ASA College

ASA College’s Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Massage Therapy is a 65 credit program designed to be completed in five semesters. It meets the New York State Education Department’s required minimum of 1000 clock hours (lecture, lab, and practicum contact hours) and required criteria in all specified content areas.

Founded in 1985, ASA began with Alex Shchegol teaching a class of 12 students. Known then as “Advanced Software Analysis,” the institute focused on mainframe computer programming, as New York had a dire shortage of qualified programmers at that time. Over the years, as technology revolutionized how every major industry operates, ASA has created and updated programs to meet new market needs. Advanced Software Analysis was abbreviated to ASA Institute in the
nineties to reflect the evolving mission of the institution.

The Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Massage Therapy degree program at ASA provides students with the scientific knowledge and skills in basic and advanced massage techniques, and a general education component to prepare students to serve diverse clienteles. The program integrates theory and practice, combining lectures in anatomy and physiology and clinical pathology with hands-on training in basic massage modalities—Swedish, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Therapy, and Sports Massage.

Graduation requirements for the program
include the successful completion of a 90-hour supervised
Massage Therapy Clinic I and 135-hour supervised Massage
Therapy Clinic II.
• Students get real-world experience practice techniques on
clients in the on-campus student massage clinic, and at externships and community events.
• Massage labs are fully stocked with professional equipment and supplies—tables, massage chairs, mats, lotions,
oils.
• Technical training is complemented by general education
courses.
• The program can be completed in 5 semesters of full-time
study.
• Small class sizes ensure that students get individual attention from instructors.
• Instructors are licensed massage therapists with professional experience.
The Massage Therapy program requires the successful completion of 65 credits.