Who Studies Shiatsu?

Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and represent all ages.  For our older students, shiatsu may be a second or even a third career.  An increasing number of our students are entering the SSC directly from university or community college.  Many people, however, still discover shiatsu in their youth and come directly to the SSC from high school.

While the SSC attracts many students who have a background in health care, we also have students from quite different backgrounds.  Our students include artists, dancers, musicians, lawyers, engineers, etc.  Many have no prior training in shiatsu or the healing arts.  People have come to the school from across Canada and abroad including the United States, Europe, Russia, Mexico, and South America.  

Career Prospects

Demand for shiatsu is growing as people work to educate the public on shiatsu's health benefits.  Insurance companies are becoming aware of the cost benefits possible, as well as the medical advantages of shiatsu.  With an aging population and growing demand for holistic care, the demand for and acceptance of shiatsu will grow too.

The 2200-hour shiatsu graduate enjoys the skills and knowledge to have a definite competitive edge. Graduates work in a variety of situations. Some establish a private practice by working at home.  Some do house calls.  Many rent their own office, or share office space with other shiatsu therapists or with health care professionals such as massage therapists or chiropractors. Spas, health clubs and sports clubs also hire shiatsu therapists. Public education and teaching are other career options.  

Hands-on Experience

During the course of study, students do extensive practical work on other students, at school-supervised demonstrations of shiatsu at public events, and in special class treatments to seniors, friends and special cases.  The Student Clinic serves as the clinical teaching facility of the SSC and provides low-cost care to people in Toronto and the surrounding area.  Students, under the supervision of specially trained and experienced SSC graduates, gain practical experience. The SSC Student Clinic has an average of 500 client visits a month.

Why a Private Career College School?

1.    The primary reason private career colleges exist is to provide the most effective training within the most reasonable period of time. At the SSC our curriculum is skills based and career focused. We know the shiatsu marketplace and what our graduates need to compete.

2.      Shiatsu is the very heart of our school, a way of life - not just a business, and not just another program among many.

3.    We have a track record in providing shiatsu training since 1986.  Here you can thrive in a tried and tested program, not suffer through a new and unproven program. 

4.    Our faculty is highly qualified and experienced.  We select instructors not only for their clinical know-how, but also for their strong teaching skills.

5.    Our excellent clinic prepares students for "real world" situations with real clients.  The clinic is established and the clientele is varied and challenging.

6. We are committed to each student's success.  In the great traditions of the East, we honour our students - mind, body and soul.  At the SSC there are no anonymous faces lost in a large student body.  We are large enough to provide the services that students require, yet small enough to afford our students individual attention.  

What Makes Us Different from All the Rest?

The Shiatsu School of Canada has developed an intensive, comprehensive program that exposes shiatsu students to both Eastern and Western approaches to health and well-being.  Below are ten reasons to consider studying at the Shiatsu School of Canada.

Ten Reasons to study at the Shiatsu School of Canada

1.  Portability...   
The 2200-hour program is the highest standard in the world and SSC graduates can practice virtually anywhere in the world.

2.  Small Classes...  
Because our classes are small, (usually ranging from 25 to 35 students) we can provide the atmosphere most favourable to learning and the growth and development of the student. Our classes are small enough to allow for the individual attention students need and large enough for a positive group dynamic.

3.  East Meets West...  
Our program is designed to facilitate our students' understanding of both Eastern and Western medicine as they develop their shiatsu skills.  The SSC curriculum includes a demanding Western science component.  With this exposure to both Western medical sciences and Oriental medicine, our shiatsu graduates can effectively communicate with Western medical practitioners about diagnosis and treatment.

4.  Expert Faculty... 
More than 25 health practitioners and professionals teach at the SSC.  Faculty members are experienced lecturers and practitioners.   Our shiatsu instructors are all practicing shiatsu therapists. 

5.  HANDS-ON LEARNING...  
SSC students begin learning and practicing shiatsu within the first term of training.  The students familiarize themselves with the flow of a shiatsu treatment and begin to get a feel for the therapeutic benefits of shiatsu from the onset of their program.  After passing the clinical competency examination, the students begin 272 hours in the Student Clinic. Students also do extensive practical work on other students, at school-supervised demonstrations of shiatsu, and in special class treatments to seniors, friends and others.  

6.    HIGH JOB PLACEMENT...  
Graduates of the SSC program have a high job placement rate. As well SSC graduates have a very high pass rate on the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario's board examinations.

7.  IN THE TRADITION OF JAPAN... 
Our Senior Advisor to the Shiatsu and Acupuncture Programs, Kaz Kamiya, has over 25 years experience training shiatsu therapists and as a practitioner of Oriental medicine.  He apprenticed with Shizuto Masunaga, the renowned teacher and author of Zen Shiatsu.

8.  Worldwide recognition 
The training provided at SSC is rated as having the one of the highest standards outside of Japan. Students are eligible to become members of the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario and other international associations..

9.  CONTINUING EDUCATION...  
Our continuing education program enables the shiatsu graduate to keep up with the latest developments in shiatsu and related healing arts.

10.   ALUMNI GUILD...  
The SSC has an active Alumni Guild that offers many benefits including seminars and a newsletter.  

Recognition

The Shiatsu School of Canada Inc. (established 1986) is registered and approved as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act.

Graduates of the Shiatsu School of Canada are entitled to use the designation Dipl.S.T.®, a professional designation that stands for Diplomate in Shiatsu Therapy.  The Shiatsu School of Canada is approved by the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario (STAO).
Our shiatsu graduates are eligible to apply for membership in and certification by the STAO.  Only a member of the STAO is entitled to use the designation 'Certified Shiatsu Therapist' (CST®).

STANDARD REPORTING FORM FOR PERFORMANCE INDICATORS       

Shiatsu Therapy Diploma Program 2003/04          
Graduate Employment Rate  100.0% 
Graduation Rate 90.9%     
Default Rate  33% (2005)

This is a list of the most current information on graduate placement (employment) rates, graduation rates, and OSAP student loan default rates for former students who attended these programs at this institution.  These programs are offered every September.

Notes:

Default Rates were calculated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Default Rate =  
# of students who last received OSAP in 2002/03 and defaulted on their student loan as of July 2004
# of students who last received on OSAP loan in 2002/03

Employment Rates and Graduation Rates were calculated by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.

Graduate Placement Rate = 
# of 2002/03 graduates employed 6 months after graduation
# of 2002/03 graduates employed or unemployed 6 months after graduation.

Graduation Rate =     
# of graduates in 2003/04
# of entrants who were scheduled to graduate in 2003/04

What Our Graduates Have To Say...

"Really you don't realize how much you get from the Shiatsu School of Canada until you are out on your own as a practicing shiatsu therapist.  The School gave me the tools and resources to be confident in my practice.  The resources at the School are just fantastic.  For example, the instructor who teaches pathology gave me the tools to do medical research, to get the information I need, and then to make sense of that information in both Western and Eastern Medical terms. 

The School gave me the best of both worlds.  The foundation makes you have more confidence in yourself.  Although learning is life long, with the training you get at the Shiatsu School of Canada, you are completed as a shiatsu therapist.  You have the basics to succeed.  The Shiatsu School of Canada has the best program bar none."

If you are considering shiatsu as a career, I'd say go for it ...  There's a lot of people craving shiatsu.  People want touch and, as shiatsu therapists, we have a gift.  Shiatsu is the ability to touch and help heal.  And people want that so much.  They need it."   

Darlene Corkett, Dipl.S.T., CST

"I would just like to express my appreciation to you for giving me the necessary tools to develop a successful shiatsu practice.
Clinic experience gave us exposure to a wide variety of people and situations to draw on in future.  The workload was overwhelming at times but help was always available and the staff gave 110%.  The demos arranged for us to promote our businesses are invaluable and it's very supportive to keep in touch with the school and class mates at the same time."  

Maria Latimer, Dipl.S.T., CST  

 

"My time at the Shiatsu School of Canada was very enjoyable.  I particularly liked the level of western sciences - the classes were challenging and informative.  I now have the confidence to relate to other practitioners in a variety of fields.  The eastern philosophy was new to me but I found it intriguing.  Having the balance of knowledge between the eastern and western sciences has made me a very versatile practitioner when it comes to treating my patients."

Brandon Stevens, Dipl.S.T., CST