If you're uninterested in a typical office job, you're not alone. Many people crave the variety that an unusual job can bring to their lives. Working as a massage therapist will allow you to provide relief and relaxation to others. If you care about setting your own hours and being your own boss, becoming a licensed massage therapist will give you some valuable skills to make your dream a reality. Here are some things you should think about when applying for massage therapy programs:

1. Do you want to take some courses online?

Massage therapy is a hands-on, skill-based profession. In order to become a licensed massage therapist, you'll need to get some practical experience. However, massage therapy programs also teach anatomy, business, and client relations. Many of these theoretical classes can be completed remotely, if you desire. If you think you'd like to take some classes online, look for a massage therapy program that supports distance learning. If you feel you retain information better when you can interact with your teachers in person, you can also choose to attend a program that features no online courses.

2. Is there a type of massage you'd like to specialize in?

Massage therapy is a wide field. There are several schools of thought when it comes to massage and various techniques that are popular for different purposes. Massage for relaxation is a different skill than massage administered for sports medicine. When starting your studies, ask yourself what you'd like to specialize in. Tailoring your educational experience to your interests can set you up for the right career path. If you're not sure right now, you can take general education classes and choose a specialty later. It's also fine to be a general massage practitioner.

3. Are you interested in moving?

There are excellent massage therapy programs set up all across the country. If you want to stay in your current city, it's likely you can find a local program for your studies. Some people are interested in moving, however. If you'd like to experience life in a big city or simply get a fresh start, moving for school is a great opportunity to do so. People who would like to move for school should research massage therapy programs in places they'd like to live. Alternatively, if you have your heart set on one particular program, research the area where it's located. Figure out if you'd be happy living there for the duration of your program.