If you're just starting out you're probably learning all you can about the field of acupuncture for a career and all about acupuncture schools and how you're going to pay for it. You'll need to learn how and where you can earn a certificate or degree in acupuncture and what it's like to work in the field of acupuncture all at a reasonable or low cost. Besides licensing you can also be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Practitioners who have this certification can use the title Diplomate of Acupuncture. The professional abbreviation is Dipl.Ac.
Check to see if your state is on the national list of about 50 acupuncture schools with accredited programs if you don't know already. California have many acupuncture schools to choose from, while Wisconsin has only one school; some states have no schools. It's important to get a good picture of all the treatments that are offered by the acupuncture school so that you acquire the skills needed to be well-rounded and well-versed for your patients.
Depending on the school, students may be required to study herbal medicine or may be offered herbal courses as electives. Acupuncture school education and training requirements can total from between 2500 to 4000 credit hours. It's best to choose an acupuncture school that offers an extensive library focused on traditional Chinese medicine.
Once you've picked the school it's important that you have a wide selection of study resources available so you can have all the literature that is essential for a broad learning experience. Acupuncture schools sometimes offer the science and philosophy of acupuncture too. And you want to find an acupuncture school that offers smaller classes.
Acupuncture is particularly effective at relieving or treating chronic muscle pain, stress, and PMS just to name a few symptoms. It's also used for arthritis, headaches, migraine headaches, quitting smoking, weight loss, fertility, fibromyalgia, depression, insomnia, face lifts as in facial acupuncture, back pain, high blood pressure, pregnancy, cosmetic purposes, anxiety, Crohn's disease and asthma. There is also a veterinary acupuncture branch for dogs and other animals.
If you need financial aid try contacting local philanthropic organizations and health organizations to see if they know of any scholarships available. Sometimes these organizations actually have scholarship money leftover that is unused and will accept an application for it. Talk to the financial aid officers at the school and see what suggestions they have for grants, scholarships and federal aid.
There is federal money available for education. Also there is money set aside for online degree programs. Check and see if your school has any of its classes available online and if so apply for these funds. There are education loans and student loans available if you are unable to get full or partial scholarships or grants.
Each state and each discipline has its own strict rules about how alternative medicine practitioners are to be professionally licensed. Take a look at the acupuncture schools in your state first. Naturally it will considerably cut down on your expenses if you can attend school closer to home. If you visit an acupuncture practitioner to learn more before you commit to acupuncture as a career, make sure to choose one who is licensed by a nationally recognized acupuncture organization.
Also, in order to qualify for federal aid make sure to enroll in a school that's accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). The internships in acupuncture take place in acupuncture clinics or clinical settings, usually in the third year of school. Also if you have an acupuncture school or naturopathic school in your area, email or give them a call; they'll know the licensing requirements. Or check with your state's professional licensing division to see if licensure is required in the state you plan to practice in.
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