Admission Requirements

We prioritize the review and admission of applications submitted earlier in our rolling admission process. All applicants are eligible to receive merit-based scholarships up to $8,000, renewable each year. Consideration for this scholarship is based on a holistic review evaluating candidates’ passion, interest, academic background, and work experience.

For admission consideration, the following application materials must be submitted:

Completed MCPHS Application
A formal statement of purpose indicating your desire to study acupuncture at MCPHS University
Additionally, students will be required to successfully complete a faculty interview (by invitation only) to be considered for admission.

Applicants for the entry-level doctoral program must include the satisfactory completion of at least three (3) years of undergraduate-level education (defined as 90 semester credits or 135 quarter credits) from an institution accredited or pre-accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. In considering the acceptance of education and training obtained in foreign countries, credits earned at a foreign educational institution must be validated by a recognized educational credentials evaluation service.

A maximum of 30 semester credits of the prerequisite three-year education requirement may be earned through prior learning assessment using either, or a combination, of the following assessment techniques: (1) credit by examination using recognized, independently administered, and validated standardized tests and/or (2) assignment of credit for military and corporate training based on recommendations established by the American Council on Education.

Prerequisite undergraduate-level education required for admission to the entry-level doctoral program must include chemistry, biology, and psychology. Institutions may offer professional-level programmatic courses in chemistry, biology, and psychology in lieu of program admission prerequisites.

In addition, applicants to the Doctor of Acupuncture Completion program:

Must have successfully completed a master’s-level program in acupuncture or in acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization from an ACAHM-accredited or pre-accredited institution.
Applicants who completed their acupuncture education outside of the United States must provide an official evaluation from a recognized educational credentialing agency to verify that their education is equivalent to a master’s degree in the field.
The program will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the applicant’s prior education and training, including transcript analysis. This review ensures that all previously completed master’s-level coursework meets the entry-level doctoral program’s standards for content, rigor, and demonstration of professional competencies. Courses completed more than five (5) years prior to the time of application may be accepted for transfer credit only after the institution verifies that the applicant has retained the relevant content knowledge and competencies associated with the course(s).

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency to be considered for admission to all degree, certificate, and non-degree graduate programs.

English proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

1. Previous Education in English

Applicants meet the English proficiency requirement if they have completed any one of the following:

Four years of study at a U.S. high school where instruction was conducted in English.
At least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate or graduate-level education at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
At least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate or graduate-level education in an institution where both the language of instruction and the curriculum were delivered in English.
High school or at least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate or graduate-level education in an institution located in one of the following countries or territories where English is an official language of instruction: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S. Virgin Islands, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Note: In all cases, English must have been both the primary language of instruction and the language of the curriculum.

2. Standardized English Language Assessments

Applicants may also demonstrate proficiency by submitting official scores from one of the following approved assessments, meeting or exceeding the minimum required score:

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT - Total: 61),
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Format (Overall Band: 6.5),
Duolingo English Test (Score of 90),
China Standard of English Language (CSE – Score of 6),
Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE – Score of C),
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE – Score of C),
Common European Framework Reference (CEFR – Score of B2),
Occupational English Test (OET – Score of 250, C),
Pearson Test of English (PTE), Academic (Overall: 45).

Transfer Credit Policy

The New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) awards transfer credit toward the completion of its graduate-level programs based on a comprehensive review of an applicant’s official transcript(s) and supporting documentation.

To be eligible for transfer, credits must have been earned at a post-secondary institution accredited or pre-accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education. Credits earned at a foreign institution must be evaluated by a recognized educational credentials evaluation service. Petition for transfer credit must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to enrollment at NESA. All applicants must meet the admissions requirements in effect at the time of their official matriculation into the program.

NESA considers the following criteria when evaluating courses for transfer credit:

The course content must be equivalent to the NESA course in scope, depth, and instructional level.
The course must meet or exceed the number of contact hours required by the NESA course.
If a course has fewer hours, the Dean may determine that course competencies have been met through additional review or require a challenge exam to assess competency.
A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned, as documented on an official transcript.
Credits earned more than five (5) years prior to admission may only be accepted after validating and documenting that the applicant has retained the content knowledge and competencies associated with the course.
Acupuncture-specific coursework must have been completed within the last three (3) years.
Determinations of equivalency are based on a review of official syllabi, course descriptions, learning outcomes, and other relevant documentation.

NESA reserves the right to require a challenge exam or additional documentation in the determination of transfer credit, particularly for coursework related to acupuncture, clinical practice, or other hands-on competencies.

Courses submitted to fulfill admissions prerequisites may not be used toward program transfer credit. Continuing education, non-credit coursework, or experiential learning is not eligible for transfer.

NESA permits a maximum of 50% of the total program credits to be accepted in transfer toward any degree or certificate of advanced graduate study. Within that limit, no more than 25% of the required clinical training may be accepted as transfer credit, subject to relevant state regulations and licensing requirements.

AP Credit

AP examination results are accepted for transfer credit for selected coursework. Students must achieve a score of 4 or better on an AP examination for transfer credit to be awarded

CLEP Credit

CLEP results are accepted as transfer credit for selected subject matter for incoming transfer students. Candidates must receive a score of 50 or better per subject to be awarded CLEP credit. Examination(s) must be taken before the student’s first semester of enrollment at MCPHS. Those who achieve a score below 50 may not repeat the examination and must take the course. CLEP is an opportunity for students whose coursework is comparable but not otherwise transferable (e.g., exceeds the 10-year limit, earned grade is below C) and others who have not taken coursework but believe they have comparable knowledge.

IB Credit

IB courses will be accepted for transfer credit for selected coursework. Students must achieve a score of 5 or better on an HL (high-level) IB exam. Transfer credits are limited to exams for English, language, and the arts.

Candidates who desire to receive credit based on AP, CLEP and IB examinations must arrange for official test score results to be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Admission Office. A complete list of the AP, CLEP and IB examinations and the corresponding MCPHS courses for which transfer of credit is allowed is available upon request through the Admission Office. Transfer credit by exam is limited to 18 credits total.