TABLE OF CONTENTS PHILOSOPHY & MISSION A Message from the Founder... 3 History of the College... 4 Mission... 5 Educational Objectives... 6 Accreditation... 7 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Training at Tri-State... 9 Acupuncture Year-by-Year Overview... 11 Chinese Herbology Year-by-Year Overview... 13 PROGRAMS OF STUDY Master of Science Degree Programs: Overview... 15 Program in Acupuncture... 16 Program in Oriental Medicine / Chinese Herbology... 32 FACULTY PROFILES Core Faculty... 38 Adjunct faculty... 43 STUDENT LIFE Facilities... 50 Student Services & Policies... 50 ADMISSIONS & REQUIREMENTS Admissions... 53 Graduation Requirements... 55 Licensing & Certification... 57 Academic Policies.... 58 TUITION & FINANCIAL AID Tuition & Fees... 60 Financial Aid... 60 Financial Policies... 61 Students are held responsible for the information contained in this catalogue and in the Student and Clinic Handbooks. The college reserves the right to append, amend or repeal any of its regulations, rules, policies and/or fees with thirty days written notice. Tri-State College of Acupuncture, 80 Eighth Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10011 www.tsca.edu tel. 212.242.2255 fax 212.242.2920
2 Philosophy & Mission
Philosophy & Mission A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER From the beginning of the college s history in 1979, my goal was to infuse the curriculum with all of the excitement, mystery and intellectual curiosity I felt in reading the original texts of French meridian acupuncture. I wanted to develop a place where an honest and open inquiry might be undertaken into the breadth and scope of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and its role in American healthcare. For over three decades the college has been at the forefront of the development of the profession of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) in North America. The college s faculty and board members have included commissioners on the national accreditation and certification commissions, council of colleges, and national and state societies, as well as the New York State Acupuncture Board. In addition to a passion for AOM education and practice, these pioneer faculty members and I donated our energy and commitment to fostering the AOM profession in this county, based on rigorous national standards of excellence that protect the public safety and improve the quality of healthcare available. The teachings of the college are based on classical Chinese theories, informed by modern East Asian adaptations of these teachings from the People s Republic of China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Korea, as well as Western adaptations from Europe and Canada. The college s senior faculty come from various traditions, and represent a diversity of practice styles that enrich the learning experience for students who benefit immensely from this broad exposure, which is informed by the Classics and made relevant to 21st century health care. At the same time, students are taught practical integrative protocols that enable them to select the most appropriate elements from several styles to forge the best treatment plan for their patients: a pragmatic approach that will stay with them throughout their AOM careers. Graduates leave with a dedication to lifelong learning and the tools to make this learning possible. It is my dream that students will leave the college with a profound respect for the entirety of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and a commitment to furthering the development of this medicine, infused with the classic knowledge and mystery of the East and the pragmatic spirit of the West. Mark D. Seem, Ph.D. Founder 3
HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE T ri-state College of Acupuncture, one of the first acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs in the United States, was founded in 1979 as an affiliate of the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Montreal. Initially operating as Tri-State Institute of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, the college s core curriculum was based on the then ten-year-old curriculum of the Montreal Institute, which was approved by the International Society of Acupuncture in Paris. Tri-State Institute was a founding member of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1982. Originally located in Stamford, ct, the Institute was incorporated as a freestanding professional vocational school in 1981 and was approved by the Connecticut Commissioner of Education in 1982. The first class graduated in 1983, and a class has graduated each year thereafter. After the passage of New York State s current acupuncture licensing law, the Institute was approved to open a New York branch in February 1993. The main campus was moved to its present location in Manhattan the next year. The Institute was approved by the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) to offer the Master of Science Degree Program in Acupuncture in 1999, achieving its status as a college. In 2001, the college was also approved to offer the Master of Science Degree Program in Oriental Medicine. The college was founded by Mark D. Seem, ph.d., a graduate of the Montreal Institute, and a pioneer in the development of Acupuncture in the United States and abroad. A renowned author, practitioner, and international lecturer, Dr. Seem was a founding commissioner on the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and served on the original examination committee for six years. Seem also served as the first president of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Members of the college s current and former board and faculty have served extensively on national and state associations and boards and have helped craft legislation regulating the practice of acupuncture. Some have also played a major role in the establishment of national testing procedures and standards through their work on the NCCAOM. 4
Philosophy & Mission MISSION Tri-State College of Acupuncture provides an education that honors classical traditions and contemporary approaches to acupuncture and oriental medicine (AOM) and is committed to training highly skilled independent healthcare practitioners capable of working in a variety of settings. The college is also committed to educating healthcare providers and the general public. The college intends to achieve this mission by adhering to the following specific aims: To develop a modern, expanded, integrative definition of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine that incorporates the core values and competencies necessary for healthcare professionals of the 21st century. To train students in a diversity of styles of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, through exposure to senior practitioners trained in East Asian, European, and North American traditions. To develop protocols that facilitate the integration of different styles and traditions of Acupuncture and Oriental Medical practice, as well as the integration of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with conventional and Complementary and Alternative medical approaches. To ground the educational programs of the college in a competency-based model where experience comes first. To infuse the curriculum with the practice of mindfulness from the East and the spirit of research from the West. To employ innovative teaching approaches including critical thinking, problem and case-based learning, reflective practice, evidence-based learning and creative thinking. To explore the possibility of developing and implementing research projects aimed at mainstreaming classical and modern acupuncture techniques and practices. To explore the possibility of developing and implementing research into innovative approaches to acupuncture and Oriental medicine education. To provide post-graduate education to licensed acupuncturists and other healthcare professionals in all aspects of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and related disciplines, through advanced credit-bearing programs and continuing education courses. To encourage the college s students, faculty, and alumni to actively participate in both state and national Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine associations and projects for the public good. 5
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES 1. 2. 3. Master of Science Degree graduates will each demonstrate a level of maturity required to work as an Independent Acupuncture Provider or Independent Oriental Medical Provider capable of mindful observation and consideration of the complexity of the patient-practitioner relationship, with the intention of becoming a lifelong learner and reflective practitioner. Graduates from the m.s. Degree program in Acupuncture will possess a knowledge of, and demonstrate the necessary skills and competencies in, diverse classical acupuncture styles, including Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and French-meridian acupuncture, and will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in the safe and effective treatment of patients. Graduates from the m.s. Degree program in Oriental Medicine will possess a knowledge of, and demonstrate the necessary skills and competencies in, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbology. Graduates will be able to apply their combined knowledge and skills in acupuncture and in Chinese herbology in the safe and effective treatment of patients. 4. Graduates of both Masters degree programs will be able to: interview and evaluate patients utilizing appropriate diagnostic methodologies; organize and analyze the information gathered to formulate an AOM diagnosis and treatment plan; provide effective treatment by choosing appropriate modalities and techniques; modify treatments according to changes in the patient s presentation. 5. 6. 7. Graduates will be able to utilize the college s unique AOM integrative protocol in combination with their knowledge and practical skills to determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Graduates will be proficient in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions typically treated by licensed acupuncturists in North America, and will be aware of, and sympathetic to, the many factors that influence health, such as culture, ethnicity, familial and community dynamics, and socioeconomics. Graduates will be able to apply biomedical knowledge of the human body in health and disease to better understand, evaluate, and treat their patients conditions from an acupuncture and Oriental medical perspective. 8. Graduates will be able to communicate effectively with patients, demonstrating the ability to critically assess and reflect on their role in the patient-practitioner relationship. They will demonstrate cognizance of all salient variables that may impact the efficacy of the AOM clinical encounter, including language and verbal interaction, therapeutic touch and somatic communication, as well as precise acupuncture and related Oriental medical approaches and techniques. Graduates will possess the ability to listen effectively, empathize appropriately, and guide a patient through the treatment process. They will also be able to incorporate patient education and lifestyle counseling into their patient care. Graduates will be able to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals and will appreciate the potential need for additional approaches to patient care and treatment. They will recognize situations requiring referral or emergency interventions and will respond appropriately. 6
Philosophy & Mission 9. 10. 11. Graduates will recognize their limitations and will seek assistance and information to address more complex situations presented by patients. They will be able to utilize such resources as AOM and/or biomedical and cam texts and research journals, continuing education, professional consultations, and other medical information sources to investigate challenging clinical cases. Graduates will practice within established ethical, professional, and legal guidelines, always cognizant of their scope of practice. Graduates will be aware of various options for establishing a practice and will know how to build and manage a private practice, work in clinics with other healthcare providers, and create or pursue opportunities in community health. This will include the skills to develop a comprehensive business and marketing plan that capitalizes on their ability to help educate the public and other healthcare professionals by utilizing AOM research literature, as well as their knowledge and experience in AOM practice. 12. Graduates will be able to contribute to the case study research literature in the field. ACCREDITATION T ri-state College of Acupuncture is Tri-State College of Acupuncture is incorporated with the consent of the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York to offer programs leading to licensure in New York State, and to grant the following degrees: Master of Science degree program in Acupuncture and Master of Science degree program in Oriental Medicine. Tri-State College of Acupuncture is institutionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), which is the recognized accrediting agency for freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine that offer such programs. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone 952.212.2434; fax 952.657.7068. The Master s Degree Acupuncture program and the Master s Degree Oriental Medicine program of Tri-State College of Acupuncture are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), which is the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone 952.212.2434; fax 952.657.7068. The college has also been registered by nysed for the following advanced credit bearing certificate programs, which have been approved through ACAOM s substantive change review process: Chinese herbology (810 hours); Japanese Acupuncture (300 hours); Acupuncture in Orthopedics (300 hours); Reflective Practice, Critical Inquiry & Professional Practice Expectations (235 hours); Acupuncture Integrative Medicine for physicians (300 hours). 7
8 Program Overview
Program Overview CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY T he United States is home to many forms of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, from classical Chinese and Japanese practices, to modern trigger point acupuncture and contemporary Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tri-State was founded in 1979 as a place for students to explore the depth and breadth of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as well as the role of this medicine in America s healthcare system. The college provides an education that honors both classical traditions and modern approaches, exposing students to many styles of practice from diverse cultural traditions. It is our sincere hope that each student will graduate with an appreciation for the sophistication and diversity of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and a commitment to integrating classical approaches with contemporary advances in order to provide the best possible patient care throughout a lifetime of practice. DYNAMIC HANDS-ON TRAINING Our curriculum emphasizes learning through experience. Hands-on training begins in the first weeks of class, and continues throughout the program, with the ultimate goal of clinical excellence. The program engenders creativity, versatility and clinical resourcefulness by training students in protocols from three styles of acupuncture, as well as complementary modalities including AOM bodywork therapy, moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha. Students who pursue the Oriental Medicine degree receive additional training in Chinese herbology. Using the college s unique integrative protocol, students are able to combine elements from different traditions and approaches, as they put their practical skills to the test, under expert supervision, in our busy on-site Community Clinics. TCM APM KM THREE STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE Traditional Chinese Medicine is the most common form of East Asian medicine taught in the United States. TCM uses an analytical diagnostic methodology and is very well suited to the practice of internal medicine. TCM practitioners routinely combine acupuncture with herbs. Acupuncture Physical Medicine is a fusion of Classics-based French-meridian acupuncture with Western physical medicine techniques, most notably trigger point dry needling. APM uses extensive palpation to find areas where a patient has become constrained and imbalanced by physical and mental stress. The practitioner then intervenes with needles, pressure, and friction to release this holding pattern. Kiiko Matsumoto style Acupuncture is rooted in the Classics and is noted for its shallow needling techniques and extensive use of moxibustion. Training focuses on the highly regarded style of Sensei Kiiko Matsumoto (KM). A KM style practitioner palpates for active reflexes in the abdomen (hara) and elsewhere to establish a diagnosis and evaluate treatment efficacy. 9
FROM COMPREHENSION TO COMMUNICATION T he college uses critical thinking, reflective practice, and case-based learning models to help students compare and contrast traditional and modern approaches. Students are encouraged to question, challenge, and critique the theories and practices they study. The academic curriculum offers students a detailed understanding of Acupuncture and Oriental medical theory, and at the same time provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and biomedical healthcare professionals. BEYOND THE CLASSICAL APPRENTICESHIP Unique Grand Rounds classes offer students the opportunity to observe, listen to, and question senior practitioners as they treat patients in real time. Practitioners, some of whom are among the foremost acupuncturists in North America, reflect on the art and science of their treatments, sharing their clinical findings and personal approaches to practice. Grand Rounds classes embrace the classical apprenticeship model, offering students an intimate view of patient-practitioner dynamics, while at the same time going beyond the apprenticeship experience. A PROGRAM THAT WORKS Our program is designed to accommodate the needs of adult students, with many classes held on weekends and evenings. A precise schedule is made available in advance, allowing students to plan the entire year ahead of time. Most of our students work or are raising families, yet still complete the Program in Acupuncture in 3 academic years, and the Program in Oriental Medicine (acupuncture and Chinese herbs) in 4 academic years. LEADERS IN THE FIELD Tri-State graduates and faculty members are passionate practitioners who truly love their work. Some have chosen to share that passion by taking leadership roles in the field. Members of our alumni and faculty have served the profession at the national level, in positions such as President of the Council of Colleges, Commissioners on the Accreditation and Certification Commissions, Commisioners on the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and President of the American Association of AOM. Others have served at the state level, in positions including Chair of the ny State Acupuncture Board, President of the Connecticut Society of AOM, and President of the Acupuncture Society of New York. Graduates and faculty members have also published works on diverse AOM topics, and many of our graduates have gone on to teach acupuncture and Oriental medicine at institutions around the country. 10
Program Overview ACUPUNCTURE YEAR I T he academic year begins with training in mindfulness meditation, critical thinking and reflective practice: the mental disciplines that will guide students in the study of East Asian medicine. The philosophical and historical foundations of acupuncture and Oriental medicine are introduced, after which students undertake a detailed study of the acupuncture meridian system and acupuncture point location. Students learn classical diagnostic skills and treatment planning, and explore traditional Chinese, Japanese, and European approaches to treatment. Hands-on training begins in the first weeks of class. Students begin training in AOM Palpation and Bodywork, Self-Cultivation including meditation, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, acupuncture and associated modalities like moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha. During the first year students study Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Acupuncture Physical Medicine, and are introduced to the college s unique integrative protocol, which will ultimately enable them to combine different treatment approaches. By the end of the year students have performed over 50 supervised clinical treatments on peer patients, and have completed an AOM Bodywork internship in the acupuncture Community Clinic. Hands-on training is enriched and reinforced by clinical Grand Rounds Classes, in which students observe senior practitioners as they treat patients in live demonstrations. This apprenticeship-like interaction provides students with a wealth of clinical insight and exposes them to diverse treatment approaches and clinical styles. The first year includes a hands-on course in structural and functional human anatomy, which includes extensive study of trigger points, from which students gain an appreciation for the importance of therapeutic touch in evaluation and treatment. Students are also introduced to mind-body medicine, the biopsychosocial model, basic research skills and information literacy. This first-year coursework focuses on understanding the normal function of a healthy bodymind from a salutogenic perspective. Various electives in acupuncture specialties and related modalities are offered throughout the year, such as five-element acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and an Introduction to Japanese Meridan Therapy. Elective courses expose students to an even wider array of theraputic approaches, and offer the exciting opportunity to explore potential specialization areas. ACUPUNCTURE YEAR II The second year focuses on an integrated East-West understanding of health & illness. The traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) model of health and disharmony is a foundation of the second year.. Students gain a solid background in TCM etiology and pattern differentiation, and complete a thorough study of representative patterns of disharmony of traditional Chinese medical theory. At the same time, students study physiology and pathology of the major systms of the body according to the western biomedical disease model, leading to an integrated East-West understanding of health & illness. Hands-on training continues throughout the year. Students practice formalized acupuncture treatment protocols on peer patients using both the Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) and Kiiko Matsumoto (KM) styles of Acupuncture, as they learn to treat the wide range of disorders com- 11
monly seen by practicing acupuncturists. A second AOM bodywork therapy rotation in the Community Clinic further hones students practical and relational skills. Students beging their study of Chinese dietary theory and continue to learn and practice self cultivation techniques introduced in Year I. Students also begin the practice management curriculum, which focuses on the business, legal issues, and ethics of professional practice. A course in quantitative research methodology underscores the importance of information literacy and the use of research as a means of effective communication with biomedical healthcare providers. Hands-on training continues to be enriched and reinforced by clinical Grand Rounds Classes, in which students observe senior practitioners as they treat patients in live demonstrations. This apprenticeship-like interaction provides students with a wealth of clinical insight and exposes them to diverse treatment approaches and clinical styles. At the end of Year II, students transition from performing formalized treatments on peer patients to assuming responsibility as clinical interns in the college s Community Clinic. As clinical interns, students are challenged to assimilate their diverse repertoire of protocols and skills as they treat patients with unique and often complex health conditions. Various electives in acupuncture specialties and related modalities are offered throughout the year, such as vietnamese acupuncture, gynecological acupuncture and Chinese medical pediatrics. ACUPUNCTURE YEAR III T he focal point of Year iii is the Acupuncture Community Clinical internship. Clinic rotations in different acupuncture styles give interns the opportunity to treat the types of conditions licensed acupuncturists confront, from athletic injuries, acute and chronic pain, stress, immune, and fatigue disorders, to internal medical disorders of the respiratory, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and reproductive systems. The internship allows students to hone their skills as they develop their own individual approaches to practice, using the college s unique protocol to integrate the acupuncture styles they have studied. Graduates leave the internship with the skills, competencies, and professional maturity necessary to work as independent acupuncture providers. During the third year, students continue to refine their knowledge and skills in Acupuncture Clinical Practice course where they continue to study and practice the three styles of acupuncture taught at the college. As in previous years, this hands-on training continues to be enriched and reinforced by clinical Grand Rounds Classes, in which students observe senior practitioners as they treat patients in live demonstrations. Students begin an extensive review of TCM theory and clinical practice in preparation for both the Comprehensive Exam taken in the fall semester as well as in preparation for the National Exams given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) which are required in order to get licensed in most states. 12 Students continue their study of practice management by preparing an indivisualized practice plan and studying marketing and practice building strategies. Field Seminars address professional practice areas such as Patient-Centered Care, Evidence-Based Practice and Medical Systems-Based practice. Research Methods continues with a qualitative research methodology course that culminates with each intern completing an extensive case study based on their clinical experience as their Master s Capstone Research Project. Student-Interns will leave the college ready to work in a variety of settings, from private practice, to hospitals, clinics, and physicians offices.
Program Overview CHINESE HERBOLOGY I Years i and ii of the acupuncture program provide the foundation on which classical Chinese herbal studies are based. Select students interested in the 4-year Master of Science degree Program in Oriental Medicine may begin the study of Chinese Herbology during the third year of the Program in Acupuncture, otherwise they may begin their herbal studies upon graduation or any time thereafter. As in the acupuncture program, training in Chinese herbology emphasizes experience-based learning, and observation with senior practitioners. Students engage in an in-depth exploration of the clinical usage of the most common classical Chinese herbal formulas. Coursework makes use of innovative critical thinking and collaborative learning activities, in which students work in teams to research these commonly used formauls. The individual medicinals that compose each formula are examined from the perspectives of biological taxonomy, pharmacological nomenclature, useful parts of the medicinal, flavor, nature, channel gathering, TCM functions, indications, precautions and side effects, contraindications, traditional incompatibilities, dosage ranges, preparation, commonly used applications, and physical identification. As in the acupuncture program, students participate in Herbal Clinical Grand Rounds classes, in which they observe a senior practitioner performing a comprehensive herbal consultation, including intake, diagnosis, formula selection, and treatment planning. Each consultation is followed by an in-depth discussion of all relevant variables of the treatment process. The first year curriculum also covers the use of foods in the treatment of patterns of disharmony in chinese medical theory as well as topics in nutrition and botany. CHINESE HERBOLOGY II Students apply their knowledge as interns in the herbal Community Clinic. Study focuses on advanced theory of commonly used formulas. These formulas are applicable to specialty areas, including dysfunction of the individual organ systems and the vital substances, musculoskeletal and channel dysfunction, gynecology, and dermatology. In the tradition of classical Chinese herbal education, senior practitioners present complex clinical cases and challenge students to generate safe, effective solutions. In preparation for the Master s Capstone Project, students complete coursework focusing on the role of the case study in classical herbal training and modern research. The curriculum also covers major classical texts and theories, including Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach), Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Disorders), and Wen Bing Xue (warm disease school). Upon satisfactory completion of the herbal program, Tri-State students may upgrade their M.S. degree from the Acupuncture Program to the M.S. degree in Oriental Medicine, and are eligible to sit for the NCCAOM exam in Chinese herbology. 13
14 Programs of Study
Programs of Study MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS PROGRAM IN ACUPUNCTURE Typically completed in three academic years (2326.1 hours / 117.6 credits) Requires completion of the professional competencies in acupuncture PROGRAM IN ORIENTAL MEDICINE Typically completed in four academic years (3005.5 hours / 155.5 credits) Requires completion of the professional competencies in acupuncture and in Chinese herbology T he college offers two Master of Science degree programs. All Master s degree candidates complete the Program in Acupuncture. Students pursuing the M.S. degree in Oriental Medicine also gain professional competencies in Chinese herbology. Each semester students study the core curriculum and clinical training together as a class. Students progress through the program as part of what becomes a closely-knit learning community: a highly supportive atmosphere that fosters collaboration and teamwork. For descriptive purposes, the acupuncture and Oriental medicine curricula on the following pages are broken down into individual courses. However, it is essential that the education at the college be viewed as a cohesive entity, carefully constructed to follow a logical progression from one semester to the next. 15
PROGRAM IN ACUPUNCTURE COURSE OUTLINE YEAR I Course Code Course Name Cr Hrs Semester I faom 101 Foundations of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 4.0 60 acp 101 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 cgr 102 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 2.5 37.5 lc 101 Mindfulness Meditation 1.0 15 lc 102 Boundaries 0.5 7.5 bio 101 Structural & Functional Anatomy 4.0 60 dmso 101 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 eap 101 East Asian Philosophy 3.0 45 cim 101 Complementary & Integrative Medicine 0.5 7.5 plp 101 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 Semester I TOTAL 18.7 335 Semester II faom 102 Foundations of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 4.0 60 acp 102 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 cgr 101 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 2.5 37.5 si 101 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 si 102 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 ct 101 Ancillary Acupuncture Modalities 1.0 15 ct 103 Public Health / NADA Protocol 0.5 7.5 bt 101 AOM Bodywork Therapy 1.0 30 btc 101 AOM Bodywork Therapy Clinical Internship 0.5 15 bio 102 Structural & Functional Anatomy 5.0 75 rm 101 Research Methods 0.2 3.5 dmso 102 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 102 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 Semester II TOTAL 20.9 391 YEAR I TOTAL 39.6 726 16
Programs of Study YEAR II Course Code Course Name Cr Hrs Semester I cma 201 Chinese Medical Acupuncture 4.0 60 acp 201 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 acp 203 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.0 30 cgr 201 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 2.5 37.5 bt 201 AOM Bodywork Therapy 1.0 30 btc 201 AOM Bodywork Therapy Clinical Internship 0.5 15 lc 201 Boundaries & Ethics in the Treatment Room 1.0 15 lc 202 The Way of Food I 1.0 15 bio 201 Pathophysiology & The Biomedical Disease Model 4.0 60 pm 201 Practice Management 0.75 11.3 rm 201 Research Methods 0.5 7.5 cim 201 Complementary and Integrative Medicine 0.5 7.5 dmso 201 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 201 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 Semester I TOTAL 19.9 391.3 Semester II cma 202 Chinese Medical Acupuncture 4.0 60 acp 202 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 acp 204 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.0 30 cgr 202 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 2.5 37.5 si 201 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 si 202 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 ct 203 Introduction to Chinese Herbs 3.0 45 lc 203 The Way of Food II 1.0 15 bio 202 Pathophysiology & The Biomedical Disease Model 4.0 60 bio 203 AOM Physical & Structural Evaluation 2.0 30 pm 202 Practice Management 0.75 11.3 rm 202 Research Methods 0.5 7.5 dmso 202 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 ci 201 Clinical Internship 1.7 50 plp 202 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 Semester II TOTAL 26.6 493.8 YEAR II TOTAL 46.5 885.1 17
YEAR III Course Code Course Name Cr Hrs Semester I ci 301 Clinical Internship 3.9 116 acp 301 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 0.83 25 acp 302 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 0.83 25 cgr 301 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.65 25 tcm 301 TCM Treatment Principles 3.0 45 ct 302 KM Clinical Skills Review 1.0 15 lc 301 Mind Body Medicine/Reframing 0.5 7.5 bio 301 Clinical Neurology 2.0 30 pm 301 Practice Management 0.75 11.3 dmso 301 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 301 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 Semester I TOTAL 16 352.3 Semester II ci 302 Clinical Internship 3.9 116 acp 303 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 0.83 25 acp 304 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 0.83 25 cgr 302 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.65 25 fs 301 Field Seminar 1.3 20 si 301 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 si 302 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 ct 303 Clinical Topic Elective 0.5 7.5 lc 302 Mind Body Medicine/Reframing 0.5 7.5 bio 302 NCCAOM Biomedical Exam Review Class 1.0 15 rm 303 Research Methods 1.0 15 pm 302 Practice Management 0.75 11.3 dmso 302 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 302 Professional Learning Portfolio Project 1.0 45 mcp 301 Master s Capstone Project 0.0 0.0 oco Optional Clinical Observation n/a n/a ce 301 Comprehensive Examination 0.0 0.0 Semester II TOTAL 16.8 364.8 YEAR III TOTAL 32.8 717.1 M.S. DEGREE PROGRAM IN ACUPUNCTURE TOTAL 117.6 2326.1 18
YEAR I HALF-TIME SCHEDULE COURSE OUTLINE Programs of Study Students have the option to complete the first year of the MSAc curriculum over 2 calendar years. Students who choose this half-time option will complete the full MSAc program in 4 years instead of the usual 3 years. Years II & III follow the standard full-time outline on the previous pages. HALF-TIME YEAR I CURRICULUM First Year Course Code Course Name Cr Hrs Semster I faom 101 Foundations of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 4.0 60 cgr 103 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.25 18.75 bio 101 Structural & Functional Anatomy 4.0 60 eap 101 East Asian Philosophy 3.0 45 lc 101 Mindfulness Meditation 1.0 15 dmso 101 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 103 Professional Learning Portfolio 0.5 22.5 Semester I TOTAL 14.25 228.75 Semester II faom 102 Foundations of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 4.0 60 cgr 104 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.25 18.75 bio 102 Structural & Functional Anatomy 5.0 75 rm 101 Research Methods 0.2 3.5 dmso 102 Disciplines of Mind: Self & Others 0.5 7.5 plp 104 Professional Learning Portfolio 0.5 22.5 Semester I TOTAL 11.45 187.25 YEAR I TOTAL 25.7 416 HALF-TIME YEAR I CURRICULUM Second Year Course Code Course Name Cr Hrs Semester I acp 101 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 cgr 105 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.25 18.75 bt 101 AOM Bodywork Therapy 1.0 30 btc 102 AOM Bodywork Therapy Clinical Internship 0.5 15 lc 102 Boundaries 0.5 7.5 cim 101 Complementary and Integrative Medicine 0.5 7.5 plp 105 Professional Learning Portfolio 0.5 22.5 Semester I TOTAL 5.9 151.25 Semester II acp 102 Acupuncture Clinical Practice 1.65 50 cgr 106 Acupuncture Clinical Grand Rounds 1.25 18.75 si 101 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 si 102 Spring Intensive: American Acupuncture 1.5 22.5 ct 101 Ancillary Acupuncture Modalities 1.0 15 ct 103 Public Health / NADA Protocol 0.5 7.5 plp 105 Professional Learning Portfolio 0.5 22.5 Semester I TOTAL 7.9 158.75 YEAR II TOTAL 39.6 726 19
YEAR I COURSES FAOM 101: FOUNDATIONS OF ACUPUNCTURE & ORIENTAL MEDICINE 4.0 credits This course addresses the philosophical and historical foundations of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and what distinguishes this from Western medicine. It examines the major traditions of acupuncture that have influenced the development of American acupuncture as well as Oriental medicine s five diagnostic filters. The concept of the body s energy, or energetics, and how acupuncture harnesses this power to facilitate healing is also explored, with special emphasis placed on meridian classifications. This course also presents a detailed and comprehensive study of the 14 major acupuncture pathways and their external and internal symptomatology. It includes instruction in point location and a discussion of the place of energetic function, internal branches, myofascial and other major connecting points and associated symptomatology. It also provides an introduction and rationale for the utilization of acupuncture points from a dynamic, energy-based perspective. In addition to learning why points are used separately, students begin to develop a sense of the synergistic effect obtained by connecting different acupuncture points and areas of the body in the treatment process. FAOM 102: FOUNDATIONS OF ACUPUNCTURE & ORIENTAL MEDICINE 4.0 credits Beginning with a French-Meridian model for differentiating three levels of energetic intervention, this course presents a detailed examination of the cutaneous and tendinomuscular meridians, which are crucial to understanding the surface energetics used in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain syndromes. It also covers the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, or Primal Seas of Energy, and how they help restore fundamental bodymindspirit integrity and balance. This course also begins to develop students diagnostic abilities and prepares them for more advanced acupuncture clinical treatment. It covers primary patient assessment skills, including the four examinations, pulse, tongue and abdominal confirmation, and the Eight Principles. The college s Nine Steps of Treatment Planning are presented, which clearly delineate the steps from patient information gathering to the actual treatment stage of an acupuncture clinical encounter. ACP 101 102: ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL PRACTICE 3.3 credits Running concurrent with the Foundations of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine course series, Acupuncture Clinical Practice represents the beginning of clinical training. Throughout the year, students integrate the knowledge they learn in the classroom into clinical treatments with peer-patients under the close supervision of faculty supervisors. Students are grounded in the classical skills essential to each of the principal acupuncture styles taught at the college. Students come to understand that in a meridian acupuncture practice palpation is a powerful component of both assessment and treatment, and that therapeutic change begins with the initial palpation to find excess and deficient areas on the body s surface. Students apply many techniques as part of their treatments, including acupressure, needling, moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha. 20
Programs of Study CGR 101 102: ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL GRAND ROUNDS 5.0 credits The Grand Rounds clinical theater class model is an important part of the clinical education of the AOM student. Students observe and reflect on the clinical practice styles of a variety of senior practitioners who employ different methods of assessment and treatments, while treating patients in a classroom theater environment. The practitioners typically introduce themselves and discuss their treatment style at the beginning of the class, and then explain their assessment findings and treatment methods as they work with the patients. Students carefully observe and record these treatments on forms provided for this purpose, and analyze specific cases in their reflective learning portfolios. These actions improve the student s skills in mindfulness, reflective practice and critical inquiry, and provide them with model clinical behavior and treatment strategies, which will inform their own clinical skills and development as practitioners. SI 101: SPRING INTENSIVE: AMERICAN ACUPUNCTURE - THE FOUR EXAMS 1.5 credits This course will take an in-depth look at the four exams; looking, asking, listening/smelling, and touching. Emphasis will be placed on molding the four exams into one fluid, dynamic process to determine the pattern of imbalance. Didactic lecture is balanced with many practical exercises to enable to student to fully embody the material. The course will conclude with a complete integration of the four exams followed by a basic treatment guided by the instructors but developed and applied by the students. SI 102: SPRING INTENSIVE: AMERICAN ACUPUNCTURE - APM ACUPUNCTURE 1.5 credits This 3-day intensive seminar is designed to give students an opportunity to assimilate the information learned throughout the year and further ground them in the Acupuncture Physical Medicine style. Emphasis is also placed on the college s unique AOM Integrative Protocol, an invaluable tool that will be utilized throughout a lifetime of practice. CT 101: ANCILLARY ACUPUNCTURE MODALITIES 1.0 credit This course is designed to introduce the students to the ancillary modalities of acupuncture (moxa, gua sha, cupping). Students will learn and practice the clinical skills associated with each of the ancillary modalities. Students will also learn the clinical significance of these modalities and how to utilize them in a clinical setting. CT 101: PUBLIC HEALTH / NADA PROTOCOL 0.5 credits Students will learn the NADA protocol and how acupuncture and NADA are used in public health settings. BT 101: AOM BODYWORK THERAPY 1.0 credits This hands-on course teaches bodywork skills based on fundamental acupuncture principles. In this bodywork course, students will focus on the three zones, learning bodywork sequences based on zone palpation, meridian channel flow and tight tender point diagnosis. These techniques help develop sensitivity during palpation and are designed to work in conjunction with acupuncture. Using the eight guiding principles, students will document treatments based on what they perceive through touch. 21
BTC 101: AOM BODYWORK THERAPY CLINICAL INTERNSHIP 0.5 credit Students will complete a rotation as AOM Bodywork clinical assistants under the supervision of clinical supervisors and senior interns in the college s acupuncture community clinic. LC 101: MINDFULNESS MEDITATION 1.0 credit Through formal and informal meditation practices this course will explore mindfulness meditation and its relevance in our personal and professional lives. The course will include both the theory and practice of meditation. Resources will come from many different traditions. The course will include readings, facilitated discussions, videos, and art. No prior experience is necessary for this course. The most important learning experience in this course will be daily practice of formal and informal mindfulness meditation. LC 102: BOUNDARIES 0.5 credit This course introduces first year students to the concept of boundaries in personal and professional situations. We will look at the concept from both eastern and western perspectives and discuss some of the specific issues that apply to body-oriented therapies. The focus of this introductory class will be on identifying boundary issues and learning how to respond appropriately when problems arise in clinical practice as well as collegial learning communities. BIO 101 102: STRUCTURAL & FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY 9.0 credits This series of courses is a comprehensive introduction to the structural and functional workings of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system as they pertain to the acupuncturist. The course will focus on the regional anatomy, neurology and kinesiology of the joints of the upper part or the body. This class will discuss the pertinent bony, ligamentous, muscular, nervous and other regional structures as related to the normal and abnormal functioning of the joints of the body per region. The students will learn how these joints typically move through active, passive and resisted movements as well as be introduced to basic functional testing of the anatomical regions covered. In addition, the students will learn the most common myofascial trigger points based on the work of Travell and Simons. The course will also cover major acupuncture points and tendino-muscular meridians relating to the regional anatomy, highlighting significant regional anatomy relative to point location, such as blood vessels, nerves or organs. CIM 101: COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 0.5 credit This course examines the role of AOM in the recent movement branded as complementary and integrative medicine. It is inevitable that AOM is judged in the context of the biomedical model of care, and the first part of the course considers factors that have determined the evolution of the biomedical paradigm into the dominant system of medicine in the West. Historical and political influences are also discussed. The acupuncture and biomedical professions are compared in terms of professional organizations, licensing laws and ethics of care to better understand the issues both professions face in the process of integration. RM 101: RESEARCH METHODS 0.2 credit In this introduction to informatics students learn the basic tools for the effective and efficient use of major online medical databases. The resources covered in this course are used throughout the curriculum. 22
Programs of Study DMSO 101 102: DISCIPLINES OF MIND: SELF & OTHERS 1.0 credit Students will engage in a critical analysis of academic conceptualizations of Critical Thinking in AOM, with a review of Donald Schon s Reflective Practice and the role of Polanyi s Tacit Dimension, with their strong critique of positivism and the need to face uncertainty as central to any professional s work. The formation of professional judgment based on ability in critical reflective thinking will be explored as well as definitions of mindfulness and the practice of non-judgmental observation. Students will also be introduced to the Socratic Dialogue with Self and Others. EAP 101: EAST ASIAN PHILOSOPHY 3.0 credits The purpose of this course is to introduce first year students of Acupuncture and oriental medicine to the basic historical context and philosophical underpinnings out of which the medicine itself arose. To help students understand the foundational philosophical modes of thought that shaped Chinese culture and thus strongly influenced the origin and historical development of the body of medicine throughout Chinese history. To help them view the medicine and their own development as practitioners through the lenses the traditional philosophies give us to do this. PLP 101 102: PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO 2.0 credits This carefully structured and monitored learning portfolio helps guide students in practicing the mindful discipline behind acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and challenges them to perform a critical and self-reflective assessment of their initial responses to the clinical aspects of the curriculum. It also enables them to evaluate their changing attitudes about health and healing that may result from their training, as well as the ways they integrate acupuncture and Oriental medical concepts into their individual perspectives. Students analyze their acupuncture clinical practice and clinical ground rounds classes, with the goal of reflective self-assessment and a commitment to mindful observation of self and others. 23
YEAR II COURSES CMA 201 202: CHINESE MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE 8.0 credits This course explores the development of the Chinese Medicine Zang Fu systems based on the concept of Five Elements. It includes an introduction of Yin and Yang Root of the Kidney and Qi transformation, Chinese Medicine etiology and pathogenesis of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids and Zang Fu, Six Stages, Four Levels, and Triple Burners pathology. This course begins with discussion of the basic treatment principles and acupoint selection methods and then building on the foundations of Chinese Medical Acupuncture, the course will provide a comprehensive discussion of the Five Elements correspondence of Zang-Fu system pathology, Meridian pathology and treatments. Emphasis is placed on understanding the logic of Zang-Fu system pattern language, how to recognize Zang-Fu system patterns in textbook form and how to understand the more complex interweaving of patterns of disharmony in clinical situations. ACP 201 202: ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL PRACTICE 3.3 credits Students continue their focused clinical training treating peer-patients under the close supervision of faculty supervisors. Throughout the year, students learn and perform a comprehensive repertory of treatment protocols from an Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) filter. All aspects of the clinical encounter technical and relational are honed, with a special focus on needling techniques. ACP 203 204: ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL PRACTICE 3.3 credits Students continue their focused clinical training treating peer-patients under the close supervision of faculty supervisors. Throughout the year, students learn and perform a comprehensive repertory of treatment protocols from an Kiiko Matsumoto Acupuncture (KM) filter. All aspects of the clinical encounter technical and relational are honed, with a special focus on needling techniques.. CGR 201 202: ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL GRAND ROUNDS 5.0 credits This series of classes is a continuation of observation with senior practitioners, during which students become increasingly more capable observers in Clinical Grand Rounds. Students ready themselves for participating in detailed reflective observation of these practitioners with a view toward comparing and contrasting different styles. This next phase in participant observation allows students to appreciate how observation of clinical reality changes as one amasses more academic and practical knowledge. The art and the discipline of acupuncture are thus revealed. SI 201: SPRING INTENSIVE: AMERICAN ACUPUNCTURE - KM ACUPUNCTURE 1.5 credits In Year II, special emphasis is on the innovative style of acupuncture developed by Kiiko Matsumoto. 24