Admission,  Retention, Transfer Credits and Graduation from the  Massage Therapy Program

Admission

Williston State College has an open enrollment admission into the first year of the AAS degree program, which begins each August.  High school graduates or completers of the Tests of General Education Development (GED) are eligible for admission.  Those who have not completed high school or the GED will be accepted if it is determined that the applicant has the ability to benefit from enrollment in the program.  Please refer to the College Catalog for specific details.  Admission to the Certificate Program or the second year of the AAS Degree Program is on a competitive application basis.  Applications available in February for the following August.  At least 1 semesters of Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 220 or 221) must have been successfully completed, with the minimum grade of a "C" in order to apply.  At this time, maximum of 18 students will be accommodated.  If more than 18 eligible students wish to enroll, they will be placed on a waiting list.  At this time, there are no massage courses being offered during the summer semester, although other courses may be available.

Retention

Retention in the Certificate and AAS program requires that all courses be completed with a minimum grade of a "C".  Courses labeled as part II of a sequence can not be completed before those labeled a part I, except with permission from the course instructor.  If a student fails to meet the minimum course grade they will be required to repeat that course the next time it is offered, if they wish to continue in the program.  Students will be allowed only 1 repeat.

Transfer Credits

The North Dakota State Board of Massage has enacted Administrative Rules that govern the ability of Massage Programs to accept instruction credits from other institutions and have it count toward the minimum hours you need to be eligible to take the ND State Board Examination.  We refer you to the North Dakota Administrative Code Title 49 to find the latest rulings.  This is the College's understanding of these regulations:

           Eligible Classroom Instruction

1.  Except as otherwise stipulated or waived by the Board, classroom instruction must be provided by a licensed massage therapist at a recognized and approved school of massage and credit may not be given for prior educational instruction.

2. Instructors of anatomy, physiology, and pathology are not required to be licensed massage therapists, but must have earned a recognized post-secondary degree in the field of study in which they are providing instruction.

3. A school of massage may give a student credit for prior educational instruction which was provided by a secondary or vocational institution.  To receive credit, the prior instruction must have been provided by a qualified instructor within the five year period immediately preceding the date of the application for licensure.

4. Correspondence courses are not recognized by the Board as eligible instruction.

Graduation

Students must successfully complete all of the requirements for either the Certificate or the AAS Programs before they will be eligible to graduate from the institution.