Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated the success of several students who graduated from the Massage Therapy Program during a special ceremony held in the Health Sciences Center.

Graduates include Cassandra Marie Cain of Chalfont, Grace Cipressi of Lafayette Hill, Anna Mitchell of Warminster, Tanisha Scott of Philadelphia and Vitaliy Veklynets of Philadelphia. This was the first part-time evening class to graduate from the program. Students completed the 600-hour program by attending classes two nights per week from 5 to 10 p.m. for the first part of the year and then three nights per week from 5 to 10 p.m. during the remaining part of the year.

MCCC’s Massage Therapy Program is designed to prepare students to pass the State Board of Massage Therapy’s approved licensure examination. The program teaches business fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, history of massage, body mechanics, massage techniques and rehabilitative aspects of massage. Additionally, students are required to practice 50 hours of practical massage time outside of class.

“Congratulations on this accomplishment. You worked during the day, took care of your families and then came here for your classes,” said Program Manager William Mullen, LMT, praising them for their hard work.

Special recognition was given to Grace Cipressi, who earned top honors in anatomy and physiology; Cassandra Marie Cain, who earned the massage therapy award; and Anna Mitchell, who earned the clinical performance award.

The graduates are preparing to sit for their licensing exams between now and February. Already one graduate, Cassandra Cain, is employed at Massage Envy in Warrington.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics, employment in this field is expected to grow 22 percent from 2014 through 2024, with growth higher than average for all occupations. Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including spas, franchised clinics, physicians’ offices, hotels and fitness centers.

The next part-time Massage Therapy Program started Jan. 14 and will finish Dec. 20. Classes are held Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m. from Jan. 14 through June 19 and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. from June 24 through Dec. 20.

The next full-time program starts March 25 and concludes Sept. 13. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit mc3.edu/massage.

Additionally, the College will be offering several continuing education courses in Massage Therapy this spring, including Advanced Massage Therapy Techniques, Trigger Point Therapy, Prenatal Massage and Deep Tissues Techniques. The classes will satisfy credit hours required for Pennsylvania License renewal. For more information, contact William Mullen at 215-641-6509 or email massage@mc3.edu.