National University's Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
program offers you a comprehensive classical curriculum in both
acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine coupled with training in
how to balance an eastern medicine approach with western
science.
What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental medicine is the oldest codified system of medicine in
the world. It restores health and balance by treating illness and
disease through the Five Major Branches of Oriental Medicine, which
include: acupuncture; Chinese herbal medicine; oriental nutrition
and dietary therapy; tuina or oriental bodywork; as well as tai chi
and qi gong.
Oriental Medicine Philosophy
Oriental Medicine relies on a highly comprehensive and
individualized diagnosis of a patient's Qi (or chi) energy. The
weakness, excess or imbalance of Qi affects key organ systems in
oriental medicine and is the underlying cause of disease and
disharmony. The oriental medicine practitioner uses a broad scope
of therapies to restore balance to a patient's Qi, thereby
encouraging health and healing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and
oriental medicine as
effective for over 43 conditions under the above-listed nine
major health categories.
(Source: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine)
Oriental Medicine Treatments
In addition to acupuncture, tai chi, tuina (meridian bodywork
therapy) and qi gong (mind, breath and physiological exercises) a
practitioner of oriental medicine will employ Chinese dietary
therapy as well as the full range of traditional Chinese herbal
medicine. Chinese herbal medicine encompasses the prescription of
single herbs, complex herbal formulas, tinctures and patent herbal
medicines in pill form.

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Health Care Career
35% of the hospitals offering complementary medicine provide
acupuncture as an outpatient service to their patients.
(Source: Health Forum Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Survey of Hospitals)
|
Oriental Medicine Careers
Acupuncture and oriental medicine are being recognized as
effective treatments for a variety of conditions. Oriental medicine
practitioners enjoy the full range of career opportunities
available to acupuncturists. Additionally, those with an MSOM
degree are able to prescribe traditional herbal medicine to their
patients. This broader scope of practice gives the practitioner
maximum flexibility in their career options.

(Source: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine)
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Licensure
To practice as an acupuncturist or an oriental medicine
practitioner, students must pass the licensing examinations
conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Currently, 47 states plus the
District of Columbia require the passage of the NCCAOM examinations
or NCCAOM certification as a prerequisite for licensure.
Students must also apply for licensure in the state in which
they plan to practice. Each state regulatory board carries unique
requirements for licensure. Students are responsible to become
familiar with the state licensing requirements through their state
licensing board. Visit www.nccaom.org/state-licensure for more
information. Additionally, licensed practitioners must also check
continuing education requirements for license renewal with their
state licensing board.
The professional organizations representing acupuncturists and
oriental medicine practitioners include the American
Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM).
Our Curriculum
You can earn your Master of Science in Oriental Medicine degree
in as little as 9 trimesters. Courses are primarily offered in the
evening. The 167.5-credit hour program
provides comprehensive training in the five branches of oriental
medicine. The program covers the history, theory and philosophy of
oriental medicine as well as rigorous training in diagnosis and
treatment planning. Students will also graduate with a solid
foundation in the basic sciences of western medicine, having
developed skills necessary for integrative and collaborative
practice in health care settings of their choosing.
View trimester-by-trimester courses, course descriptions, and
the course schedule. Learn more »
Full Immersion in Traditional Arts
You'll study the full range of traditional
diagnostic techniques such as tongue and pulse analysis. You'll
learn point location and correct needle techniques and rich get
rich exposure to oriental healing arts such as tuina, qi gong,
moxibustion, and cupping under seasoned practitioners. You'll go
deeply into the philosophical basis of the medicine so that you can
fully understand the causes of imbalance in your patients and how
to treat them.
Solid Foundation in Western Science
We integrate fundamental biomedical science and modern medical
diagnostics into our curriculum so that you can better meet your
patients' needs. You will also be better prepared to co-manage
cases with DCs, MDs, NDs and DOs, and take advantage of new career
opportunities in integrative medical venues.
Intensive Clinical Training
Students in the oriental medicine program at National University
will receive early clinical exposure with experienced clinicians.
The large clinic setting affords students the opportunity to work
within a diverse clinic setting and have access to a large herbal
dispensary. Prior to graduation, students will also have the
opportunity to take advantage of unique internship opportunities
such as in the Veterans
Clinic or John H. Stroger,
Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
Accreditation
National University's Master of Science in Acupuncture and
Master of Science in Oriental Medicine are accredited under the
master's degree standards by the Accreditation Commission for
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the recognized
accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and oriental
medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden
Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone, 952-212-2434; fax,
952-657-7068.
This full accreditation assures that NUHS graduates are eligible
to sit for the licensing examinations conducted by the National
Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM).
Strengths
Consider National University for its distinct advantages and be
well-prepared for the career that awaits you.
Collaborative Learning Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to treat patients collaboratively
within an integrative clinic, working with DC and ND
interns. The institutional focus at National University is on
collaborative learning and encourages students to become colleagues
rather than competitors.
Combining Eastern and Western Medicine
At
National University, oriental medicine is reinforced with science
and anatomy. Our unique curriculum allows students a one-of-a-kind
experience in anatomy with full
dissection of a human cadaver. The anatomy curriculum
encourages the study of the relationship between acupuncture points and the human
anatomy. In addition to hands-on dissection, NUHS offers the Anatomage
Table, today's most technologically advanced digital
visualization system for anatomy education.
Apprentice with Expert Faculty
Faculty at National University are
international leaders in their field, committed to training
students in the treatment methods and philosophies of traditional
oriental medicine. That's why our program incorporates
apprentice-style learning so that you can learn via direct
transmission of knowledge and skills from our faculty masters. In
addition, all full-time faculty in the acupuncture and oriental
medicine program have PhDs and strong research backgrounds.
Campus Location and Facilities
National University is conveniently located 15 miles from the city of Chicago and
its diverse neighborhoods, including the bustling Chinatown area
with its rich tradition of herbal medicine shops and practitioners.
The Chicagoland area is also home to one of the largest health care
communities in the country with over 120 hospitals and hundreds of
area clinics.
Our large integrative care clinic and extensive herbal
dispensary ensures outstanding clinical training. The gross anatomy
laboratory allows you to learn western anatomy and eastern
meridian theory through hands-on dissection of a human cadaver.
In the Training and Assessment Center
(TAC), you'll learn, practice and be assessed on your
diagnosis and patient interaction skills. You will also have
access to the on-campus Learning Resource Center, one
of the region's largest health science libraries, and modern
classrooms utilizing state-of-the-art technology such as
interactive video and SMART boards.
Internships
Each student in our Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
program serves a
full-year clinical internship. In addition to learning clinical
applications of oriental medicine and proper documentation
procedures, you will obtain important personal and business skills
you'll need to help build your own practice. Working under the
supervision of our faculty clinicians, you will have access to
professionals from other specialties, as well as our well-equipped
treatment rooms and fully stocked herbal dispensary.
Your clinical experience can be completed at our on-campus Whole Health Center
or at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
The
Stroger Hospital acupuncture and oriental medicine clerkship
for NUHS students is one of very few hospital-based acupuncture
training opportunities in the nation. Our interns work in an
integrative medical setting with physicians as part of a
multi-specialty treatment team in the Stroger clinic for pain
management.
![20190801_190047[14974]](/media/1127810/20190801_190047_14974__200x150.jpg)
Sara Montesa - Student
"Being able participate in the
Clerkship at Stroger Cook County Hospital was an amazing privilege.
It meant that I was able to care for a diverse range of patients
with complicated presentations and learn how to act as a peer in
the medical community. The eight months that I spent there were
some of the most memorable of my time as a student at National. I
looked forward to coming in every day and found myself humbled by
many of the interactions that I had with my patients there. They
were the most amazing teachers that I ever could have asked
for."
Other Program Opportunities
Dual Degrees
Students who earn their MSOM degree at National University have
the option to earn a second degree (DC or ND)
through dual enrollment. Course scheduling for a dual degree is
made simpler because the MSOM and MSAc programs are offered in the
evening and the DC and ND coursework is taught during the day.
There is also similarity in some of the coursework across the
programs allowing for a reduction in the total number of hours
required to complete their second degree. Students are not eligible
to begin dual enrollment until the third trimester of their initial
or primary program of study.
Postgraduate Programs
After graduation, students may pursue a number of
post-professional programs such as our master's and residency
programs. Of course, there are also a wide variety of continuing education
classes offered which allow graduates to maintain their
professional licensure.