Samra University of Oriental Medicine

Although acupuncture began thousands of years ago in China, it did not become well known in the United States until the early 1970s, when descriptions of surgery performed without chemical anesthesia appeared in the press. Since then the Western world has taken a closer look at Oriental Medicine, and has come to understand and respect it as a distinct body of knowledge with philosophic and scientific essence, concepts, laws and practices that enable the Oriental Medicine practitioner to diagnose and treat many health problems in ways complementary to Western medical modalities.

University History

The antecedent of our University was conceptualized in the mid-1960s by University History the late Dr. Homer Cheng. Trained in Western medicine at the University of Maryland, with a clinic in Los Angeles devoted to rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Cheng realized that the medicine of his ancestors could more effectively treat many of the conditions he saw in his patients. As he and his colleagues learned more about the efficacy of acupuncture, Chinese herbology and other Asian techniques, the need to establish a training center in these modalities became apparent. Dr. Cheng believed that such a center must serve to bring Oriental medicine not only to other Western medical practitioners, but to students seeking courses of study in complementary health careers. He and his colleagues believed that this new career must have a firm foundation in Western basic and clinical sciences. Samra University derives its name from the acronym of its parent, the Sine-American Medical Rehabilitation Association, formally chartered in 1969. Branches of the Association's SAMRA Institute of the Healing Arts were also established in Hong Kong, Kowloon, Malaysia and England. By 1972 a training center was also operating in Philadelphia, but these satellites are no longer operating. Their original purpose was to train medical missionaries working in Third World areas in the principles and techniques of Oriental Medicine believing this to be an inexpensive way to augment treatment in economically depressed areas of the world. As the Institute grew in size and reputation, its name, too, evolved.

By 1975, SAMRA had established a Research Institute of Therapeutics and Acupuncture (RITA), with a Healing Arts Center in Los Angeles. It no longer restricted its educational activities to ordained ministers and others. The objectives of the University have evolved over the years of its history, yet every effort is made to retain the essence of the objectives of its founders. Those that cannot be given attention at this time are still reserved for future times when conditions allow for their expression.

Master of Science in Oriental Medicine

The University's primary academic program is designed to offer the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine degree, with extensive study in diagnostics and methods of treatment including acupuncture and herbology.

The program offered by Samra University of Oriental Medicine is designed to meet the requirements of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. The program is also designed to prepare students to sit for licensure in California and in other states. More information on licensure is given below.

Students must enter the University with the equivalent of two academic years (90 quarter units or 60 semester units) of study, then complete four academic years of study in acupuncture, herbology and Oriental medicine. This can be completed, full time, in 36 months. Students should note that the California Acupuncture Board will not allow a student to sit for the licensure exams who has not completed an academic program of at least 36 months of study.

To be awarded the degree, a student must have earned a minimum of 312 quarter units of credit in prescribed courses and in approved electives accepted for transfer and/or taken while enrolled in Samra University. This includes the units earned prior to enrollment for the degree program. It does not include credit for any co-requisite basic science courses taken at Samra (see Admissions Requirements). Because of the nature of courses required in this profession, many students will graduate with more than the minimum number of units.

Campus

Samra University campus is located near two of the major freeways in Los Angeles. It is also convenient to many city arteries. The school is easily reached from the coastal cities, downtown Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, the South Bay and other areas serviced by the surrounding freeways.

The parking garage is an adjoining 5-level structure which provides most parking for students, faculty and patients. There is additional parking across the street from the University.

Our Clinic

The clinic is open seven days a week and some evenings. Students spend a minimum of 900 hours in clinical training. Students apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to a wide variety of clinical situations. Interns interview, diagnose, and treat patients according to the principles of Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine under the supervision of the clinical faculty. Interns also fill herbal pre scriptions, write case histories, keep patient records, and participate in patient and clinic management. Samra University has one of the busiest community clinics in California.

The 900 hours of clinical training are divided into the following categories:

• Observation: 160 hours observing interns and clinicians
• Phase 1: 160 hours of patient care under close supervision
• Phase 2: 160 hours of patient care under close supervision
• Phase 3: 160 hours of patient care, moderate supervision
• Phase 4: 160 hours of patient care under progressively less supervision
• Clinic Seminar: 60 hours of presentation and discussion of case studies
• Herbal Pharmacy: 40 hours of preparation of herbal formulas

Samra University is committed to the concept of combining study and practice. We feel that students will benefit if allowed to enter the clinic early in their studies in order to see the relevance of those studies to actual patient care. We believe that this produces a more motivated student, and therefore, a better acupuncturist.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.