Master of Acupuncture Program Overview
National University’s MAc program is a 107-credit hour program and is 6 trimesters in length. The program covers the history, theory and philosophy of acupuncture as well as rigorous training in diagnosis and treatment planning. Students will also graduate with a solid foundation in the basic sciences of western medicine, having developed skills necessary for integrative and collaborative practice in health care settings of their choosing.
Our Program Stands Out
720
clinical hours
60
field observation hours with practitioners
350
average number of patients interns work with
Our MAc Curriculum
Full Immersion in Traditional Arts
You’ll study the full range of traditional diagnostic techniques such as tongue and pulse analysis. You’ll learn point location and correct needle techniques under seasoned practitioners. You’ll go deeply into the philosophical basis of the medicine so that you can fully understand the causes of imbalance in your patients and how to treat them.
Grounding in Western Health Sciences
We integrate western medical science into our curriculum so that you can better meet your patients’ needs. You will also be better prepared to co-manage cases with DCs, MDs, NDs and DOs, and take advantage of new career opportunities in integrative medical venues.
Intensive Clinical Training
Students have access to a large herbal dispensary and receive hands-on training with expert clinicians at our on-campus integrative clinic. Acupuncture students can also participate in a clinical preceptorship at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, one of the only hospital-based acupuncture training programs in the nation.
Explore Our Curriculum
Campus Location and Facilities
National University is conveniently located 15 miles from the city of Chicago and its diverse neighborhoods, including the bustling Chinatown area with its rich tradition of herbal medicine shops and practitioners. The Chicagoland area is also home to one of the largest health care communities in the country with over 120 hospitals and hundreds of area clinics.
Our large integrative care clinic and extensive herbal dispensary ensures outstanding clinical training. The gross anatomy laboratory allows you to learn western anatomy and eastern meridian theory through hands-on dissection of a human cadaver. In the Training and Assessment Center (TAC), you’ll learn, practice and be assessed on your diagnosis and patient interaction skills. You will also have access to the on-campus James F. Winterstein Library, one of the region’s largest health science libraries, and modern classrooms utilizing state-of-the-art technology such as interactive video and SMART boards.
Accreditation
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) has institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and its acupuncture programs are accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, MN 55331; 952-212-2424; www.acahm.org. Detailed information on National University of Health Sciences institutional and programmatic accreditation is available on the accreditation page.