Licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health
Massage Therapy Section # 1616522
Become a licensed massage therapist! Class begins May 19th! Click for more info.
call/text (479) 763-5469
A career as a licensed massage therapist can be very rewarding and offers a unique opportunity to care for clients. Benefits include a flexible work schedule, low stress work environment, and the ability to be your own boss. Opportunities exist in a variety of settings in the health, wellness, and hospitality industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET, the massage profession is “expected to grow much faster than average” through 2030 in Arkansas¹ and nationwide².
Attributes necessary to excel as a massage therapist include kindness, respect for others, high ethical standards, responsibility, self-motivation, and listening skills, which are very important in helping the client feel safe and understood.
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Massage Therapy 500 Hour Program
Class Schedule
Weekday Class Schedule
8:45 - 2:15 Monday - Thursday
Graduate in 6 months
Upcoming Start Dates:
5/19/25
7/14/25
8/25/25
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Evening/Saturday Class Schedule
5:15 - 8:45 Tuesday and Thursday
8:45 - 2:45 Saturday
Graduate in 11 months or faster by attending the Weekday Class as your schedule permits.
Upcoming Start Dates:
6/3/25
8/19/25
11/10/25
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Fast Track Schedule
8:30- 3:15 Monday - Friday
Graduate in 4 months
This program is great for motivated learners with good study skills.
Start anytime - no need to wait for a start date.
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We're flexible!
We understand that life is busy. If the class schedule doesn't fit your needs, please let us know. We also allow students to arrive late or leave early for work commitments or to get children to and from school. Whether you have a family vacation planned or any other schedule conflict, we can often find a solution.
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​Students with Transferrable College Credit
Have you taken Anatomy & Physiology or similar courses in college? You may be eligible to transfer those credits to Fort Smith Academy of Massage! Many of our students have transferred 200 to 300 hours, significantly lowering their tuition costs. Click to learn more about our credit transfer policy.
Classes
Massage Technique with Student Clinic (225 hours)
Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Contraindications (175 hours)
Hygiene and Infection Control (25 hours)
Massage Therapy Law, Business Management, and Professional Ethics (25 hours)
Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, and Heliotherapy (25 hours)
MBLEx Prep (25 hours)
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Hands-on practice is very important to your training as a massage therapist. You will be introduced to a variety of massage techniques during your time with us. It will be beneficial to gain some practical experience in all of these modalities, but you’re encouraged to focus on techniques that interest you the most. We will offer training in the following modalities within the scope of practice of massage therapy.
Learn from our Experienced Instructors!
Deep tissue massage
Sports massage
Stretching techniques
Trigger point release
Myofascial release
TMJ therapy
Cupping
Myofascial blading
Swedish massage
Prenatal massage
Hot stone massage
Chair massage
Lymphatic massage
Thai massage
Ashiatsu (barefoot massage)
Reflexology
Spa Packages and
Add-Ons including:
Spa face treatments
Body exfoliation
Body wraps
Scalp massage treatments
Foot scrubs
Aromatherapy
Tuition-Free Internship Program
Fort Smith Academy of Massage offers a Tuition-Free Internship Program, providing an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and elevate expertise in preparation for a successful career in massage therapy. Tuition is 100% free for students who complete the internship.
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The $611.25 registration fee is due on or before the first day of class, but there is no charge for tuition. Please click here to see a list of expenses not included in tuition.
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Students will first complete the 500-hour Massage Therapy Program, which will last 4 months if participating in the Fast-Track Program, 6 months if participating in Day Class, or 11 months if participating in our Evening/Saturday Class. This is followed by a 500-hour internship in the student clinic, lasting an additional four to six months.
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All Interns are required to be available for student clinic appointments at least four days per week, from 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM, Monday through Friday, with Friday being mandatory. The Student Clinic may be available on some Saturdays as well. This schedule will be mutually agreed upon and finalized prior to the start of the internship.
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In compliance with state law, the internship must be completed no more than 6 months after graduating the 500 hour program. If the internship is not completed 6 months after graduation, the tuition balance must be paid before a diploma is awarded. For example, if a student has completed 75% of the 500 hour internship, 25% of the tuition will be owed.
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Students enrolled in the internship program must meet attendance, academic, and behavioral standards in the 500-hour massage therapy program to continue as an intern. If a student is removed from the internship program, they will be required to cover the tuition costs. A diploma will be issued only after the tuition has been paid in full.
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Students who pay partial tuition or transfer college hours to Fort Smith Academy of Massage are eligible to participate in the internship program on a percentage basis. For instance, if a student pays 25% of the tuition, they would complete 75% of the internship hours. Similarly, if 25% of the hours are transferred, the student would complete 75% of the internship hours.
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Space is limited. We can accommodate one intern per start date. A student's position is confirmed once all required documents are submitted, a learner's permit has been issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, and the registration fee has been paid. Click here to view registration requirements.
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​Please contact us for more information at (479) 763-5469.