Course work and clinical experience are designed to develop skills necessary to conduct research, and provide advanced instruction, and clinical experience related to sports injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Programs of study can be individualized based on the students background, experience, and future goals. In most cases, in addition to the course work, students are required to participate in a minimum of 200 clock hours of clinical experience at an area high school, college, university, and 200 hours at a sports medicine clinic. Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Training programs in massage therapy generally require a high school diploma, though postsecondary education is useful.
Many schools also require a personal interview.
Personal qualities and characteristics, such as excellent communication skills and a capacity for empathy, are important due to the high degree of personal interaction involved in massage therapy. Selectivity at schools varies widely, with the better schools, not surprisingly, being moderately selective. When being selective, schools usually are basing admission on whether an individual has the potential to succeed in studies and as a massage therapist.