226 West 26th Street
New York, NY 10001

The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences is a natural health school teaching massage therapy and other modalities located in New York City. The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences was founded in 1916 by Theodore Melander and was originally named The Swedish Institute of Physiotherapy. Melander was a native of Sweden and taught massage therapy, exercise and other natural health remedies that were popular in Europe in the beginning of the 20th century.

Today, the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences offers degree granting programs in massage therapy and acupuncture; a certificate program in personal training and on-going continuing education for professionals. The 61.5-hour massage therapy program can be completed in 16-32 months and grants graduates an Associate in Occupational Therapy Degree. The program also fulfills the requirements set forth by the State of New York for licensure as a massage therapist.

Established in 1996, the acupuncture program at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences is rooted in traditional Chinese acupuncture. Graduates of the program earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies/Master of Science degree in Acupuncture. Students attending classes full time can complete the program in three years. The program fulfills the requirements of the state of New York for licensure as an acupuncture professional, but graduates still must take the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and oriental medicine (NCCAOM) exam.

The personal training program at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences is designed for massage therapists wishing to expand their practices or trainers wanting further education or certification. This program was established at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in 2004 and is a 415-hour course. Graduates of the program receive a certificate from the school and are prepared to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) exams.

Quick Facts:

The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences has the oldest massage therapy school in the United States.

The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT); ACCSCT and the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM); the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) and is a member of the Association of Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA); the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Council of Schools and is registered with the AMTA Council of Schools and Programs (COSP).

There are over 2,000 holdings in the Lillian F. Phillips Library at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences that date back to the 1890s when the college was founded.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.