Student Policies

Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Awareness

The Midwest College certifies the availability of a drug abuse prevention program for officers, employees, and students of the institution. Pamphlets describing local counseling services are available upon request. Officers, employees, and students may not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance. Anyone violating this policy is subject to dismissal.

 

Conduct / Right Of Dismissal

Policies governing student conduct and activities are based on the premise that each student must be entitled to his/her right to devote school time to studies and learning without distraction. A student is subject to suspension (not to exceed two weeks) or dismissal for conduct which disrupts the teaching or administration of the school or which interferes with the rights of other school members. Failure to adhere to the terms of suspension may lead to dismissal.

Examples of conduct considered unsatisfactory under these standards include: disrespectful behavior, dishonesty, failure to comply with school regulations or internship policies or with the directions of school officials acting in performance of their duties, substantiated physical or verbal abuse, meeting the U.S. Department of Education definition of sexual harassment and discrimination, by any person employed or enrolled at the Midwest College, and theft of or damage to school property or to property in school buildings belonging to any school member. A student may not teach or practice Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine prior to graduation and licensure. A student is not allowed to act as a sales agent for books or merchandise at school without prior permission. Students can request mediation or a formal hearing following policies in the College’s Student Handbook.

 

Student Grievance Policy

If an enrolled student has a concern or complaint they must follow the grievance policy delineated in the Student Handbook. The first course of action is a meeting with the Dean of Students or Administrative Director. If this meeting does not resolve the problem, the student should request an arbitration meeting with an administrator to discuss and resolve the complaint. If the student feels that the response was insufficient, they may request a grievance committee hearing. The student’s grievance will then be reviewed by a committee made up of an administrator, a faculty member and a student representative. A second right of appeal to the Board of Advisors can be scheduled after a grievance committee meeting. A final appeal can be made to the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (301.313.0855), the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board (608.266.1996), or the State of Illinois Board of Higher Education (217.782.2551).

Institutional Security Policies and Crime Statistics

Institutional security procedures are available as part of the student handbook. Crime statistics for both Racine and Chicago are available. These materials, which will be distributed to all enrolled students, are available to prospective students on request.

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.