How long does it take to complete training at Cumberland Institute?
Students may complete the 500-hour Massage Therapist Certification in their choice of the following time periods:

12-MONTH FAST TRACK
A full-time combination of  day and evening classes, or full-time evening classes

Students may also choose a slower-paced track of 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, or 36-month programs.

Day classes are scheduled between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Evening classes are scheduled between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Students may choose a combination of day and/or evening classes, subject to availability each quarter.

What if I’m not sure I want to certify as a professional Massage Therapist?
Many prospective students are drawn to the bodywork industry, but are not sure they want to pursue extensive training, or make a career change to professional bodywork. It is recommended that these students enroll in T101 INTRODUCTION TO MASSAGE and T102 TOUCH DYNAMICS. These two courses give an overview of the massage and bodywork industry, as well as an understanding of our personal touch experience in society. Students who complete these courses generally have a greater insight as to whether they wish to proceed with further training.

Is Cumberland Institute affiliated with any professional organizations?
Yes. Cumberland is affiliated with the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Cumberland Institute specifically chose this affiliation for the high standards of professionalism and ethical integrity demonstrated nationally by ABMP in areas of education, legislation and therapist support networks.

What is the difference between certification and licensure?
Certification is a professional designation issued by academic institutions to individuals who have successfully completed training in required areas of instruction. Licensure is a government-sanctioned regulation of certified professionals. Cumberland Institute is the oldest state-approved academic institution in Tennessee providing bodywork education, examination and certification.  Licensure is administered by the Massage Therapy Board, a division of the Health Related Boards of the State of Tennessee.

Will I need to take a certification exam at the completion of my training at Cumberland Institute?
No. Cumberland Institute examines and/or evaluates students after each individual course requirement has been completed. Students are required to achieve a minimum passing grade of 75% (C) for each required course, and a minimum cumulative grade percentage average of 85% (B) for certification. As of July, 2003, graduates applying for Tennessee state licensure are required to pass a state-approved competency exam, currently administered by NCBTMB, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.  Cumberland Institute currently has the highest pass rate of the NCBTMB exam in the Nashville area.

Is anything else required for licensure ?
In addition to passing the state boards, an applicant for licensure must be fingerprinted and pass a background check administered by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and pay their exam and licensure fees. The details of fees and application process are available on the State of Tennessee website, under Health Related Boards, Massage Therapy Board.  Cumberland students receive assistance and supervision in assembling the documents required, and completing the licensure application as part of the Intern Clinic curriculum.

Is an Associates Degree necessary for licensure?  Will it help me find a job?
An Associates Degree will not be necessary for licensure. To be licensed in the state of Tennessee, you must complete 500 hours of training in a board-approved program.  You can find a complete list of Board-approved educational programs at the Massage Therapy Board website at http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/Massage/index.htm. At the end of the list, you will find the state licensure exam pass rates for each school listed, which is a great way to assess the strength of a school's program.  An Associates Degree will not help you find a job.  The quality of your education and your massage skills will most likely determine your ability to get and keep your first job. If you want to find out which schools have the best reputations in your area, ask therapists or potential employers for referrals.  They will give you an unbiased answer.

As a bodyworker, where will I work?
Most graduates establish a private practice, while other graduates will gain employment in group practices, salons and day spas, chiropractic clinics, retirement homes, corporate offices, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and in integrative psychotherapeutic practices.

Will Cumberland Institute teach me how to establish myself professionally?
Absolutely. The success of Cumberland Institute has been defined by its percentage of successful graduates. At this time, approximately 95% of our graduates are working directly or indirectly within the bodywork industry. This rate of graduate success is attributed to the required course T401 BUSINESS MARKETING, pre-graduate working experience in the Cumberland Institute Intern Clinic, one-on-one business strategy reviews available with the Directors, as well as monthly compilations of career positions available exclusively to Cumberland Institute graduates.  To confirm the graduation and job placement rate of Cumberland Institute or any of the other massage schools in Tennessee, you can access the information at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission website at

How much money can I earn as a professional bodyworker?
A full-time private practice can gross $30,000 to $60,000 per year, while a hospital or clinic or spa employee can gross between $20,000 and $30,000 per year.

How many students are enrolled at Cumberland Institute?
On average, Cumberland Institute has between 50 and 80 students enrolled per quarter.

May I contact any of your students and inquire about their experience while enrolled at Cumberland Institute?
Yes. Cumberland Institute maintains a current list of practicing graduates, student interns, and current students, who are willing to be contacted by prospective students. This list is available by request from the Academic Director.

What are the class sizes at Cumberland Institute?
Lecture class sizes vary by course between 8 and 24 students, while hands-on classes have a second instructor added at 13 students. Since half of the students are giving massage and half are receiving it during hands-on training, this makes a maximum 1:6 ratio of teachers to students during hands-on instruction.

How many classes should I take each quarter?
Quarterly course load is an individual consideration based on a student’s personal and work schedule, as well as the amount of financial resources they can comfortably afford to apply to their tuition each quarter. Cumberland Institute strongly recommends registering for the number of courses which preserves freedom from personal and financial pressure, thus avoiding burnout and financial overload. A curriculum track defining a student’s complete schedule of courses and a proposed certification date will be established during the student’s admissions interview.

What is internship?
Internship is a 73-hour course requirement for certification, which provides a supervised venue in which the student intern integrates all preceding coursework into professional form, giving the intern experience in the daily management of a therapy practice. Internship is performed within the Intern Clinic at Cumberland Institute.

How does Cumberland define a clock hour?
Cumberland Institute defines a clock hour as 60 minutes of in-class or in-clinic faculty-supervised instruction. A 5-minute break is scheduled in addition for each clock hour scheduled. A 2-hour class is actually scheduled for 2 hours, 5 minutes; a 3-hour class is scheduled for 3 hours, 10 minutes; a 4-hour class is actually scheduled for 4 hours, 15 minutes.

Does Cumberland Institute accept course credit from other schools?  Will Cumberland Institute course credit transfer to other schools?

Yes. Cumberland Institute will accept and transfer course credit from other comparable curriculum on the following basis: (a) an official transcript from the school where training was received is provided, (b) the transcribed hours of course instruction equal or exceed that of a comparable Cumberland Institute course, (c) the transcribed course has been successfully completed no more than 5 years prior to entry into Cumberland Institute, and (d) the transcribed course was completed at an accredited academic institution. Cumberland Institute does not accept transfers for T402 INTERNSHIP, and we may ask a prospective student to take a final exam from a transfer science class, or pass a faculty assessment on a hands-on class, before credit is accepted.

Disclosure Statement Required of all Post Secondary Educational Institutions by Tennessee Higher Education Commission:

Credits earned at Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies may not transfer to another educational institution.  Credits earned at another institution may not be accepted by Cumberland Institute.  You should obtain confirmation that Cumberland Institue will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you ewxecute an enrollment contract or agreement.  You should also contact any educational institutions to which you may want to transfer credits earned at Cumberland Institute to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Cumberland Institute prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement.  The ability to transfer credits from Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies to another eductional institution may be very limited.  Your credis may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at  Cumberland Institute.  You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution.  It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer credit policy of Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies and of any other educational institution to which you may in the future want to transfer the credit earned at Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

How does Cumberland Institute’s tuition compare to other schools?
Tuition cost is in the median range comparable to that of other local schools.

What is the cost of textbooks?
Required textbooks are included in the cost of course tuition.

Will I have to purchase equipment, supplies, or insurance?
Students will be required to purchase a professional-quality massage table, to be approved by the directors.  Linens and supplies for out-of-school practicum will also be needed. Cumberland Institute provides all equipment, linens, and supplies for in-class work. A student-level comprehensive liability insurance policy is required for the duration of a student’s training, and application for it will be completed during the admissions interview.

Can I purchase equipment and supplies at Cumberland Institute?
Yes. A complete retail area is provided for students as well as non-students to purchase massage tables, massage chairs, medical-grade aromatherapy essences, massage tools, fleece table pads, massage music and environmental sounds on CD, lotions, oils, and massage clothing.

Does Cumberland Institute offer or administrate federal Title IV funding in the form of Pell Grant or Stafford Loans?
No.

Is Cumberland Institute approved for Veteran’s Education Benefits under the GI Bill?
Yes. Cumberland Institute is approved for Veteran’s Benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35, and 1606 of the GI Bill. Pro-rata refund and withdrawal policy for students under the GI Bill is in compliance with Title 38 USC 21.4255.

Does Cumberland Institute offer student tuition accounts or payment plans?
Yes. Cumberland Institute offers interest-free tuition accounts for students desiring to distribute quarterly tuition costs over a period of 90 days. The first third of tuition is due upon registration. The second third of tuition will be due within 30 days of registration. The last third of tuition will be due within 60 days of registration. Tuition payments may be made with cash, checks, and check cards or credit cards.

Does Cumberland Institute offer student loans?
Yes. Cumberland Institute provides student loans at 6%, 9% and 12% interest with tuition pre-payments of 30%, 20% and 10% with the bank financing the remaining 70%, 80% and 90% respectively.

If you have any additional questions regarding Cumberland Institute that have not been answered here, please contact the school’s Administrative Director, Chris Murov, at (615) 370-9794, extension 10.