WILLISTON, N.D. - WSC's Massage Therapy Program Director, Wendy McGinley, traveled to Bismarck, Monday, August 7 to accept the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education's (NDDCTE) 2017 Director's Award of Excellence in the Health and Sciences area for the college's Massage Therapy program.

The Director's Award of Excellence is an acknowledgement of superior career and technical education programs in North Dakota from secondary, postsecondary, or continued education levels that have been operational for at least two years. 

"This honor is a direct reflection of [WSC's] commitment and dedication to the students of [the surrounding] community," stated Department of Career and Technical Education Assistant State Director, Mark Wagner.  

One of only four schools offering massage therapy in North Dakota, WSC was recognized as the only community college and the only program on the western side of the state. Additionally, WSC received the Director's Award of Excellence for exceeding the national examination pass rate standard (72%) every year for the past three years with a pass rate of 100%.  

"Receiving this recognition is a huge accomplishment for this program," explained McGinley. "We have a lot of great Massage Therapists coming out of WSC and this honor is just as much theirs as it is ours." 

Averaging seven to eight students per year since 2010, WSC offers a certificate and an Associate in Applied Science   Students are required to completed a minimum of 75 hours of observed massages in the student clinic and an additional 75 or more hours massaging outside of the student clinic.  

WSC Massage Therapy program opens its Massage Clinic to the community two days a week each October with a suggested donation of $20.  

If you would like to schedule a massage, please call the clinic at 701.774.4297.

For any information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.