There is a lot to learn about the ancient practice of acupuncture. Most states require students to complete a three to five year program from an accredited acupuncture school and then pass a state board exam in order to become licensed. Some states don't require licensing. Acupuncture has been practiced in China for at least 2,000 years and some say it's more likely 3,000 years or so.
Acupuncture school education and training requirements can range from 2500 to 4000 credit hours. For naturopathy schools that offer acupuncture programs see the 'List of Accredited Natural Medicine Colleges in North America.' Acupuncture schools may also offer the science and philosophy of acupuncture too. If you have a naturopathic school in your area, give them a call; they will undoubtedly know the licensing requirements.
Acupuncture schools that offer courses in traditional Chinese medicine often include other aspects of traditional medicine, such as anatomy, body therapy, massage therapy, and various sciences. California and a few other states have many acupuncture schools to choose from, while Wisconsin has only one school and some states have none. It's important to get a good picture of all the treatments that are offered, by the school you're considering, to acquire the skills you need to be well-rounded and well-versed for your patients.
Check to see if your state is on the national list of about 50 acupuncture schools that have accredited programs. Try to find a school that offers smaller classes. And you probably want to choose a school whose program emphasizes courses in traditional Chinese medicine; acupuncture is just aspect of traditional Chinese medicine.
One good textbook to review in advance is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists, by Maciocia. And if you're visiting an acupuncture clinic as a patient to learn more about acupuncture, you might want to consult with them before you make a decision first. In any event, ask a lot of questions about their practice - what they like about it and what they don't like about it for an example.
In order for you to qualify for federal assistance be sure to enroll in a school that's accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Economic burden may be considerably lessened with financial aid in the form of federal student loans. Consider contacting your local charitable organizations and health organizations to see if they know of any scholarships available.
Acupuncture scholarships may be available; start looking as soon as you make the decision to enroll in a program - don't wait. There are also many education loans available.
If you do visit an acupuncture practitioner to learn more before you commit to acupuncture as a career, make sure to choose a practitioner who is licensed by a recognized national acupuncture organization. Note that each state and each discipline has their own strict rules about how alternative medicine practitioners are to be professionally licensed.
Acupuncturists can expect to make about $45,000 a year or so starting out and can double that amount after just a few years experience. But before you commit to an acupuncture school it's important to talk to many other acupuncturists, those you know and those you don't know, to get an idea of the good points and any pitfalls to be aware of in your acupuncture practice.
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