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Our Mission
The mission of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is to critically assess and present the theories and practices of Oriental medicine, together with its traditional and modern derivations, in order that its exemplary graduates may deliver the highest standard of patient care within their scope of practice. Pacific College (San Diego, New York, Chicago) presents this body of knowledge to students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as certificate programs, and to practitioners through continuing education.

Our Educational Philosophy
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine believes that the energetic and physiological principles of Oriental medicine are grounded in the laws of nature. While they may seem mysterious at times, they are not mystical. That is, they are knowable by the average human being without any appeal to the supernatural. Moreover, the knowledge base of this medical system can be increased through scientific inquiry. Lastly, these principles comprise a system of medicine that is applicable through natural means to the treatment of disease. Simply stated, we believe that Oriental medicine is knowable, teachable...and that you can do it.

Pacific recognizes a spiral-like process in the endeavor to learn. Observation and reason lead to knowledge. After obtaining foundation material in the classroom setting, the student applies this material in the clinical setting. The clinical application leads to a deeper understanding of the original foundation material, which in turn leads to enhanced clinical practice and new academic advancement. Pacific also recognizes that learning is an individual achievement, though one in which others can, and often must, be of assistance. Pacific will assist by providing a tested curriculum, quality instruction, educational resources, personal support systems, structure, and a good dose of inspiration.

Pacific encourages study groups and instructional methods designed to maximize the abilities of students with varying learning styles. Yet, in the end there is no substitute for time spent with effort. Pacific will provide the best personnel and instructional design realizing that it is the student who possesses the indispensable learning tools: a mind and the freedom to use it.

So, to what will students of Pacific College apply their academic abilities? We believe that it is essential that practitioners of Oriental medicine thoroughly understand and have the ability to communicate, as well as apply, the wide variety of theories and techniques of Oriental medicine. Additionally, to create a safe and successful practice and to positively represent Oriental medicine in today’s medical culture the acupuncturist must understand the principles of modern medicine and have the ability to communicate in a professional manner with all health care practitioners. It is imperative that practitioners with primary care responsibilities have the ability to think critically, challenge traditional theories and practices, and research and imagine new possibilities. Pacific believes that even its non-primary care students, i.e., its advanced body therapy students, should be exposed to the underlying principles of Oriental medicine in order to anchor their evaluative and critical-thinking skills in a time-tested, accessible medical system.

The Goals of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
1. To train qualified practitioners of Oriental medicine. Currently the college effects this goal through the following Master’s level programs: Master of Science (Traditional Oriental Medicine) in San Diego and New York, Master of Science (Acupuncture) in New York, and Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Chicago. Pacific College’s San Diego campus also offers the following certificate programs: Massage Technician, Massage Therapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, Asian Body Therapist, and Tui Na. The college is committed to the development of additional, innovative degree and certificate programs as one means of maintaining its position as a leader in the delivery of complementary health care education.

2. To enable graduates of its Master’s degree level programs to function as primary health care providers, to apply the principles of Oriental and natural healing, and to become an integral part of the modern health care system. Pacific College interns and graduates are increasingly participating in multidisciplinary biomedical settings.

3. To provide graduates of the college’s body therapy certificate programs with the skills necessary to deliver safe and effective Asian body therapy, to apply the principles of Oriental and natural healing, and to become an integral part of the modern health care system. Body therapists have long been considered an integral part of pain and rehabilitation therapy. By expanding the knowledge and skills of our graduates, we hope to continue and advance this tradition.

4. To inspire, through the presentation of Oriental and natural healing, a deep and lasting respect for the integrity of the human body, mind, and spirit. It is the college’s observation that exposure to the principles of Oriental medicine does indeed lead to an appreciation for the integrity of the human body, mind, and spirit. Observation of advanced students and graduates reveals a maturation process and a synthesis of knowledge, skills, and personal growth that enhances their abilities as healers and their development as human beings.

5. To provide continuing education and post-graduate programs for graduates and other practitioners of Oriental medicine and body therapy. Pacific Symposium is recognized as the leading continuing education event in the profession.

6. To provide a supportive, educational environment conducive to personal growth and academic advancement. The college’s overall curriculum and particularly its counseling courses reflect institutional commitment to the personal development of both our practitioners and their patients. The institutions’ administrative staffs endeavor to make the daily business of running an institution supportive of the students’ educational goals.

7. To further the understanding of the profession of Oriental medicine and body therapy through dialogue with other members of the health care community and the public at-large. The college achieves this mission in ways perhaps too numerous to mention, but a few examples follow:
– Participation in national professional organizations in both Oriental medicine and bodywork;
– Open houses for the public;
– Providing informative lectures at Sharp Hospital, Mission Bay Hospital, San Diego Drug Abuse Services, New York Botanical Garden, The Omega Institute, The Open Center, UCSD School of Medicine, American Museum of Natural History, Beth Israel Hospital, and others; and
– Cooperative programs with San Diego Community Connections, San Diego Hospice, UCSD School of Medicine, Olympic Training Center, Lincoln Hospital, Yonkers Hospital, the Fortune Society of New York and many others. The college’s students have an opportunity to participate in the above activities and directly experience the benefits of networking and charitable, community service.

8. To participate in state and national Oriental medicine and body therapy issues and convey the essence of professionalism to its students.

9. To provide a center for the research and modern validation of Oriental medical principles. The college was a recipient of a National Institutes of Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine research grant. The college includes clinical research and design within its curriculum.

10.To provide Oriental medical services to the community.

The Methods of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
1. To admit students with the educational preparation necessary to undertake and appreciate the unique program and information provided in the study of acupuncture, body therapy, and Oriental medicine.

2. To present Oriental medical theory in a sequential format, in such a way that students achieve a firm theoretical foundation which enables continued learning of the practical skills necessary to enter internship and private practice.

3. To present the wide variety of theoretical patterns, as well as diagnostic and treatment procedures, that have arisen throughout Oriental medicine’s long history. This method will enable the student to make an informed choice as to their own practice preference and the treatment needs of their patients. Within the individual programs, appropriate attention is paid to knowledge and skills relevant to the California, New York, Illinois, and national Oriental medical and/or body therapy licensing or certification examinations.

4. To utilize technological and theoretical advances in instructional design to increase the quality of, and access to, the college’s educational resources. The top academic roles at Pacific are filled by individuals with graduate degrees in education and extensive experience applying adult education theory, educational technology, and curriculum development.

5. To present courses in a schedule accessible to working adults, as well as full-time students.

6. To provide a clinical experience that follows from and enhances didactic training, ensuring both clinical competence and confidence on the part of the graduate and effective health care for patients. Pacific students participate in the clinical experience from very early in their training.

Educational Purpose & Outcomes - Master's degree programs
The purpose of the Master's programs of Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine is to train practitioners of Oriental medicine and to enable them to function as primary, independent health care providers. The programs are open to applicants demonstrating the necessary maturity and interest in the field, and prior undergraduate study that indicates the ability to undertake graduate level work. The program enables graduates to apply the principles of Oriental medicine, to take any California, Illinois, and New York state licensure exam, the national certification examinations, and, most importantly, to become an integral part of the modern health care system.

Educational Outcomes
1. Graduates will understand the importance of acting ethically in their personal and professional lives.
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the etiology of disease from a traditional Oriental and biomedical perspective and apply this understanding by recommending disease prevention strategies.
3. Graduates will be able to evaluate patients exhibiting complaints commonly seen and treated by Oriental medicine and in a manner which indicates cognizance of all relevant Oriental medical diagnostic paradigms.
4. Graduates will be able to recognize signs and symptoms necessitating referral to appropriate complementary health care providers.
5. Graduates will be able to formulate treatment principles for patients that follow logically from the diagnosis and in a manner that prioritizes treatment procedures.
6. Graduates will be able to formulate acupuncture, herbal (M.S.T.O.M. and M.T.O.M. graduates), and supplemental treatment plans and be able to provide a logical rationale for such plans.
7. Graduates will be able to indicate, as part of the treatment plan, the number of treatments recommended or required, frequency of treatment and be able to provide a logical rationale for such plans.
8. Graduates will be able to administer personally, or by the use of appropriate support personnel, the designated treatment plan.
9. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the importance of clinical sciences from a traditional Oriental and biomedical perspective.
10. Graduates will be able to communicate in a professional and knowledgeable manner about Oriental medicine and biomedicine with relevant health care professionals.
11. Students will demonstrate an ability to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.
12. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment for the practice of Oriental medicine.

Educational Purpose & Outcomes - Body Therapy Certificate Programs
The purpose of the Body Therapy Certificate programs is to present body therapy grounded in the Oriental medical perspective with expanding, eclectic techniques, as the student progresses through the sequential diplomas or certificates of completion. The programs are designed for students desiring a career in the field of body therapy or simply avocational study. The institution offers the following diplomas in San Diego: Massage Technician, Massage Therapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, Asian Body Therapist, and Tui Na certificate. For massage programs offered by Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, School of Massage, a Pacific subsidiary in Chicago, please call Pacific’s Chicago campus.

Educational Outcomes
1. Graduates will understand the importance of acting ethically in their personal and professional lives.
2. Graduates of all body therapy programs will acquire skills necessary to perform full-body massage.
3. Graduates of the advanced programs (Massage Therapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, Asian Body Therapist) will acquire additional skills to address specific discomfort or injury.
4. Graduates will be cognizant of essential, hygienic considerations in the performance of body therapy.
5. Graduates will be cognizant of conditions contraindicating body therapy.
6. Graduates of advanced programs will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of Oriental medicine and will be able to use that knowledge to deliver more effective body therapy.
7. Students earning the Tui Na certificate will demonstrate an expert ability to perform Tui Na massage.