Acupuncture Universities - Getting the Most out of Your Health Education

Saturday, November 17, 2012

As a prospective student, it is sometimes difficult to determine in which one of the many acupuncture universities or other complementary medicine schools you'd like to enroll. One of the first things you should do is make a list of potential contacts for your Oriental medicine school of choice. The next step is to pursue these contacts and explore your career training options.

As you will discover, many acupuncture institutes and other Oriental medicine colleges typically require some degree of higher education before students can enroll into academic programs. So, it is important that applicants acquire official transcripts from previous educational institutions.

In order to enroll in the MSAOM (Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) degree program at most acupuncture universities and schools, students must have completed an educational equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. As well, students pursuing the DAOM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) degree soon learn that minimum prerequisites include the equivalent of the MSAOM degree.

Now that you've organized your transcripts, it's time to take a virtual journey to the many available acupuncture universities and colleges online. Because the Internet has improved the prevalence of educational resources, this is a good place to begin. As with any Chinese medicine school, you will learn there are more than just degree programs available to you. A matter of fact, a number of acupuncture and Oriental medicine colleges extend adjunct certificate and/or diploma programs in Chinese medical massage (Tuina), meridian therapy, herbal medicine, continuing education, as well as post-graduate courses.

Once you've chosen your top three school candidates, it's time to determine your financial need and availability of financial aid resources at the educational institution of choice. Much like conventional schools, acupuncture universities frequently participate in tuition assistance programs like the PELL grant, among other loan options.

After you've applied for financial aid, filed your transcripts, and submitted an application to your selected acupuncture school - be prepared for not only course-intensive programs, but for a whole new concept in modern and natural healthcare education. Aside from certificate and diploma courses, students pursuing acupuncture degree programs will be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of comprehensive knowledge and skills they will gain. In addition to basic health sciences like anatomy, physiology, and biology; students enrolled in acupuncture universities gain in-depth philosophies and studies of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), acupuncture therapy (and/or auricular-acupuncture), meridian therapy, moxibustion, cupping, Chinese herbology, Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Eastern bodywork modalities like acupressure, and Chinese medical terminology, among other associated studies.

Upon completion of all necessary academics and clinical internship, graduates of acupuncture programs must take and pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exam. Once candidates have successfully achieved certification, they may then apply for licensure* to practice in their respective State of residence. (*Check individual State requirements.)

Today, many professional acupuncturists are considered primary care physicians, and stand to earn a comfortable living*, and a personally-rewarding, long-term career. (*Earnings range from $40 -$70 per patient session.)

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding alternative and complementary medicine programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore Acupuncture Universities [http://school.holisticjunction.com/clickcount.php?id=6634739&goto=http://www.holisticjunction.com/search.cfm] near you.

* Source: BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

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