Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Specialization (MAc)

The goal of the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Specialization (MAc) is to train individuals to become a licensed acupuncturist.  Students who complete the prescribed course of study at the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) will be awarded a Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Specialization (MAc) degree upon completion of its requirements. The states that regulate and license professional acupuncturists recognize this degree as meeting requisite academic credential requirements for sitting for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) licensure exam. The degree program is a 4-year degree program emphasizing traditional Chinese medicine, integrative approaches, and evidence-based research.

To be eligible for admissions, prospective students must meet the following conditions:
1. A bachelor's degree or equivalent is preferred (120 semester credit hours with at least 30 semester credit hours of general education and 30 semester hours being upper-level) from college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 grading system.

Applicants may be considered for admission if they have completed at least 90 baccalaureate-level semester credits (135 quarter credits) from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.  The 90 credits must include at least 30 credits of general education courses drawn from the following areas:

• Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum 6 credits)
• Social/Behavioral Sciences (minimum 6 credits)
• Natural Sciences/mathematics (minimum 6 credits)
• Communications (minimum 6 credits)

Certain courses require that the student have completed undergraduate-level Biology and Chemistry as a prerequisite. Students are required to plan ahead and complete basic science courses at another accredited school prior to enrolling in the courses.

English Proficiency

English language competency is required of all students seeking admission to the master's-level program. This must be demonstrated by one of the following means:

1. The student must have completed a two-year (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) undergraduate- or graduate-level, English-based education in an institution: (i) accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or (ii) in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, or Ireland. In all cases, English must have been both the language of instruction and the language of the curriculum used;
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) - Acceptable scores: TOEFL iBT total score - 61 with minimum speaking score - 20 and minimum listening score - 17; or
3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format - Acceptable scores: IELTS overall band score 6 with minimum speaking score - 6.5 and minimum listening score - 6.

Official documentation verifying one of the above options must be received by American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine directly from the issuing institution.

Applicants who do not have official documentation of one of the three options listed may submit a petition stating why they fulfill the English proficiency requirements along with any relevant supporting documentation. Submission of a petition does not guarantee approval or admission, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Application Requirements

1. Complete the application form
2. Submit a digital photograph.
3. Submit official transcripts* directly to ACAOM from all colleges previously attended.
4. If any transcript is from an international institution and it cannot be determined that all academic requirements for admission have been satisfied, then a professional, “course-by-course” credit evaluation of the academic transcript is required. Any agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) can be used, such as, wes.org, www.spantran.com, www.gceus.com, etc.....
5. Write a personal statement: a one-page, type-written essay discussing your passion and goal towards the program.
6. Secure two recommendations from current or previous employers or other responsible individuals who have known you for more than 2 years.
7. Provide a copy of valid personal identification (passport, driver's license, etc.....).
8. Enclose a non-refundable application fee of $100 payable to ACAOM by the application deadline.
9. Interviews conducted by Admissions Committee (if necessary).
10. If you plan to apply for Federal student loans (Graduate Stafford Unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS loans) you must submit your FAFSA to us through fafsa.ed.gov. Our school code is 031533. Your application will not be complete for admissions processing until the FAFSA report if received.