The Praxis Institute

What The Praxis Institute does

The Praxis Institute is a private, for-profit vocational healthcare training institution headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a second campus in Hialeah. Founded in 1988 (originally as America Duran Skin Care, Massage & Nail School and renamed in 1999 after an ownership change), it operates as a Title IV-participating, Council on Occupational Education-accredited school licensed by the Florida Department of Education. Its core products are six diploma programs — Advanced Therapeutic Sports & Clinical Massage (750 hours), Therapeutic Massage Technician (540 hours), Dental Assistant (900 clock hours over 11 months), Pharmacy Technician, Patient Care Technician (750 hours), and Advanced Aesthetic Science — together with a continuing education division serving working healthcare professionals for license renewal. Programs are delivered through a hybrid model combining online theoretical instruction with on-campus labs and clinical externships at partner healthcare sites, using professional-grade equipment and structured clinical hours.

The institution monetizes primarily through one-time tuition payments per diploma, typically in the $13,900–$15,300 range, supplemented by continuing education fees. Pricing is positioned as competitive, with a net price calculator published and Title IV federal financial aid (Pell Grants, FSEOG, Direct Loans) available to qualifying students. Its primary customer segments are aspiring adult healthcare workers seeking rapid workforce entry and Spanish-speaking learners in South Florida; a secondary segment is licensed professionals pursuing CEUs. Differentiation rests on stacked regulatory accreditations (ASHP/ACPE, DANB, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, PTCB CSPT), bilingual English/Spanish instruction, weekly enrollment flexibility, in-person campus tours and sit-in observation as part of the admissions flow, and embedded certification pathways through NCBTMB, NHA, PTCB, Manual Lymph Drainage Institute International, and the International Academy of Neuromuscular Therapies.

The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: prospective students engage via the praxis.edu website, paid and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter), phone and email outreach, WhatsApp for Spanish-speaking prospects, and on-campus tours and interviews. Job placement and completion rates are publicly disclosed outcomes (Therapeutic Massage Technician placement 90.25%, Advanced Massage placement 91.03%, completion within normal time 89.59%), supporting the Career Services-led conversion motion. Leadership is concentrated under Executive Director and Chief Administrator Rebeca Alfie with her brother Flavio Alfie serving as Title IX Coordinator at the Hialeah campus, indicating a family-operated governance structure with no disclosed external investors or parent company.

Name

The Praxis Institute

Legal name

The Praxis Institute

Website

https://praxis.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Praxis Institute is a private, Title IV-accredited vocational school in Miami and Hialeah, Florida, offering bilingual diploma programs in massage therapy, dental assisting, pharmacy technology, patient care, and medical esthetics to adult learners seeking entry into healthcare careers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Healthcare Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC), Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Vocational healthcare training
• Massage therapy programs
• Dental assistant training
• Pharmacy technician education
• Continuing education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from tuition charges for diploma programs in healthcare fields including massage therapy, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, patient care technician, and advanced aesthetic science. Additional revenue from program fees, books, and supplies.
2. Continuing Education: Postgraduate and post-professional classes and credits offered to healthcare professionals for license renewals and professional development, including ACPE-accredited courses for pharmacy technicians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Praxis Institute is a private vocational school that sells accredited diploma programs in allied-health fields—massage therapy, dental assisting, pharmacy technology, patient care technology, and advanced aesthetic science—delivered through a hybrid model of online theory, on-campus lab training, and supervised clinical externships. It also sells continuing education courses (CEUs) to licensed healthcare professionals for license renewal and professional development. Programs are offered in English and Spanish across two South Florida campuses with weekly enrollment and Title IV financial aid eligibility.

Product overview

The Praxis Institute is a healthcare training institution offering vocational diploma programs and continuing education courses. The portfolio consists of six main diploma programs (Advanced Therapeutic Sports & Clinical Massage, Therapeutic Massage Technician, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Advanced Aesthetic Science, and Patient Care Technician) plus a continuing education division. Programs are designed for rapid workforce entry with flexible scheduling, bilingual instruction in English and Spanish, and financial aid options for qualifying students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Therapeutic, Sports & Clinical Massage Program A 750-hour diploma program that teaches advanced massage techniques including deep tissue, electrostimulation, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, neuromuscular therapy, spa therapies, and manual lymphatic drainage. Students complete 115 or more supervised clinical services and earn certification eligibility through partnerships with the Manual Lymph Drainage Institute International and International Academy of Neuromuscular Therapies. Intended for aspiring massage therapists pursuing Florida licensure and clinical practice roles.
• Therapeutic Massage Technician Program A 540-hour foundational diploma program providing training in therapeutic massage techniques, anatomy, hydrotherapy, Florida state law, massage theory, and business principles. Students complete 60+ clinical services and are prepared for Florida state licensure and NCBTMB certification, with careers in spas, chiropractic practices, fitness centers, assisted-living facilities, or private practice.
• Dental Assistant Program An 11-month comprehensive diploma program with 900 clock hours (390 theory, 390 lab, 120 externship), covering dental procedures, radiography, infection control, laboratory techniques, and clinical externship. Total program cost $15,300 (tuition $14,000, fees $100, books and supplies $1,200). Graduates prepared for entry-level dental assisting roles in dental offices, clinics, and specialty practices.
• Pharmacy Technician Program ASHP- and ACPE-accredited diploma program that trains students in sterile and non-sterile compounding, medication administration, pharmacy calculations, and includes externship training. Prepares graduates for PTCB certification and state licensure for work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. The Praxis Institute is designated as a PTCB CSPT education and training provider.
• Advanced Aesthetic Science Program A comprehensive, hands-on diploma program preparing students for careers in medical esthetics. Curriculum covers clinical facial techniques, chemical peels, LED therapy, microdermabrasion, RF treatments, and mesotherapy, rooted in science, technology, and ethical practice.
• Patient Care Technician Program A multi-occupational program with 750 total hours (344 theory, 246 lab, 160 externship) that trains students in patient care, EKG, and phlebotomy. Includes 11 modular units with 6 occupational completion points and prepares graduates for CPCT/A national certification through the National Healthcareer Association for roles in hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
• Continuing Education Courses Postgraduate courses for healthcare professionals including massage therapists, pharmacy technicians, physical therapist assistants, and occupational therapist assistants. Offers CEUs for license renewals and professional development, including ACPE-accredited pharmacy continuing education courses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90.25% job placement rate for Therapeutic Massage Technician graduates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for massage therapy certification preparation. Graduates of massage programs are prepared to sit for NCBTMB certification exams for licensure and professional credentials.
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Patient Care Technician certification. Graduates are eligible to take the CPCT/A exam administered by NHA for professional certification.
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated as PTCB CSPT education provider. Graduates qualify for Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician certification after one year of full-time sterile compounding experience, compared to three years without this training.
• Manual Lymph Drainage Institute InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Holistic Manual Lymphatic Drainage certification within the Advanced Massage program. Certification granted upon completion of coursework.
• International Academy of Neuromuscular TherapiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Neuromuscular Therapy certification within the Advanced Massage program. Certification granted through this partnership upon completion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ATA College: Small for-profit vocational healthcare training institution offering diploma programs in massage therapy, dental assisting, and pharmacy technology. Comparable on program mix, scale, and Title IV-funded delivery model.
• Florida Career College: Florida-based for-profit vocational school with campuses across the state offering allied health diploma programs including dental assisting, pharmacy technician, and patient care technician. Closely comparable on regulatory framework, program portfolio, and target student demographic in the same state.
• Southern Technical College: Florida-based for-profit vocational institution offering diploma programs in massage therapy, dental assisting, pharmacy technician, and other allied health fields. Directly comparable on geographic market, accreditation profile, and program structure, with multiple Florida campus locations.
• Concorde Career Colleges: Multi-campus for-profit vocational healthcare training institution offering diploma and associate programs in dental assisting, pharmacy technician, massage therapy, and patient care. Directly comparable to The Praxis Institute in program mix, target student demographic, and Title IV-funded delivery model, though Concorde operates at significantly larger scale across multiple states.

Broad incumbents

• Fortis College: National for-profit vocational healthcare education network operated by Education Affiliates, offering diploma and associate programs across allied health fields. Comparable on program mix and Title IV model, but operates at materially larger scale and broader geographic footprint as a national incumbent.
• Miami Dade College: Large public community college serving the Miami-Dade area with extensive healthcare workforce programs including dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, and nursing pathways. Comparable geographic market and healthcare training focus, but operates as a public institution at substantially larger scale and lower tuition.
• Keiser University: Florida-based not-for-profit university offering associate, bachelor, and graduate degrees including allied health programs. Comparable on Florida geographic footprint and healthcare training focus, but operates as a degree-granting institution at significantly larger scale than a diploma-focused vocational school.
• Lincoln Tech: National for-profit vocational education provider with allied health programs including dental assisting, pharmacy technician, and patient care. Comparable on for-profit vocational model and Title IV funding, but operates nationally with broader program portfolio beyond healthcare.

Emerging players

• Galen College of Nursing: Specialized for-profit nursing and healthcare vocational institution offering diploma and associate programs with a focus on nursing and patient-facing roles. Partial overlap with Praxis on patient care technician and pharmacy technician adjacent training, but with primary focus on nursing as core discipline.

Others

• AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association): National professional membership association for massage therapists that Praxis is a member of. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem partner that influences curriculum standards, CE requirements, and professional credibility in the massage therapy training market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/praxisinstitute
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsN7wIe9j4DUSASgCMbFyqA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PraxisInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-praxis-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/praxisinstitute

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Praxis Institute