Acupuncture

Overview

MUIH is no longer accepting applications for admission to its acupuncture and herbal medicine programs.

For additional information, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at or 443-906-5745.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are 2500-year-old healing systems that are increasingly in demand by consumers and conventional medical practitioners and systems. They are proven to be effective for the treatment of many health challenges and provide a number of career paths for those who are called to this fulfilling work. MUIH was the first accredited acupuncture school in the nation in 1985.

MUIH offers doctoral and master’s degrees and a graduate certificate in acupuncture and herbal medicine.

The doctoral and master’s programs prepare students to achieve full clinical competency in acupuncture and to become highly skilled, integrative acupuncturists. Each program has unique characteristics that prepare students for different career tracks and aspirations. The graduate certificate provides acupuncturists with specialized skills and knowledge in the use of herbal medicine to enhance their practice.

Click here to view a comparative summary of the doctoral and master’s programs, including the program highlights, learning outcomes, and curriculum for each.

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.

Doctoral Completion Program

The Doctoral Completion programs provide a pathway for alumni of MUIH’s Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization, and Master of Oriental Medicine programs to earn the Doctor of Acupuncture or Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization.

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).

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
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the history and foundational theories of acupuncture and its different traditions.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the tradition of Constitutional Five Element Acupuncture and Eight Principle treatment strategies.	✓	✓
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the tradition of Constitutional Five Element Acupuncture, Eight Principle treatment strategies and its different traditions.			✓	✓
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Chinese Herbs from a unique integration of Constitutional Five Element perspectives, classical Chinese medicine, Eight Principle diagnosis, and Zang-Fu differentiation.		✓		✓
Express an understanding of the biomedical theories of health and disease relevant to the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Demonstrate effective communication with a wide variety of professional colleagues.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop a healing presence both personally and professionally that will facilitate growth as a practitioner.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop specialization in the treatment of certain health conditions and populations.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Demonstrate support of clients at all levels of being – body, mind, and spirit.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Understand the business and practice management skills that will ensure success in the workforce.	✓	✓	✓	✓
Develop a collaborative approach to health care.			✓	✓
Be an effective clinician/educator in an integrative care setting.			✓	✓
Be able to communicate effectively with other health care providers regarding the results of diagnostic studies.			✓	✓
Understand research and scholarship in the field of health and wellness.			✓	✓

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.