National Massage Therapy Institute

Hello! I graduated in 2008/​2009, and I haven’t received my diploma. I’ve called multiple times, left messages, and still haven’t received a response. Please let me know how I can obtain my diploma as this is hindering me from taking my National Certification. Thanks!

I almost don’t want to rave too much for fear my little secret miracle might become not so secret anymore.
I’ve had very expensive massages in my life. Hot moon rock white Italian marble floor to ceiling candlelight Caribbean shore overlook birds chirping to a backdrop of sitar and the sound of the rainforest lavender chamomile sea salt scrub… I’ve done all that. And because I’m a very important person, I will shell out a lot of money to keep myself believing that.
I just got a full-​body massage that lasted one full hour for $ 35.
It was amazeballs.
And nobody tried to sell me any skin care products.
NTMI is hidden in one of the ugliest 70’s office buildings on Rt. 7 in Falls Church and I would have never discovered it had I not happen to have physical therapy for my legendary demolished shoulder in the same building. The lobby is appropriately mood-​lit with attractive furniture and décor. Staff and students are friendly and inviting, clad in fashionable blue scrubs that scream, «We are professional and about to rock your world in about 5 minutes, ohaaiii!» They offer appointments at set times every weekday and every other weekend. (I would avoid booking your appointment on their website and call instead. The website makes it seem like you can book in any 15 minute increment, but appointments are actually in batches… 9:30, 10:30, 11:45, etc… They are in the process of fixing their website.) They offer discounted rates for nurses, students, and senior citizens. I have shamelessly requested they consider adding teachers and counselors to the list because we deserve it. You can get a «reward card» that makes your 10^th massage free.
I was brought back on-​schedule by my student massage therapist (whose name I will NOT tell you because you WILL steal her from me) to the main massage area, with stations that are cordoned off by curtains like in a hospital. She reviewed the medical info. I indicated on my paperwork and then the magic began…
Now I don’t want to imply in the least that my level of pleasure involved anything sexual or torrid, but my massage was orgasmic. This girl may have been a student, but she knew exactly what she was doing. While massages are usually like rollercoaster rides in that they are done before you know it and leave you wanting more, this massage had me thinking, «This is a long-​ass massage!» She did me all face up and I thought it was over and then she had me turn over and then she did me all over again! Head to TOE. I was like, «Deeaaammmm.»
While I believe, like pizza and sex, that even when a massage is bad, it’s still pretty good, this massage bordered on a religious experience.
And it was one full hour.
And I paid $ 35. (not including the $ 10 tip I gave my student masseuse)
I left feeling rejuvenated, tranquil and at-​peace with the universe. I learned how to spell ‘masseuse.’ I drove off ready to tackle my day and motivated to think of other ways I could continue the day’s theme of shameless self-​indulgence. (I got some frozen yogurt, a mint mocha, then felt nauseous for a few hours when I got home, but that’s another story.)
NMTI. It’ll make ‘ya feel good!

I would definitely not recommend this school to any student considering obtaining their massage certificate. I attended NMTI’s 7 month massage therapy certification program in 2010. During that time, I experienced issues with teacher turnover, abusive students who were not properly dealt with, and various other unmet student concerns.
I came to the school with high hopes and was extremely enthusiastic about learning a new skill and connecting with fellow students. I was left jaded, tired, and upset with several parts of the process.
NMTI’s support staff and administration is unreliable and cannot be depended upon to return calls or help with student concerns.
I needed to obtain additional hours from the school to meet licensing requirements for another state and 3 hours before my program was supposed to begin, I received a call from the school notifying me that the program was to be postponed «2 or 3 weeks.» This was without regard to my schedule, plans I had made, and the fact that I had made work arrangements to take this course. I am a real person with a real life and a real job. Real rent to pay, real bills to pay, and a real schedule to maintain. I found this completely unacceptable. What school would call you THREE HOURS before classes were to start to let you know that the course was «postponed» for 2 – 3 weeks. NMTI has no integrity, is unprofessional, and I sincerely hope I never have to interact with them again other than to obtain my transcript.
Disappointment upon disappointment…