KAMLOOPS – In keeping with the laddering approach that the university pioneered in BC, Thompson Rivers University (TRU), BC’s newest provincial university located in Kamloops, BC, has created a new degree option for health-care professionals.
The degree option, available to registered massage therapists (RMT), medical laboratory and x-ray technicians, among others, was modeled on TRU’s existing health sciences degree for respiratory therapists. That degree has now been reconfigured to provide BC RMTs and other health-care diploma graduates from recognized programs and institutions with the opportunity to obtain a bachelor degree related to their discipline.
“I am pleased that we are able to provide this new opportunity for massage therapists and other health-care workers,” said TRU Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Mark Evered. “It is one more step in our ongoing efforts to meet the educational needs of the province through the variety of modes of study we can now offer.”
The announcement of the new degree is very good news for registered massage therapists in BC, said Damon Marchand, president of the Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia (MTABC) and of the Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance.
“This new degree offering is recognition of our efforts to improve BC’s quality of life and will allow us to further advance our profession and expand our opportunities within the health care system,” he said.
There are over 1800 RMTs regulated and licensed in B.C. under the Health Professions Act whose training includes 3000 hours of training at an accredited college, health sciences studies such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and neuroanatomy, clinical sciences studies such as manual skills, orthopaedics, remedial exercise, hydrotherapy and patient education and management of chronic diseases, injuries and the effects of long-term stress.
The comprehensive education program and stringent external accreditation process for registered massage therapists in BC lends itself well to the new degree option. Registered massage therapy graduates in BC hold a credential equivalent to three-year post-secondary diploma; TRU will grant up to 90 credits in recognition of this prior learning to enrollees in the health sciences degree program, who will then complete the equivalent of one year of full-time on-campus or on-line study to attain their degree.
“British Columbians from across the province are increasingly turning to RMTs for careful management of chronic diseases, injuries and the effects of long-term stress, and BC RMTs continue to lead North American education and training,” said Marchand. “This new degree will continue to keep BC as a centre of excellence in massage therapy.”
For more information, please contact:
Brenda Locke-MTABC Executive Director by phone (604)873.4467 or by email.
Bryan Daly-Chair, TRU Allied Health and Distance Education for the Sciences (250)828.5433 or by email.
For background information, please visit:
Message Therapists of BC
TRU Open Learning
TRU Faculty of Distance Education
New student information
