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education (NITE) offers a massage therapy training program designed to exceed Michigan’s licensure requirements. The program includes over 725 hours of training, covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapeutic massage techniques. Students also complete hands-on clinical experience by working with real clients under faculty supervision.

Unlike some programs that focus solely on licensure, NITE incorporates a holistic approach to massage therapy by integrating foundational coursework in natural health practices. Students have the option to pursue additional education in naturopathy, herbology, and holistic nutrition through the institute’s broader curriculum offerings.

Graduates of the program may benefit from a broader skill set that supports careers in both massage therapy and complementary wellness disciplines. For those interested in continuing education, the Naturopathic Community Center also offers Saturday Seminars for LMTs and Massage Therapy Students who want to further their education or earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs).

The institute has been in operation since 1995 and is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The program schedule is structured over 2–3 weekends per month.

Note: The founder of the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education, Dr. Besheen Baker, N.D., is also the author of this article. While the information is intended to be informative and impartial, readers are encouraged to research all schools independently to ensure their best personal fit.

 

Choosing the Best Fit for You

When comparing massage therapy schools in Michigan, think about your career goals and learning style. If you’re seeking the fastest path to licensure, a community college program may be enough. If you’re looking for a broader education that prepares you for a holistic career, not just a job, an institute like NITE may be the better fit.

No matter which school you choose, be sure to tour the campus, ask about graduate success rates, and talk to instructors about their teaching approach. A good school should not only prepare you for the MBLEx but also inspire you to build a meaningful career helping others.

Take a look at the chart below to help find a school that fits your needs:

School Name	Location	Years in Business	Schedule	Focus
Academy of Alternative Healing Arts	Grandville	Since 1986	Day Classes:  Mon – all day  plus one clinical day/week   OR Tues – all day Plus one clinical day per week   Evening Classes:  Mon & Tues evenings Plus one clinical day per week	Thereapeutic
Acupuncture and Massage School of Oriental Medicine	Southfield	10+	Morning Program: Mon – Thurs  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Evening Program:  Tues, Thurs  6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sat  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Swedish and Eastern Techniques
Adrian School of Massage	Adrian	9 years	Tues, Thurs   9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Plus Some Weekends	Therapeutic
Alpena Institute of Massage	Alpena	Since 2022	Tues, Thurs 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Sat – Sun   9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	Thereapeutic
American Massage Therapy Institute	Bloomfield Hills	23+	Three days or week nights per week	Therapeutic
Blue Heron	Grand Rapids	20+ years	Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs day or evening options available	Medical
Carnegie Institute	Troy	Since 1947	Hybrid Training Online and In-Person Classes	Therapeutic
Creative Therapy School of Massage, LLC	St. Joseph	9+	Days  10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  OR  Evenings  5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.	Therapeutic
Dorsey College	Madison Heights (Main Campus)	Since 1934	Mon – Thurs  8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on campus for the first 6 weeks, followed by some classes online.	Therapeutic
Flint School of Therapeutic Massage	Grand Blanc	25+ years	Choose 1 of 4 Options: Mon, Weds 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tues, Thurs 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tues, Thurs 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sat – Sun 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Therapeutic
Great Lakes School of Massage	Portage	20+ years	Mon, Wed  8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Clinics Fri and Sat   Plus online coursework	Therapeutic
Guardian Massage & Reflexology Program	Sterling Heights	20+	Fridays 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.    9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every other weekend	Therapeutic
Healing Hands Holistic Health Center School of Massage	Clinton Twp	10+ years	Morning Program: Mon 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.  Plus select weekends per month. Evening Program: Fri 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Plus select weekends per month.	Swedish Massage
Health Enrichment Center, Inc.	Lapeer	Since 1985	In-person and online options through Zoom learning	Therapeutic
Institute of Massage (IHSI)	Plainwell	23+  years		Medical
Institute of Sanative Arts	Grand Rapids	15+ years	Mon – Wed  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Clinic is on Sat 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (10 clinics)	Therapeutic
Irene’s Myomassology Institute	Southfield	35+ years	Three days or week nights per week	Therapeutic
Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts	Kalamazoo	30+ years	Hybrid Training Online and In-Person Classes	Therapeutic
Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage	Port Huron	Since 1997	Fall Program:  Tues: 9:00 a.m. to 5:25 p.m.  Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 12:46 p.m.  Sat (~Once a Month): 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spring Program: Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 5:25 p.m.  Fri: 1:00 p.m. to 4:46 p.m. Mon (~Once a Month): 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Therapeutic
Lansing Community College	Lansing	Since 1957	Morning Program:  4-5 days  10:10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Plus Scheduled Weekend Events Evening Program:  3-4 days   5:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Plus Scheduled Weekend Events	Therapeutic
International Thai and Therapeutic Massage Institute	Farmington Hills	Since 1996	Tailored to the individual	Therapeutic
Schoolcraft College – Radcliff Center	Garden City	6 years	Days: Mon, Wed  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Fri  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evenings:  Tues, Thurs  6 to 10 p.m. Weekends: Sat  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Therapeutic
Synergy Wellness Academy	Grand Rapids	Since 2023	Mon – Thurs  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Thereapeutic
Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education	Mount Pleasant	Since 1995	2-3 Weekends (Fri-Sun) a Month Fri  5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  OR 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Labs  Sat – Sun  9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. OR 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Labs	Thereapeutic
The Salon Spa Academy	Battle Creek	22 years	Days: Thurs – Sat 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR Evenings: Wed – Sat 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.	Thereapeutic