Master of Acupuncture (MAc

• Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, and make informed and appropriate referrals • Demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular self-assessment and lifelong learning to achieve continuous professional growth.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc), students will be able to: • Apply the foundational knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, including philosophies and theories, to patient care • Synthesize information from the health history, intake and physical examination to accurately diagnose illness and develop and implement an effective treatment plan for patients • Utilize critical thinking and professional judgment to manage a case appropriately over time • Apply sufficient understanding of western biomedical terminology, pathophysiology and treatment strategies to support effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals • Demonstrate preparedness to establish and maintain a successful clinical practice, participate collaboratively in a variety of clinical settings • Serve successfully as part of an integrative healthcare team • Honor ethical standards in all interactions with patients and healthcare professionals • Evaluate published research to guide healthcare improvement, innovation, and interprofessional delivery • Exhibit an understanding of healthcare practices and policies across the healthcare system • Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, and make informed and appropriate referrals • Demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular self-assessment and lifelong learning to achieve continuous professional growth

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New England School of Acupuncture Academic Policies Academic Progression

Grading standards

• A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in all professional courses in both master’s degrees, as well as a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. • A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in all courses in the doctoral degree, as well as a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. • A failed course in the professional curriculum may be repeated only once. • A second grade less than C for master’s programs and B for doctoral programs in the repeated course may result in dismissal from the program.

Progression and Retention Policies

Students must complete the requirements for the Master of Acupuncture or Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine within six years. Students must complete the requirements for the Doctor of Acupuncture within eight years. If this time limit from the date of admission has elapsed and the student has not completed degree requirements, the student must request an extension in writing and meet with the Dean, who may approve or deny the extension request. The School Dean’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

CPR Certification

All students must complete and provide documentation of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers training prior to beginning and throughout the duration of Clinical Internship.

Transportation

Students are responsible for transportation to all classes and clinical sites.

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)

The following programs offered by MCPHS University – New England School of Acupuncture are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

(1) Master of Acupuncture (2) Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization (3) Certificate in Chinese herbal medicine [currently named Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study in Chinese Herbal Medicine]

Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory (https://acaom.org/directorymenu/directory/pg/2/).

ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone 952/212-2434; fax 952/657-7068; www.acaom.org

The Doctor of Acupuncture programs offered by MCPHS University are approved to begin enrolling students but are not accredited or pre-accredited by ACAHM. These programs are eligible for ACAHM accreditation, and MCPHS University is currently in the process of seeking ACAHM pre-accreditation/accreditation for the program. However, MCPHS University can provide no assurance that pre-accreditation or accreditation will be granted by ACAHM. Graduates of an unaccredited program are not considered to have graduated from an ACAHM-accredited or preaccredited program and may not rely on ACAHM accreditation or pre- accreditation for professional licensure or other purposes.

Board Certification and Licensure

Students who successfully complete the master’s programs will be eligible to sit for board certification examinations provided by the National Commission for Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Students are responsible for managing the application, fees, and preparation for these examinations, which are required for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Acupuncture licenses in Massachusetts are issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine’s Committee on Acupuncture. Information on application is available through their website: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/borim/acupuncture/licensing/requirements.html

Requirements for licensure vary by state. NESA has programs that meet the educational requirements for licensure in all states. These Professional Licensure Disclosures can be found on the Compliance page of the MCPHS website: https://www.mcphs.edu/about-mcphs/legal.

Master of Acupuncture (MAc)

The Master of Acupuncture (MAc) is a 32-month full-time, year-round program, with admission each fall term that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to deliver highly effective care to patients of all ages in a variety of settings, including in private practice and hospitals. The program features both classroom and clinical training in acupuncture studies, emphasizing hands-on learning under direct supervision of experienced faculty. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for national board certification examinations provided by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and to apply for licensure.

The programs are taught on the Worcester campus, with clinical experiences in affiliate sites in the New England region. The required core curriculum includes Chinese medical theory, diagnosis and treatment strategies, location and functions of acupuncture points, history of Chinese medicine, research on acupuncture, bodywork, and nutrition. The biomedical model of disease is included as well, including biomedical clinical sciences, pathophysiology, pharmacology and research methods. To equip the acupuncturist with competencies in cultivating the patient-provider relationship, counseling and communication skills, professional ethics, and self-care are taught. Practice management modules build skills to manage successful practices. During Clinical Internships, students treat patients under the supervision of senior faculty.

Japanese Acupuncture Styles Concentration An optional sequence of 5 courses in Japanese Acupuncture Styles may be completed concurrent with the 3-year core curriculum. Japanese acupuncture is a highly specialized modality that differs from the core curriculum in its methods of diagnosis and treatment. Students have an opportunity to sample both Chinese and Japanese styles and must complete comprehensive proficiency examinations and clinical internships in all styles they study.