Our courses are approved by the SMA (Sports Massage Association). This government-recognised standard is looked for by all professional sporting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about registration and accreditation?
Where can I find work once I've graduated?
I am already a massage therapist but I want SMA accreditation. Can you help?
What happens after I graduate?
What is the difference between a Level 3 and a Level 4 qualification?
How do I complete my 100 practice hours and on who?
What is involved in the 250 hours of CARL (Continuous Assessment Record Log)?
Why SMA (Sports Massage Association)?
Is this qualification recognised overseas?
How soon will I know if I have passed or failed?
If I fail do I have to resit the whole exam?
What happens if I miss a weekend?
Once qualified do I need to do for CPD (Continued Professional Development)?
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is the term applied to the discipline of using massage for the specific benefit of all participants in sports, covering the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body. Sports massage is involved with all aspects of sport, including the conditioning/training phase, pre-competition, inter-competition, post competition and travel. In addition, Sports Masage is an integral part of injury prevention and recovery, working in partnership with other healthcare professionals.
What about registration and accreditation?
The Sports Massage Association (UK), the professional body for sports massage in Great Britain, has approved the Sports Massage Education Programme offered by SPS Ltd.
Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations accredit the Sports Massage Education Programme offered by SPS Ltd.
Where can I find work once I've graduated?
After graduation career opportunities exist in a variety of fields from working with the general public, Chartered Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, and Chiropractic clinics to local and elite sporting teams and athletes. You will also have made contacts through your 100 hours of practice time and we regularly attend sporting events where we encourage students to participate under supervision and to hand out their own contact details for future work. Through your SMA membership you will be regularly updated with any current opportunities.
I am already a massage therapist but I want SMA accreditation. Can you help?
Yes. This course offers training to level 4, which is the minimum standard for SMA registration.
What happens after I graduate?
The Southern School of Massage will continue to support you through its graduate programme. We like to keep in touch with our students, allowing them to continue their professional development long after their course has finished.
What is the difference between a Level 3 and a Level 4 qualification?
A Level 4 enables you to set up your own independant practice whilst under a Level 3 you will need to be supervised.
How do I complete my 100 practice hours and on who?
They are done over the 6 - 7 months and consist of different categories of people, for example, gender, age, ethnic group. Friends and relatives can be used for a number of these groups and can sign off your practice log.
What is involved in the 250 hours of CARL (Continuous Assessment Record Log)?
Students will be required to complete a Continuous Assessment Record Log (CARL) over the 6 – 7 month period of the course which may represent up to 250 hours outside of contact hours. This includes 4 essays, 6 case studies and study time with further reading (see categories for further reading under Course Content).
Why SMA (Sports Massage Association)?
The SMA presents one of the best basic foundation courses and is a recognised association within Sports Massage.
Is this qualification recognised overseas?
Whilst the SMA is a very highly respected association professionally there is no actual qualification that is fully recognised outside of the country. Each association or institute will make their own assessment, as we would, if someone came to practice in the UK from abroad.
What does the exam involve?
It consists of a 1 hour written paper, a practical and a verbal VIVA on the practical treatment you have just delivered.
How soon will I know if I have passed or failed?
Normally within 2 weeks of the exam.
If I fail do I have to resit the whole exam?
No. You will only need to resit the parts that you fail.
What happens if I miss a weekend?
It is very important that you attend all weekends however we realise that this is sometimes difficult and if you need to miss one or two sessions we ask that you notify us before the start of the course so that we can make provision for your absence. All notes from missed sessions will need to be obtained from a fellow student as we cannot hand out copies of slides.
Once qualified do I need to do for CPD (Continued Professional Development)?
Membership of the SMA requires Continual Professional Development (CPD) and the Southern School of Massage Therapy offer a series of 1 or 2 day courses covering assessment and treatment of specific areas of the body , such as knees, lower legs, lumbar spine and pelvis, thoratic spine and cervical and shoulders. We also run courses in business start-up and Development.