History
Introduction to AOMA
AOMA was founded in 1993 and achieved national accreditation in 1996 for its master’s degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Located in north Austin’s Village Center, AOMA’s campus provides a contemplative environment with a gazebo, brick walkways, koi ponds and a meandering creek. The school now occupies more than 19,000 square feet of classroom, administrative, academic support, and clinic space, with wireless access in most areas of the campus. AOMA’s busy clinic sees more than 10,000 patients per year, providing extensive experience in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Clinical rotations also occur at People’s Community Clinic, the Heritage Duval Gardens Nursing Home, the Seton Topfer Clinic, and the Kerrville Folk Festival. These clinics provide a unique learning opportunity for our students to gain competencies in a range of collaborative care environments.
History of the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA)
History of the Institution
Originally named the “Texas Acupuncture Institute”, AOMA enrolled its first class of sixteen students in August of 1993. Classes were initially held at offices near the corner of Guadalupe and Highway 290 in Austin, Texas. In the fall of 1994, AOMA moved to 5555 North Lamar. It graduated its first class of students in September 1996. AOMA has more licensed graduates than any other acupuncture school in Texas.
In January 1995, AOMA leased approximately 6000 square feet of space and moved to its current location in the Village Center. The quiet, one-story commercial complex with a distinctly Asian feel has ample parking and convenient bus line and highway access for commuters. The center is webbed with brick walkways, a koi pond and a meandering creek. This north Austin location has proven to be an ideal environment for AOMA.
The total student body grew by more than 150% percent during the three year period from August 2002 to August 2005. In order to stay ahead of classroom demands, as well as clinic space for expanded patient load, the school increased its leased space. It now occupies more than 19000 square feet of classroom, administrative, academic support, and clinic space in four buildings of the Village Center.
AOMA recognition and authority
AOMA gained candidacy status in May of 1995 and accreditation in November of 1996 with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). ACAOM is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit master’s level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession. The school was approved by the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners (TSBAE) in December 1996. In 1997, the program was recognized by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Immigration and Naturalization Service for foreign student training, and the California Acupuncture Board. The program was also approved for veteran’s training. Ability to participate in Title IV federal student financial aid programs came early in 1998. AOMA was re-accredited by ACAOM in November of 2000.
In February 2004, degree-granting authority transferred in Texas from the TSBAE to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). AOMA received its certificate of authority to offer the Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree, with a major in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the THECB in January 2005. In May 2005, AOMA received the maximum five year reaccredidation from ACAOM through the summer of 2010. In January of 2007, AOMA was granted recertification of its Certificate of Authority from the THECB through January 2009.
Key historical events
April 1993 – AOMA founded as the Texas Acupuncture Institute by Stuart Watts, President
August 1993- First class of 16 students enroll
September 1996 – AOMA graduates first class
November 1996 – Programmatic Accreditation granted by Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
December 1996 – Master’s level Oriental medicine program approved by the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners
December 1997 – California Acupuncture Board approves AOMA
January 1998 – US Department of Education approves Title IV federal financial aid
July 2000 – Clinical rotations at Duval Gardens Nursing Home
Feb 2000-May 2003 - “Fifty Fastest Growing Private Companies in Austin” by the Austin Business Journal
November 2000 – ACAOM grants accreditation
February 2001 – First China Study Tour at Chengdu University
March 2001 – AOMA initiates Southwest Symposium CE event
April 2002 – Jimmie Coombes, President
April 2004 – People’s Community Clinic rotations begin
January 2005 – AOMA provides integrated clinical rotations for UT graduate nurses and medical education students
January 2005 – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board grants AOMA authority to offer a master’s degree
May 2005 – ACAOM grants 5 year maximum re-accreditation
November 2005 – William R. Morris, President
AOMA is pleased to have been invited to take part in a new wellness clinic to be opening in 2008 in the new Seton Medical Center Williamson. Here, AOMA students will offer acupuncture treatments in an outpatient setting as part of an integrative medical care center.