Registrations - Step by Step

To apply for the AAIMT Massage Therapy Program, please complete and submit the Application form for admission including:

  • Official Transcript of your most recent postsecondary degree.
  • Recommendation letter from a professional reference.
  • Application Fee of $75.00 check, money order or credit card is accepted.

Institute Policies

Requirements for Acceptance

  • Students must be 17 years or older, have a high school diploma or equivalency and be of sound mind and body.

  • There is no prerequisite training. Students must have the desire and willingness to learn.

  • The ability to give and receive massages.

  • The student must provide copy(s) of their educational documents (high school/college diploma or transcript or GED) prior to the first day of class.

  • A successful interview with school personnel at the school, and the paid registration fee are required before the applicant can be officially enrolled in the massage therapy program.

  • We do not discriminate against any individual because of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, or other status protected by law.

Academic

  • All students must maintain a minimum of 75% Grade Point Average (GPA) to qualify for graduation.

  • Practical and academic work will be graded separately.

  • Written tests will be given periodically along with evaluation of practical techniques.

  • Written and practical tests are used to measure students' progress in the program and are graded on the following scale:

100% - 92% =

Excellent

91% - 84% =

Good

83% - 75% =

Satisfactory

Below 75% =

Probation/Failing

  • Students must maintain a minimum of 75% GPA. For individual test scores below 75%, students may choose to retake the test. Students must contact the Academic Coordinator to schedule each retake. If a student’s GPA falls below 75%, he/she is placed on academic probation. At this point, tutoring is required to bring the GPA up to a satisfactory level. If the student does not improve their GPA to a minimum of 75% or above, the student is dismissed. Progress reports are provided throughout the program.

  • If a student's GPA drops below 75% academic advisement will be necessary.

  • Special tutoring sessions may be arranged at $20.00 per hour.

  • If a student does not take a test when scheduled, a score of zero (0) is entered into the academic record until the student makes up the test. Students have seven (7) days from the original scheduled date to make up the test. If the student does not follow through, the zero becomes the permanent score. Incomplete (I) grades are not given as a score.

  • There are no opportunities to repeat some segments of course (i.e. muscles systems, Maniken™, etc.) within the program, other than repeating the complete program. The student must withdraw from the original program and go through the Re-Admission process to begin the program again.

Attendance

  • A minimum weekday class attendance of 85% is required. 100% attendance in weekend workshops, student clinic and outreach is required. A maximum of 12 absences are allowed. Every 6 tardies is equivalent to one absence. Students are required to stay for the entire class to avoid being counted absent.

Graduation Requirements

  • Maintain a 75% cumulative GPA

  • Full payment of all tuition and fees

  • Complete 185 Externship/Internship hours

  • Complete all massage log requirements (See Student Policy Handbook)

  • Attend 100% of all weekend workshops

  • Complete all assignments, tests, and practical work

  • Maintain a minimum of 85% attendance at all weekday classes

  • Provide a current copy of valid CPR & First Aid Certificates before graduation.

  • Students must attend all required weekend workshops. If the student does not make up a missed, required workshop(s) within 6 months from the original graduation date, the student will not graduate from the program.

  • All required course work must be completed and submitted no later than one week prior to graduation.

  • All graduates receive a diploma and a transcript at the graduation ceremony.

  • All graduates receive a list of employment opportunities. We have an informal placement program. While the Institute does not offer guaranteed employment, many employers contact our school in search of qualified graduates.

  • If the student has not completed the graduation requirements by their scheduled graduation date the student may apply for “Deferred Graduation”. There is a charge of $500.00 for 6 months. If the student has not completed all requirements at the end of the deferred graduation time limit, the student’s file is pulled and marked “incomplete”. The diploma and other credentials are destroyed. Deferred Graduation is limited to 6 months. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Withdrawal/Termination

  • In the event of withdrawal by the student or termination by the Institute (three days after contract signing), the Institute will retain the application/registration fee and a prorated portion of tuition based upon percentage of attendance. The Institute Director must be notified in writing of intent to withdraw.

  • Termination/Dismissal may result from unsatisfactory academics, excessive absenteeism, financial issues, and/or other behavior more clearly defined in the Student Policy Handbook. Students are informed in writing by the School Administrator. Prior to termination, students will receive a letter stating the issue(s) that could lead to probation and/or dismissal. The letter will also state the length of probation to improve and/or resolve the issue(s). The student will be terminated/dismissed, if the issue(s) are not resolved in the specified time period. In all cases, AAIMT reserves the right to terminate a student immediately.

  • A leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis, should a student request one.

Additional Information

  • The Institute maintains all academic files and records. Students may call the Administrator during regular business hours to make an appointment to review their records. According to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA 1999), information in student records is strictly confidential and no unauthorized person may view them without written consent by the student.
  • The Student Complaint Policy is listed in the AAIMT “Student Policy Handbook” and the “Enrollment Agreement”.
  • The Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy expects its students to behave as professionals at all times. Any behavior unbecoming to the Massage Therapy Profession or that violates our professional standards, may result in the student’s dismissal. (See “Student Policy Handbook” for specifics).
  • Due to the way we teach anatomy along with technique, it's difficult for a transferring student to transfer previous credits for anatomy and physiology. We are willing to look at the previous training and may offer testing to those who qualify.
  • Students seeking credit for coursework must present a student portfolio that includes documentation of all previous training: transcripts, course descriptions/syllabi, and certificates of completion. Students must also provide a copy of the course catalog from the school were they received their training.
  • Transfer credits for anatomy and physiology will not be considered unless the student has completed the prior training within the last two years.
  • At AAIMT, we believe a student of massage therapy who is interested in energy work will excel in learning the esoteric arts upon graduation of this program. One will graduate with knowledge of human anatomy and be skilled in the art and science of palpation that it takes to become proficient in using energy to help facilitate another's healing experience.
  • AAIMT offers several advanced courses/classes for continuing education in Western and Eastern therapeutic modalities, spa therapies and energy work. All classes offered for continuing education by AAIMT are approved by the NCBTM as Category A CEUs. Current students and graduates of AAIMT are usually offered a discount on continuing education courses.
  • Prospective students are advised to check state and local ordinances for licensing requirements as they may vary from state to state and from community to community.
Student Complaint/Grievance Procedures

If a student has a grievance with any member of the AAIMT community, the steps listed below should be followed.

  1. Communicate directly with the student, faculty, or staff member to resolve the grievance. If the grievance is not resolved, then:
  2. Communicate with the School Administrator in writing about the matter. If the grievance is not resolved, then:
  3. Communicate with the Director in writing about the matter. The letter should specify the nature of the grievance, outlining the sequence of events up to this point and describe the actions requested. The Director will investigate the information presented, and then meet with all parties involved for resolution.

The student and all parties involved are expected to proceed with mutual respect in an honest and responsible manner. Every effort will be made to ensure the highest level of confidentiality. AAIMT makes every effort to resolve complaint/grievance within 45 days.

If questions or concerns are not satisfactorily resolved by the school, the student may bring the information to the attention of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth by visiting their website (www.michiganps.net - click on Forms and Resources and then Complaint Form), or at the following address:

Department of Labor and Economic Growth
Office of Postsecondary Services
Proprietary School Unit Staff
201 North Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913

Schools accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) must have a published procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Commission. All complaints considered by the Commission must be in written form, with permission from the complainant(s) for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission.

Please direct all inquiries to:

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
1007 Church Street, Suite 302
Evanston, IL 60201

A copy of the Commission's Complaint Form is available in the school's library and/or by contacting the School Administrator.