Massage Therapy Program


Applications will be accepted for the Fall 2025 class through July 25, 2025. Classes are filled on a first come first serve basis.  

If you are interested in working in a career that involves helping others through mind-body integration, having limitless CEU opportunities, or simply adding to your educational resume, consider McLennan’s Massage Therapy Program.

 

Massage Therapy Program

As the use of massage as a form of healing and medical therapy is gaining popularity, the need for licensed massage therapists is also on the rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the job outlook for Massage Therapy will rise faster than average at a rate of 22 percent from 2018-28. In less than a year, students in McLennan Community College’s massage therapy program gain the tools they need to succeed in this growing field. 
There are many employment opportunities for massage therapists, including spas, private practices, and health care — for chiropractors, physical therapists, and physicians.

Completion of the Massage Therapy Program qualifies the student to take licensing exams to become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT). There are now two licensing exam options available, both have several licensing requirements and fees that students are required to complete and pay for once they complete our program. These fees are not included in the tuition for the program and are not paid to MCC. Below are the two exam options and the costs associated with both. All requirements and exams under each must be completed and passed by the individual before they will be issued their license.  

  • Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
    • MBLEx fee: $265
    • Jurisprudence exam fee: $34
    • Fingerprinting fee: $40
    • State license application fee: $100
  • Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
    • PSI exam fee: $60
    • Fingerprinting fee: $40
    • State license application fee: $100

More information regarding licensing can be found on the TDLR  website,  https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/mas/apply-therapist.htm

The MCC Massage Therapy program is 600 hours over one semester. We begin a new class each Fall and Spring semesters (July and January). Classes are held from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday. We do not offer any part-time, evening, or online classes.

Students receive instruction and laboratory practice from licensed instructors that include one-on-one instruction and hands-on training. The program covers:

  • Basic human anatomy and physiology
  • Professional ethics
  • Medical terminology
  • Healing functions of the body
  • Massage movements and techniques
  • Equipment use
  • Safety practices

Students complete a 50-hour internship along with their classroom instruction, allowing them to practice their skills by giving massages to members of the community. Tentative internship hours are 1:30 pm to 8:00 pm, but these are subject to change each semester. Students will be notified of their internship schedule by their instructor once classes begin.

After completing the program, students are well prepared to take the state examinations to become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have a High School Diploma, GED, or HSE.
  • Submit a program application (button is located on the right side or bottom of the page). 
    • Applications in PDF format are available by email request.
    • Paper applications are available in the Cosmetology Department's main office. 
  • Be accepted into our program by our department and be given a starting semester.

  • Tuition: $3900 
  • Textbooks: $205
  • Uniform: $220
  • Miscellaneous Supplies: $55
As a CE program, tuition costs are not effected by the student's current county or state of residence. The program is eligible for FAFSA. Those not using financial aid have the option to pay the full tuition cost of the program before the first day of class, or to set up an installment plan to pay tuition costs over the semester. Textbooks will be available in the MCC Bookstore for purchase, students will be given a list of the required items for the uniform and the miscellaneous supplies before classes start. Textbook, uniform, and miscellaneous supply costs are not included in tuition.  

Cheryl Peter

Has been a Licensed Massage Therapist and Massage Therapy Instructor for numerous years. She has certifications in Manual Lymph Drainage, Lymphedema Treatment, and Medical Massage. Cheryl actively practices massage in a busy chiropractic clinic when she is not teaching. She strives to bring current practices and information into the classroom to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce upon completion of the program and licensure.

  cpeter@mclennan.edu 

Steve Hinton

Steve graduated from Body and Soul massage school located in Wichita, KS in 2010. He was trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stones, Corporate Chair Massage, Pre-natal, Sports, Lomi Lomi, Thai Yoga, Trigger Point Therapy, ACE Cupping, Reflexology, Bamboo Fusion, Thai Poultice, and Lymphatic Massage. He became a licensed massage therapy instructor in 2021. He worked in the athletic department at Baylor University for 6 years providing sports massage for multiple sports teams. He also has his own private practice. Steve is passionate about his career and looks forward to inspiring new students with his vast knowledge in massage and bodywork.

sehinton@mclennan.edu 

Contact Nicole Beckwith-Dawson at nbeckwith@mclennan.edu, call 254-299-8701, text 254-602-5269, or email our instructors.

Our department is located in wing B of the Community Services Center (CSC) at 4601 N 19th Street, Waco, TX 76708. 

If you are interested in having our Massage Therapy students attend an event, please contact us 6 months in advance. 


For students in this program who may have a criminal background:

Please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas, guidelines can be found at www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimconvict.htm. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) at 512-463-6599. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from TDLR, www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimhistoryeval.htm

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