Best institutions to study Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
Any instructional program in somatic bodywork and related therapeutic services not listed above.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 5 Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3599, a specialization of Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35), and leads most directly to the Massage Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 31-9011).
About Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs
Any instructional program in somatic bodywork and related therapeutic services not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in bodywork therapies. This program is designed for individuals interested in helping others improve their physical well-being through various therapeutic techniques, primarily focusing on massage therapy. Students in this program will learn to assess clients' needs and develop tailored treatment plans to address stress, pain, and other medical conditions. The program is suitable for those seeking a rewarding career in health professions, particularly in massage therapy, with a strong emphasis on client care and therapeutic practices.
Core skills and knowledge in this program include active listening, critical thinking, and understanding human anatomy. Coursework covers customer service, psychology, and techniques for effective massage therapy, enabling students to create personalized treatment plans for clients.
Credentials awarded
What Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Top 1 institutions for Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 0% | $29,794 | $28,583 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field (CIP 51.35) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 1 states
Where Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 1 | 5 | Northwestern Health Sciences University5 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9011, Massage Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services program can pursue careers as massage therapists or health specialties teachers. The job outlook for massage therapists is promising, with a projected growth rate of 15.4% and approximately 24,700 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $57,950, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3599
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massage Therapistsprimary SOC 31-9011 | $58,450 | +15.4% Much faster than average | ~24,700 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
Tools and technology used
Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35).
Common questions
What is somatic bodywork?+
Somatic bodywork involves therapeutic techniques, primarily massage, to improve physical well-being.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn active listening, critical thinking, and various massage techniques.
What career opportunities are available?+
Graduates can work as massage therapists or health specialties teachers.
What is the job outlook for massage therapists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.4%.
What is the CIP code for Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services?+
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services is CIP 51.3599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in somatic bodywork and related therapeutic services not listed above.
How many institutions offer Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 5 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates.
How much do Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Massage Therapists occupation, which Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field report median earnings of $28,583 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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