SIT's Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage was the first named massage degree programme to be approved in New Zealand. It has been taught since 2002.
Students gain extensive experience over the 3 years by running a community-based clinic on campus, completing industry placements, and working at local sports and community events. Year 3 is also available by Blended Delivery (mixture of online and block course learning).Papers include anatomy and physiology, general pathology, therapeutics, clinical assessment, massage for physical performance, business management and research.
Our degree exceeds industry requirements both academically and in clinical practice - tutors are highly qualified and promote research-driven education.
SIT is now offering this course in HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') which combines face-to-face and online learning.
Three years full-time
2024 Semester 1: 12 February to 22 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
Some Course Details May Change
As part of our move into Te Pūkenga we're aligning our courses nationally. This is ongoing, and means that some course details including fees, and entry requirements may change. In the meantime please go ahead and apply as normal, we will keep you advised of any changes, and we are always available to answer any questions you might have.
SIT's Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage was the first named massage degree programme to be approved in New Zealand. It has been taught since 2002 and students have been graduating since 2004. Health care delivery has moved beyond clinical competence and beyond copying previously successful clinicians. Today's practitioners need to relate to a wider health care team and respond to the expressed needs and expectations of families, pressure groups, professionals and the wider community (Higgs & Edwards, 1999).
Backed by SIT's recognised infrastructures and academic community, the programme promotes research driven education, strong training in a community based clinic, and exceeds suggested industry requirements in both academic areas and clinical practice.
The Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage encourages graduates to join a professional group which represents their career interests, but can not endorse any one group.
Graduating students from this degree have good opportunities for employment, both nationally and internationally.
Graduates are critical thinking, reflective practitioners with technical and professional competence, sound reasoning and research literacy, and have a capacity to manage knowledge and its acquisition during their working lives.
This qualification has been designed to prepare graduates for careers in both the therapeutic and sports massage fields. The programme of study includes anatomy and physiology, general pathology, therapeutics, clinical reasoning and functional assessment, massage for physical performance, research and business management principles.
The Year 3 programme is available via Blended Delivery flexibility to remain in their home town massage therapy clinics and communities.
Send us an email to learn more.
Learn More about Blended Learning for our Year 3 of the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage
Year One
SE5101 Health Aspects of Exercise and NutritionThe paper will develop an understanding of the relationship between physical activity, health and nutrition across the lifespan. Nutritional aspects related to heath and exercise for the general population and special population groups will be investigated. The paper will further examine body composition, sound nutrition, weight control and nutrition for exercise performance.
MT5110 Surface AnatomyStudents will demonstrate a knowledge and skills of basic concepts of surface anatomy, that provide a sound theoretical and practical foundation for therapeutic and sports massage.
MT5120 Physiology for Massage TherapyStudents will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of physiology as they relate to the human body. They will be able to describe the biology and chemistry of the cell and tissues, and the systemic and inter-systemic functions, and the physiological underpinnings of massage therapy practice.
MT5140 Foundations of Therapeutic and Sports MassageThis paper introduces the student to the principles and concepts of therapeutic and sports massage. Philosophies and the history of massage are discussed, students explore issues in contra indications, ethics, legalities, boundaries and scope of practice and identify research findings on the effects of therapeutic and sports massage.
MT5160 Professional StudiesThis paper is designed to develop the personal growth, caring skills and professional and ethical behaviour of students and to teach the methodologies and practice of reflection, scientific enquiry and critical thinking. Professional skills will be applied in a clinical practice setting.
MT5170 Therapeutics IStudents will develop skills in therapeutic and sports massage techniques, assessing the client's health and well being status, and massage techniques for stress management.
Year Two
MT6210 Pathology for Massage PractitionersStudents will demonstrate knowledge of the common diseases and disorders associated with the major body systems and be able to discuss their relationship to massage therapy. Students will acquire an introductory knowledge and understanding of pharmacology for musculoskeletal dysfunctions. This knowledge will assist in safe and appropriate planning and evaluation of client care.
MT6225 Massage for Physical PerformanceTo outline the core principles and practice of training, exercise prescription, and introductory biomechanics for physical performance, review current research on musculoskeletal management and apply massage techniques for stretching and musculoskeletal injury management.
MT6240 Clinical Reasoning and Functional AssessmentThis paper introduces the process of clinical reasoning during client assessment, and develops the student's skills of enquiry, observation and testing. The student will use these skills to identify, analyse, synthesize and interpret the level of disability and resultant dysfunction in clients with musculoskeletal disorders, and identify possible contra indications or scope of practice issues.
MT6250 Clinical Practice IThis paper provides a clinic/workplace experience and practice under clinical supervision for assessment, treatment planning, and reporting of case studies in therapeutic and sports massage techniques.
MT6251 Clinical Practice IIThis clinical education paper reinforces and extends the theoretical knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and in Clinical Practice I. The student under the supervision of a clinical practitioner evaluates and interacts with suitable clients and clinical situations to facilitate self learning, clinical reasoning and develop a problem solving approach to treatment.
MT6270 Therapeutics IIStudies will be undertaken in a range of advanced therapeutic massage/NMT techniques to restore the structural, functional and postural integrity of the body and to address the problem of pain.
GEN200 Research StatisticsThis paper aims to prepare the student for professional practice by presenting research as a uniting strategy for practice, theory and scholarship. Students will be introduced to several approaches to research, both qualitative and quantitative. Students will also be assisted to develop skills as a beginning researcher.
Year Three - Blended Delivery
Click here for more details on each paper, including compulsory block courses and online sessions
MT7340 Research and Advanced Professional Development (full year)
To enable the student to conduct small scale research, undertake data analysis, draw conclusions and report findings in a scientific format.
Credits: 30
MT7350 Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Clinical Practice IIITo provide the student with an advanced clinical placement to develop and apply further skills in clinic management, differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning and wellness and rehabilitation interventions. Students will demonstrate independence and accountability in clinical practice. Students will develop a business plan for their “own business”; and apply skills in operating a business in Clinical Practice III.
MT7360 Advanced Professional Studies
This paper is designed to further develop the personal growth and professional knowledge and skills of advancing practitioners within a clinical and industry setting.
MT7370 Therapeutics III
This paper enables massage therapists to develop knowledge and skills in wellness and rehabilitation principles and practices for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. The student will be able to apply this knowledge to wellness and rehabilitation massage therapy interventions for a range of client groups in clinical or industry settings.
Graduates may work as therapists and sport massage specialists in the following settings:
Therapeutic and sports massage specialists will work with individuals and groups of all ages, assisting those recovering from or dealing with injury, illness or disability, as well as individuals and groups looking for stress management intervention and injury prevention strategies.
School Leavers
NCEA Level 3 - three subjects at Level 3, made up of:
Mature ApplicantsApplicants in this category will have achieved the age of 20 by March 1 of the first year of enrolment in the programme and have provided evidence of relevant prior learning and experience.
Special AdmissionThe applicant has successfully completed a special programme at NZQA Level 4 or above, which prepares students for the required academic standard for entry eg New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage, or its equivalent, or successful completion of Year One of the Diploma in Sport and Recreation.
In the opinion of the Head of School in consultation with the Programme Manager, the student will have a good chance of achieving success in the degree programme and the student will not place an unreasonable burden on the teaching staff and or other students.
Provisional Part time AdmissionAn applicant who does not meet academic criteria may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more Year One papers. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.
Additional CriteriaIn addition, the following requirements also apply to applicants in all admissions and categories:
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
Specific requirements
This programme is taught using HyFlex delivery. Please note that papers within this programme may alter due to the Unification of Massage Therapy Level 6 Curriculum. Further details will be made available when known.
Student's First Day Requirements
If you completed the Level 5 Massage Diploma outside of SIT, you will need to provide 3 sets of quality linen for clinical practice. The requirements will be discussed in the first week.
Please note that a reasonable level of fitness is required to perform massage therapy. You will also need to give and receive massage therapy to people of all genders. Classes usually finish by 4pm however during clinical placements you may be required beyond these hours, including at the weekend. You will be advised on the timetable.
Attendance requirements as follows for Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage:
100% attendance required for the following papers:
All other papers require a minimum of 80% attendance.
For the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage successful completion of all assessment requirements for each paper of the three year degree. This amounts to successful completion of 360 credits.
The Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage (BTSM) and Diploma of Therapeutic and Sports Massage (DTSM) from Southern Institute of Technology are NZQA approved qualifications. A graduate of these programmes is eligible to apply for membership of Massage New Zealand, or other massage or complementary health related professional associations in New Zealand. Specific entry criteria or additional examinations for each professional association may apply.
From 2010, criteria for the award of the Diploma in Therapeutic and Sports Massage will be as follows: successful completion of year 1 and year 2 of the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage (240 credits). In addition, students will be required to show evidence of enrolment into and attendance of year 3 of the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage. Attendance will be in accordance with this programme's regulations. Students will be required to submit an application to the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage Board of Studies for consideration of the award of Diploma in Therapeutic and Sports Massage.
Graduates can continue their education with:
Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation)
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation)
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation)
Classes for Level 5 and 6 papers are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4.00pm at SIT's main Invercargill campus. The timetable varies each semester and is confirmed about two weeks before the semester begins.
Students operate the SIT massage clinic on clinic days and sometimes this can go until 6pm at the latest.
Level 7 papers being taught by Blended Delivery need to be confirmed.
