Doctor of Acupuncture (DAC)
New England School of Acupuncture
Location: Worcester
Start Term: Fall
Explore collaborative treatment models and gain advanced skills that enable you to provide highly effective care to patients of all ages.
Advanced Expertise to Navigate the Complex World of Integrative Medicine
Pathways to Your Doctor of Acupuncture
Whether you choose our four-year or completion pathway, this program has the flexibility for students of various degree levels to advance their careers. In each pathway, our engaged and highly motivated students, dedicated faculty, and deep connections to renowned medical institutions all contribute to an exceptional learning environment.
Build on your bachelor’s degree to earn a combined Master of Acupuncture (MAC) or Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAC CHM) and Doctor of Acupuncture (MAC). Earn your master’s degree in just three years, then complete your doctorate in the fourth year.
First-Year Experience
- learn foundational theories and principles of both Eastern and Western medicine
- observe and assist with the delivery of patient care
- practice clinical skills and develop basic professional competencies with a special emphasis on acupuncture needle techniques
- explore the Japanese Acupuncture Styles (JAS) Specialization introductory course
Second-Year Experience
- learn to formulate diagnoses and treatment plans
- manage and deliver patient care as an intern
- integrate more advanced concepts of Eastern and Western medical theory with the foundational theories and principles from your first year of study
- develop advanced professional competencies related to the practice of acupuncture
- explore approaches to integrative pain management
Third-Year Experience
- immerse yourself in the renowned clinical settings of MCPHS affiliates—top hospitals and medical centers in Boston and the New England region
- deliver patient care under the direct supervision of senior faculty and experienced practitioners in a variety of external placements
- gain a working knowledge of the management tools and techniques necessary for running an acupuncture practice
Fourth-Year Experience
- engage in practice-based learning and research competencies to support evidence-based practice
- train in advanced diagnostics
- learn to deliver collaborative care multi-disciplinary environments and clinical settings
Those who have completed a master’s level program in acupuncture or acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are 20-credits away from earning their Doctor of Acupuncture (DAC).
First-Semester Experience
- develop skills to create and evaluate research
- learn to communicate and collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers
- explore models of integrative care with a focus on pain management
- work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to develop patient-centered treatment plans as part of our interactive, virtual clinical experiences
Second-Semester Experience
- pursue improvement, innovation, and collaboration in integrative healthcare
- gain an understanding of today’s patient-centered policies and practices
- build on knowledge of integrative care as a means for pain management
continue to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to develop patient-centered treatment plans as part of our interactive, virtual clinical experiences
Discover the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS
Improve Outcomes with an Integrated Approach
Integrate traditional medicine and contemporary health sciences to improve the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care.
Evidence-based care
Synthesize patient data and utilize evidence to accurately formulate diagnoses, implement effective treatment strategies, and improve patient care.
Collaborative expertise
Apply critical thinking, professional judgment, and cultural sensitivity to manage cases, communicate effectively, and interact skillfully with healthcare providers across a range of specialties.
Acupuncture professionals in increasing demand
The field of acupuncture will see sustained job growth as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) becomes increasingly integrated into Western healthcare systems.
MCPHS Community Voices
The lived experiences of MCPHS students, partners, and faculty tell an eloquent story. They illustrate just how our student-centered, teaching-first approach keeps us in the top tier of the country’s “most transformative colleges.” (Money magazine 2020).

Timothy F. Sobo
| MAOM ’12“Helping someone work through a health issue is one of the single greatest feelings. It’s the reason people become doctors, PTs, acupuncturists, RNs, and more—a strong desire to help and heal.”
Japanese Acupuncture Styles (JAS) Specialization
As part of your Master of Acupuncture degree at MCPHS, you have the option of adding a JAS specialization to your course of study. JAS emphasizes palpation (i.e., touch) as part of the diagnostic and treatment processes. JAS includes the use of very thin needles as well as non-needling techniques, so it is particularly well-suited for treating children and beneficial for patients of all ages who require especially gentle treatments.
Undergraduate Pathways to Acupuncture
At MCPHS, we offer two time-saving, dual-degree programs for undergraduates that lead to a Master of Acupuncture degree.