Admission Prerequisites

Admissions Requirements

  1. An Associate Degree from an accredited college or successful completion of at least two years accredited post-secondary education (60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours ).
  2. Distribution of academic prerequisites for Illinois students for the B.S./M.S. program with less than an Associate Degree:
    Math/Physical Science (6 to 8 sem. credits), English/Composition (6 to 8 sem.credits),
    Social/Behavioral Science (6 to 8 sem. credits), Business/Economics (6 to 8 sem. credits), or their equivalent.
    **Wisconsin students do not need to meet the academic distribution prerequisite**
  3. Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended must be sent directly to the admissions office. The minimum acceptable GPA is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  4. Completion of an admissions interview.
  5. An application with a check for $315 (fully refundable if admission is denied)
    ($65 application fee and $250 deposit)

 

Application Deadline

Students entering the Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine program must have their application submitted, all of their documentation on file and have completed an admissions interview two weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter. Late submission may result in the deferral of acceptance to a later quarter, but applicants may be admitted up to the first day of classes.

Selection of Candidates

Selection is based on previous academic achievement, professional experience and an admissions interview. During the admissions interview, prospective students are given an opportunity to explain how they became interested in medicine and their vision of their future career in the field of Chinese medicine. The college is looking for applicants who demonstrate the level of commitment, enthusiasm, confidence and maturity needed to build a successful professional practice.

A notice of acceptance or denial will be sent by mail to prospective students who complete the application process and admissions interview.

Out of State Students / Foreign Applicants Living in the U.S.

Interviews may be done by telephone if travel arrangements are difficult. There is moderately priced rental housing available in southern Wisconsin. Students who need help relocating will be assisted by the school. The campus in Racine is 30 minutes from Milwaukee and can be reached from Chicago in just over an hour. Applicants who have completed their studies outside the United States must present all post secondary school credentials. Documents must be authenticated or certified and those not in English must be accompanied by certified translations. Nonresident applicants must meet TOEFL requirements.

International Applicants

In addition to the Admissions Requirements, on page 27 of the catalog, international applicants are required to have their transcripts translated by an official translation service before they can be considered for admission. The official translation and evaluation must clearly indicate hours and credits of study, and that the education is equivalent to a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English. A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and demonstration of language proficiency during the admissions interview are required for admissions.

The Midwest College will issue an Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-20 to international students who are accepted into the program, and who have provided the college with a confidential financial statement showing proof of sufficient funds to meet their tuition and living expenses for at least the first year of study in the United States. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain an F1 visa to study in the United States. The Student Handbook has more detailed information.

Foreign applicants should review information from the following: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

This course is a practical study of the internal and external causes of disease within the Eastern medical model. A clear understanding of 'TCM pathologies' is needed in order to apply the sophisticated system of Oriental Medicine based on sign and symptom patterns.
This course consists of procedures of physical and neurological examination; providing an understanding of the methods used in making physical diagnosis.
Courses begin with a review of the normal physiological  processes and then discuss how these are altered by disease.  Students will be able to recognize pathological indicators and biochemical pathways to better correlate the basic science of pathology with physical diagnosis and disorders related to nutrition.
Students gain the foundation in western physiology needed to understand the biochemical processes and nutritional needs of the human body related to health and disease. Information in this class is intrinsic to understanding the foundations of nutrition.
This directed learning paper develops additional competencies in basic sciences. Five pathological disorders from different systems are assigned.
This class concentrates on the processes involved with taking in and utilizing food substances by which growth, repair and maintenance of activities in the body as a whole or in any of its parts are accomplished. This includes ingestion, digestion, absorption and metabolism, as well as, basic nutritional needs and the use of vitamins, minerals and supplements.
This class includes topics in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Mechanisms of the nervous system are covered as related to the scientific basis of Acupuncture and its application to the treatment of disease. Students in this class gain the ability to explain the mechanisms of Acupuncture in modern medical terms. Communication skills between Acupuncturists and Medical professionals are stressed.
Students continue to practice needle insertion with combinations of points that would be used in treatment.  There is emphasis on safety with difficult points and more complex point prescriptions.
Students review the anatomical structures through which needles pass at progressive depths of the body.  This includes proper insertion, angle, depth, duration and withdrawl of needles.
At the beginning of the second year, students begin developing needle insertion skills. Students receive intensive instruction in techniques of clean needle insertion as approved by current national standards.
This course helps students develop their skills in organization and analysis of presenting symptoms.  The clinic review class includes evaluation of the physical and psychological components of an illness and specific treatment strategies.
This class covers the basis of treatment using the eight principle and secondary vessel pathology. Students learn to formulate a treatment using the information gathered from pulse and tongue diagnosis. Practical use of classical point categories such as antique points, influential points and windows of the sky points in the treatment of eight principle disease patterns will be covered.
It is in this class that the prior three quarter of TCM theory begin to flower and faculty can see the "light bulb go on", as students get a sense of how well the TCM theory fits together.  At this point, students are beginning their next phase of clinic and now have responsibility of using this information in a clinical setting.
A continuation of Anatomy 1, this course is an in-depth study of visceral structure and physiologic function of the human body.
This course is an in-depth study of the somatic structure of the human body: skeletal, muscular, ligamentous, and an introduction to the peripheral nerves. There is attention given to the palpatory anatomy that will be needed for Point Location and Needle Technique classes.
In this course, students are oriented to the procedures and protocol needed to successfully complete internship. Physical assessment skills needed in the practice of Oriental Medicine are covered including: vital signs, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Standards of history taking, SOAP noting and unique documentation found in TCM clinical records are part of this course.
This course includes discussion that brings up pertinent issues in healthcare practice and examines the approach taken by a counselor. It focuses on ethical decision-making and the patient practitioner relationship.
The directed learning paper traces the development of Chinese medicine including: the classics, historical figures and periods, and a discussion of important theoretical developments. It gives students a respect for the ancient traditions from which the modern, clinical practice of TCM developed.
The moral and ethical principles that are the core of the teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu are taught in a manner that can be applied in present day. The influence of these schools on the development of Chinese medicine is stressed in this course.
This course continues massage techniques to regions of the body for local and systemic problem. Good Tui Na technique combined with accessory techniques is an important adjunct to an acupuncture practice.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that includes different hand techniques applied to specific areas of the body. Students will gain proficiency in manipulation skill and sensitivity to energy balancing as they practice techniques in class and apply them in clinic.
Students will attend lectures, demonstrate and practice in the traditional and modern accessory techniques of Oriental Medicine: moxibustion, magnets, guasha, cupping and auricular techniques.
In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.
In this course, students will use charts, models and their fellow students as subjects to locate and mark the most important acupuncture points. Students will spend six quarters developing the sensitivity needed to achieve the Qi sensation required for effective treatment.
This course further studies the eight principle theory as it applies to the pathology of the five phases, the Zang Fu organs and the triple burner.
The rigorous clinic –based educational experience is designed to take classroom learning and first year theory so have students see the clinical application of concepts during their internship activities and experiences.
This is the first class in Chinese medical theory and introduces students to the language and refinement found in Midwest’s academic program. This class will also establish the foundation from which student’s understandings will grow.