Massage Therapy Schools in South Dakota
There can be no better place to practice the art of massage therapy than in South Dakota. There are plenty of opportunities for small businesses to grow in this state as more families move to South Dakota every year. You may even open your own clinic or spa someday to administer massage treatments to your clients. If you envision yourself being part of a local community and knowing all of your clients by name, then you should check out all of the opportunities that South Dakota has to offer.
Find Cosmetology Programs in South Dakota
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
You can find out more about the educational opportunities available in South Dakota by researching this list of programs:
– Springs Bath House School of Massage
– Black Hills Health and Education Center
– Minnesota College
You should be aware that there are certain courses that you will be required to complete before your graduation from a school. The typical courses in a required curriculum are introduction to massage therapy, anatomy, physiology, lab assignments, medical ethics and South Dakota health safety laws and regulations. You will also want to check out the non-required courses to ensure that a school has offerings that interest you. You may wish to learn a particular form of acupuncture of other type of healing medicine in addition to massage techniques. Some schools offer acupuncture certifications that you can receive while you pursue a license in massage therapy. This can help you to become more marketable when you graduate from a massage therapy program. Employers like to see students who made the most of their educational opportunities.
Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements in South Dakota
To become a licensed massage therapist in South Dakota, students should complete at least 500 hours of instruction and coursework. South Dakota also requires that students select a national exam and successfully pass it in order to receive a license to practice massage therapy. There is a license renewal fee of $100 every year. The initial cost of a massage therapy license is $65.
Employment Outlook for Massage Therapists in South Dakota
Currently, there are only 70 massage therapists employed in the entire state of South Dakota. The average salary of a massage therapy is about $32,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There will likely be a 25 percent increase in the demand for massage therapists in South Dakota.