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This article was published on the Holistic Junction web site on December 6, 2007 under the category Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:
Diverse Programs of Study offered at Acupuncture Colleges
by CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd
 If you're one of the many candidates aspiring to become professional acupuncturists or Doctors of Oriental Medicine, it wouldn't be surprising; especially since this particular complementary health industry has seen substantial growth of acupuncture colleges and schools to accommodate prospective practitioners.
Whether you elect to pursue certificate programs like the Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture or Chinese herbology (or certification in Asian bodywork therapy); you will find that most acupuncture colleges provide substantial education and training to help you achieve your professional aspirations. To attain National certification through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), you will need to meet eligibility criteria to take and pass your respective disciplinary exam.
Once you've located an accredited acupuncture school or university, you must decide which educational path you'd like to take. Because most acupuncture colleges sometimes offer both degree and certificate programs, you will need to determine how committed you will be toward achieving your professional goals.
For example, if you are more interested in Eastern massage therapies like acupressure, Tuina or meridian therapy; you will find that most Chinese medicine schools and acupuncture colleges provide separate certificate and/or diploma programs in these modalities. However, while these Oriental massage courses may not be as lengthy as standard degree programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, Tuina and acupressure courses typically range between 200 - 1,000 hours; and include hands-on training in Eastern massage, Tai Chi, theories in Eastern Medicine; a well as meridian point locations, moxibustion, cupping, among related Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophies and disciplines.
Four-year programs in acupuncture colleges, like the Master of Oriental Medicine course, are generally comprised of over 3,000 hours of class and clinical studies. Including Oriental bodywork - the Master's program also involves in-depth education and training in acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, Tai Chi, Qigong, TCM theory, anatomy and physiology, both Western and Eastern medicine approaches to healthcare, nutrition, and Chinese herbal medicine, among other studies.
Of course, if you would like to further your education and take post-graduate courses to become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM), acupuncture colleges and schools can provide you with adequate skills and knowledge to achieve your career aspirations. It is important to note, however, that candidates must have completed their Master's in Oriental Medicine before moving onto this next educational step. Acupuncture colleges that provide this course of study typically provide advanced academics and hands-on training in the scientific foundations of acupuncture; herb, formulas and pharmaceutical management; Classical and Contemporary TCM, research, pathology; as well as specialized studies in psychotherapy, women's health, neuromuscular medicine, pain management, and more.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding Oriental medicine programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore Acupuncture Colleges near you.
Diverse Programs of Study offered at Acupuncture Colleges
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Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Former staff writer for HolisticJunction.com, Educational Resources for Healing Arts Schools, Natural Healing Schools, and other Alternative Medicine Schools.
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