Are alumni from all acupuncture colleges and universities eligible for this program?
Yes. All acupuncturists deserve an opportunity to bridge the gap between their master’s training and the new doctorate.
What is the degree that will be awarded upon successful completion of the program?
Students who enter the program with a master’s degree in acupuncture or equivalent will earn the Doctor of Acupuncture(DAc). Students who enter with a master’s degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine or equivalent will earn the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM). The curriculum is the same for either student.
Are the online classes synchronous or asynchronous? In other words, are they in “real time?”
All the classes are online and synchronous. They occur in “real time” and are interactive. Students and faculty can see and hear each other. The program is 100% online and will not involve any on ground classroom instruction.
What will the schedule be like?
This program is designed to provide options for all time zones. A variety of class schedules are available every day of the week. There is also substantial work outside of class. Full-time enrollment (12 units) is nearly a full-time job (approximately 40 hours per week). However, the program may be taken on a part- time basis to fit your work schedule.
Will transfer credit be available for any of these courses?
Yes. Up to 5 units may be transferred. To be eligible, a course must be a graduate level course that achieves all the course learning objectives of the designated course. Work experience and CEU courses do not qualify for transfer credit.
Is there a capstone project or dissertation?
No.
What is the attendance policy?
A student must attend at least 75% of the course hours. (Exception: AIPC course requires 100% attendance).
Will the lectures be made available for missed classes?
Archived lectures are typically available; however, they may not be used as a substitute for attendance.
What are my funding options?
We have several options available which include VA/GI Bill, Financial Aid, and cash payment options with flexible monthly payment plans. Students may defer current Title IV loans while in the program.
Is this program accredited by ACAHM?
Pacific College of Health and Science’s professional doctorate program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). The accreditation status of the professional doctorate curricula applies to both the Doctor of Acupuncture and the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization. We advertise the degree completion opportunity as the “transitional doctorate” program in order to distinguish it from the entry-level pathway. However, this professional doctorate completion track for graduates of ACAHM-accredited/pre-accredited master’s-level programs is considered by ACAHM as a component of the overall professional doctorate.
Will there be CEUs/PDA available?
While some of the transitional doctorate courses are currently approved for continuing education credit by the California Acupuncture Board and accepted as PDAs by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), Pacific College cannot make any guarantee regarding our ability to offer CEUs/PDAs for doctoral courses. To be eligible to receive continuing education credit, you must have successfully passed the course. In addition, students will only receive credit for class meetings they have attended. Missed classes will not be counted toward the total. There is a $50/per course administrative fee for students to receive CEU certification for these courses. The following courses may be eligible:
- Health Care Systems
- Advanced Integrative Diagnostics
- Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice
