History
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 June 2008 AOMA was granted candidacy for regional accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Key historical events
1993 – AOMA founded as the Texas Acupuncture Institute by Stuart Watts, President
1996 – AOMA graduates first class
1996 – Programmatic Accreditation granted by Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
1996 – Master’s level Oriental medicine program approved by the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners
1997 – California Acupuncture Board approves AOMA
1998 – US Department of Education approves Title IV federal financial aid
2000 – Clinical rotations at Duval Gardens Nursing Home
2000-2003 - “Fifty Fastest Growing Private Companies in Austin” by the Austin Business Journal
2000 – ACAOM grants accreditation
2001 – First China Study Tour at Chengdu University
2001 – AOMA initiates Southwest Symposium CE event
2002 – Jimmie Coombes, President
2004 – People’s Community Clinic rotations begin
2005 – AOMA provides integrated clinical rotations for UT graduate nurses and medical education students
2005 – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board grants AOMA authority to offer a master’s degree
2005 – ACAOM grants 5 year maximum re-accreditation
2005 – William R. Morris, President
2006 – AOMA’s collaboration with the Seton Family of Hospitals begins with an acupuncture clinic inside of the Seton Topfer Community Clinic.
2008 – candidate for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
2008 – After participating in the conception and design,AOMA student interns begin to offer services within the Seton Family of Hospital’s GoodHealth Commons Integrative Wellness & Education Center.