Massage Therapy Program
Explore the world of therapeutic techniques such as Hydrotherapy, Myofascial Release, Swedish, Chair,
and Sports Event massage at our campuses in Largo and Bradenton, Florida
Handcrafted Healing & Wellness
Are you looking for a career change? Or have you always been interested in helping people reach their health and wellness goals? The Massage Therapy program at American Institute of Beauty (AIB) can prepare you to become a licensed Massage Therapist and Bodyworker; giving you the potential to provide your clients with customizable therapeutic relaxation, stress-reduction, and help ease specific health complications such as muscle spasms, neck, back, and sciatic pain. The world of Massage Therapy is vast; with versatile career opportunities, flexible schedules, and an in-demand skillset. The job market outlook for Massage Therapists is expected to grow faster (20%) than the national average (5%) over the next 10 years!
The Massage Therapy Program is only offered at our Largo Campus and Bradenton Campus.

Massage Therapy + Skin Care for the Win
Two skill sets are better than one! Become a Massage Therapist AND Esthetician in our Spa Therapy program which can give you the opportunity to offer a broad range of client services, versatile career options, flexible schedules, and an in-demand skillset. Be the “one-stop shop” for all things beauty, health, and wellness! Give yourself the opportunity to be even more marketable in the beauty industry.
In AIB’s Spa Therapist training, you can learn Massage Therapy techniques such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Chair and Sports Event Massage, Myofascial Release, and Hydrotherapy among many other skills. Then, in the Skin Care portion, you can learn various types of Facials, Waxing, Skin Care Analysis, Microdermabrasion, Skin Peels, Eyebrow/Lash Tinting, LED Light Therapy and much more!
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
What Can I Learn in AIB’s Massage Therapy Program?
At AIB, we believe the best way to learn and retain knowledge is through action. You will have the opportunity to study different techniques in Massage Therapy that aid in relaxation and stress-reduction, and apply these skills in a real-world spa setting on actual clients. By the end of the program, you can gain an understanding of the human body, common diseases and ailments, and how to provide your clients with a comprehensive treatment plan.
The Education
Our goal is to help you prepare to sit for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). Passing this exam means you are a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida. To do this, we break up your educational experience into phases that each build on each other. In the section below you can see more details about what you will learn in each phase. Throughout the phases, you can learn the foundational principles, theory, and history behind massage therapy with a clinical focus on manual massage techniques to include the use of Swedish and chair massage.
As you continue in our Massage Therapy program, you’ll dive deeper into the world of health and wellness, with the opportunity to touch on holistic therapy approaches. You will learn a variety of allied massage therapy modalities including trigger point therapy, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, and neuromuscular therapy techniques. You will also learn the theory behind and application of hydrotherapy, where you will focus on how to incorporate water in its three forms (liquid, steam, and ice) as part of the healing and therapeutic process. Our Massage Therapy program also covers everything you would need to know to take the State Board exam to become licensed along with job placement preparation, business and marketing skills, and professional ethics.
Covered Topics
- Manual Massage Techniques (Swedish & Chair Massage)
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Florida Law
- Professional Ethics
- Sanitation/Disinfection
- Hydrotherapy
- Hot/Cold Stone Therapy
- Pre & Post Event Sports Massage
- Massage Modalities:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Myofascial Release
- Lymph Massage
- Neuromuscular Therapy
- And much more!
Additional Information
- Business training
- Performance goal setting
- Interview tips
- Professionalism
- Resume creation
- Marketing & Social Media
Why Choose AIB?
Massage Therapy school is a big step in starting your journey to becoming a licensed professional. Picking the right school can help you set your future career up for success and ignite your passion even more!
See how we can help you pursue what you love, learn the skills necessary, and live your future career as a licensed massage therapy professional. Reaching your full potential is right around the corner- we want you to Love it, Learn it, and Live it!
We’re all about diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility. AIB is more than just a beauty school; we offer a real and authentic educational experience.
Tech-Forward Beauty Education
At AIB, we know that in today’s day and age, part of becoming successful in the beauty industry is understanding and using technology. That’s why we use the Milady CIMA digital learning platform. This platform enhances the in-person classroom experience, offering additional tools and educational content on top of the training you receive from our knowledgeable, licensed educators. Each of our programs includes 24/7 access to the comprehensive, mobile-friendly, easy-to-use, digital platform.
Our Milady CIMA program offers a visual and collaborative experience that promotes the use of technology, efficiency, and the delivery of educational content that supports various learning styles.
Potential Careers
- Spa/Salon owner
- Spa/Salon manager
- Medi Spa Massage Therapist
- Private Practice Massage Therapist
- Massage Therapist in Chiropractor Office
- Hospital/Hospice Massage Therapist
- Massage Specialist in Physical Therapy Office
- Sports Team Massage Specialist
- Hotel/Resort Massage Therapist
- Oncology Massage Therapist
- Social Media Influencer
- Cruise Ship Massage Therapist
- Brand ambassador
- Educator
Start The Enrollment Process
Have you decided American Institute of Beauty may be the right school for you? Contact our admissions team by giving us a call or filling out the form. From there, we’ll reach out to you to schedule your personal tour, so you can get an inside look of our school and start the enrollment process. We can’t wait to meet you and help you get started on your future as a licensed Massage Therapist!
Massage Therapy School FAQs
When you’re looking to enroll in a massage therapy program, there are a few questions you’ll want answered right away. We’re here to address the most commonly asked questions about starting massage school so you can get the info you need to make a decision that changes your life. You want to do this, and we want to help!
The Massage Therapy program is 600 clock hours. During that time you’ll start building a foundation of massage therapy and bodywork skills, techniques, and services!
You can complete our massage therapy program in as little as five months*!
*Based on a full-time schedule.
You can take our massage therapy program in either a full-time day, part-time day or part-time evening schedule.
The Massage Therapy program is currently only offered at our Largo campus.
For questions on transferring to American Institute of Beauty, please contact our Admissions team!
Largo Campus: 727-532-2125
Class start dates vary by program and campus.
What Are My Options for Funding My Education?
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. All campus locations in Largo, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton offer financial aid. Your future is worth funding. Don’t be afraid to learn more about what options are available for investing in a career you love.
American Institute of Beauty is approved for veterans’ training by the Veterans Administration. We accept many different types of VA benefits, including your POST-9/11 GI Bill®, at our campuses. You’ve dedicated your life to making the lives of others better, and you can continue that lifestyle with a career in beauty! Contact us to learn more about using veterans benefits at AIB.
Dependents and spouses of veterans may also be eligible. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Florida Prepaid is a great way to fund your education, and it’s not limited to traditional colleges. If your parents have put money away for you to invest in yourself, you can use it to help fund your beauty education at AIB! www.myfloridaprepaid.com/
External Scholarships
AIB provides access to many different external scholarships to students who have enrolled in our programs. Each external scholarship has its own requirements and availability throughout the year. The criteria for each external scholarship is unique. For more information visit: Beauty Changes Lives | Scholarships
The Extras at AIB
We like to go above and beyond in providing for our students. That’s why we offer a few extras at AIB!












