10 Best Massage therapy schools in Edmonton|Tuition & Key Info.

Determining a career path to take can be a challenging task sometimes. A career in massage therapy or attending the massage therapy schools in Edmonton is worth taking good time to consider.

Massage therapy training gives you a diverse field of professional opportunities to choose from. Attending massage therapy schools in Edmonton and taking their courses simultaneously gives you the skills and techniques which you need to make a good living. That’s not all, it will equally make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.

Furthermore, the common reason for attending the massage therapy schools in Edmonton should be to seek a career in the massage therapy field.

Above all, competing in the massage therapy training program gives you a good knowledge of the licensing that is necessary to become a certified professional. Here are some reasons why massage therapy schools in Edmonton would be a smart and great career investment.

What to expect in a massage therapy school

Why choose from the list of massage therapy schools in Edmonton? here are some tips on what to expect in the massage therapy schools in Edmonton:

  • Hand-on training
  • Hygiene, kindness, and communication
  • Specific Massage Training Techniques

Hand-on training

Massage therapy schools teach their students through hands-on training. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of massage therapy schools.

It is even interesting how you receive so many massages as you learn this skill as a therapist.

Hygiene, kindness, and communication

Another thing these massage therapy schools in Edmonton will teach you is how to keep good hygiene in yourself and your workplace.

You will learn to listen because in the process of learning you treat your clients, teachers, and classmates with ultimate respect.

You will also learn how to keep excellent communication with your clients because excellent communication allows a client to feel relaxed while the session will feel much less tense for you.

Specific Massage Training Techniques

Massage therapy schools do not teach theories alone, therefore students learn the different kinds of massage techniques there are in order to give their clients the best.

The teaching module in most schools is categorized into three areas: Massage Theory and Practice, Career Development, and Hands-On Practical Experience.

Therefore these massage therapy schools in Edmonton provide students with all the knowledge and experience they need.

Specific Massage Training Techniques to look out for

Here are some massage techniques and how they work:

  • Swedish massage
  • Shiatsu Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage 
  • Sports Massage
  • Massaging Pregnant Women
  • Massage For People With Injuries 
  • Seated Massage 
  • Energy Massage 

Swedish massage

The Swedish massage is designed specifically to relax your muscles. This is done by applying pressure on the muscles and the bones.

This enhances the oxygen flow in the blood while elevating the process of removal of toxins from the muscles.

Through this massage, the ligaments and tendons become more flexible, and most importantly it stimulates the nervous system as well as the skin, consequently relieving you from emotional and physical stress.

Shiatsu Massage

The Shiatsu Massage training module includes an introduction to the principles of Shiatsu, meridians, and Points at different places in the body.

This technique involves applying pressure on the body using palms, fingers, thumbs, and elbows.

The Shiatsu is a combination of the principles of Chinese medicines and the art of acupuncture (here you do not use needles).

This type of massage works on any blockage within connected channels in the body which might have caused pains, stress, fatigue, and depression.

Therefore a step-by-step pressure is applied on the pressure points on the meridians which go on to stimulate the never and the tissues, thus enhancing good flow in these areas.

Deep Tissue Massage

This massage technique is meant for those who are inclined to pursue massage therapy for clinical applications.

It is goal-oriented and relieves one from pain and discomfort. This training technique helps you understand and locate your client’s trigger points, pain patterns, and the places where pressure needs to be applied.

While learning about deep tissue massage, you will be taught specific hand strokes which would eventually make your work more effective.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is a modality that is geared toward therapeutic massage schools. Students are trained in effective ways of treating athletes and performing good sports massages.

This massage is used to help students to attain peak performance. It helps diminish fatigue of the muscles as well as relieve swelling.

Massaging Pregnant Women

This massage technique teaches students how to believe the muscle tension as well as the back stress that is commonly associated with pregnancy.

Massage For People With Injuries 

This massage technique helps promote the flexibility of the muscle and are used in treating injuries such as torn ligaments and damaged tissues. It teaches students how they can carefully deal with injured patients.

Seated Massage

 It normally lasts for 15 minutes while the client is seated and fully clothed, it is ideal for instant stress relief, especially when time and resources are limited.

Energy Massage 

This technique involves light hand movement over the body to bring relief and relaxation while attuning the energy.

List of Massage therapy schools in Edmonton

Here are some of the best massage therapy schools in Edmonton, the rest can be found at the end of the article:

  • South Edmonton School of Massage Therapy
  • MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy
  • Alberta College of Massage Therapy
  • MaKami College
  • Wholistic Health Training & Research Centre
  • Archways Massage Therapy College

South Edmonton School of Massage Therapy

South Edmonton School of Massage Therapy is one of the Massage therapy schools in Edmonton located at  Suite 220, 6203 – 28th Ave, Edmonton, AB (on the 2nd floor of the Town Centre Professional Building).

They offer our full-time program for both the Massage Therapy Level I (1000hrs) and the Massage Therapy Level II (1200hrs).

Though the program is full-time, it is laid out however laid out as a distance learning program that requires students to only attend classes one or two weeks per month from September until June( 13 weekends over 10 months).

Attending students must complete home study and projects between classes for approximately 25 hours per week.

This makes the program very attractive to those who have family or work obligations.

Their program is fully licensed by the Private Career Colleges (PCC), and recognized by the Massage Therapy Associations of Alberta and Saskatchewan (MTAA, MTAS) as well as the National Health Practitioners of Canada Association (NHPC).

Key Information

Level 1: $7000 basic tuition + an estimated $500 books/supplies.

Level 2: $8000 basic tuition + an estimated $500 books/supplies.

For Level 1 & Level 2, a registration fee of $300.00 (applied to the program) is required upon enrollment. This holds your seat in the class.

The $500 for books/supplies is an estimate for materials typically purchased through Massage Essentials or the Massage Therapy Supply Outlet.

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MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy

MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy is one of the Massage therapy schools in Edmonton where students get the opportunity to work with some of the best RMTs and massage educators in the province.

Their classes are taught by a team of two instructors and they keep their classes to a maximum of 22 students thereby maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 in order to guarantee their student’s personalized attention.

The Massage Therapy Program at MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy has been granted Preliminary Accreditation.

Key Information

To be admitted, you must belong or meet the requirements of the following categories:

Those who have a high school diploma, having earned 50% or higher in Grade 12 English and a
Grade 12 Science course (or non-Alberta equivalent), OR

Those who have a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED), with scores of 50 or higher in English and Science (or non-Alberta equivalent), OR

Those who have 50 credits towards a high school diploma, including 50% or higher in Grade 10 English and Grade 10 Math, and have been out of high school for at least two years, OR

Successful completion of an aptitude test administered by the school, and have been out of high school for at least two years. Find out more on their website.

All three of their schedule types are available in September every year.

They also offer January classes. These classes run from January to October or early November, with a long break over the winter holidays. The January schedule choices vary each year. 

How much is tuition?


Massage Therapy Course Tuition
Tuition is $9900 for each year of the two-year program

This is what you will pay to the school each year in tuition and fees:

Tuition is $9,900 per school year
Technology fee is $200 per school year
Facilities fee $200 per school year

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MaKami College

Earning your 3,000-hour Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy diploma creates opportunities and opens doors for your career and that is what Makami college being one of the Massage therapy schools in Edmonton will do for you.

MaKami College offers the highest level of Clinical Massage Therapy training in Alberta.

After completing this program online or in-class, you’ll be able to choose your pathway and earn an income in various fields such as:

  • sports massage therapy,
  • injury rehabilitation,
  • working at a luxury spa, and
  • alongside other healthcare professionals.

Here are some of the programs they offer and their duration:

  • Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy Program—2 Years
  • Health Care Aide Certificate Program–10 Months
  • Master Instructor Diploma Program–10 Months
  • Business Administrative Assistant Diploma Program—10 Months
  • Alberta Basic Security Training Program—-40 Hours

Key Information

Spa Massage Practitioner Certificate tuition:

Tuition: $10,490.00 ($10,990 for September 2021 intake)
Books + Supplies: $1,415.00 (tax included)

Tuition includes a $150.00 registration fee which is refundable if the student contract is terminated no later than the fourth business day after signing.

Massage Therapy Diploma tuition:

Tuition: $11,990
Books + Supplies: $1,095.00 (tax included)

Tuition includes a $150.00 registration fee which is refundable if the student contract is terminated no later than the fourth business day after signing.

MaKami offers a fantastic referral program – if you refer a friend and they enroll and start their program, you receive $300! This referral program is open to the public – not just current students. Refer a friend.

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Wholistic Health Training & Research Centre

Wholistic Health Training & Research Centre is one of the Massage therapy schools in Edmonton where you are much more than a therapy student. Here are some benefits of attending this massage school:

  • They have small class sizes
  • They offer a 90% career placement rate at massage therapy clinics and spas
  • Their medicine programs and massage therapy are holistic such as Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and more
  • They offer hands-on, one-on-one massage therapy, and holistic medicine training
  • Massage therapy and holistic medicine education that is well above industry standards
  • Enthusiastic, dedicated, and experienced massage instructors, RMT’s, and advisors
  • Rewarding massage therapy or a holistic medicine career in your chosen area of practice after your studies.

Here are some of their popular programs:

  • Massage Therapy Program
  • Reflexology Program
  • Psychosomatic Therapy

Admission requirements:

Applicants must read and write at a grade 10 level for English. If you do not meet this requirement, we offer an English as a Second Language training program to help prepare students to meet the English requirements.

Students should be 18 years of age or older, but if you’re under the age of 18 and wishing to register, connect with us today for further information.

Their Advanced Professional Massage Therapy Diploma Program (2200 hours) is licensed through Alberta Advanced Education, meaning students that are enrolled in this program are eligible to apply for provincial and federal student loans.

Key Information

This massage school offers payment plans to help you pay your tuition with ease.

In-take date for Massage Therapy: January 3

Intake dates for Reflexology:

  • January 17, 2022
  • March 14, 2022
  • May 2, 2022

Intake date for Psychosomatic Therapy Program: March 8

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Archways Massage Therapy College

275, 8702 Meadowlark Road NW
Edmonton, Alberta, T5R 5W5, Canada

Training at Archways Healing College- one of the Massage therapy schools in Edmonton is three-dimensional teaching for active hands-on learning.

The massage therapy lessons are provided in an easy and fun format for a learning experience that is both effective and enjoyable for students.

With a proven curriculum, Archways Healing College is your premiere Massage Therapy College.

For 25 years, Archways Healing College is one of the massage therapy schools in Edmonton thathas been helping students prepare for careers in Massage Therapy and Reflexology. They offer quality instructors and easy to understand courses, to provide them with a solid foundation to build on. 

Key Information

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Delivery options include 2200 hours over 53 weeks and 2200 hours over 64 weeks.

Tuition Fees: $17,970.00

Total Books/Supplies/Other Fees: $1,995.00

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Alberta College of Massage Therapy

This is a part of the Health and Wellness Colleges of Canada (HWCC) and was founded in 2001.

It is a Private Career College licensed through the Province of Alberta’s Innovation and Advanced Education Program.

Massage therapy schools in Edmonton FAQs

How much do I earn as a Therapist in Alberta?

Appr. hourly wage of a massage therapist in Alberta is between $50 – $80.

Appr. hourly wage for Health Care Aides in Alberta is between $21 – $27

Appr. hourly salary of a business administrator in Alberta is $22 – $30

Appr. hourly wage for Security Professionals in Alberta is $18 – $26

What are the top skills employees are looking for from massage therapists?

  • a non-judgmental nature

  • empathy and compassion

  • the ability to think critically

  • an interest in wellness issues

  • an interest in lifelong learning

  • the ability to be well organized

  • the ability to manage time well

  • good general health and posture

  • excellent listening and speaking skills

  • the ability to stand for long periods of time

  • a flexible schedule to adjust to clients’ needs

  • a friendly, outgoing personality and caring attitude

  • the ability to use their body as a tool to apply massage therapy

  • the ability to work with people of all ethnicities, ages, and body types

  • the ability to comfortably share personal space for long periods of time

What are the Alberta Recognized RMT Education Programs?

  • MaKami College (Edmonton and Calgary)

  • Grant MacEwan University (Edmonton)

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