Master of Science in Acupuncture and Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The MSA and MSAOM provide the didactic and clinical training necessary for eligibility for the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam, which is the basis for licensing in most states. The MSA program is a three-calendar-year, 11-quarter course of study. The MSAOM also includes training in Chinese herbal medicine and in introductions to Chinese medical language. The MSAOM program is a three-calendar-year, 12 quarter course of study.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Department of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine trains graduates to be the following:
- Safe and effective in the care of patients by demonstrating in-depth ability in the following areas:
- Knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic strategies and their application to individual cases
- Skill in the traditional methods of assessing patients, including observation, interviewing and palpation
- Competence in selecting the appropriate treatment modalities and plans for a patient, utilizing acupuncture, tui na, Chinese herbs (relevant to the MSAOM), and lifestyle and dietary counseling, and other modalities within the scope of practice
- Skill in the application of acupuncture techniques in an appropriate and safe fashion for each patient
- Physical examination, orthopedic and neurological assessment, and pain management
- Critical thinking using cognitive skills to increase expected patient outcomes and the development of professional judgment
- Able to integrate Eastern and Western paradigms of medicine for the purposes of informing the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, communicating with other health care professionals and patients, and making appropriate medical referrals when necessary
- Proficient in their approach in setting up and maintaining a private practice, collaborating with other health care professionals, working in an integrated health care setting, and providing leadership within the acupuncture and East Asian medicine field
- Capable of accessing research information, critically assessing the value of published clinical research in the field
- Able to provide health promotion and disease prevention measures based on traditional Chinese medicine theory (such as tai chi, qigong and therapeutic nutrition) to support the well-being of their patients and themselves
- Qualified and prepared to pass national and state acupuncture and/or herbal exams
Admissions
For general information on the admissions process, please refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. The information below refers only to the MSA/MSAOM programs.
It is strongly recommended that applicants receive acupuncture and/or a traditional Chinese medicine treatment prior to applying to the program. Additionally, applicants will benefit from reading about and researching the field of East Asian medicine via the mainstream press and Internet.
Prerequisites for MSA/MSAOM
Students may enter with a completed bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisite coursework (minimum GPA 2.75). Students may also enter the program without a bachelor’s degree, but must complete the required prerequisite coursework in addition to specific general education requirements, which total a minimum of 135 quarter credits.
Prerequisites:
| Intermediate Algebra |
1 course |
| General Chemistry (allied health-level with lab)1,2 |
1 course |
| General Biology (allied health-level with lab)2 |
1 course |
| General Psychology |
1 course |
| General Physics |
1 course |
| Note: All students must complete a CPR-C level course or equivalent prior to entering clinic. |
| 1Survey-level class that covers inorganic chemistry and includes a lab component. Intended for students in allied-health majors. |
| 2Science classes must have been taken within seven years of entering the program. If not, additional coursework may be required after the admissions committee review. |
Corequisites for the MSA/MSAOM Program
AM4100, BC4104, BC4123 and BC4124 are corequisite courses to the master's program. The MSA/MSAOM curriculum has been designed so students missing one or more of these may take them after matriculating at Bastyr University. Previously completed coursework from other accredited institutions may satisfy these corequisites.
Age of Course
Required chemistry and biology courses not taken within seven years of matriculation into the program are subject to review by the Admissions Committee. Additional coursework may be required.
Transfers
Students who wish to transfer from other accredited acupuncture and East Asian medicine programs are accepted on a space-available basis and must meet the same entrance requirements at the class level they seek to enter. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis following completion of the application process. Transfer applicants must submit a $100 transfer evaluation fee.
Applicants must provide an official transcript from the college or program from which the transfer is being requested, demonstrating that they are leaving in good academic standing.
Applicants must submit syllabi for the courses they completed in their acupuncture program and should be prepared to submit additional documentation to support a thorough evaluation. If a transfer student is found to be deficient in some area(s) of study, s/he may be required to complete additional courses at Bastyr University. For more information on the transfer admission policies and procedures, contact the admissions office.