Application Process

Note: Arrests, charges or convictions of criminal offenses may be cause to deny or limit licensure or employment opportunities in specific careers and occupations (including massage therapy) and may limit a student's ability to obtain federal, state and other financial aid.

Students are encouraged to investigate these possibilities before applying to the Massage Therapy program.

Step 1: Apply to Tri-C

Apply for Admission to Cuyahoga Community College as either an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy, Certificate of Proficiency, or Post-Degree Professional Certificate student. Please see the links to the left to assist you in determining which kind of student you are. Successful completion of any of these three options qualifies a student to sit for the MBLEx license exam. 

We recommend that you read the Massage Therapy Program Application Guidelines prior to completing the Massage Therapy application.

Step 2: Testing/Transcripts

• Associate of Applied Science and Certificate of Proficiency students who have not completed college-level English or math courses must take English and math placement tests at the Testing and Assessment Center. Qualifying ACT scores may be submitted in lieu of placement testing.
• Please submit official high school (or equivalent GED, TASC or HiSET) and college transcripts as required to the registrar's office.
  • Instructions for sending high school transcripts
• Post-Degree Professional Certificate candidates are required to send their college transcript to the Registrar's office to prove eligibility for the Post-Degree program. 
  • Instructions for sending college transcripts

Admission to Tri-C does not automatically admit a student to restricted programs, such as the Massage Therapy program.

Applications received after Aug. 1, 2025 will not be accepted due to the need to complete the additional steps prior to admittance.

Step 3: Background Check/Health Requirements

After your application is received and processed, you will be notified to complete two items:

1. Background check
2. Health requirements

• Do not initiate the background check or complete health requirements until instructed to do so.
• Click here for specific instructions.
• Please plan in advance to ensure all health requirements are completed by the deadline.