The Soma Institute

Zip Code or Browse all Schools

The Soma Institute

Soma Institute - Chicago IL

Campus Locations: 14 East Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, IL 60604
Instruction: 300 hours
Average Duration: 40 week program
Techniques covered:

Trigger point therapy
Myofascial release
Neuromuscular techniques
Swedish massage techniques
Hydrotherapy Sports massage

Accredited by:

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training
1722 N. Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 955-1113
Educational programs offered by this institution are validated by the Accrediting Commission of the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training, a national accrediting agency listed by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Certificate of Approval to Operate issued by the Illinois State Superintendent of Education.
100 North First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62777

Soma is a member of The American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools.
The Soma Institute is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-immigrant students. The State of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has granted a Certificate of Approval for the Clinical Massage Therapy Diploma Program.

Year Established: 1998
Graduates per Year: 100
Description: At The Soma Institute, your education will extend well beyond traditional textbooks and lectures. It will also provide you with hands-on experience and valuable problem-solving skills to prepare you for the daily realities you'll encounter as a professional massage therapist.

Admissions Contact:Renée D. Abajian, DIP. C.M.T.

Rating

Not True
by: Niashani

I am an extremely successful and happy Clinical Massage Therapist who graduated from The Soma Institute in Chicago in May 2004. I have worked at top spas like the Peninsula Chicago, and currently have private clients and work at a small massage-centered practice in Highland Park, IL. ALL THAT MATTERS is that you are passionate about healing, you know human anatomy & pathology and understand how the body works, you enjoy massage, and you are skilled in alleviating your client's pain. ABSOLUTELY ANYONE with a passion for what you do will be successful at this profession. I advise you to not focus on whether you want a degree or diploma because most employers don't care and don't even realize the difference. You must be licensed for the state you're working in and in some states, nationally certified through NCTMB.

All the best to you! Just do it!

Rating

Ignore earlier comment
by: Anonymous

I did a lot of research before choosing SOMA, and few schools meet its credentials.

If you're looking to work on a cruise ship or a spa, then this may be more education than you need, but if you are looking to work in a hospital, chiropractic, physical therapy or sports therapy environment, SOMA is a good school.

To counter almost everything the other poster said - I wonder if they are referring to the same school at all.

All the classes are around 30 people. More at the beginning and then some thinning as the program goes on. And you are with those people throughout your program.

The teachers are very experienced, educated, personal and hands on. Excessively so. Each class has a teaching assistant who keeps everything very organized and on task.

Tutoring is available and encouraged.

The classes are set for your whole program - you do not pick them like in a traditional school. And they are strategically organized to build upon each other. They are varying lengths and so there aren't semesters, per-say. You will take several levels of Anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology,sports massage, hydrotherapy, several levels of lab, and arranged internship and externship at a hospital (commonly Northwestern)

There is a heavy does of science and the physical massage skills are learned from base level to advanced. You are never performing "dangerous" deep work before you are skilled.

As for people being passed who shouldn't have been - not in my class. Grading was tough and the school has high expectations. They have a phanominal reputation and the students success is based on that. Often, the school will require a student to retake a class as opposed to even let them take the boards.

The school boast a 97% placement rate. Where I don't have facts to back that amazing statistic up (and honestly, it does sound too good to be true) they student newsletter contains a "who got hired" section every week - which is lengthy.

Keep in mind, few people get rich doing massage. Do your research on the industry before you sign up for any program. They can get expensive - and SOMA is on the higher side ($11-$15K for a year)
But since they are one of the few accredited massage schools, financial aid was easy to get and their aid office is very helpful.

Being an LMT is a part time job at best - not because of availability but because it is physically taxing. $15-$30 and hour is average for 30 hours a week. Working in a spa or for yourself could pay more and requires less training. Consider all aspect before you jump but SOMA is an excellent school.

Rating

Please go somewhere else!
by: Anonymous

Keep looking for another school. During orientation many untruths were told to us. Our first class, anatomy had 55 students crowded into one room (one instructer) and we could not all fit. This should have been an indication. Most of the teachers did not have the ability to instruct in an organized way. So many inconsistiies; Classes were not given in any specific order (pre requites) -just what was available at the time. Dangerous (deep work to the neck) was directed haphazardly by too few and uneducated teachers. There were injuries that could have been avoided. People were passed who shouldn't have been. And even disrespect were shown to some of the teacher by the Director of the program. Do yourself a favor, if you are gonna spend the money, find a good school. Very few graduates are actually giving massage and making any money.

The Soma Institute

Comments for The Soma Institute

Comments for
The Soma Institute