How is the Massage Arts Center Different from other area schools?
We’re owned and operated by practitioners!
We’re located in a modern 6500 square foot facility built for bodywork education.
Home of Philadelphia’s first spa-hydrotherapy classroom.
Our teachers are certified in the subjects they teach – get more than just information presentation in our classrooms.
Flexible payment arrangements allow anyone to attend within their budget without having to accumulate interest laden debt.
We deliver integrity! Philadelphia is an ideal setting for the study of healing-arts. Its diverse neighborhoods, residents, shopping and restaurants offer a rich cultural experience!
Our mission at MACP is to offer high quality education and opportunities for our students to experience their full potential and develop the necessary skills to become a successful healing arts practitioner.
School Philosophy
Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia applies a holistic model of practice to our programs in order to create a process that honors the individual learning styles of all students. Our program stresses the necessity of understanding the science supporting the work, provides a deep foundation in diverse manual therapies, and considers the entire being in the application of techniques. We believe that all students accepted into our programs have demonstrated their potential to succeed in the healing arts field. We believe classes facilitated by knowledgeable, professional teachers and certified practitioners offer possibilities for whichever healing art students wish to dedicate themselves. Our devotion to our student's success includes offering a diverse program, coaching and guiding each student through their experience in the program, and constantly ensuring that our resources are available for whatever individual needs arise in the education process.
MACP is dedicated to quality education. It is our goal:
To provide a thorough, high-quality education.
To prepare graduates to work successfully in healing arts centers.
To provide students with a scientific foundation.
To provide students with skills needed to sustain their work.
To demonstrate for students an ethical model of professional practice.
To increase public awareness of the benefits and applications of touch therapies.
To promote the highest standards of professionalism in the field.
About Us
The MACP was founded in Philadelphia in 1984 by Roberta Bleckner and has since enjoyed a rich history operating in Center City. The Center has always been owned and operated by practitioners; offering outstanding programs in which hundreds of the area’s practitioners successfully completed their training under the guidance of the school’s faculty.
Peter W. DiOrio - the School’s Director since 2002 - bought the school in June of 2006 and currently serves as Director and President. Under his tenure, the MACP expanded its Massage Therapy Program, added a full service Wellness-Center, the Whole Health Shiatsu Program, the Lomi-Lomi Certificate Program, expanded its continuing and community education offerings and is currently pursuing accreditation with the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation.
The present location of the school was chosen in 2004 in order to facilitate an easy commute for students, and is accessible from the entire Philadelphia Metro area via public transportation. Due to increasing fuel costs and other environmental concerns, MACP urges all students and guests to utilize public transportation whenever possible when visiting the Center
Non-Discrimination Policy
MACP admits students of any color, race, ethnic origin, gender, religious background, or sexual orientation, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available to students at the school. MACP does not discriminate because of color, race, ethnic origin, gender, religious background, or sexual orientation in its admissions policies, educational policies, loan programs and any other school administered programs. All students, staff and faculty must adhere to the MACP non-discrimination policy at all times. Violations of the policy will result in immediate dismissal from the program or employment.
Employment
By law, we cannot guarantee a job upon completion of our programs; however the area's most distinguished employers regularly contact us with job openings that are immediately posted on our networking board. The Center takes a proactive stance in advising students of available job opportunities and current market directions. Under our Guaranteed Career Assistance policy, we’ll help to arrange job interviews and preparing graduate resumes. Employers persistently recruit our graduates based on their quality of work and the school's outstanding reputation.
Lifetime Career Assistance
We’re going to be there for you every step of the way. Our staff and network will be there to support our graduates – no matter how after they complete their training. Examples of assistance include – Resume writing and job search assistance, career counseling and much more. Call the school today if you are a graduate in need of further assistance or advice on your path.
Careers in the Touch Therapy Professions
Often referred to as touch therapies or healing-arts, the practice of massage, muscle and bodywork therapy has many career opportunities. Practitioners with comprehensive training apply their knowledge and skills to assist clients in stress management, injury prevention and recovery, and maintaining an overall sense of well-being. Many practitioners work in group practice or private practice in a physican's office or hospital, with sports teams, at spas, in resorts, hotels, at gyms, on cruise ships, and at chiropractic and other physician offices. Professional athletes use these therapies to enhance performance and to prevent injuries. It is also worth mentioning that in a field it's infancy, whatever you dream it to be it can be. Many of the Philadelphia area employers recruit our graduates based on the quality of our training programs. The growing demand for excellence in the profession and at Massage Arts Center has compelled the school to expand the continuing education offered. Over time, developing in specific areas of the profession; a working professional will begin to integrate different touch therapies and holistic modalities in order to address a more diverse group of clients and conditions. MACP is ready to provide you that professional and approved continuing education and support for your professional growth.
Applicable Law
Prospective students are urged to consider where they wish to practice and then research the requirements in that region; the laws and rules governing practices vary by state and municipality. Currently there are no legislative requirements in PA covering the practice of massage, bodywork, or muscle therapies. In October of 2003 House Bill 2078 was introduced proposing the regulation of these practices in the Commonwealth. The City of Philadelphia and a total of 38 states (including NJ, NY and DE) have existing laws that govern the practice of Massage and Asian Bodywork. Please inquire at the administrative office for information about these laws.
Professional Associations
The PA Department of Education - State Board of Private Licensed Schools, licenses Massage Arts. The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved the 702-hour Massage Therapy and 600-hour Whole Health Shiatsu Programs for educational benefits for veterans and their dependants. Students and graduates of specific programs are qualified to join the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork & Massage Practitioners (ABMP), the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia as well as a number of other organizations that support massage therapists and Asian bodyworkers. Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Council of Schools, the Association of Massage and Bodywork Professionals (ABMP) and the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) Council of Schools and Programs. The school is also an Approved Provider for graduate-level continuing education certified by the NCBTMB.
National Certification Exam
Graduates of the 702 Hour Massage Therapy Diploma Program qualify to take The National Certification Exam administered by The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork(NCBTMB). Graduates of the 600-hour Whole Health Shiatsu diploma program qualify to sit of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) exam. Passing these exams demonstrates to the public and other health-care providers that a minimum standard of education and/or experience in the profession of massage therapy and bodywork has been achieved. Many states use successful completion of the NCE as part of their licensing requirements for massage and bodywork practitioners. Please inquire at the administrative office for information about these exams.
Student Rights
We carefully consider all feedback received from students; applying this useful data to enrich and improve our existing programs and courses. All our courses offer an opportunity for evaluation and the Center employs a locked drop box to receive any feedback from our patrons and students. Feedback is held in the strictest of confidence and need not be accompanied by any names to insure that all feel welcome to communicate. Challenge / solution forms are available in the student lounge / common space to provide a method for expressing feedback. Please accompany every challenge with a well thought out solution if possible, to further the process and ensure a speedy resolution of differences.
Student Services
The school does not provide housing, transportation, parking or childcare for students or guests. The school provides academic and practical advising to all students to ensure satisfactory progress through their program. Special attention is given to those students that need additional assistance within reason and according to our current resources. Academic tutoring is always available to students. Life-time career-assistance is provided free of cost to all graduates, products and supplies are available to current students at discounted prices, discounts are available to graduates through the Alumni Association, family and student clinic discounts apply, please see the administration for more info.
519 S. 4th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 phone: 267.321.0200 fax:267.321.0266
We're on 4th between Lombard and South (next to TLA video)
