Location:

Denver, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Medical Specialties

Program Overview

Program Description:

The addition of the M.S.Ac. Program is in response to the changing private practice and clinical practice environments for graduates of OM colleges in the U.S. In addition, many OM college graduates are going into community acupuncture clinics, integrative medical settings, practicing in foreign countries and many other alternative clinical settings where only basic acupuncture medical resources are needed. In many of these clinical settings, Chinese herbal medicine is not or cannot be used for various reasons. CSTCM offers two graduate level educational programs with a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and related modalities), tui na (physiotherapy / therapeutic massage), Chinese nutrition, and energetic exercise / meditation) with a grounding in Western medicine, all as it is currently taught in mainland China. Our M.S.TCM Program further integrates a comprehensive understanding of internal (Chinese herbal) medicine. CSTCM utilizes 15 week trimesters, offering 3 trimesters per year. Students have 7 weeks off per year. Our programs can be designed for working adults to learn TCM in a supportive environment at their own pace. We are dedicated to students actually learning the medicine, not just graduating. Our programs allows accelerated students to earn our M.S.Ac. degree in 28 months or our M.S.TCM degree in 3 years (ACAOM minimum completion time), taking an roughly 21 classroom hours per week. Classes are offered during days, nights, and on Saturdays. CSTCM accepts new students three times per year. This allows students to take a trimester off at any time without creating problems in the sequencing of the program. Credits are calculated by the following: 1 credit for every 15 hours of classroom work completed for didactic courses; 1 credit for every 30 hours of completed work in practical / clinical courses. The CSTCM academic year is the same as the calendar year. Trimesters begin the first Monday in January, early May, and late August / early September. Both programs are offered on a part-time basis, with 8 calendar years as the maximum allowable time to complete our M.S.TCM program or 6 years to complete our M.S.Ac. program. This part-time pace is advised for students with financial or employment difficulties. It allows students to study at a more gradual and less stressful pace. Due to the comprehensive nature and length of our programs, classes may be held on secular and religious holidays. While recognizing the importance of religious observation, CSTCM cannot promise students that the scheduled classes will not conflict with religious obligations.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

The Master of Science Degree in Acupuncture (M.S.Ac.) and Master of Science Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (M.S.TCM) programs at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) which is the recognized accrediting agency for the approval of programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 14502 Greenview Drive, Suite 300B, Laurel, MD 20708, phone 301-313-0855; fax 301-313-0912.

Financial Aid:

Yes

Requirements:

In compliance with ACAOM standards, students entering the program must have completed at least two academic years (60 semester credits / 90 quarter credits) Baccalaureate level general education at an accredited institution, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or be certified in a medical profession requiring at least the equivalent training of a Registered Nurse or a Physician’s Assistant as a prerequisite for admission. Students may enter the program three times a year (Beginning of January, May, or September). Applications are accepted throughout the year. CSTCM is approved to receive veterans benefit programs and various Colorado State Vocational Rehab programs. For information please talk to the Financial Aid Administrator. CSTCM does not accept credit through prior learning assessment for the admissions requirement of 60 college credits.

International Requirements:

CSTCM is approved to issue I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for an F-1 Student Visa for foreign students. International students are responsible for their own English translation of transcripts and educational credential review of transcripts by an authorized agency if needed.Foreign students must also send an affidavit of financial support from the student’s sponsor or bank to show proof of sufficient funds to meet their tuition and living expenses for at least 1 year. English language proficiency is required for entering the program. Applicants from countries where English is not a primary language must show a minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and at least the currently reported mean score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), or have at least 2 years of education at an English speaking school.