VINELAND — With Ameri­cans becoming increasingly in­terested in holistic medicine, skilled massage therapists are said to be in great demand, and now Cumberland County Col­lege can help you take the first step in preparing for a career in this allied health industry.

CCC has partnered with the Academy of Therapeutic Mas­sage & Healing Arts, a New Jersey licensed and approved program, to present a short-term career certificate program for massage therapists.

At the completion of the six-months training program, students will be certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork and can begin a, hopefully, re­warding career in the healing arts, explains a college spokes­person.

Licensed massage therapists work in a variety of settings including in salons and spas, offices of physicians and chiropractors, hospitals, hotels, fitness and recreational sports centers, in addition to offering self employment opportunities.

As part of the curriculum, students will learn some 19 different modalities of massage, and receive clinical experience and training in preparation for taking the national certification test. The student will also learn entrepreneurial and marketing skills, including ways to build their client base. All clinical work will take place on the Vineland campus.

According to Vicki Simek, Cumberland County College’s executive director of Professional & Community Education, the benefits of enrolling in the certified massage therapist course at CCC are numerous.

“Because the class size is small, students receive personalized attention. They learn to build their business and how to build clientele through business training,” says Simek. “There’s even the potential for college credit.”

Spaces are limited. Registration for the classes, which begin Oct. 11, is under way.

For more information and to enroll in the massage therapy course, call the Professional & Community Education registrar at (856)691-8600 ext. 345.