Master of Acupuncture

The Master of Acupuncture is a three-year, 2,352 hour/152.75 credit program designed for students having a special affinity for classical acupuncture and moxibustion, and wanting a more streamlined graduate experience. The foundation of the MAc program is similar to that of the MSOM program, with fewer hours of theory and without the focus on herbal instruction. An increased emphasis is placed on the refinement of palpation and perception skills used in acupuncture diagnosis and treatment.

The ideal MAc student wants:

To focus their practice on acupuncture rather than Chinese herbs
Serious classical training that emphasizes “hands-on” experience
A strong emphasis on cultivation, including weekly practica and three weekend qigong retreats held in natural settings
Mentorship training in acupuncture
A “streamlined” program that can be selectively enhanced through an extensive set of elective courses
The opportunity to have four weekdays off, for work or other reasons (the first classes start at 4:30 M–Th ).

Who should be cautioned against doing the MAc ?

Anyone planning to practice in California or New Mexico. Only our MSOM program is approved for licensing in these states.
Anyone who might end-up practicing in any other state that requires herbal training to be eligible for licensing (see www.nccaom.org for state-by-state requirements).

To begin the journey toward your Master of Acupuncture degree, click here to fill out our application form. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Program Information At a Glance

General Requirements

While no minimum GPA is specified, only a small percentage of admitted applicants have below 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Candidates for admission are evaluated holistically based on:

Dedication to service, compassion, critical thinking skills, ability to communicate, and self–discipline
Affinity for and prior experience with naturopathic or Chinese medicine
Letters of recommendation
Overall scholastic record
Understanding and appreciation of health care issues
Other achievements

Applicants are selected regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disabilities, or any other protected class under local, state, or federal law. See all prerequisite information for master of acupuncture program.

Length of Program

Three years typical for full–time students
Five years typical for the ND/AOM dual degree track

Students who are concurrently enrolled in the ND program have the choice of completing either a five- or six-year course of study. Many hours of coursework from the ND program are transferable to the MAc program.

MAc Professional Track

It is expected that professional healthcare practitioners (ND s, MD s, DO s, DC s, RN s, NP s, PA s, etc) will qualify for transfer credit for the western science portion of the program, leaving a core program of 1,866 hours and 113.25 credits. These can be taken over three or five years, with an average of 11 or 7 credits per quarter, respectively. Courses will be offered primarily in the evenings, to accommodate the needs of working professionals seeking to attain a second degree.

Tuition and Fees (first year)

$20,271

Licensing

Graduates of the Master of Acupuncture (MAc ) program are eligible to apply for acupuncture licensure in the state of Oregon and to take the acupuncture exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which many states use as a basis for licensure.