Program Review 2009-2010
Massage Therapy
Priorities for the Future
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2008-2009
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm#outlook) states, “Employment for massage therapists is
expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations,” citing
not only increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing, but also recognition by
primary healthcare providers and insurance companies of massage therapy as a legitimate
treatment and preventative measure for several types of injuries and illnesses, which will have the
greatest impact on new job growth. Demand for massage therapy continues to grow among older
age groups while demand for massage therapy continues to be greatest among young adults who
will most likely continue to receive massage throughout their lives.
Concern for the economic climate as well as results of graduate surveys indicate a need over the
next five years for developing more extensive career guidance to alumni/ae, starting prior to
graduation in the final semester course, HA-205 Professional Issues, and working with the Office of
Career Services.
Responding to the demands of the growing job market for massage therapy, the next five years will
see the program offering focused electives that will meet those demands more effectively than the
extensive Eastern curriculum the electives are replacing. As recommended by the program’s
Advisory Council, these electives will also offer more opportunities for graduates of the program
and Licensed Massage Therapists in the community to come to Queensborough for continuing
education classes. These electives will need to be marketed and promoted.
Eighty graduates of the program have taken the New York State Licensing Exam. Of those 80,
only 4 have not yet passed the exam to date. Over the next five years, the program will continue to
meet its objective of preparing students to pass the exam.
Plans to revise the curriculum to offer a more medically (i.e., outcomes) based advanced
curriculum will strengthen students’ preparation for the exam as well as for career paths in the job
market.
Plans have been discussed with members of the Academy Leadership Team and the Biology
Department to strengthen students’ preparation for college as well by offering a science placement
exam that would allow students to take a remedial science course prior to BI-301, Anatomy and
Physiology, which currently has a college-wide pass rate of 50%. This pass rate is reflected in the
Health Sciences Academy, including the Massage Therapy Program.
As the college continues to address the issue of assessment and the Middle States Commission
directives on Standard 7, institutional assessment, and on Standard 14, assessment of student
learning, the program coordinator has been working with the Academy as well as with rubrics
committees to develop assessment plans for the Program. Over the next five years, the program
faculty will complete revisions of all syllabi to make them consistent with the College’s General
Education Objectives, Curriculum Objectives, and Outcomes for each course, as well as for the
program as a whole. This endeavor includes adaptation of the College Gen Ed to assess students’
progress through the Cornerstone (HA-100), Milestone (HA-220), and Capstone (HA-204) courses,
as well as course-specific rubrics to assess student learning outcomes.
As indicated in the section on facilities, issues have been raised concerning the laboratory and
clinic. Most of these have been resolved, and Buildings and Grounds is working to resolve the
others.
Recommendations:









Coordinate with the Office of Career Services to develop more extensive career guidance
to graduates of the Massage Therapy program
Develop with the Marketing Office a marketing plan to promote the electives that will offer
more opportunities for graduates of the program and for licensed massage therapists in
the community to come to Queensborough for continuing education classes
Revise the curriculum to offer a more medically-based (i.e., outcomes-based) advanced
curriculum to strengthen student preparation for the licensure examination and for career
paths
Work with Health-related Sciences Academy faculty leadership and the Department of
Biological Sciences and Geology to develop a science placement test for BI 301, Anatomy
and Physiology
Establish a Massage Therapy program assessment committee to implement
recommendations from the program review conducted during spring 2010
Revise all course syllabi and outlines according to college templates and create
programmatic outcomes for each curricular objective and applicable college educational
objectives, including specific knowledge areas and demonstrable massage therapy skills
Conduct assessments of four Massage Therapy courses each academic year
Evaluate possible effectiveness of standardized examinations for cornerstone, milestone,
and capstone courses
To resolve remaining concerns with the facilities:

Continue to monitor the air conditioning in the massage therapy laboratory

Look into replacing sinks in the locker room

Purchase different four-foot fluorescent bulbs

Purchase new curtains for the clinic bays