The MSA program is part of the MSOM program that focuses on knowledge and experience in Acupuncture only. The MSA program is created to educate students in Acupuncture providing the best alternative medicine treatments. Students are provided a solid foundation in the principles of Acupuncture as well as Western Allopathic Medicine. The Acupuncture program includes an extensive study of diagnostics, methods of treatment, acupuncture, and ethical management. The program is specifically designed to prepare students to sit for the NCCAOM licensure examination in Acupuncture Certification and provide the necessary skills to practice safely and skillfully.
M.S.A. is offered in different languages: English, Chinese and Korean
For the courses in different languages, only the teaching method is different: The course objectives, learning outcome, study outline, and course evaluation are the same as courses in English.
The Master of Science in Acupuncture (MSA) requires 154 quarter credits (2120 hours) including 690 hours of Clinical training to complete the program. The normal program length of the MSA is 3 years. Students can finish the program as early as in 2 years and 3 months if they become a full time student.
The Objectives of the Master’s Program is to create leading practitioners of Integrative Medicine through student centered educational structures and experiences that will produce the following competencies
The acupuncture field has expanded dramatically over the last 10 years. Graduates have the choice of establishing independent practices or working in collaborative clinics where insurance is often accepted and acupuncturists work side by side with other health care practitioners. Nationwide, many hospitals now offer acupuncture, while more government health care programs are including acupuncture coverage. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly recognized as safe and cost effective in treating many acute and chronic ailments.
Acupuncture degrees can lead to careers in the following areas:
Private practice
Integrative clinics
Hospitals
Researcher
General graduation requirements are as follows:
A student must satisfy degree requirements, as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of enrollment at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine as a degree program student, unless the student interrupts his/her program. It may become necessary to satisfy the program requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time the student re-enters as a student.
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) 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; www.acaom.org
ACAOM institutional and programmatic accreditation status and notes may be viewed at http://acaom.org/directory-menu/directory/
The Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (“VUIM”) Professional Doctorate [Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc.) / Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM)] program, approved to begin enrolling students, is not yet accredited or pre-accredited by ACAOM. Graduates of this program are not considered to have graduated from an ACAOM-accredited or pre-accredited program and may not rely on ACAOM accreditation or pre-accreditation for professional licensure or other purposes. This program is eligible for ACAOM accreditation, and VUIM is currently in the process of seeking ACAOM pre-accreditation/accreditation for the program. However, VUIM can provide no assurance that pre-accreditation or accreditation will be granted by ACAOM.