Massage Therapy Internships Information
(PE 54T, PE 54U, PE 54V)

What are massage therapy internships?

Massage Internships are a required part of your Massage Certificate program. They are designed to reinforce the knowledge you've learned in the classroom through one of two types of internships, the TA internship or a hands-on internship.

 

What is a TA internship?

TA internship stands for Teacher's Assistant internship. As a TA, you are required to assist the instructor with correcting students' body mechanics and assist with the massage strokes outlined in class by the instructor. You will also be required to submit a case study and SOAP notes. You will be given more information on the specific requirements for this project when you sign up for the internship. Any student that takes a massage course and receives a passing grade in that course will be eligible to TA for that same class in future quarters with the instructor's permission.

 

What are the hands-on internships?

Hands-on internships give you the opportunity to reinforce the massage skills you've learned in class on a wide variety of body types and sizes. There are three different hands-on internships to choose from. The Adaptive Physical Education internship (APE) provides you the opportunity for first hand experience with pathologies by performing massages on disabled and elderly students. This is the most popular internship. The De Anza and Stanford Sports Massage internships enable you to perform various types of sports massages on the De Anza and Stanford athletic teams. You must be selected for these internships. These internships allow you to work under the direct supervision of physical therapists/athletic trainers, performing massage on athletes. Only students with excellent hands-on skills and a professional work ethic will be selected for Stanford. Quality performance in a De Anza Training Room internship will help your chances of being chosen for Stanford if you demonstrate high skill levels there. All hands-on internships require daily SOAP notes for all clients worked on.

 

How do I know which internship to sign up for?

It depends on which certificate in Massage you are going for, but follow these guidelines:

 

 

How many hours do I need to complete an internship?

Each unit of internship requires 3 hours of work per week, totaling 36 hours per unit/per quarter. If you sign up for PE 54U, a two-unit internship, you must complete 72 hours of work by the end of the quarter. Do not sign up for PE 54U (2 units) unless you will be assisting as a TA and/or involved in a hands-on internship in two classes at the same time, and plan to complete the 72 hours required that same quarter.

 

Which internship corresponds to PE 54T and PE 54U?

There is no specific internship attached to either class. PE 54T is designated as a one-unit internship of any kind, while PE 54U is a 2-unit internship of any kind. PE 54V is 3 units and so on.

 

How do I sign up for an internship?

Contact the following individuals to get approval for the specific internship you'd like to do. Once you've received their approval, register for the number of internship units you plan to complete during that quarter. Proceed to Dr. Forman's office at PE 41-H to obtain all the paperwork necessary. All internships are subject to the final approval of Dr. Forman, 408 864-8910.

 

How will I get credit for all the hours that I work?

Once you register for an internship, you will need to go to Dr. Forman's office and pick up all the materials you will need for your internship. In addition to signing an Internship Guidelines Form that will remain on file in Dr. Forman's office, you will receive instructions for SOAP notes and Case Study requirements. Also included will be your Internship Log. You must bring the log with you to your internship every day and write down the date, description of work and hours worked for each day. Your supervisor will need to verify your hours EVERY DAY that you perform internship hours. Keep in mind that if your internship is a hands-on internship, you will need to submit SOAP notes for each of your clients to your supervisor BEFORE they can sign off on your hours.

 

I perform massages on friends and family members on a regular basis. How will I get credit for those hours?

You won't. All internship hours must be done under the direct supervision of the instructors mentioned above. No outside work counts.

 

Is there anything that I will need to provide for the internship?

Clean linens, lotion and face cradle covers will be your responsibility. Come prepared with pen, clipboard or book to write on and any reference books you may want to assist you with giving your client stretches or to assist you with your SOAP notes. One SOAP note is provided with your internship packet. You will need to make enough photocopies for the entire internship.

 

How is my grade determined for an internship?

Soap Notes/Case Study....20%

Completion of hours............80%

34-36 hours = A, 31-33 hours = B, 28-30 hours = C, Less than 28 hours may result in a failing grade or an incomplete. Final decision will be made by Dr. Forman and is handled on a case-by-case basis.

 

When do I need to turn in my internship log and where do I turn it in?

ALL internship logs must be turned in to Dr. Forman's office BEFORE final exams are completed. Make sure all hours/SOAPs have been recorded and signed off by your approved supervisor.