Massage Therapy Diploma helps turn passion into practice

Nicole Dai’s interest in massage therapy started long before she became a student at Mount Royal University (MRU). Originally from China, she and her family lived in Thailand for nearly seven years, where her love for massage therapy grew.

“I would get massages almost every week and even studied traditional Thai massage for a few months,” Dai says. Now calling Canada home, she’s turning that passion into a career by pursuing MRU’s Massage Therapy Diploma, where she’s gaining the skills to help others feel their best.

“The Massage Therapy program is something I really love,” Dai shares. She highlights how the program's structure balances theory with practice. “The teachers push us to dive deep into the theory, but they also make sure we get plenty of hands-on experience. That combination is so important because it’s what helps us become well-rounded therapists.”

Accredited by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA), MRU’s Massage Therapy Diploma trains students to assess clients, apply therapeutic techniques, and adapt treatments to help with pain relief and rehabilitation. Students are well prepared to treat both chronic and acute conditions while following high national standards.

Dai appreciates the immediate application of what she learns. “As soon as we finish a course, we apply what we’ve learned in practicum, which makes it easier to retain the knowledge,” she explains. Students in the program complete over 330 hours of supervised massage therapy treatments, working in MRU’s student-run clinic and through various community outreach opportunities. “Having that real-life experience makes all the difference.”

Returning to school after more than a decade as a stay-at-home mom was a big step for Dai, but her time at MRU has been overwhelmingly positive. “English isn’t my first language, and my classmates are much younger — some almost the same age as my own child — but I feel so comfortable here. Everyone, from the teachers to the students, has been welcoming and supportive.”

For Dai, studying massage therapy isn’t just a career choice, it’s a chance to make a difference. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to return to school, especially to study a program that I really love.”