National University of Health Sciences is expanding its degree offerings to provide students with a more advanced education in the rapidly growing field of acupuncture. NUHS is currently accepting applications for the new Doctor of Acupuncture program that is set to begin in May for students who meet requirements.  

In recent years, acupuncture has become increasingly well-accepted within the medical community. New research continues to support the effectiveness of acupuncture with more patients than ever before using it to treat pain, infertility, stress and anxiety, etc. 

“A more advanced, doctorate level of training in acupuncture is quickly becoming necessary as acupuncturists make their way into more mainstream medical environments like hospitals and fertility clinics,” said George Stretch, DN, DAOM, LAc, DAAPM, DNBAO, Assistant Dean of the Acupuncture program. “A degree with more advanced standing will also help NUHS students stay competitive in the field.” 

Starting in September, NUHS is also offering a restructured Masters program in acupuncture that students can complete in as little as 6 trimesters, or in 8 trimesters with the specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine. The Master’s program will hold daytime classes instead of the previous evening classes. Students will still have the added advantage of cadaver dissection, an opportunity exclusive to NUHS.  

Once students have completed the Master’s program, they will be able to earn their Doctor of Acupuncture entirely online in just one year or three trimesters. 

“This allows graduates of the Master’s program to return to their hometowns and begin practicing and earning an income all while studying for their doctoral degree,” Dr. Stretch said. 

As part of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) requirements, students in the doctoral program will be required to complete a 60-hour preceptorship with a licensed physician of their choosing, located in any state.  They will also have the option of completing this requirement at NUHS’s Whole Health Center in Lombard alongside a chiropractic physician. 

Like other programs at NUHS, coursework in the doctoral program in acupuncture will focus on integration with other branches of medicine that students can expect to encounter in practice. The curriculum will include topics on demographics, biostatistics, radiology, MRI, CT scans, and lab work. Course work also covers the topics of practical business and marketing strategies. 

“The Acupuncture program isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon,” Dr. Stretch said. “We’ve streamlined the coursework so students can truly master the material and become the best practitioners possible.”