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
Official college transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended demonstrating satisfactory completion of at least three (3) years of undergraduate-level education (90 semester credits or 135 quarter credits) from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
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.

Doctorate Admission Requirements

Doctoral program applicants must demonstrate 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.

Admission to the Doctoral Completion Program also includes the satisfactory completion of a master’s-level program in acupuncture or acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization from an ACAHM accredited/pre-accredited program or institution. NESA conducts a comprehensive admissions assessment, including transcript analysis, that demonstrates that all applicable master’s-level coursework completed is equivalent to published DAc program degree requirements in terms of content, rigor, and the attainment of master’s-level professional competencies.

A maximum of 45-semester credits (or 50%) 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.

International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission to degree, certificate, and non-degree graduate programs. This must be demonstrated by one of the following means:

The applicant must have completed one of the following:

Four years at a U.S. high school demonstrably delivered in English;
At least two years (60-semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education in an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education;
At least two years (60-semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education demonstrably delivered in English;
High school or two years (60-semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education in an institution in one of the following countries or territories: 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.

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

The applicant must have completed one of the following assessments at the required level:

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:

The New England School of Acupuncture awards transfer credit towards the completion of its programs based on a review of an applicant’s official transcripts. The credits must have been earned at a post-secondary institution of higher education accredited or pre-accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education. Credits earned at a foreign educational institution must be evaluated by a recognized educational credentials evaluation service. All applicants will undergo a comprehensive admissions assessment, including transcript analysis, that demonstrates that all applicable coursework completed is equivalent to the program’s published degree requirements in terms of content, rigor, and the attainment of professional competencies. Petition for transfer credit must be submitted to the Admission Office prior to enrollment. Applicants must meet program admissions requirements that are in effect at the time of matriculation.

NESA considers the following criteria when determining if a course is eligible for transfer credit:

The course content must be equivalent.
The course must be taught at a similar level of instruction and at a similar depth and breadth.
The course must be greater than or equal in hours.
- If a course has fewer hours, it is up to the Dean to determine if the competencies of the courses in question have been met by this prior coursework.
- The Dean determines if these competencies have been met or may determine that a challenge exam may be necessary to determine if the course competencies have been met.
The student must attain a minimum grade of C (2.0) as reflected on an official student transcript.
Credits earned more than five (5) years prior to admission may only be accepted for transfer after validating and documenting that the student has retained the content knowledge and competencies of the respective course(s) for which transfer credits are being assessed.

NESA allows a maximum of 50% of the coursework needed for graduation from a degree program or certificate of advanced graduate studies to be accepted for transfer. Of that 50% no more than 25% of the program clinical training requirement may be accepted as transfer credit.

All official college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and supporting materials can be sent to:

Worcester Admission Office
19 Foster StreetWorcester, MA 01608
admissions.worcester@mcphs.edu
508.373.5607 or 800.225.5506

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