NHSU School of Massage Therapy Gets COMTA Approval

By Editorial Staff
May 29, 2009

NHSU School of Massage Therapy Gets COMTA Approval

By Editorial Staff
May 29, 2009

Northwestern Health Sciences University School of Massage Therapy became the first massage school in Minnesota to receive accreditation from the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The accreditation cycle granted is for three years.

"This is great news for Northwestern," said School of Massage Therapy Dean Dale Healey, DC. "We have been working toward this for years. It is the next big step for the School of Massage Therapy."

The accreditation process is voluntary and COMTA has granted accreditation to 75 massage schools in the U.S. and Canada. The accredited school closest to NHSU is located in Madison, Wis., a drive of four hours from the Twin Cities area.

"Accreditation assures students that the school is meeting the high standards of the accrediting body," Dr. Healey said. "It reassures them that Northwestern is serious about offering a quality education. Students should feel good about attending an accredited school."

There are many reasons a massage school might choose to go through the accreditation process, such as gaining the ability to offer federal financial aid to students; demonstrating to prospective students a level of commitment to quality; indicating to employers and potential future clients a high educational standard has been met; and ensuring quality assurance by adhering to the accreditation standards.

The COMTA accreditation process involves several steps including completing the application process; attending a pre-accreditation workshop; conducting a comprehensive self-study that examines the performance of the school, its faculty, administration, students, graduates and employers; and participating in a site visit conducted by a COMTA team conducting interviews, observing classes, examining teaching records and education resources and evaluating the program and the institutional quality.