Course Catalog

Neuromuscular Massage Therapist, Diploma (NT12)  Diploma


Campus Locations: Valdosta

Program Transition

The Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Program is transitioning from a diploma to a certificate. Potential students wishing to pursue a neuromuscular massage therapy should consider the Neuromuscular Massage Therapy certificate program which will begin accepting students for Spring 2025. Students currently enrolled in the Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Diploma program who have not begun the NEUT courses must transition to the new Neuromuscular Massage Therapy certificate program.

The Neuromuscular Massage Therapist program consists of a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of Neuromuscular Therapy. Learning opportunities develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Curriculum fundamentals, Swedish massage, musculoskeletal anatomy, identification of diseases and conditions, medical documentation, and client care prepare the graduate for an entry level position. Specialized training in nervous system pathology, postural analysis, neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release and clinical reasoning establish this program and its graduates as specialists in their field. Program graduates receive a Neuromuscular Therapy diploma, which qualifies them to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board and apply for Georgia Licensure through The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.

Program Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, graduates will adeptly communicate with clients and healthcare professionals, master draping procedures, and apply various soft tissue modalities effectively. They will excel in assessing and documenting health indicators, researching pathologies, and using clinical reasoning for treatment plans. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of body systems and compensation patterns, practice safe body mechanics, and promote client self-care. They will uphold ethical standards, understand legal considerations in business, and provide inclusive care with a commitment to professionalism and sanitation protocols in massage therapy.

Careers: Massage Therapist, Neuromuscular Therapist


Start Terms:

  • This program begins each Spring semester on the Valdosta campus.

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (56 hours)
General Core Courses 9
ENGL 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Occupational Courses 47
ALHS 1011

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALHS 1090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
NEUT 1001

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090 Co-requisite(s): None This is the first of two courses which provide an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy so as to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: bones; joints; terminology; and muscles by region.

4
NEUT 1005

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1001, NEUT 1020, NEUT 1030, NEUT 1050 Co-requisite(s): None This is the second of two courses which provide an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy so as to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: bones; joints; terminology; and muscles by region.

4
NEUT 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 1.5 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1001, NEUT 1020, NEUT 1030, NEUT 1050 Co-requisite(s): None This course provides an understanding of nervous system to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: nervous systems structure and function: communication of the neural and endocrine system.

3
NEUT 1020

Weekly Contact Hours – Lecture - 2.5 Lab 2 - 0.5 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090 Co-requisite(s): None This course prepares students to identify general pathological conditions so as to be able to refer for medical attention or identify indications and contraindications for massage for specific body systems as stated: musculoskeletal, endocrine, nervous, integumentary, circulatory and lymphatic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems. Topics include: review of basic anatomy and physiology per body system; identification of pathologic conditions per body system; physiologic effects of manual therapies upon each body system; formation of a treatment plan; indications versus contraindications for treatment; dysfunction versus disease;critical reading; and NMT Foundational Platform.

3
NEUT 1030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090 Co-requisite(s): None Provides student with knowledge and practice of basic skills necessary for maintaining a successful and responsible career as a Neuromuscular therapist. This course prepares students in practical application for clinic by developing the proper skills necessary for interviewing clients, collecting data, assessment of data collection, developing patient care plan, and proper documentation. Topics include: history of massage and body work; professionalism, effective communication skills; documentation and charting; formation of a treatment plan utilizing assessment procedures; and critical reading.

3
NEUT 1050

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 6 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090 Co-requisite(s): None Students will learn how to incorporate the basic Swedish strokes as well as integrate each body region into a full body treatment session. Topics include: therapeutic environment; client positioning, bolstering, and draping; endangerment sites; Swedish strokes per NCE; integrated routine; mobile practice; and self care.

5
NEUT 1060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1001, NEUT 1020, NEUT 1030, NEUT 1050 Co-requisite(s): None Students begin clinical reasoning and provide supervised therapy services in the college clinic. Students will apply skills learned in previous courses to interview clients; document assessment findings; discern indications and contraindications; develop and implement proper treatment plans; and deliver and evaluate effective Swedish and Deep tissue sessions for a minimum of three clients per week. Student will continue to utilize wellness essentials, evaluate client/therapist communication, and improve professional work ethic. This course also includes a community service component. Topics include: documentation; effective communication skills; effective treatment; preceptor shadowing; case study; community outreach; and self care.

2
NEUT 1080

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1001, NEUT 1020, NEUT 1030, NEUT 1050 Co-requisite(s): None This course enhances didactic instruction of students in the techniques of neuromuscular therapy (NMT) as related to physiologic factors of pain such as Ischemia, Trigger Points, Postural Distortion, Neural Compression/Entrapment, Biomechanical Dysfunction, Nutrition and Stress in an attempt to restore and maintain a balance among the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Topics include: NMT foundational platform; NMT application fundamentals; indications and contraindications for treatment; muscles; NMT treatment per body region; and self care.

3
NEUT 1081

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1005, NEUT 1010, NEUT 1060, NEUT 1080 Co-requisite(s): None This course enhances didactic instruction of students in the techniques of neuromuscular therapy (NMT) as related to physiologic factors of pain such as Ischemia, Trigger Points, Postural Distortion, Neural Compression/Entrapment, Biomechanical Dysfunction, Nutrition and Stress in an attempt to restore and maintain a balance among the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Topics include: NMT foundational platform; NMT application fundamentals; indications and contraindications for treatment; muscles; NMT treatment per body region; and selfcare.

3
NEUT 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1005, NEUT 1010, NEUT 1060, NEUT 1080 Co-requisite(s): None This course is intended to be an overview of other adjunctive modalities. Further supervised study and training in these modalities is necessary for responsible therapy. Topics include: pregnancy massage,lymphatic drainage, advanced assessment techniques, muscle lengthening techniques, thermotherapy, passive and active engagement, positional release techniques, myofascial release overview, and critical reading.

3
NEUT 1110

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1005, NEUT 1010, NEUT 1060, NEUT 1080 Co-requisite(s): None This course is an integration and review of didactic instruction in order to prepare students to take the National Certification Examination (NCETM/NCETMB) or an equivalent licensure exam approved by the Therapist's chosen state of practice. Students will be self directed in review of competencies of NCBTMB or other chosen licensing exam. Also, students will participate in simulated registry exams. Review topics include: anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; massage application and assessment; pathology; professional ethics and business practices; clinical reasoning; and Eastern modalities.

3
NEUT 1120

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1005, NEUT 1010, NEUT 1060, NEUT 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Students will continue clinical reasoning and provide supervised therapy services in the college clinic. Students will apply skills learned in previous courses to interview clients, document assessment findings, discern indications and contraindications, develop and implement proper treatment plans, and deliver and evaluate effective treatment plan sessions for a minimum of three clients per week utilizing combined therapies of NMT routines, Swedish, and deep tissue. Student will continue to utilize wellness essentials, evaluate client/therapist communication, and improve professional work ethic. This course also includes a community service component. Topics include: documentation, advanced communication skills, effective treatment, preceptor shadowing, community outreach and self care.

2
NEUT 1230

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): NEUT 1005, NEUT 1010, NEUT 1060, NEUT 1080 Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to prepare students to develop professional leadership skills and maintain a successful practice as a Neuromuscular Therapist. This course will explore local and Georgia law as it pertains to the regulation and licensure of Massage Therapy. Also addressed are professional ethics and standards for practice per chosen professional massage therapy organization Topics include: networking; business promotion; business management; start-up plan portfolio; financial management; State (Georgia) law; Local Law; and Professional Ethics.

2
Faculty
Advisor

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

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