Acupuncture

Graduate Academic Programs

Doctor of Acupuncture

Graduates of this program achieve full clinical competency to practice as an acupuncturist, and gain additional skills and knowledge in research literacy, advanced diagnostic studies, systems-based medicine, and professional development, and enhanced clinical training. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of clinical environments and work as part of multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (*)

In addition to the advanced foundation in the theory, philosophy, and practice of acupuncture found in the Doctor of Acupuncture program, this program prepares graduates to integrate Chinese herbal medicine into their practice. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of clinical environments and work as part of multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Master of Acupuncture

This program provides the fundamental skills and knowledge to achieve clinical competency and to become a licensed acupuncturist. Coursework includes the study of western medical models as well as the philosophy, theory, and clinical application of acupuncture. Graduates are prepared to treat patients on the levels of mind, body and spirit, and to work in various health and wellness settings, especially private and small group practices. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (*)

In addition to the fundamental skills and knowledge of the theory, philosophy, and practice of acupuncture found in the Master of Acupuncture program, this program prepares graduates to integrate Chinese herbal medicine into their practice. Graduates are prepared to work various health and wellness settings, especially private and small group practices. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine

The program provides licensed acupuncturists with the opportunity to add the use of Chinese herbs to their practice, and to broaden their skill base and their ability to offer patients an alternative or enhancement to treatment with needles. This unique program integrates Constitutional Five Element diagnosis into a deep understanding of Classical Chinese Medical perspectives. Graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). (*) MUIH has requested approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to change the titles of existing programs to these new titles, effective for students entering the program in the fall 2021 trimester and later. These changes and approvals from MHEC are pending.

Comparative Summary

Program key for the following comparative summary charts:

DAC = Doctor of Acupuncture

DACHM = Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization

MAC = Master of Acupuncture

MACHM = Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization

Program Highlights

Program Highlights	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
The only accredited graduate program to offer the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) training and related clinical experience as part of the curriculum.	✓	✓	✓	✓
The opportunity to work with a wide variety of clinical supervisors with different theoretical perspectives and practice styles.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Exposure to different clinical approaches such as: Chinese and Western nutrition therapy, qi gong, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, scalp acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and tuina.	✓	✓	✓	✓
The opportunity to see patients from diverse backgrounds and in community outreach settings.	✓	✓	✓	✓
The opportunity to engage in specialty courses in the treatment of certain health conditions and populations, including pain management and women’s health.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Flexible, full-time formats: two days each week, with some online courses, and occasional intensives and self-scheduled electives offered outside of the two-day schedule.	✓	✓	✓	✓
A cohort learning format that provides mentorship and flexibility for students to learn in small groups and in one-on-one settings during clinical rotation.	✓	✓	✓	✓
The opportunity to gain practical experience in prescribing Chinese herbs, and the management of a Chinese herbal dispensary.		✓		✓
The opportunity to experience integrative practices in at least one of several possible conventional healthcare settings.			✓	✓
The opportunity to enhance and deepen ones practice by sharpening diagnostic skills and additional specialization to confidently treat specific populations.			✓	✓

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
Apply a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the classical and theoretical foundations of the field of acupuncture.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Apply an understanding of biomedicine from an integrative and holistic perspective. X	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop a healing presence and healing connection between the patient and practitioner.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Articulate an understanding of the origin of symptoms and the direction and progression of conditions.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop and provide individualized acupuncture treatment plans that address overall health and wellness and bring about effective relief for physical pain conditions, chronic illness, particular physical, mental, and emotional conditions, and spiritual issues in their patients.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Translate western medical conditions into Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Participate in a fully holistic system of diagnosis and treatment, addressing all levels of being.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Apply business and practice management skills to ensure success as they enter the workforce.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop and provide individualized and integrated acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment plans that address overall health and wellness and bring about effective relief for physical pain conditions, chronic illness, particular physical, mental, and emotional conditions, and spiritual issues in their patients.		✓		✓
Prescribe and dispense Chinese herbs as part of an integrated treatment plan		✓		✓
Apply an understanding of various modalities and specialties and how to collaborate with those practitioners.			✓	✓
Use evidence-informed practices with patients.			✓	✓
Confidently interview and speak with other healthcare providers about acupuncture and Oriental medicine.			✓	✓
Participate and inform innovation occurring in acupuncture practice.			✓	✓

Program Overview

Program Overview	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
Total Credits	128.25	168.25	150.25	190.25
Total Instructional Hours	2,385	3,067.5	2,805	3,717
Years to Complete Program	3	4 to 4.3	3.7	4.3
Trimesters to Complete Program	9	12 to 13	11	13

Course Work

Course Work	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
Level 1 Courses^A	28.5cr	28.5cr	28.5cr	28.5cr
Level 2 Courses^A	41cr	41cr	41cr	41cr
Level 3 Courses^A	49.75cr	49.75cr	49.75cr	49.75cr
Bioscience Elective Courses	3cr	3cr	3cr	3cr
Flex Core Courses ^B	6cr	7cr	6cr	7cr
Chinese Herb Courses		39cr		39cr
Doctoral Courses			22cr	22cr

Acupuncture Clinic Experiences

Acupuncture Clinic Experiences	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
# Observations	30	30	30	30
# Primary Treatments	125	125	125	125
# Secondary Treatments	125	125	125	125
# Community Health Initiative Treatments	23	23	23	23
Evidence informed treatment, integrative clinic, or integrative case discussions			120 hours	120 hours

Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic Experiences

Chinese Herb Clinic Experiences	MAC	MACHM	DAC	DACHM
# Primary Treatments		40		40
# Secondary Treatments		65		65

A – Levels 1-3 Course Work

Students progress through three foundational levels of acupuncture training, each with an overarching theme that guides program goals and objectives. The trimesters flow and build from one to the next, and the coursework is sequenced to provide a rich and transformative educational experience, as summarized below.

Level 1

Students are introduced to MUIH’s foundational philosophical principles, living within the rhythms of nature, living with mindfulness, and the skillful and purposeful use of language as tools for being a powerful healing presence and catalyst for change. An intensive on healership that introduces students to the art, practice, and science of being a healing presence is followed by coursework designed to open up the power of observation and sensory awareness.

Level 2

Coursework delves deeper into the topics introduced in Level I, focusing on theory, diagnosis, treatment planning, and skills development. Students begin supervised clinical work and train at the oncampus faculty-supervised clinic and at the off-campus Community Clinic Sites. Near the end of this level, each student will take the Level II Comprehensive Exam. Upon passing the exam, the student may begin the expanded clinical portion of the program.

Level 3

Level III begins with a three-day off-campus retreat. The retreat serves as a bridge between the academic work of Levels I and II, and the clinical experience of Level III. Over the course of Level III, each student generates a minimum of 10 patients, and completes, under supervision, a minimum of 250 treatments. In addition, each student performs at least 180 treatments on patients at Community Clinic Sites (begun in Level II). Beyond the increased clinical focus, Level III coursework focuses more deeply on advanced topics in theory, diagnosis, treatment planning, and skills development.

B – Flex Core Courses

Flex core courses are core programmatic courses however they are categorized as “flex core” because of the flexibility of when a student can take these courses. All other programmatic courses follow a structured timeline.

Compare Herbal Medicine Programs at MUIH

MUIH offers herbal medicine programs that vary in their foundational philosophies and how herbs are used to promote health and wellness.

Overview

Your journey starts here. Programs now enrolling for Summer & Fall 2021.

What We Mean When We Say Change