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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Commonly Asked Questions
- When are Massage Therapists going to be regulated in Saskatchewan?The process of application began in 1993. Through attempts in amalgamation and various lobbying the industry has been trying to become a legislated health profession for many years. As of late application for an Act had its first reading in the legislature. Saskatchewan may join the other 5 provinces in Canada in the next few years Until then, Massage Therapists in Saskatchewan enjoy many, if not all the benefits of a regulated profession through the efforts of the founding fathers of our school. Abe Reimer and Don Bennett were instrumental in acquiring recognition and third party paying from institutions like SGI, Workers Compensation Board and many Private Insurers for coverage of massage back in the 1980’s. This occurred in part, due to the quality of the program and graduates coming from our school. Massage Therapists in Saskatchewan are among the highest paid for service in the country.
- Are Western College graduates recognized?Western College of Remedial Massage Therapies is an approved Category One private vocational school continually registered since 1986 with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. The following are some of the local associations recognizing our graduates.
- Massage Therapist Association of Alberta
- Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan
- L.C.S.P. Canadian Branch
- Natural Health Practitioners of Canada
- Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist in Saskatchewan?In order to obtain the designation of Registered Massage Therapist, you will need to join a massage therapy association to acquire a registration/billing number. The typical standard required for membership with an association is still to complete 2200 hours of educational massage therapy training. Slowly through accreditation, massage therapy associations are recognizing competency rather than mere quantification of hours. Completing your training with a recognized institution will allow you to join an association, obtain professional liability and malpractice insurance, and practice as a Registered Massage Therapist.
- What are the clinic practicum requirements?Student will perform massages on the public, not just classmates, family and friends. Western College seeks to help our students build their practices while they are training to enter the field. Our in-house student Clinic operates to encourage these patient-therapist relationships, so patients follow you out into your practice. For other students, living away from Regina an opportunity to build this same opportunity in your location is encouraged, supported and may recognized as practicum.
- Will I get holidays or summer breaks?Of course. Students get breaks after each of the quarterly exams, all of the stat holidays as well as a Christmas break. You work hard, you deserve a few breaks! Full-time students get summers off for some time to enjoy life and maybe pick up a summer job.
- What if I need some help?Western College staff and Instructors are here at our facility all the time, year-round. Sure, you can always communicate electronically, but we support our students by being available, in-person at the school to assist you in your study and training. Many students take advantage of the personalized elective classes and mentorship provided by our instructors. Western College provides more opportunity and thus more support. This is something you cannot find at other schools that are delivering a hand full of class time hours per week or a single 2-day weekend once a month.
- Is your program 2200 hours of training?If you total up all the class time offered as well as the other opportunities to learn, its more. A lot more. But remember, it’s about competency, not hours.
- What is the class schedule?The Full-Time program offers 20+ hrs of instruction per week Classes run Monday thru Thursday, in the mornings and one afternoon. The Distance Education program provides 20+ hours over the course of its weekend seminars, and students are given opportunity for additional time with instructors during the week as their schedule provides. Both programs run over 2 years and include e-learning opportunities for very flexible delivery. The vast majority of our students are able to hold down employment simultaneously to training which eases the process of having a life while in school.
- Are Western College programs part-time or full-time?Our programs are not ‘part-time’ commitments. Other schools may claim this, and even provide part-time courses. Getting the best training available involves a large commitment of time. Both the Full-time and Distance Education programs are a large time commitment but afford you to hold down employment simultaneously. We also have an accelerated version of the Distance Education program for people with previous training in health and medical areas, wishing to expand their services to patients and clientele. Whichever program you are interested, it will be as challenging as it is rewarding.
- How do I apply?It’s easy. Follow the link to our application page. After that, you will be given opportunities to attend Information sessions, personal interviews, tours or just sit and chat with us. No waiting lists. We have a rolling acceptance with available asynchronous learning options. This means you can start anytime! We want to make sure you are getting exactly what you are seeking. Contact Us | Apply Now
- How is Western College different from other schools?Western College is the original and longest running massage program on the prairies. We have decades of experience in full-time, distance learning and now e-learning instruction. We have the most experienced instructors of all schools in Saskatchewan.
- What differentiates Year One and Year Two of the Massage Therapy Program?Students learn all the biological sciences through both years of the program. We have proven a consistent and dedicated study to these topics over multiple semesters provides a longer retention of the key topics necessary for safe, effective, and efficient practice of massage. These consist of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Exercise Concepts and Rehab, Kinesiology as well as Business and Practice management.The difference in the years comes by way of practical, or the hands-on training. Year one covers general and relaxation massage technique that are commonly known as massage therapy in most massage programs. Our second year completes these key components of what is known as the Inter-jurisdictional competencies for entry to practice and then focuses on orthopedic and osteopathic based technique for treating musculoskeletal conditions to a far deeper level than other schools provide. Further depth of understanding is delivered to our students to create opportunities for treatment options with their clientele.
- What is the Program length and hours?Year’s past, the massage industry was quantified by the number of hours of a program, not necessarily the competency of individuals completing the program. Many schools promote their program length as 2200+/- but add in all types of unsupported student home-study time, practice time and other unrelated material in their calculation. Western doesn’t do this. Legitimate programs must be registered with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and include time quantification as part of the process, but our focus is on the capabilities of our students and graduates. We help you learn, understand, and perform massage at the highest standards of competency in the country.
- What can I expect upon graduation from Western College?Graduates of Western College are getting the jobs.
- Medical Clinics
- Chiropractic Clinics
- Physiotherapy Clinics
- Spas
- Cruise ships
- Ski Resorts
- Private Massage Clinics
- Gyms
- Yoga studios
- Professional sports teams
- Who are the Instructors and Staff?One of the reasons your time with Western College will be so memorable and rewarding, is the staff. All the instructors and clinic supervisors are graduates of our school. Check out our people and what they are into, beyond life at Western.
- What are the entrance requirements?Western College requires a high school diploma or a G.E.D. equivalent for admission into the program. Students in other programs, who are finding their programs lacking are welcome and Western College has the opportunity for a student to transfer into our program, via our placement testing.
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