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Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.

Albert Einstein

Frequently Asked Questions

What training does the Swedish Institute Massage Therapy Program offer and how does it differ from other massage schools?

Is the Swedish Institute accredited?

What degree do I receive upon completion of this training?

Will I be licensed when I graduate?

Will my New York State license be good in other states?

How long will it take to complete the program?

When does the program begin?

What is the schedule of classes?

How much does the program cost?

Does Swedish Institute offer financial aid?

What is the application process and how long does it take?

How can I go about getting the massage therapy sessions needed for the application?

What happens if my transcript or other documents arrive before my application?

What do I need to know if I am an international student?

Do you accept transfer credits from other schools?

Can I switch from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time?

Where do I obtain the required immunization records?

May I visit the school and/or observe some classes?

Does Swedish Institute offer job placement services?

  

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What training does the Swedish Institute Massage Therapy Program offer and how does it differ from other massage schools?

The Swedish Institute opened its doors in 1916, making it the forerunner in alternative health care training programs in this country. Our unique program focuses on both Western and Eastern massage techniques, with an emphasis on their integration in actual practice. Another important feature of the program is our focus on training in therapeutic massage, preparing students to work in a variety of health care/medical contexts. The 61.5 credit program includes practical classes, clinic participation and off-site internships giving students supervised, hands-on experience, which builds the technical skills, professional ethics, and confidence of future health care professionals.

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Is the Swedish Institute accredited?

Yes. The Swedish Institute’s programs are registered with, and regulated by the New York State Education Department. The Swedish Institute holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

For more information on accreditation and what it means go to Accreditation.

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What degree do I receive upon completion of this training?

Graduates receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree.

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Will I be licensed when I graduate?

Graduates from the Swedish Institute Massage Therapy Program are eligible to sit for the New York State licensing examination, providing they have met all of the New York State Department of Education’s eligibility requirements. (See License Information for details.) Upon passing the exam, candidates will receive a New York State license to practice massage therapy.

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Will my New York State license be good in other states?

Graduates of the Swedish Institute Massage Therapy Program are eligible to take the National Certification examination. Many states use National Certification as their requirement for certification, though each state has its own licensing requirements. To find out more about other state’s licensing requirements go to License Information.

 

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How long will it take to complete the program?

  • Full time - 16 months

  • Part time - 32 months

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When does the program begin?

The program begins three times a year, in January, April and September. For the application due date for the current semester go to Admissions.

 

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What is the schedule of classes?

Full-time options are:

  • Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

  • Monday to Friday 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm

  • 3 weekday evenings 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

and all day Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

 

Part-time options are:

  • 2 to 3 weekday afternoons 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm

  • 2 to 3 classes per week evenings and/or Saturdays.

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How much does the program cost?

Tuition is $275 per credit which is approximately $4,230 per semester for full-time and $2,200 for         part-time students.

 

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Does Swedish Institute offer financial aid?

Most students are eligible for some form of financial aid. We participate in the following Title IV programs:

  • Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL)

  • Federal PELL Grant Program.

  • NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

In addition, there are various state, federal and local agencies that provide financial assistance to students.

The Swedish Institute offers interest-free payment plans.

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What is the application process and how long does it take?

The application process usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. The steps are as follows:

  • Submit your application with the necessary documents. (See Application, page 4).

  • We will contact you for an interview. Your interview includes a brief entrance examination which helps us evaluate your reasoning and writing skills.

  • You will receive a letter regarding your admissions status.

  • You are welcome to call the Financial Aid Director at ext. 120 or email her at financialaid@swedishinstitute.edu with questions.

  • Once accepted, you will attend registration, which requires a deposit of $500 for full time students or $250 for part- time students.

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How can I go about getting the massage therapy sessions needed for the application?

To fulfill the requirement of receiving two professional massages, you can go to our Locate a Practitioner feature or contact Meg Darnell, Director of Alumni Services at 212.924.5900 ext. 142 for referrals to licensed massage therapists.

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What happens if my transcript or other documents arrive before my application?

This is not a problem. We have a file where we hold documents until the relevant applications arrive.

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What do I need to know if I am an international student?

The Swedish Institute welcomes international students and we have students attend from all over the world. International students must attend school full-time. Some of the concerns of international students are:

Student Visa
We will issue an I-20 to international students for the purpose of obtaining an F-1 visa. An I-20 is issued after an applicant has been accepted into the program and then has registered with a $500 deposit.

If you are on a visitor’s visa, returning to your country is usually the quickest way to obtain an F-1 visa, however you can apply for a change of status using the I-539 form found at www.uscis.gov. You cannot start school until the change of status has been approved. This could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months. It is very unpredictable. If you are on a working visa, you also need to apply for a change of status but you are permitted to start school while the change is pending. If the change were to be denied, you would not be able to continue. There is detailed information about obtaining a visa at www.travel.state.gov/visa. If you are currently in the U.S. with an expired visa, you would not be able to receive a student visa.

Transfer with a visa status
You can transfer from another school as long as you have an F-1 visa. You will need to obtain a transfer form from our Admissions Office to bring to the school at which you are currently enrolled. That school will then release you from SEVIS and we will enroll you. If you have an M-1 visa, you would need to return to your country to obtain the F-1.

Requirements for students educated outside of the United States

You will need to:

  • Provide certified translation(s) in English of high school or college transcripts, and an evaluation of the transcript to show equivalency to U.S. educational standards. Swedish Institute recommends Globe Language Services, 319 Broadway, NY, NY 10007, 212-227-1994, www.globelanguage.com, however any established agency is acceptable.
  • Provide an Ability- to- Pay statement. (See below.)
  • Take the TOEFL test if English is not your native language and you have not taken 24 or more college credits taught in English. You must receive a score of 72 on the iBT test with the following minimums in each subject: 16 in Listening, 14 in writing, 19 in reading and 19 in speaking. For more information, see www.toefl.org.

Ability-to-Pay statement
An Ability-to-Pay statement is documentation that you have the funds to pay for your education. Prior to receiving your I-20, you will need to submit documentation that shows your ability to pay for tuition, books and materials, and living expenses for at least one year. An Admissions Advisor can help you determine the amount depending on the program you are enrolling in. Documentation of your ability to pay can include a bank statement or a letter from the bank showing the amount in U.S. dollars. If you do not personally have the resources, you will then need to provide a notarized letter from a willing guarantor (a parent, guardian, attorney, etc.) stating that they will accept financial responsibility for your expenses. The guarantor will also need to provide documentation of their ability to pay in the form of a bank statement or a letter from an employer showing stable employment and the amount that your guarantor earns.

Practice after graduation
All international students are eligible to apply for one year of Optional Practical Training after graduation. However, New York State issues massage therapy licenses only to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Therefore, graduates of the Massage Therapy Program can only work in NYS for up to one year under the Optional Practical Training. Massage Therapy graduates are, however, eligible to be nationally certified, which may allow them to work in other states.

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Do you accept transfer credits from other schools?

We may accept transfer credits from accredited colleges and universities and/or massage programs that are at least 500 hours and are accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Successful completion of a challenge examination is required for transferable courses. State regulations allow a maximum of 250 hours or the equivalent in credits to be transferred. There is a fee for transferring credits. For details see the Catalog.

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Can I switch from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time?

Students can petition to change their schedule. It is on a space available basis.

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Where do I obtain the required immunization records?

Immunization records can usually be obtained from your high school, college or the doctor who originally immunized you. If not, a blood test from a physician can substantiate immunity.

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May I visit the school and/or observe some classes?

Absolutely. Please call the Admissions Office at 212-924-5900 ext. 125  or email admissions@swedishinstitute.edu to make arrangements for a tour of the school or to schedule class observations.

 

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Does Swedish Institute offer job placement services?

Yes. Swedish Institute’s Director of Alumni Services, Meg Darnell, provides one-on-one consultation and placement services to graduates. We maintain graduate referral lists and serve as a networking resource.

 

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