Acupuncture Degree: Preparing For Growing Acupuncture Career

by Robert Doane Online Educator

The emerging medical field of natural healing is providing individuals with more options of degree distinctions to choose from. Acupuncture is becoming a more sought after form of non-invasive therapy to help cure ailments in the body. As a consequence more colleges and degree programs are coming up to teach students or medical practitioners the knowledge needed to be a successful acupuncturist.

•    Acupuncture: Focus on Needling Technique

Acupuncture is an all-inclusive form of healthcare, which is based on theories of energetic physiology. The practice focuses on the therapeutic use of fine needles and therapies taken from traditional Chinese practices. Numerous colleges offer degree distinctions in acupuncture for a masters or doctorate in the profession. Colleges will have their own set of guidelines and perks for prospective students to follow before enrolling in a degree program.

No matter what kind of acupuncture degree a student is in they will learn and practice the overall focus of acupuncture. The medical therapy focuses on inserting fine needles into the body at specific depths and patterns to achieve healing through the body's natural energies. The benefits of this therapy includes: increase energy, relieve pain, and promote overall health in patients in regards to all different kinds of ailments.

•    Obtaining Acupuncture Degree

Most colleges do not offer a bachelor's degree in acupuncture as most states need a practicing acupuncturist to hold a master's degree or higher. However, students need to attain a bachelor's degree with a prominence in science to successfully be admitted into a master's degree program. Many acupuncture schools require a bachelor's degree program to be completed with a 2.5 or 3.0 grade point average or higher. The science prominence is standard because the foundations learned successfully prepare students for the course and workload in the higher degree distinctions.

A master's program in acupuncture integrates history and philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine to promote practical application of theory within the therapy. Although, the students are learning Chinese medicine, their coursework will also be integrated with western medical pathology and terminology. This integration facilitates practitioners to work more effectively with other health care providers. Education will also comprise of nutrition and herbal medicine training because the therapy of acupuncture is a holistic approach to health.

•    Pass the NCCAOME

Once you finish this course, you will be prepared to pass The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine examination (NCCAOME) to become a licensed practitioner within the medical profession. After licensure individuals will be eligible to work in most states that have regulating practices concerning acupuncture. The popularity of alternative health is estimated to continually grow according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This fact will leave many options for degree holders in the workplace. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) provides full accreditation to the schools if they offer quality career training.