Q. Will I be able to practice once I have completed the Program?
Yes. At S.A.I.M. you receive 2200 hours training in the 2200 hour Advanced Diploma program which includes 1000 Hours in the first year and 1200 Hours in the second year. Upon receiving your Diploma, you will then apply for registration and will be qualified to work as a Registered Massage Therapist. Please note that, upon successful completion of the first year (1000 Hours), you will receive a 1000 hour Certificate and you will be able to practice Massage Therapy, however insurance companies require a 2200 Hour Diploma in order to work on insurance clients.
Q. Will I be a licensed Massage Therapist?
Each Jurisdiction has its own licensing requirements. For many, you simply need to show the Business Licensing Agent a copy of your Diploma and go through the simple procedure of applying for a business license.
Q. Can I do massage for people who are covered by insurance?
Yes, if you complete the 2200 Hour Massage Therapy Program. Once you graduate from S.A.I.M. you send a copy of your school Diploma and transcripts to the association of your choice (we recommend the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada) along with the completed application form. Once the association has processed your application, they will send you a registration number. When you have the registration number you are able to do insurance work. The entire process is relatively fast because the S.A.I.M. Diploma is fully recognized by the association.
Q. Why is a Criminal Record Check required?
A safe and secure environment, where people are free from abuse and neglect, is necessary for well-being and quality of life for Massage Therapy clients. Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act (PPCA), service providers must require a criminal records check of every successful applicant for employment, every new volunteer and every person to be engaged for services to provide care or support services. See their website: http://www.health.alberta.ca/services/PPC-criminal-records-checks.html
Q. What is the difference between receiving a Diploma and being a Registered Massage Therapist?
Receiving a Diploma means that you have fulfilled the requirements of training from an accredited school and have received documentation stating that the course has been completed successfully. Registered means that you receive a registration number from a recognized national association for Massage Therapists, such as Natural Health Practitioners of Canada.
Q. Is there any Practicum time required after the course is over?
No. All of the necessary clinical practicum is completed in an established Massage Therapy or Chiropractic clinic by the end of the program.
Q. How is it possible to receive a Massage Therapy Diploma in such a short period of time?
Because S.A.I.M. is a private school and the focus is on Massage Therapy only, the classes are offered when needed. We are not bound by a semester or general class schedules. Our students are fully immersed in both theoretical and practical studies.
Q. How many students are accepted into a program?
Southern Alberta Institute of Massage strives for a low student/instructor ratio, therefore class size is limited. This enables the instructors to interact directly with the students, making it easier to solve individual academic problems right in the classroom.
Q. How are your tuition and program costs determined?
Based on the costs to the school for supplies and linens, salaries paid to teachers and proctors, and the changing economic conditions such as taxes being raised, we set our tuition/program costs accordingly. We are a private institution and do not get the government grants that public colleges do.
Q. Do students need to purchase a massage table or linens for the class?
The materials for training are provided by the clinic. Linens for individual use during class are necessary. This includes: 2 sheets, 2 pillows, and 2 pillowcases. Students can bring their own linens for training purposes. The purchase of a table is optional.
Q. What is the job potential for graduates of S.A.I.M.?
The job potential is great due to a rising awareness of natural health. S.A.I.M. has a job placement rate of approximately 97%. There is a great diversity of potential employers for Massage Therapists (chiropractic clinics, hospitals, gyms, health spas, sports teams, private practice, etc.). However, just like any other field, the individual must be motivated enough to succeed.
Q. How much money does a Massage Therapist make?
Massage Therapy is a rewarding career. Fees charged vary from one business to the next. On average, a Therapist can expect to make $60.00 or more for a one hour massage and $40.00 for a half-hour massage.
Q. Can I work anywhere in Canada as a Massage therapist?
Yes. You can work anywhere in Canada once your 2200 Hour program is successfully completed and you are registered with the National Health Practitioners of Canada and still be insured, however there may be some adjustments to satisfy certain provincial legislations. In some provinces, such as B.C. for example, you may have to challenge their provincial exam or take some extra courses. Regardless of provincial requirements, you can practice Therapeutic Massage in any province, but you may have to advertise your business as a "Massage Practitioner" to satisfy local regulations. This issue is currently under debate.
Q. What makes your school different from any other school?
We offer an accelerated 2200 Hour program - allowing you to obtain a two-year Diploma in one and a half years - and we have a low student to teacher ratio for exceptional hands-on instruction. The students at S.A.I.M. learn within a working clinic and get to see first-hand how a Massage Therapy Clinic operates. Graduating students are prepared with a practical professional background before entering their field of practice. Theory learned is immediately applied to practical "hands on" situations, thereby reinforcing retention and skill development. We also help with student placement and are always available to answer questions.