Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts offers comprehensive educational opportunities based on high academic standards in the science and education of massage therapy and bodywork. Our courses are taught by dedicated educators in the field who incorporate the latest information and research to provide you with a substantial and highly relevant education.

Desert Institute of the Healing Arts was founded and incorporated in 1982 by Margaret Avery Moon in response to the growing demand for highly skilled massage therapy professionals. Ms. Avery Moon has taught advanced workshops in massage therapy nationwide and brought to the school a vision of the future and understanding of the basic skills necessary for one to succeed in massage therapy or shiatsu.

Ms Avery Moon has been certified in massage therapy since 1979. She was one of the first people to become Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, a credential that didn't become available until 1992.

In November 2005 the Desert Insitute of the Healing Arts joined the Cortiva Institute family of schools which will enhance our service and dedication to education and provide an important foundation for our curriculum and our philosophies including our practice of humanity. We offer professional education with the human touch. Together we aim to provide the highest standard in massage therapy education now and into the future.

See this page for admissions information and online application

See this page for more information

We offer the 750-hour Massage Therapy Evening Core Program three times a year, in January, May and September. This condensed yet comprehensive program is designed for the person seeking to become a professional Massage Therapist with knowledge of Swedish massage therapy, myofascial and trigger point work along with a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology and practical applications. Practical experience in a clinical setting, and business, ethics and communication courses prepare our graduates for various work settings. The Massage Therapy Evening Core Program lasts 42 weeks and you will be in classes 15-20 hours a week.

It is extremely important to learn how to integrate knowledge with intuition. We provide instructor-supervised clinics and hands-on practical testing for this. Clinical experience in working with a wide variety of body types and healthcare challenges is a vital part of your education.

We also teach you how to interact properly and effectively with clients. Listening skills, rapport, the ability to communicate with care, and the importance of holding high ethical standards are essential in the delivery of Massage Therapy treatments.

The Massage Therapy Evening Core Program is new but the curriculum is built on a 23 year-old proven model! We have literally taken the required courses taught in our Day Massage program and put together a weekday evening and Saturday schedule to accommodate those who are not available to attend classes during week days.

Our Massage Therapy Program, our Massage Therapy Evening Core Program and our Shiatsu Program are all accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) - a professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

COMTA, a non-profit independent organization, seeks to improve the quality of education for students seeking education in the fields of massage therapy and bodywork. The COMTA accreditation process reflects current and emerging professional practice standards. To obtain COMTA accreditation, a massage therapy school must demonstrate that their educational curriculum substantially meets specific massage therapy and bodywork curriculum standards developed and set by professionals in the field. More information is available at www.comta.org.

Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). More information is available at www.accsct.org.

Licensing: Licensing is handled differently in each state. We're committed to assisting our students in obtaining licensing in whichever state they decide to practice after graduation. All graduates of Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Other State Licensing Approvals: Several states offer schools the option of special certification and Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts has gained that approval from the Iowa Massage Therapy Advisory Board, State Medical Board of Ohio, Washington State Board of Massage, Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, and the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

State Licensure: Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts has been licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education since September 1982. We hold a contract with the Vocational Rehabilitation Service and are an eligible Training Provider under the Workforce Investment Act.

Continuing Education Approval: We are an approved provider for Continuing Education Programs by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Veterans Approval: Our Massage Therapy and Shiatsu Programs are approved for training veterans and their qualified dependents who are eligible for Veterans Administration Educational benefits.

Financial Aid Approval: Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts is approved to participate in Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Pell Grants. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

Foreign Student Eligibility: We're approved by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service for foreign students' study.

Memberships: Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools. AMTA is the largest national association of professional massage therapists.

We are also a member of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia. The educational branch of the AOBTA creates and maintains standards of education in the field of Asian bodywork.