Becoming A Licensed ACUPUNCTURIST
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Why Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
As a big healthcare trend, traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is becoming more and more popular among Westerners. The chemical ingredients in Western medicine have many side effects. In contrast, Chinese medicine, being from natural herbs, belongs to the dietary supplement category in the United States. The risks of acupuncture are minimal too.
Acupuncture is required to be covered
In California acupuncture is required to be covered by insurance by the law. In the United States, the practitioners are called Acupuncturists after obtaining a license.
Increasing popularity of traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM doesn’t have high public awareness in the community. Many people do not know it, and do not know that they can get a license of it. There are 40,000 to 50,000 acupuncturists in the United States, among whom about 30,000 are in California.
Why Alhambra Medical University (AMU)
Accessible – All doctorate courses can be taken online; most master courses can be taken online currently.
Affordable – Low tuition fees and low financial pressure on students. The cost of getting a master’s degree is about $47,000 which is equivalent to one year of undergraduate tuition at a private university in California. Federal grants are available for those who qualify, which may offset two years’ tuition. Interest-free federal student loans are also available for master’s program students. Extremely low tuition for the doctorate students.
Accelerated – For those who want to enroll in our master program to become an acupuncturist, only 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits from a regionally accredited college are required. The fastest time to get a master’s degree is three years (12 quarters) and then a doctorate degree in one extra year (4 quarters). Our diversified student body comes from a variety of professions including many healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, chiropractors, physical therapists, natural therapists as well as medical imaging technicians), law enforcement agents, attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, etc.
Our Selective Quality Courses
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Introduce students to the history and development of East and Western Medicine with reference to Traditional Chinese Literary classics; cover the basic principles and theories to TCM; teach the OM Diagnosis through detailed methodology in TCM; cover the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of illness in TCM.
Acupuncture
Introduction to the basic theory of meridians, classification of acupuncture points and systems of nomenclature; study of the acupoints on the 14 meridians, including names and anatomical locations, 15 collateral points, 8 extra channels and non-channel points; cover the usage of the regular and special acupuncture points and their traditional functions in the treatment.
Herbal Medicine
Identify Latin classifications of plants used in Western medicine as well as major plants used in TCM with focus on botanical nomenclature; the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; Chinese Herbal Formulas for various clinical applications, the concepts of Oriental Medical nutritional theory; six Channel diagnosis, Zang-fu diagnosis, the therapeutic process and prognosis for cold-induced disorders etc.
Clinical Practice
This Curriculum is the cumulation of the program and is designed to integrate and apply all aspects of the program to enable interns to deliver effective care. The internship enables interns to demonstrate a thorough understanding of clinical diagnosis and treatment skills, who are expected to perform “solo practice” and assume primary responsibility for treating patients.
Learn from previous students & hear what they say about our programs
★★★★★ 5/5
During a challenging menopause, I sought acupuncture treatment and found it quite effective. I think acupuncture treatment can be more effective than conventional therapies alone. Fortunately, this awareness led to my enrollment in Alhambra Medical University’s MSAOM program. A few years later, I accepted a position as clinical research nurse and certified clinical research professional (CCRP) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. At Cedars I was fortunate to participate in a research project conducted by the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center studying the relationship between menopause and acupuncture. The results indicated an effective outcome for menopause sufferers. In my diverse practice, I wholeheartedly believe that the integration of Western and Oriental medicines can yield powerful and beneficial outcomes for our patients.
Sally C. | L. Ac., MSAOM
★★★★★ 5/5
Ms. Wang was initially drawn to a career in engineering until she benefited from oriental medicine herself. She was able to quickly equip herself and established a solid foundation in TCM from AMU. She also received practical guidance from AMU. She graduated at the end of 2013 as the top student of the class and immediately obtained her state License as an Acupuncturist in early 2014.
In early 2015, AHMC Health System recruited Ms. Wang and she is now the director of Acupuncture Department in the Wellness Center. Ms. Wang already received two annual Awards of Excellence from AHMC Health System.
As an outstanding alumna, she was recruited as a lecturer to teach Acupuncture Anatomy at AMU. Ms. Wang is also the first and only AMC alumna who currently serves on the medical staff at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center.
Elaine W. | L. Ac., MSAOM