Swedish Institute Reviews

"I’m an Alumni from Swedish and my experience was one that was challenging but meant to be in the end. I was an ST straight A student entering and continuing the program for the degree I was obtaining. Unfortunately NYC doesn’t see it for you when it comes to being a full time student living in low-income apartments. They consider even though you pay your own rent and utilities that that is considered full rooming and boarding and you’re not even living on a school campus. So I had to switch over to MA and I continued to soar and get all the knowledge and support I needed from Swedish. The teachers were involved and amazing and my journey flourished and I obtained my RMA Degree. I now work in Union with Mount Sinai Hospital and will be heading back to school in the future to obtain my Nurse Practitioners Degree."

"Save your money and run somewhere else! They only care about your money and that's it. When you're enrolling, you'll get calls from them multiple times but once you're in the school all that goes away. they only communicate with you if you owe them money, they'll send emails and send you notices in the mail but God forbid they owe you money, all of a sudden no one is available. Please, please be aware that they be over charging, make sure you fully understand the prices and check regularly on how much you're getting charged and what for. They're unprofessional and the only good thing I can say is that some of the teachers are really knowledgeable and care about their students and make sure they're getting the best education. If you're looking for a school where the education is worth the price, with good communication, professionalism and where students matter, this is not the school for you. They will play with your time and your money without a care."

"This has been the worst experience of my life, this school just wants your money first off, ive begged them for help sometimes and i wouldnt even get a response sometimes, the transfer out rate and graduation rate are almost the same just think of that how terrible ur school has to be that mostly everyone thats coming in is leaving. This is my third year with this hospital and i finally left they will have u waiting forever and sometimes they will leave you confused and stressed not knowing whats next please dont go down the wrong oath and choose this school im telling you guys this so you wouldnt make the same mistake i will!!! Please everyone dont go here and make there life miserable how they did to me!"

"My overall experience was great attending the Swedish Institute Nursing program. At first, I was very skeptical of the program because of the negative reviews. However, my experience was different. Many of the teachers are genuinely interested in student success. In addition, the nursing program is very fast pace. I quickly realized I had to commit 100% of myself to my studies to succeed. My clinical experience was also great. We were hands-on at the bedside of our patients in the hospital. Our clinical professors were very knowledgeable and helpful. They always encourage us to engage with our patients and ensure our assessment is done correctly. They were always an email or texted away. The fact that they made themself available for us was very helpful and comforting. In addition, our lab experience has exposed us to many high-tech simulations that mimic real-world patient scenarios. The program was well structured for an accelerated program. As a result, I was well prepared to pass the NCLEX on my first try two months after graduation. I am very grateful for my education at Swedish Institute, which has prepared me for my career."

"I had the good fortune to attend the Swedish Institute in 1988, receiving my Licensed Massage Therapist certification in 1989. The education was incredibly detailed in all aspects of the muscular system and how muscles cause pain. I took that education and enhanced it by getting my Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Health Education and have subsequently developed a unique style of therapy called the Julstro Method of Osteopathic Muscular Therapy. I've written multiple self-treatment books and developed a system that eliminates the muscular cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. None of this could have been possible without the strong foundation I received at the Swedish Institute. If you are looking for a career that is fulfilling, profitable, and where you can grow for years to come, I strongly recommend becoming a massage therapist. And, you can't find a better school to start you on that path than the Swedish Institute!"

"I graduated in April, 1989 and have been a full-time muscular therapist since that time. I specialize in the treatment of chronic pain and sports injuries, focusing only on the area that is causing pain and limited range-of-motion. The education I received was an excellent preparation for my career as it offered extensive education in muscles and why they cause pain. I highly recommend anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of others, giving them pain relief and flexibility, consider the Swedish Institute as their entree into this healing profession. You'll be glad you did!"

"I feel comfortable because the instructors here are friendly and so supporting. They will give their best to satisfy my curiosity. The facilities are also clean, well decorated, and homey. The lab now is having new intruments sets, and lab tutoring is always available on Fridays and Saturdays. It gives additional hours in the lab which is very helpful."

"I graduated from the Swedish Institute in 2019 and started my career as a License Massage Therapist in the state of NY right away. Everywhere I go the Swedish institute is recognized and seen in high regards. This is the best massage school in the country and likely the world. You get a sound, robust education and definitely solid preparation for the NYS board exam which is one with the most rigorous standards and requirements and the Swedish Institute raises the standards even higher in their Associate in Massage Therapy program. I have been exposed to therapists and clients from many states and countries and I have noticed how the education I received here has set me apart and open many doors. My employers, colleagues and clients are always very impressed by my training. This is an education that gives a solid foundation to go anywhere, even if you need to move to other states, it makes it so much easier to be already prepared to swiftly take a test and fulfill other states requirements. I feel very fortunate to have learned from their exceptional faculty that have decades of experience in the field and generously shared their knowledge and techniques acquired throughout their career, also keeping active and current in the profession is something very important because they bring current knowledge way beyond the books. You got to put your effort like anything else but they give you the resources and opportunities to build a solid foundation if you apply yourself and massage therapy is your passion and calling this is a great place to start."

"I graduated from the nursing program in 2017, when the program was in its infancy. Overall, I had an excellent experience with the program; the professors were knowledgeable, dedicated, and ultimately helped prepare me to pass the NCLEX exam. The accelerated nursing program is not for everyone and requires you to work hard but will set you up for success (passed the NCLEX in 75 questions, what more could you want!!)"

"I attended Swedish Institute from 2015-2017. The course work was challenging but exciting and the hands on instructors were the absolute best. The instructors helped prepare me for what it would be like in the real world. I was able to be a part of some great internships through the school. Right after I graduated and took the NYS exam, I moved to Texas. The extensive training I received at Swedish helped me land a job at a super luxurious spa that doesn’t hire newbies. I am grateful for my training and experience at Swedish."

"I am very pleased with the education received the Swedish Institute. As a recent graduate I found myself excelling effortlessly. This school really prepares you and gives the students all knowledge, tools and resources to be a leading successful massage therapist not years after graduating but right after finishing school you are already right at the level of experienced therapists. The clients I am seeing now think I have years of experience from the results and the way my work feels and information I give them when addressing their case or problem areas. My employers are incredibly pleased with my readiness and professionalism which the school really enforces in all classes. This is due in great part to the amazing experienced and active faculty members we are lucky to learn from and the extensive advanced curriculum in combination with an excellent clinic that allows as to get real experience which has come handy in my current practice. So if you take advantage of what this school offers, apply yourself and being a massage therapist is your calling this is the best school to go to."

"I attended SWEDISH and finished in 2 years. I can’t speak highly enough of my experience during my time there. The staff was so professional and armed with knowledge. I met great friends there. SWEDISH isn’t a program for someone who isn’t going to take the plunge and make the commitment. It’s hard work. You have to be committed and in the end, it’s worth it. You’ll have the best massage therapy education you can have and will have the confidence to work anywhere. It was recommended to me from a friend who graduated about a decade before me. I’m so glad I listened to her and took her advice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you attend an orientation there and see for yourself."

"The Swede has opened my mind to the many layers and approaches to massage work. I didnt realize what an incredible blessing I was in for when signing up for the massage program. The swede did not only teach me how to “rub” a body. It taught me how to creatively think and approach the body, how magical we are as human beings, how much our emotions are really our super power, and how to take your power back. I received an Associates degree in Occupational Studies, which I also didnt realize I would receive when signing up. I confidently recommend the Swedish Institute to anyone looking to begin, or further a career in the health or fitness fields. Going to Swedish is like therapy for your mind, body, AND soul. Plus the faculty and instructors are full of wisdom and passion, which makes learning a lot more enjoyable."

"I graduated Swedish Institute in 2001 and have had a career in therapeutic bodywork ever since. The SI curriculum prepared me for a career, not just a job. The world of massage and bodywork is a wide sea of possibilities, and with the education I received I was able to confer with chiropractors and physicians in their language about clients/patients who benefit from informed, knowledgeable treatment of soft tissue. Being equipped to do basic orthopedic testing allowed me to provide treatments that addressed the source of a client's problem rather than guessing and chasing pain; this, in turn, allowed me to build a private practice where clients trust they will receive knowledgeable care from an educated practitioner. I have more job satisfaction that I could have ever imagined. This school does not teach a cookie-cutter approach — you will learn more than you need to do spa massages; If you want a trade school, keep looking. Swedish Institute will prepare you to be a thinking bodywork professional."

"This school need more professional teachers. The lab coordinator should be fired. She is absolutely horrendous. She tries to intimidate and yell at every student to point that we are afraid to speak.Lab is antiquated and simulation is a joke. Just terrible. Worst educational decision I have ever made. Go to St.Paul's school of Nursing instead. I def should have. smh"

"I graduated in 2009 with an associates in a massage therapy. Since then Ive worked in various massage settings, cities and countries - day spas, chiropractic offices, gyms, luxury spas and private practice. The Swedish gave me a wonderful education in the standard Swedish massage approach as well as advanced Western technique training which gave me a solid foundation to execute skillful techniques in my sessions. Over the years, I continued to enhance my professional training with the continuing education classes the Swedish Institute provides throughout the year. I've also made wonderful personal and professional friends here."

"RUN This school is a profit scheme quite frankly. I came in just to inquire about MAYBE doing a massage program IN THE FUTURE at ANY school but they bullied me into signing up that week, saying school is about to start and if you dont register NOW you will miss classes! I hadn't even been fully sold on the idea of obtaining a 2nd degree. Every year they charge new students $5000 more (they told us this). Once I needed to take a semester off for work and the staff gave me the WRONG drop date, so I was then told I owed Swedish over $1000 during my time off in late drop fees to start the following semester. I said screw them, and went to class anyway, AND THE FEE MAGICALLY DISAPPEARED. (My friend had a similar incident. They make you appeal if you fail a class and some classes require a C+ to pass (oddly enough those irrelevant to massage therapy). Some textbooks are 500 pages and certain teachers are fantastic, but then there are those from other departments who come teach our program and couldn't be bothered less with inquires or adequate teaching. Aside from that, some teachers. I already called my teacher snapping at me mid lecture, to stop talking, when in fact another student was asking ME a question! What a welcome! Many teachers do not have degrees for what they are teaching (Neurology, Soft Tissue Assesmenent, etc) and a select few come from other professions totally (expect massage courses)! Students are given 30 mins to shovel food down their throats in a lunch room with 1-2 working microwaves for 200 students on lunch break at a given time. 30% of the curriculum are classes that are not only contrary to science, but are MANDATORY (not electives) and completely useless in the job world (Eastern modalities). A waste of time, money and intellect. Yet they DO NOT teach you hot stone massage, Indian Head Massage, wraps, scrubs or anything most spas require. Sports massage was literally a TWO DAY LESSON, and chair massage ( the most physically taxing), ONE DAY. If you want to learn in depth about any of the techniques to actually NEED in the spas, they will offer them as continuing education courses for hundreds of dollars per day, up to over a thousand for a few days course. PROFIT SCHEME at the benefit of investors, not students. Historically, the school is responsible for pushing the state legislation requiring 1200 hours of education and a special State licensure. Reason being is so that they can offer a pricey degree program at triple the rate of public colleges in the region. Had I been given more time to think about are schools, absolutely would have chosen a public college because not only are they affordable, but they would have my best interest adequate education and job placement. For 1200 hours of education, you can have an INTERNATIONAL MASSAGE CERTIFICATION (CIDESCO) that includes beauty and spa training. I would have preferred to have that.The best thing about the whole program was oddly enough, the Professional Development classes ( which even still were inadequate). They made gross exaggerations with how much money we can make (against accreditation rules), and should have expanded their classes about massage and business. In fact, a dual degree with spa management (or at least electives) is vastly more useful than any one energetic massage class taught! Alas, there were none offered. Nor did they speak about national and international certifications to expand our horizons. In hindsight, it's probably so that you stay in NYC to take their costly Continuing Education courses! With all the bad reviews about false representation and lack of adequate studies (in Nursing, Massage, etc), I honestly wonder how they are able to keep accreditation, or who they are paying to do so. This school should be reported."

"First and foremost I’d like to say that Swedish Institute changed my life, and all for the better. Initially when I decided to attend Swedish, I was just seeking formal allied health training so that I could land an entry level position as a Medical Assistant. I not only received a marketable and professional certification from Swedish: I also gained life long mentors, I was able to take part in extensive community service events, land an excellent externship at a leading Pediatric clinic in the NYC area, and gain the confidence I needed to be successful in the future endeavors. The instructors at Swedish are a GEM — why? Because you can tell they care so long as the student puts forth the effort. Pay close attention to me when I say this: they will help you succeed and they want you better your life. The classrooms are simulated like an actual clinic/hospital setting, the massage classrooms all look very professional, the “operating room” is state of the art — everything about Swedish is top notch. Not to mention, the location made for an easy commute. Swedish isn’t like your traditional college, it’s fast paced and they prepare you for that professional job you want. In my opinion and through much personal life experience, education regardless of what school you attend is what YOU (the student) make of it. I would never trade my time at Swedish for anything else! To this day, I miss my mentors and my peers - it was such a positively life altering chapter in my life and I’m forever grateful."

"I graduated from The Swedish Institute's Advanced Personal Training degree program with an associates in Exercise Physiology in 2016. The instructors there were very caring and helpful. The staff in the finical aid office were very helpful as well. I was former military and they made the transition very easy and understandable for me. I recently graduated from LIU Brooklyn with a degree in Sports Science and I owe it all to the Swedish Institute. I feel that the Swedish Institute allowed me to articulate eloquently why it is that we do what we do with our bodies and how we do it. The anatomy, the science, and the business. When I got to LIU I felt super prepared and nothing caught me off guard. In fact I felt like I knew just as much or if not, more than the professors when it came to exercise science. If you are thinking about attending The Swedish Institute for the personal training program I advise that you do it now!!!"

"The Massage Therapy program at the Swedish Institute is hands-down fantastic. I felt incredibly prepared and ready to go out and interview and secure jobs. We were also thoroughly prepared for the state board exam required for licensure (honestly, if you can't pass this, you shouldn't be an LMT). The faculty are amazing and passionate, I never had a bad experience with any instructor and have definitely made some life-long connections with many. I've had really great success so far being a massage therapist and I'm looking forward to many more years to come! Seriously, Swedish sets you up entirely for success, as long as you are dedicated and put in the time and effort that is required to be a knowledgeable and trustworthy LMT. Thank you, Swedish Institute!"