Advanced Placement
If you have already taken your first year of training elsewhere, or if you are a practicing RMT looking to upgrade your knowledge and skills, you may be able to save both time and money through advanced placement—starting our two-year diploma program halfway through by successfully challenging our first-year final exams.
How to complete your massage training at Vicars
Advanced placement to our second-year courses may work for you if you have the same or higher levels of knowledge and skills as Vicars students have at the end of our Year 1. You will be joining an existing class of Vicars students at the beginning of second year, and we need to make sure you’re set up for success.
Although everyone’s situation is unique, the AP option at Vicars is best suited for therapists who have either:
Completed a minimum of one year of study of a massage therapy program
OR
At least 1000 initial hours of training and are currently practicing as a member of a recognised therapists’ association
STEP ONE
Self-Assessment
There are challenges to starting at second year in a new program. You may decide to start at the beginning instead, and that can be a good plan. Your previous education and practice will still be a big advantage because you can apply what you already know to move more quickly through the online and classroom materials.
And while you will be reviewing techniques you feel you have already mastered, there is always room to learn new things and refine your skills. We have a process that can help you choose which path is right for you. There is no charge for this, or for meeting with the registrar to discuss this important decision.
Start by downloading our course outline and the Advanced Placement Self-Assessment Questionnaire
These tools will help you see what is covered in the first year of the Vicars program and realistically assess your own skill level to decide whether you should apply for Advanced Placement or enroll in Year 1.
Our curriculum is thorough, and a lot of meaningful work is covered in our first year. While we are happy to work with you as an AP student to refine your skills, there are limits, so we need to know that your skills are comparable to those of Vicars students who have completed the first year of the program.
The self-assessment asks you to evaluate your own abilities and knowledge in a range of areas, including:
- massage skills
- musculoskeletal anatomy
- orthopedic assessment
- hydrotherapy
- the therapeutic relationship
The self-assessment questionnaire will also help you plan your strategy if you decide to challenge the exams, by identifying any areas you should review.
STEP TWO
Prior Learning Assessment and Challenge Exams
After you’ve completed the self-assessment process and if you feel confident that Advanced Placement is the right choice for you, the next step is to request a formal prior learning assessment (PLA). Here’s what that process looks like:
We’ll ask you to apply online, and to submit your completed self-assessment questionnaire and transcripts from your previous massage training
Vicars staff will then review all these elements to determine your eligibility. There is a fee for this assessment.
What happens next?
These tools will help you see what is covered in the first year of the Vicars program and realistically assess your own skill level and decide whether you should apply for Advanced Placement or enroll in Year One.
Can I just challenge the Anatomy & Physiology courses?
Yes, you can. Ask your admissions advisor or the registrar for the details! Vicars students often come to massage therapy as a second career or to upgrade a diploma earned elsewhere. If their previous education has included advanced core sciences and their knowledge is still current, they can challenge our Anatomy and Physiology courses.
The Vicars program is offered as blended learning, and A&P is one of the courses delivered online, including both coursework and exams.
If you have successfully completed an advanced human anatomy and physiology classes as part of your previous education, you may be able to challenge the A&P exam and be exempt from completing that part of the online coursework.
Similar to the Advanced Placement option, the exemption involves both a review of transcripts and other documents (the prior-learning assessment) and a successful challenge of our A&P exam. Fees apply.
Other Helpful Information
We know this is a big decision. We can help.
Fill out the form below and mention that you are interested in Advance Placement or challenging our A&P exam. We will set up a conversation for you with the Registrar.
Let’s Connect
Our friendly and knowledgeable admissions advisors will help you decide for yourself if Vicars school is a good fit for you.
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