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Acupuncture Institute Graduate

Master of Science in Acupuncture

MS Master of Science

An ACAHM-accredited Master of Science in Acupuncture integrating classical Chinese medicine with western biomedical sciences, with clinical work in the Health Sciences Center.

Information Sheet (PDF)

ACAHMMaster of Acupuncture
Accredited
1/4Served by acupuncture and TCM
World population
FallWe review applications on a rolling basis
Start term

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the most respected healing professions around the globe. It serves a quarter of the world’s population and has increased in public acceptance in the United States and Europe as the fastest growing complementary health care field. Chinese medicine has gained this respect by being both the most ancient written form of medical therapy known and a form of medicine with excellent clinical results.

Curriculum

East and West, integrated

The development of the Master of Science in Acupuncture degree program integrates the medical concepts of both the East and West. The student will learn modern and classical acupuncture and TCM medical theory as well as up-to-date western bio-medical sciences.

THEORY

Classical and modern theory

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses acupuncture, herbal therapy, manual therapy, diet counseling, exercise and breathing techniques, has been in use for thousands of years. Over the millennia, the Asian community has continuously refined this ancient healing art.

BIOMED

Western bio-medical sciences

During the last century, this refinement has included integration of Western medical sciences within the paradigm of TCM.

CLINIC

The Health Sciences Center

Having an opportunity to work alone and in conjunction with other health care practitioners in the Health Sciences Center, the students will be able to integrate the care of patients with other health care providers. Thus, the student gains a “real world” advantage before entering private practice.

GOAL

The program’s goal

To provide acupuncture and TCM training consistent with the developing traditions of Asia and the growing modern health care system in the United States.

Admission requirements

How to apply

We review applications on a rolling basis for a fall start term only. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a completed application and all supporting materials by July 15 for priority consideration.

Program prerequisites

  • Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (120 completed semester hours) from an accredited institution or recognized international institution
  • Required cumulative GPA of 2.9 or higher in the science prerequisites
  • Biology with labs – 6 semester hours
  • Chemistry with labs – 6 semester hours
  • English – 6 semester hours
  • Psychology – 3 semester hours
  • Social Science – 3 semester hours

Required materials

  • Application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • International applicants: Please consult our international admission requirements, or for specific queries, contact your admissions officer.
Apply now

Deadlines

July 15
Fall semester
Priority consideration
December 1
Spring semester
Spring deadline
April 15
Summer semester
Summer deadline

Career opportunities

A career in acupuncture

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are among the most requested forms of treatment in the fast-growing field of complementary and integrative medicine, and hold promise as among the key modalities to be used in current and future integrative medical settings. Acupuncture practitioners can create financially supportive careers with flexible work schedules that are rewarding on many levels. An acupuncture career offers the opportunity for a balanced lifestyle for both the practitioner and her patients.

Where practitioners work
The settings in which acupuncture practitioners work vary from a multi-disciplinary clinic with other health care professionals, to a hospital, to a private practice. Other career options include teaching, translating, publishing, research, or working with an acupuncture supply company.
The profession by the numbers
According to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM), there are approximately 20,000‑25,000 AOM licensees throughout the United States. While current data concerning the income of these practitioners nationwide is not available, recent estimates have suggested an annual starting salary range of $55,000-$80,000. It is not uncommon for practitioners to earn in excess of this amount, with reported salaries in some instances exceeding well over $100,000.
Practice ownership
Most graduates of acupuncture schools and colleges start private practices and are their own boss. They can choose the work environment that is best for them.
Insurance coverage
As a result of increasing demand from health group members for alternative care coverage, group health insurance companies such as HealthNet, CIGNA, and Aetna provide varying degrees of acupuncture care coverage. The amount of coverage depends on each individual plan.
The work itself

What an acupuncturist does

The acupuncturist is rewarded for helping others get well and stay well. They help people have less pain and more mobility. Patients are viewed from a holistic perspective, taking into account their physical, mental, and emotional health. Acupuncturists are able to spend time developing a collaborative relationship with patients, assisting them in maintaining their health and promoting a consciousness of wellness.

Licensure of graduates

Where UBAI programs meet state requirements

Completion of any of the UBAI programs does not guarantee licensure in any state. Most states require passage of some or all of the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam modules and the Council of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) Clean Needle Technique (CNT) exam for licensure.

MS-Acupuncture: meets state requirements
AK, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL*, IN, KY, LA, MA*, MD, ME, MI, MN, MD, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH*, OR, PA*, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT*, WA, WI, WV, WY, Washington DC*. *DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, VT and PA allow for acupuncture only licensure or licensees can choose TCM licensure including TCM Herbs, which requires a TCM degree and passage of the herb module for NCCAOM.
MS-Traditional Chinese Medicine: herbal training required
AR, DE, HI, FL**, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT. **Florida only accepts masters-level degrees in TCM for licensure as of 2021. FL also requires training in injection therapies prior to licensure.
MS-Traditional Chinese Medicine: herbal training optional
DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, PA, VT. The optional category also includes all of the states where MS-ACUP meets state requirements.
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
California, plus all of the states where MS-ACUP and MS-TCM meet state requirements, except FL. California requires passage of the California exam.
MS-Chinese Herbology
MS-CH does not lead to acupuncture licensure alone. Completion of an acupuncture degree is required.
No acupuncture licensure (2021)
AL, OK, SD.
California
In California you must take a program approved by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) and pass the California Acupuncture exam to qualify for licensure. As of 2021, the only program at UBAI that qualifies a graduate for the California exam is The Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) degree.
Before you apply
Please note that legislation changes can take place and completing the program does not guarantee state licensure eligibility alone. Many states require a state-specific exam in Jurisprudence or other areas of state-specific laws in addition to the NCCAOM exam modules. Always check state licensure requirements prior to applying for an acupuncture license.

Accreditation

Accredited by ACAHM

The following programs offered by University of Bridgeport’s Acupuncture Institute are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

Accredited programs
Master of Acupuncture; Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization; Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization (including a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization degree completion track)
Scope of accreditation
The programs listed above may offer courses via distance education. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor’s level. Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.
About ACAHM
ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331; phone 952/212-2434; acahm.org
Public disclosure
Public Disclosure Statement Effective as of 12 February 2025

Course catalog

Online course catalog

View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.

7 categories · 54 courses
Acupuncture curriculum requirements
109-115 credits

Semester 1 – 17.5 credits

10 courses
Course Code Course Title
ABS 511 Anatomy I
ABS 515 Physiology I
ACS 511 Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice in Acupuncture
AMR 511 Taijiquan 1
APT 511 Point Location 1
APT 512 Meridian Theory
ATD 511 TCM History and Philosophy
ATD 512 TCM Medical Theory
ATD 513 TCM Diagnosis 1
AWB 501 UBAI Clinic Safety Procedures

Semester 2 – 16.5 credits

9 courses
Course Code Course Title
ABS 522 Anatomy 2
ABS 525 Physiology 2
AMR 522 Taijiquan 2
ANT 521 Western Nutrition
APT 523 Point Location 2
ATD 515 Seminar 1
ATD 524 Traditional Chinese Diagnosis 2
AWB 521 TCM Safe Practices
AWB 523 Pharmacology

Semester 3

10 courses 20 credits
Course Code Course Title
ACS 611 Pathology 1
ACS 612 Clinical Diagnosis 1
ACS 613 Lab Diagnosis
ACS 711 Preceptorship I
AHM 521 Botanical Medicine
AHM 612 Introduction to Chinese Herbal Remedies
AHM 613 Traditional Chinese Diet Therapy
AMR 613 Qi Gong 1
APT 614 Acupuncture Techniques 1
ATD 529 Seminar 2

Semester 4

8 courses 15 credits
Course Code Course Title
ACS 623 Clinical Diagnosis 2
ACS 722 Preceptorship II
AMR 624 Qi Gong 2
APS 621 Psychological Assessment
APT 625 Acupuncture Techniques 2
APT 626 Auricular & Scalp Acupuncture
ATD 727 Case Studies 1
AWB 621 Medical Ethics

Summer session

3 courses 11 credits
Course Code Course Title
ACS 631 Clinical Education 1
AMR 627 Tuina 1
APT 637 Japanese Acupuncture Techniques

Semester 5

7 courses 17 credits
Course Code Course Title
ACS 712 Clinical Education 2
AMR 715 Tuina 2
ATD 618 Seminar 3
ATD 711 Differential Diagnosis and Pathomechanisms
ATD 715 Trad Chinese Internal Medicine
ATD 728 Case Studies 2
ATD 729 Acupuncture Gynecology

Semester 6

7 courses 12-18 credits
Course Code Course Title
ACS 723 Clinical Education 3
ACS 724 Public Health
AHM 713 Patent Remedies
AMR 726 Tuina 3
APP 721 Practice Management
APT 718 Pediatric Acupuncture
ATD 717 Advanced Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis

Start your application

We review applications on a rolling basis for a fall start term only.

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