The Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Programs

The Midwest College's programs combine rigorous academic course work with broad clinical experiences, leading to either to Masters level Acupuncture certificate or a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine with a combined Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition. Education focuses on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "Zang Fu" system of physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment strategy. This is often referred to as "Eight Principle" style. Students complete their program with a solid foundation in Chinese medical theory, diagnostics, needle technique, and traditional accessory modalities.

Additionally, students in the Master of Science degree program in Oriental Medicine study the herbal theories and traditions of the Shang Han Lun, and Wen Bing, as well as, modern principals of nutrition. They are introduced to new developments combining nutrition and Chinese herbal medicine. Oriental Medicine students acquire the many competencies necessary to recommend herbal formulas based upon the principles of TCM, and make recommendations based upon a nutrition profile.

The minimum completion time for the Acupuncture program is 27 months (3 academic yrs) and the Oriental Medicine program is 36 months (4 academic yrs). To complete in the minimum time frame, students must attend classes on Saturday and a minimum of two evenings per week. The maximum time to complete the Acupuncture program is 40 months and the Oriental Medicine program is 54 months. Students meet with an advisor if their rate of completion falls below these standards.

Coursework includes Chinese medical theory, practical "hands on" classes, biosciences, an internship and clinic review component and a foreign internship option. Additionally, the Oriental Medicine program includes lecture and clinic focusing on herbs and nutrition. Students can expect to spend about 18-22 hours per week between classes and clinic. Many students continue to work full time while attending school, and will find that classes and study time can fit in with a busy daily schedule if the student is motivated and an enthusiastic learner.

The Western biomedicine curriculum provides the scope of medical knowledge necessary to work in an integral medical setting and communicate with physicians and other providers regarding patient care. The bioscience curriculum, like the TCM curriculum, is competency based. This assures that time spent studying the biosciences will bear fruit in a future Oriental Medicine practice. The Midwest College's student clinics, together with its off-campus internship sites, provide the opportunity to rotate through a variety of unique clinical settings and allow interns to experience the styles of many different practitioners. Interns at the Midwest College, treat a wide range of medical conditions and gain thorough, hands-on experience in Acupuncture, the other modalities of Oriental healing, and experience with TCM nutritional consultation. Internship is designed to build knowledge and skills and to fine-tune patient/healer sensitivities. After completing the program, graduates will be confident in their ability as Oriental Medical Practitioners to address the full spectrum of conditions seen in practice.

The total academic and clinical hours in the Acupuncture program are 2,088 and in the Oriental Medicine program are 2,826. Additional internship hours, that may be needed for licensure in some states, may be gained by enrolling in more than the required number of clinics sessions. Graduates of the Midwest College's Acupuncture program receive Master's level certification. They are qualified to sit for the Acupuncture examination given by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and meet the requirements for a license in Illinois, Wisconsin and many other states.

Upon completion of the Oriental Medicine Program, graduates will earn either a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine or a simultaneously granted Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine. They are qualified to sit for both the Acupuncture and Herb examinations given by the (NCCAOM).