The Top 15 Best Acupuncture Schools in the US

Get fresh memories and interesting facts concerning acupuncture and the best acupuncture schools in the US here in XScholarship. We’ve closely given an extensive view of the medical therapy of what acupuncture does and how effective it is. Meanwhile, based on simplicity, acupuncture involves a systematic medical therapy having a more diverse methodology originating from the Chinese. Yes, we’d expose you to more of the methodology employed in acupuncture. But still, remember we aim to list out the most prominent schools to resort to for an acupuncture program in the US.

Furthermore, numerous research results say that the acupuncture healing process can alleviate some form of pain in patients. While other researchers say that the healing effect obtained from acupuncture does not come from the treatment itself. However, some systematic and medical reviews acupuncture for chronic low back pain was cost-effective as an adjunct to standard care. Irrespective of all the incredible facts to state about acupuncture, several other research disagrees with it. But this does not relegate the essence of acupuncture to practice. So, to further their light on acupuncture and understand its modes, we advise you carefully read through this article.

moreover, we’ve also reacted to several other queries relating to acupuncture and the best acupuncture schools in the US. Some of such questions include;

• Can you make money as an acupuncturist?
• How long does it take to learn acupuncture?
• Is a doctor of acupuncture a real doctor?
• Is a degree in acupuncture worth it?
• How many acupuncture schools are in the US?

Thus, we’ve carefully answered all these questions herein. Also, we’ve provided a good list of the best acupuncture schools in the US that will beneficial to you.

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What Are Acupuncture Schools?

Acupuncture relates to a medical term used to describe a system of complementary medicine. Whereas during the acupuncture medical process, we use needles to insert into the skin of the patient at specific points. The needles are placed along what we consider lines of energy (meridians). We use this in the treatment of various physical and mental conditions.

However, we can describe acupuncture as a form of alternative medicine. Also, it is a component of traditional Chinese medicine where we insert needles into the body. The medical field of acupuncture is a pseudoscience. This describes the fact that the theories and practices of TCM do not base on scientific knowledge but are rather characterized as quackery.

However, they exist various types of acupuncture processes originating from different philosophies. While also the techniques vary from country to country. Although, we can generally describe them in two foundational philosophical applications and approaches. They include

• The modern standardized form called eight principles TCM
• The second is an older system that is based on the ancient Taoist Wuxing. Better known as the five elements or phases in the West.

Meanwhile, the Ideology involved in acupuncture attempts to relieve pains. While acupuncturist says they also serve other wide range of purposes. But generally used in combination with other forms of treatment.

Additionally, conclusions from trials and systematic views on acupuncture are inconsistent, which suggests that it is not effective. Although, systematic reviews conducted by medical scientists at the universities of Exeter and Plymouth found little evidence of acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating pain. So in conclusion, the overall evidence suggests that short-term treatment with acupuncture does not produce long-term benefits.

Why Attend Acupuncture Schools in the US

In 2017, the global acupuncture market was worth US$24.55 billion. The market was led by Europe with a #32.7% share, followed by Asia-Pacific with a #29.4% share, and the Americas with a #25.3% share. While they projected the industry will reach a market size of $55 billion by 2023. Even more, as reported by 1.1k salaries, the average salary of an acupuncturist is $40.47 per hour in the United States. So, if you seek obvious reasons to attend an acupuncture school in the US, just remember how lucrative it is there. Apart from this, there exist several other reasons one will love to attend acupuncture schools in the US. While at some point, the reasons can be relative.

More or less, when learning complementary medical programs like acupuncture, we ought to consider the choice of institution. This, acupuncture schools in the US have adequate facilities and equipment to properly train students. In addition, the lessons taught by experts have grounded knowledge in the field. Attending acupuncture schools in the US also helps you make effective connections and network toward your career path.

Also, there often exist many opportunities to tap from in the US. So, while attending acupuncture schools in the US, you’d rightly be exposed to these opportunities.

Furthermore, most higher schools of learning in the US provide several financial aid supports to their students to ease learning. Therefore, you’d be a beneficiary of this system while still getting a top-notch education.

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Top 15 Best Acupuncture Schools in the US

Currently, there exist 56 ACAOM accredited acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs. The US. Among them, we’ve selected the best top 15 schools having the best facilities and training guides to teach acupuncture programs. Although, there is no particular order attached to the ranking herein.

#1. Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, Oregon

If you want to pick a school without much fuss that guarantees an education in Acupuncture that is on par with anything you can get anywhere else in the world, look no further than the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

Instituted in 1983, OCOM is one of the first colleges of Chinese medicine in the country. Through the years, the school has remained at the forefront of the field, furthering research in the subject, and partnering with top academic institutions like the University of Arizona at Oregon, Portland State University, and the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

Visit the School’s Official Website

#2. New England School of Acupuncture, Newton, Massachusetts

The New England School of Acupuncture started operation in 1975. Consequently, it is the oldest acupuncture school in the country, and also one of the most renowned colleges in the field.

NESA, an arm of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is a school with robust oriental medicine curricula, one of the most active research focus of any schools in the niche, and substantial research backing in the form of over $5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health so far.

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#3. Emperor’s College School of Traditional Oriental Medicine, Santa Monica, California

Established in 1983, Emperor’s College School of Traditional Oriental Medicine is one of the oldest Chinese medicine and acupuncture schools in the country. The college’s claim to fame, however, rests in its faculty.

The faculty members at Emperor’s College include some of the most prominent and distinguished theoreticians and practitioners you will find anywhere. Furthermore, the school’s alumni are almost equally as prolific, going on to practice in some of the top private and public practices around the world.

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#4. American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco, California

Few American schools can match the prominence that the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) has in the world of Chinese medicine and Acupuncture.

The school is home to several former leaders of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, varied and prolific alumni that includes some of the world’s most famous practitioners, and a research library of traditional Chinese medicine that is one of the largest in the country.

Visit the School’s Official Website

#5. AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Austin, Texas

Since it was only established in 1993, the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine is one of the newer Chinese medicine and acupuncture schools in the United States.

The school’s creation came as part of an initiative to provide cheap, and even free, integrative medicine treatments to the less privileged. Consequently, the school’s extensive partnerships with nonprofits help it achieve its current tally of around 17,500 students per year.

Visit the School’s Official Website

#6. Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington

Another excellent school that provides students with a solid launchpad into acupuncture practice is Bastyr University in Washington.

The school approach to the study of oriental medicine includes comprehensive coverage of both theoretical and practical aspects of the practice, as well as its intersection with western medicine.

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#7. Five Branches University, Santa Cruz, California

Five Branches University in Santa Cruz is famous for its herbology department, one of the best in the country, and this translates excellently into its acupuncture programs. Here, you can pursue either a master’s or doctorate program in Acupuncture that prepares you to become a practitioner or for incorporating Acupuncture into western medical practices.

Consequently, both programs take students through both basic and advanced aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, including comprehensive academic instruction and extensive clinical training.

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#8. Maryland University of Integrative Health, Laurel, Maryland

The fact that the Maryland University of Integrative Health started out first as a practicing acupuncture clinic, immediately relates to you the type of programs you will get here. At MUHI, students get a practicum-first approach to oriental medicine and Acupuncture.

Here, courses on offer include detailed grounding and substantial practice in aspects of acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine, and yoga therapy. Students at MUHI can pursue either a master’s or doctorate in oriental medicine or a master’s or doctorate in Acupuncture.

Visit the School’s Official Website

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#9. Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, Minnesota

Northwestern Health Sciences University is one of the best schools in the country for aspiring acupuncture students who want to max out on hands-on skill-building.

At Northwestern, students always have easy access to experienced faculty members thanks to the college’s unrivaled one clinical faculty member to three interns system.

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#10. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine-San Diego, San Diego, California

Another excellent school for priming yourself to become an acupuncture practitioner is the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine-San Diego. Here, students can pursue either a master’s or a doctorate in Acupuncture.

The comprehensive curriculum at this college includes the study of the theories and history of traditional oriental medicine, as well as techniques and practical knowledge of herbal medicine, Acupuncture, Tui Na, and regular medical courses like anatomy, pharmacology, and nutrition.

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#11. American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Houston, Texas

The American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine runs a treatment facility that sees about 1,000 visitors every month, creating a fertile ground where students can get hands-on instruction in all aspects of Acupuncture and oriental medicine.

Here, students can complete either a four-year master’s program or a two-year doctorate program in Acupuncture and oriental medicine.

Visit the School’s Official Website

#12. Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

The Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine is one of the best colleges in the country for students who want a practice-first approach to learning acupuncture and other traditional Asian medical practices.

At ATOM, their clinical-based curriculum grounds students with both a foundational biomedical education, as well as comprehensive instruction in all aspects of Acupuncture and oriental medicine. To make this curriculum work, the school has a reliable base of faculty members with extensive backgrounds in both traditional Chinese and western medicine.

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#13. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine-New York, New York, New York

A master’s degree in a related field of study is an excellent way to bolster your portfolio as an aspiring acupuncturist, and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine-New York offers two programs that are some of the best options you will get anywhere.

Here students can apply either to a master’s program in traditional oriental science or a master’s in Acupuncture.

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#14. Tri-State College of Acupuncture, New York, New York

For students looking to get the best well-rounded instruction in Acupuncture possible in the United States, one school that should be on your shortlist is the Tri-State College of Acupuncture.

At this school, students get programs in Chinese medicine that include both the classical and modern approaches to oriental medicine. Programs on offer at Tri-State College include a master’s in oriental medicine, another master’s in Acupuncture, and a certificate program in Chinese herbology.

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#15. Texas Health and Science University, Austin, Texas

The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Texas Health and Science University offers some of the most robust programs of any acupuncture school in the United States. Here, students can get a variety of degrees that provide participants with a solid grounding in both Acupuncture and other aspects of healthcare delivery and management.

Programs on offer at the college include a bachelor’s in traditional Chinese medicine, a master’s in oriental medicine and Acupuncture, or a bumper master’s program in both oriental medicine and Acupuncture with an added MBA in business or healthcare management.

The school also offers a doctorate program in oriental medicine and Acupuncture.

Visit the School’s Official Website

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Conclusion

Finally, yes, the process involved in acupuncture includes piercing a person with a needle. So, accidents and infections do occur. Though this may arise due to the neglect of the practitioner not following proper ethics. Therefore, there is a need that as an acupuncturist, you apply proper ethics. While it’s also paramount to attend a good school. More like acupuncture schools in the US.

Meanwhile, we’ve listed a few among the best acupuncture schools you can find in the US. You can carefully check through the list again and select which to do further research on.

However, we have provided other frequently used questions about acupuncture schools in the US below. But if still yet you have any question not answered herein, do well to send us a message to get a quick response.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture Schools in the US