Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin

Chinese medicine unites the parts with the whole, linking the health of organ systems to the health of the individual and linking the individual to the world around them. This truly integrative medicine draws people from diverse backgrounds together under the common goal of healing. When you answer the call to practice Chinese medicine, you step into a deep tradition of dynamic medicine and prepare yourself to meet the needs of the community around you.

AOMA's Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine

The Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin offers a comprehensive program of study which leads to the degree of Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). AOMA graduates are eligible to sit for national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Additionally, AOMA's acupuncture and Oriental medicine program is approved by the California Acupuncture Board, allowing graduates to sit for the state examination for licensure in California.

The program facilitates student development into compassionate, effective practitioners of Oriental medicine. Each of the program's core components promotes mastery of an essential element of Oriental medical practice.

Core Programmatic Components:

• Acupuncture (528 hours)
• Chinese Herbal Medicine (636 hours)
• Oriental Medical Theory (72 hours)
• Oriental Medical Diagnosis (72 hours)
• Clinical Internship (1,008 hours)
• Mind-Body Practices (72 hours)
• Asian Bodywork Therapy (36 hours)
• Business Skills (36 hours)
• Clinical Communication (36 hours)
• Biomedical Sciences (546 hours).

The AOMA Faculty

AOMA's full-time, adjunct, and clinical faculty members catalyze the transformation from student to healer. AOMA's professors are internationally known and have taught Traditional Chinese Medicine at institutions around the world. AOMA's program is enriched by their diverse backgrounds and the faculty are united in their love of teaching and passion for medicine.

Areas of faculty expertise include: internal medicine, pulse diagnosis, sports medicine, women's health, oncology, emergency medicine, chemical dependency, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese nutrition, tuina, pain management, medical qigong, and psychoemotional health.

Clinical Education

Prior to graduation, students complete 1,008 hours of clinical education in AOMA's seven intern clinics. Since 2005, AOMA's intern clinics have had a patient to intern ratio of 0.95 or greater, meaning that over 95% of clinic appointments are filled with patients.

Compassion and service are two of AOMA's core values. We live those values, in part, through our system of community teaching clinics providing low-cost or free care to under-served populations throughout Austin. AOMA currently maintains four community clinics in addition to our two main intern clinics.

AOMA is also working to provide Oriental medical services in an integrative setting. AOMA student interns are treating in the GoodHealth Commons at Seton Medical Center Williamson Campus, an integrative care center in the medical building adjacent to the hospital.

Student Life

Students come to AOMA from diverse backgrounds and inspired by many different experiences. Through AOMA's biennial China Study Tour, regular informal class and seminar offerings, membership in national organizations, and AOMA's annual Southwest Symposium, AOMA students have many opportunities for learning beyond the classroom and clinics. Social events sponsored by the AOMA Student Association help to balance the challenging academic environment at AOMA.

Alumni Success

Practicing in 68 US cities, 27 US states, and on three continents, AOMA alumni are transforming communities across the world. AOMA graduates consistently exceed national pass rates on NCCAOM national board exams and 97% of graduates are licensed within one year of graduation.

Admissions Requirements

• A bachelor's degree or higher, or the equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution. If you do not hold at least a bachelor's degree, please see "Exception" below.
• Demonstrated scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level evidenced by a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the last 60 hours of study.

Exception: Students may be considered for admission if they have completed at least 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) from a regionally accredited college or university, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5. Coursework must be at the baccalaureate level.

These 90 credits must include at least 30 credits of general education courses drawn from the following areas:

• Humanities and fine arts (minimum 6 credits)
• Social and behavioral sciences including history and political science (minimum 6 credits)
• Natural sciences and mathematics (minimum 6 credits)
• Communications, written and oral (minimum 6 credits)

The admissions director will assist prospective students with identifying specific courses among their completed work that satisfy the general education requirement.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, arrange a tour of the school, or observe a class please Request Information.