Massage Certification
Five Branches University offers massage and bodywork professional certificate programs based on Asian Bodywork Therapies (ABT) including Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tuina, and Qigong. Offered at both our San Jose and Santa Cruz campuses, our ABT programs will prepare you for a professional career in the bodywork field and to obtain a California massage license and national massage certification. You may begin the ABT program at any time, take courses individually as seminars, or complete the requirements of the program to become certified. We offer the following certificates:
Level I – 250 Hour Asian Bodywork Practitioner Certificate
The 250 Hour Asian Bodywork Practitioner Certificate program meets the requirement to practice in many municipalities throughout the Bay Area, including San Jose and Santa Cruz, California. This level qualifies you to apply for a California State license as a Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP).
Prerequisite: High school diploma, GED or equivalent
Level II – 500 Hour Asian Bodywork Therapist Certificate
The 500 Hour Asian Bodywork Therapist Certificate program qualifies you to apply for a California State license as a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT).
Prerequisite: Completion of the 250 Hour Asian Bodywork Practitioner Certificate program
Level III – 650 Hour Asian Bodywork Clinician Certificate
The 650 Hour Asian Bodywork Clinician Certificate program prepares you to be a competitive practitioner at the national level, meeting the educational requirements for NCCAOM, NCETM and NCETMB. Graduates of the 650 hour program will acquire advanced bodywork and clinical experience, boosting confidence and enhancing professionalism.
Prerequisite: Completion of the 500 Hour Asian Bodywork Therapist Certificate program
150 Hour Acupressure Tuina Certificate Program –San Jose Campus
The 150 Hour Acupressure Tuina Certificate program, offered at the San Jose campus, is comprised of six courses which cover the foundational material of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applied to the field of bodywork. The modalities taught in this program are Acupressure and Tuina (Chinese massage).
In this program you will learn a yang and active form of Qigong massage, called Tuina, which utilizes a large variety of strokes, hand manipulations, rocking, and stretching, and a yin and more quiet style of Acupressure, where the practitioner holds points and connects meridians, almost similar to acupuncture. You will learn a large variety of Chinese massage techniques, the 12 main meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels, acupressure point locations and usage, physical and psychological functions of the internal organs, as well as pulse and tongue assessment. This program offers a great balance between theory and practice. Qigong exercises are part of every class and are taught daily.
100 Hour Five Element Acupressure Certificate Program-San Jose Campus
The 100 Hour Five Element Acupressure Certificate program, offered at the San Jose campus, is an advanced program comprised of four courses in Five Element theory applied to the field of bodywork. The modalities taught in this program are Acupressure and Tuina (Chinese massage).
Five Element Acupressure is a ancient healing system that emphasizes the uniqueness and strengths of each individual. The Five Element model addresses the person at the level of the spirit, restores balance and stimulates the person’s emotional and spiritual ability to heal.In this program you will learn techniques for transferring energy between the elements using the laws of creating and controlling cycles as well as identifying and removing blockages that prevent circulation of energy. Five element assessment tools and five archetypes identifications are included with location, functions and usage of the sinews channels, ethics, contraindications and much more. This program offers a great balance between theory and practice. Qigong exercises are part of every class and are taught daily.
Upon completion of the 150 hour Tuina Acupressure Certificate program and the 100 Hour Five Element Acupressure Certificate program you will have earned the 250 hours required to become a Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP).
For licensed acupuncturists- Our certificate programs enable you to enrich your practice, earn CEUs, learn valuable techniques for self-healing, and become certified in Asian Bodywork Therapies.
Application and Course Curriculum Guide
To apply for our Asian Bodywork Therapies Certificate Programs please download the ABT Application. To receive a course curriculum guide for your program of interest please contact:
San Jose Extension
Sumedha Goh
(408) 345-2654
sjextension@fivebranches.edu
Santa Cruz Extension
Alexandra Polk
(831) 476-9424 x41
scextension@fivebranches.edu
