NUNM’s Master of Acupuncture (MAc) degree is a three- or four-year immersion in the classical foundations of acupuncture, a highly sophisticated and effective form of medicine. The curriculum emphasizes scholarship and practice designed to transmit the art, science, and spirit of Chinese medicine to develop clinical practitioners rooted in the ancient tradition of the medical scholar.
Our students develop a deep understanding of the wisdom of the ancient healers. They also receive holistic education in Western biomedical sciences during their training in the clinical application of major modalities (e.g., acupuncture, moxibustion, Asian bodywork, qigong, and nutrition).
Our curriculum emphasizes personal and professional cultivation to optimize our students’ proficiency as practitioners, and to support their health as they progress through their clinical training.
Our programs are the most comprehensive training in classical Chinese medicine offered in the U.S. The MAc degree is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and qualifies graduates to apply for licensure and to take most of the AOM examinations administered by NCCAOM — used in most states as the basis for licensure.
Elective Requirement
In order to keep the total credit load for the MAc program as low as possible, there are no elective requirements for the program.
Clinical Training Overview
The clinical training objectives of the CCM programs are aligned with the overall mission of training competent practitioners in the art and science of classical Chinese medicine. The clinical aspect is expected to be a refinement of the knowledge base acquired in the academic portion of the program, with the implicit understanding that many important skills can only be attained in the applied context of a practical learning situation. These skills include, but are not limited to:
- Development of foundational knowledge and understanding of classical Chinese medical concepts and techniques
- Evolution of interpersonal communication abilities
- Refinement of problem-solving capacities and clinical judgment
- Proficiency in executing the technical skills required to effectively apply treatments in Chinese medicine
To begin the Observation component, students must complete the first year of study and pass Acu-Moxa Points and Techniques I-III, Palpation and Perception I-III, Chinese Diagnostic Techniques I-II, Evidence-Informed Practice, and Introduction to Clinic. To begin the Clinical Mentoring Rotations in the following year, students must complete the second year of study and pass Chinese Pathology I-III, Acu-Moxa Points and Techniques I-VI, Biomedicine I-III, and Practitioner Cultivation I. Before undertaking the Clinical Pre-Internship Rotation, students must complete Biomedicine IV, Clinical Medicine I, Clinical Case Presentation I, and a minimum of two Clinical Mentoring Rotations.
To advance into Clinical Internship, students must complete the third year of study and pass Biomedicine VI, Clinical Medicine III, Clinical Case Presentation III, Clinical and Physical Diagnosis, and six Clinical Mentoring Rotations. In addition, students must pass all components of the Clinic Entrance Examination.
Students progress through the clinical experience in a sequential fashion, from active observation of highly experienced practitioners, to greater involvement in patient care under fully guided mentoring, to being able to conduct a comprehensive patient intake and assessment, and design and deliver an individually tailored treatment under expert supervision. In the spirit of the classics, emphasis is placed on recognition of Chinese syndrome pattern differentiation (rather than symptomatic prescribing), with the goal of creating individual treatment plans designed to assist patients in returning to a more harmonious and balanced state. With a focus on patient-centered care, students learn how to make and receive appropriate referrals, and to communicate and collaborate within the prevailing biomedically based healthcare system.
In order to complete the clinical portion of their program, students must pass the Clinic Exit Examination, offered in the final term of the final year.
MAc Learning Outcomes
- Apply the fundamental principles of classical Chinese medicine to patient care. (clinical rotation evaluations, clinic exit examination, case reports)
- Craft and perform individualized acupuncture treatments in which the component parts (e.g., acupuncture, bodywork, lifestyle recommendations) are applied according to consistent treatment principles. (clinical rotation evaluations, clinic exit examination, case reports)
- Design a plan for establishing a sustainable medical career. (Final business plan)
- Integrate evidence-based biomedical analysis into the practice of acupuncture. (clinical rotation evaluations, clinic exit examination, case reports)
- Discuss the role of an acupuncturist in patient-centered care within the healthcare system. (clinical rotation evaluations, clinic exit examination, case reports)
- Describe the theory and practices of Chinese acupuncture to peers, patients and the public. (community education requirement, clinical rotation evaluations, case reports)
Clinical Training
The components of the clinical portion of the program are Introduction to Clinic, Clinical Pre-Observation, Clinical Observation, Clinical Mentoring, Clinical Pre-Internship, Clinical Case Presentation, Clinical Internship, and Internship Case Presentation. These are organized as follows:
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Year of Study
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Clinical Component
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MAc
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MAc/
ND
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1st
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1st
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Introduction to Clinic: Students learn the fundamentals of working in the NUNM clinics
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1st
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1st
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Clinical Pre-Observation Rotation: Waived due to exposure to the clinic in the ND program
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2nd
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4th
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Clinical Observation Rotation I-III: Students observe experienced practitioners treat patients
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3rd
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5th
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Clinical Mentoring Rotation I-VI: Students become involved in patient diagnosis and treatment under direct clinical supervision
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3rd
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5th
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Clinical Case Presentation I-III: Discussion of clinical case studies; clinical theater
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3rd
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5th
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Clinical Pre-Internship Rotation: Students learn the role and responsibilities of the intern by following the interns soon to graduate
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4th
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6th
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Clinical Internship Rotation I-III: Students (under supervision) assume primary responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients; all needle insertions are observed
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4th
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6th
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Clinical Internship Rotation IV-IX: Students (under supervision) assume primary responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients
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4th
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6th
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Clinical Internship Holiday Requirement (24 hrs): Students (under supervision) assume primary responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients
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4th
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6th
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Internship Case Presentation I-III: Presentation and discussion of internship cases with peers and supervisors
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Classical Chinese Medicine Certificate Programs
Students in the CCM programs, who meet the prerequisites and are in good academic standing, are eligible to apply for admission into the Qigong and Shiatsu Certificate programs. Due to space constraints, admission is limited. These are not degree programs and do not lead to eligibility to sit for licensure exams. Contact the Office of Admissions for further information.
Qigong Teaching Certificate Program
The Qigong Teaching Certificate program is taught once the student has completed all of the required Qigong Practicum and Retreat courses in the core program. Over the subsequent year, the student completes the Qigong I-III Teaching Practicums, during which they are mentored in the process of teaching their own qigong classes.
Shiatsu Certificate Program
The Shiatsu Certificate program consists of six courses (204 hours) taken over two years, and the completion of two terms of performing shiatsu treatments in one of the NUNM Health Centers. This certificate program is designed to be pursued concurrently with the DAcCHM, MAc or MAcCHM programs. At the end of the certificate program, students are fully prepared to use shiatsu as an independent treatment modality.
