Choosing an Oriental medicine school
Choosing the “right” Oriental medicine school is really more about who you are than about the program itself. Of course there are real differences between programs and institutions but how “right” an Oriental medicine school is depends on what is important to you. Here are some things to think about.
A good AOM program offers a broad education in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Depending on where you think you may practice, the educational requirements for licensure can be different. For example, in Texas an Oriental medicine school must include herbology because this is required for licensure in Texas. Think about where you might be most likely to practice and choose your Oriental medicine school with that in mind.
At minimum, an Oriental medicine school must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). It is even better if the Oriental medicine school has regional accreditation. Accreditation is crucial to your degree being recognized by the licensing authority of the state and to you being able to pursue additional education. Regionally accredited institutions generally will not transfer coursework from an Oriental medicine school without regional accreditation.
Make sure you visit the Oriental medicine school. Spend some time on campus talking to students. Go to a class and see what the classroom environment is like. How does the environment feel? Are staff and students friendly? Is the campus welcoming and inviting? You will spend a great deal of time in this environment if you choose to go to school there so make sure it is a place you like that “feels” right.
There are many other considerations including curriculum, faculty, program reputation, student performance, graduate success, but if the Oriental medicine school does not feel like a place you belong and will thrive…..keep looking.
Contact for more information. More information about AOMA's master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine graduate program.