Acupuncture

Innovative Curriculum

• Experience a combination of onsite and distance education instruction
• Begin hands-on clinical training within the first week of classes
• Learn clinical skills in small groups with licensed acupuncturists
• Select additional comprehensive offerings such as Japanese acupuncture, and/or orthopedic acupuncture

Distinctive Interprofessional Education

• Engage in Interprofessional Education events with students from other healthcare programs such as Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Imaging, and Optometry.
• As a NESA doctoral student, attend classes and collaborate with doctoral students from other healthcare professions

Integrative Clinical Training

• Participate in extensive and diverse clinical placements with leading academic medical centers and federally qualified community health centers
• Explore clinical observation opportunities across New England within a network of experienced acupuncturists practicing in a variety of clinical settings

Pioneering (Leading Edge) Evidence Based Medicine Research

• Be mentored by internationally renowned leaders publishing groundbreaking research
  • Awarded over 5 million in federal grants for original research
  • Advancing data driven, evidence based clinical practice guidelines
• Elect to participate in unique research opportunities
• As a NESA doctoral student, engage in a evidence-based healthcare capstone project

A Field of Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for health diagnosing and treating practitioners, including acupuncturists, is expected to grow at a faster rate than many other occupations, with a potential 11% increase in jobs needed by 2028.

Well-Prepared

With innovative training and immersive clinical opportunities, our graduates are extremely well prepared to enter and advance in the field of acupuncture. Clinical education experiences are varied so that students are prepared for professional practice in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Well-Paid

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for health diagnosing and treating practitioners, including acupuncturists, was $89,060 in 2019.

Licensure

NESA graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) board exams, which are required to obtain a license in most states. NESA programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in Massachusetts and most other states. Students seeking licensure in states with additional requirements, such as California, complete supplemental  

Mission Statement

The NESA mission is to be the premier source for medical education rooted in the traditions of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for the next generation of healthcare providers.

Vision Statement

While fulfilling our educational mission within our community of scholarship, research and public service, we advocate for patients and for our profession and commit to a lifelong process of learning to provide excellence in clinical care that promotes wellness and relieves pain and suffering.

Core Values

Tradition: We honor Traditional Chinese Medicine teachings, materials and methods and apply innovative thinking to drive new discoveries and incorporate lifelong learning with historical wisdom.

Excellence

We are committed to the highest educational standards for training exceptional acupuncturists who will provide leadership and service locally and globally.

Integrity

We are bound by the ethical foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine to practice acupuncture and treat all who are in need of healthcare with respect, the highest quality of service and professionalism.

Diversity

We acknowledge and respect the variety of human experience and foster unity and common purpose both within our college and in the community at large.

Compassion

We are receptive to the suffering of others and provide relief with benevolence, kindness and tolerance for all who seek care.

MCPHS University / New England School of Acupuncture's master's-level program in acupuncture (MAc) and its master's-level program in Oriental medicine (MAOM) are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Institution/program accreditation history, notes, and dates of review may be viewed here.

ACAOM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone 952/212-2434; fax 952/657-7068.

The MCPHS University / New England School of Acupuncture's professional doctoral (DAc) program, approved to begin enrolling students, is not yet accredited or pre-accredited by ACAOM. Graduates of this program are not considered to have graduated from an ACAOM-accredited or pre-accredited program and may not rely on ACAOM accreditation or pre-accreditation for professional licensure or other purposes.

The professional doctoral program is eligible for ACAOM accreditation, and MCPHS University / New England School of Acupuncture is currently in the process of seeking ACAOM pre-accreditation/accreditation for the program. However, MCPHS University / New England School of Acupuncture can provide no assurance that pre-accreditation or accreditation will be granted by ACAOM.

Institutional accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc. was approved effective March 4, 2016, as NESA became a school with in the University in the merger effective March 31, 2016.

NESA's Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (MAOM) is an approved program with the California Acupuncture Board (CAB), allowing graduates to be eligible to sit for licensure exams in California.

MAc and MAOM Retention Rates

MAc and MAOM Graduation Rates

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Certification Examination Pass Rates

*First Time Testers

2017 board scores for NESA students exceeded our accreditor’s threshold of 70%, our internal goal pass rate of 80%, and national averages. Scores improved in 3 out of 4 domains. The Biomedicine pass rate improved by 9 percentage points compared to last year’s rate following improvements in a preparation program provided for students.

Placement Rate One Year after Graduation

Graduates are determined to be working in the field one year after graduation by survey and internet research documenting a professional website. Those not working in the field may be completing examination requirements and credentialing for licensure.