Skip to content

Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)

Location: Worcester
Start Term: Fall

The Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) is a four-year program that teaches the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to provide highly skilled and effective care to patients of all ages in a variety of settings, including in private practice and hospitals. This program also provides advanced training that prepares acupuncturists to collaborate with other healthcare professionals or work in integrative medical settings. The program features both classroom and clinical training in acupuncture studies, emphasizing hands-on learning under direct supervision of experienced faculty.

In the first year, students learn essential foundational theories and principles of both Eastern and Western medicine. You will immediately begin to practice the clinical skills and develop the professional competencies necessary to become a successful acupuncturist, with a special emphasis on acupuncture needle techniques. Students begin their clinical experiences by observing and assisting in the delivery of patient care.

In the second year, students integrate fundamental material from year one of the program with more advanced concepts of Eastern and Western medical theory. Students also develop professional competencies and learn to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Students continue their clinical experience as interns responsible for the management and delivery of patient care.

In the third year, students continue clinical experiences and are placed in a variety of clinical settings, providing patient care under the direct supervision of senior faculty. Students continue their professional development by completing a series of practice management courses. Upon completion of the third year, students are eligible to sit for national board examinations and seek licensure.

In the fourth year, training includes practice-based learning, research competencies to support evidence-based practice, advanced diagnostic assessment, and an understanding of collaborative care delivery in healthcare systems. Students complete integrative medicine clinical placements in a hospital setting.

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.

Applicants will be dually enrolled in a Master of Acupuncture (MAc) or Master of Oriental Medicine (MAOM), as a Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) student.

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 (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
  • 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.

The following prerequisite undergraduate-level education courses required for admission must be completed either prior to enrollment, or at MCPHS University as part of your NESA program. Linked courses are available through the MCPHS School of Professional Studies.

Corequisite courses (as indicated above) must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS will not be accepted.

English Language Competency

Candidates applying to the New England School of Acupuncture programs must demonstrate English language competency by one of the following means:

1. The student must have completed a two-year (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) undergraduate- or graduate-level, English-based education in an institution:

I. accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or
II. in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, or Ireland.

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

2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) - Acceptable score: TOEFL iBT total score – 80; or

3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format - Acceptable score: IELTS overall band score – 6.5.

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

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

COURSE

TITLE

MAc Semester Hours

MAc w/JAS Semester Hours

Fall Term Year 1

 

SACAS 101

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory I

4

4

SACAS 111

Point Location I

2.5

2.5

SACAS 121

Materials & Methods of TCM I

2

2

SACAS 131

Living Anatomy I

2

2

SAMTP 100

Internal Exercise

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship I

1

1

SASCI 101

Anatomy & Physiology I

3

3

SASCI 110

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1

1

TOTAL

 

16.5

16.5

Spring Term Year 1

 

SACAS 102

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory II

4

4

SACAS 112

Point Location II

2.5

2.5

SACAS 122

Materials & Methods of TCM II

2

2

SACAS 132

Living Anatomy II

2

2

SAJAS 100

Introduction to Japanese Acupuncture

1

1

SACHM 100

Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine

2

2

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship II

1

1

SASCI 102

Anatomy & Physiology II

3

3

TOTAL

 

17.5

17.5
Summer Term Year 1

 

SACHM 111

JAS: Root Treatment I

0

2

SACAS 161

Actions and Effects of Points and Channels

3

3

SACAS 190

Clinical Skills of TCM

2

2

SACAS 211

Western Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I

3

3

SARES 100

Research Design and Evaluation

3

3

SAEL

MAc Elective 1

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship III

1

1

SASCI 120

General Biology

3

3

SAEXM CAS1

First Year Comprehensive Examination

0

0

TOTAL

16

18
Fall Term Year 2

 

SAJAS 112

JAS: Root Treatment II

0

2.5

SACAS 171

TCM Etiology and Pathology of Disease I

3

3

SACAS 201

Introduction to Chinese Acupuncture Clinical Internship I

2.5

2.5

SACAS 212

Western Medical Pathology and Pharmacology II

3

3

SARES 145

Introduction to Epidemiology/Biostatistics

 2

 

2

SABUS 121

Practice Management: Marketing

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship IV

1

1
TOTAL

12.5

15
Spring Term Year 2

 

SACHM 120

JAS: Local Treatment

0

2.5

SACAS 172

TCM Etiology and Pathology of Disease II

3

3

SACAS 202

Introduction to Chinese Acupuncture Clinical Internship II

2.5

2.5

SACAS 213

Western Medical Pathology and Pharmacology III

3

3

SACAS 270

Clinical Theater

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 2

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 3

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship V

1

1

SASCI 130

Psychology

3

3

SAEXM CAS2

Second Comprehensive Exam

0

0
TOTAL

15.5

18
Summer Term Year 2

 

SAJAS 130

JAS: Introduction to Clinical Internship

0

2

SACAS 220

Patient Provider Relationship

3

3

SACAS 180

Microsystems of Acupuncture Treatment

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 4

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 5

1

1

SACLC CAS

*MAc Clinical Internship I, II, III

6

6
SAEXM JAS JAS Comprehensive Examination N/A 0
SASCI 140 Chemistry 3 3
TOTAL

15

17
Fall Term Year 3

 

SAJAS 140

JAS: Shakuju

0

2

SAMTP 130

Bodywork Therapy

1

1

SACAS 231

Clinical Case Management

1

1

SACAS 250

Chinese Nutrition

1

1

SAMTP 100

Internal Exercise

1

1

SABUS 122

Practice Management: Business Skills

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 6

1

1

SASCI 170

Microbiology

3

3

SACLC CAS JAS

*MAc Clinical Internship IV, V & VI

6

6
TOTAL

15

17
Spring Term Year 3

 

SABUS 123

Practice Management: Acupuncture Professional Issues

1

1

SACAS 240

Survey Classic Chinese Medical Texts

1

1

SACAS 140

History of Chinese Medicine

1

1

SACAS 260

Western Nutrition

1

1

SACAS 280

Acupuncture Channel Treatment

2

2

SACLC CAS, JAS

*MAc Clinical Internship VII, VIII, IX

6

6
TOTAL

12

12
Summer Term Year 3

SASCI 201

Physiology of Acupuncture

2

2

SACLC 702

Focused Clinical Placement I

2

2

SACLC 703

Focused Clinical Placement II

2

2
TOTAL

6

6
Fall Term Year 4

 

HSC 801

Introduction to Doctoral Studies

3

3

HSC 815

Healthcare Research Methods

3

3
TOTAL

6

6
Spring Term Year 4

 

HSC 852

Capstone I: Question Development & Search for Evidence

3

3

SACAS 705

Interprofessional Communication

3

3
TOTAL

6

6
Summer Term Year 4

HSC 854

Capstone II: Appraisal of the Evidence

3

3

PBH 710

Introduction to Health Policy & Management

3

3
TOTAL

6

6
Fall Term Year 5

HSC 856

 

Capstone III: Dissemination of Findings

 

3

3
TOTAL

3

3
Total credits to complete degree requirements: Mac/DAc (CAS and JAS)

 

147

148

COURSE

TITLE

MAc Semester Hours.

MAc w/JAS Semester Hours

Fall Term Year 1

 

SACAS 101

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory I

4

4

SACAS 111

Point Location I

2.5

2.5

SACAS 121

Materials & Methods of TCM I

2

2

SACAS 131

Living Anatomy I

2

2

SAMTP 100

Internal Exercise

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship I

1

1

SASCI 101

Anatomy & Physiology I

3

3

SASCI 110

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1

1

TOTAL

 

16.5

16.5

Spring Term Year 1

 

SACAS 102

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory II

4

4

SACAS 112

Point Location II

2.5

2.5

SACAS 122

Materials & Methods of TCM II

2

2

SACAS 132

Living Anatomy II

2

2

SAJAS 100

Introduction to Japanese Acupuncture

1

1

SACHM 100

Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine

2

2

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship II

1

1

SASCI 102

Anatomy & Physiology II

3

3

TOTAL

 

17.5

17.5
Summer Term Year 1

 

SACHM 111

JAS: Root Treatment I

0

2

SACHM 111

CHM: Pharmacopoeia I

4

  4

SACAS 161

Actions and Effects of Points and Channels

3

3

SACAS 190

Clinical Skills of TCM

2

2

SACAS 211

Western Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I

3

3

SARES 100

Research Design and Evaluation

3

3

SAEL

MAc Elective 1

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship III

1

1

SASCI 120

General Biology

3

3

SAEXM CAS1

First Year Comprehensive Examination

0

0

TOTAL

19

21
Fall Term Year 2

 

SAJAS 112

JAS: Root Treatment II

0

2.5

SACHM 112

CHM: Pharmacopoeia II 

  4  4

SACAS 171

TCM Etiology and Pathology of Disease I

3

3

SACAS 201

Introduction to Chinese Acupuncture Clinical Internship I

2.5

2.5

SACAS 212

Western Medical Pathology and Pharmacology II

3

3

SARES 145

Introduction to Epidemiology/Biostatistics

 2

 

2

SABUS 121

Practice Management: Marketing

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship IV

1.5

1.5
TOTAL

17

19.5
Spring Term Year 2

 

SACHM 120

JAS: Local Treatment

0

2.5

SACHM 121

CHM: Formulas I

  4  4

SACAS 172

TCM Etiology and Pathology of Disease II

3

3

SACAS 202

Introduction to Chinese Acupuncture Clinical Internship II

2.5

2.5

SACAS 213

Western Medical Pathology and Pharmacology III

3

3

SACAS 270

Clinical Theater

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 2

1

1

SAEL

MAc Elective 3

1

1

SACLC AA30

Clinical Assistantship V

1.5

1.5

SASCI 130

Psychology

3

3

SAEXM CAS2

Second Comprehensive Exam

0

0
TOTAL

18

20.5
Summer Term Year 2

 

SAJAS 130

JAS: Introduction to Clinical Internship

0

2

SACHM 122

CHM: Formulas II

 4

 4

SACHM 130

CHM: Patent Herbal Medicine

 2

 2

SACAS 220

Patient Provider Relationship

3

3

SACAS 180

Microsystems of Acupuncture Treatment

1

1

SACLC CAS

*MAOM CHM and JAS Clinical Internship I, II & III

6

6

SAEXM JAS

JAS Comprehensive Examination

 0  0

SASCI 140

Chemistry

  3  3
TOTAL

19

21
Fall Term Year 3

 

SAJAS 140

JAS: Shakuju

 0

2

SACHM 141

CHM: Internal Medicine

 4

 4

CACHM 150

CHM: Formula Writing

 2

2

SAMTP 130

Bodywork Therapy

1

1

SACAS 231

Clinical Case Management

1

1

SACAS 250

Chinese Nutrition

1

1

SABUS 122

Practice Management: Business Skills

 1

 1

SACLC OM

*MAOM CHM and Dual Clinical Internship IV, V & VI

6

6

SASCI 170

CHM Comprehensive Examination

0

 

0
TOTAL

16

18
Spring Term Year 3

 

SACHM 142

CHM: Internal Medicine II

 4

 4

SACHM 160

CHM: Clinical Pharmacology

 2

 2

SABUS 123

Practice Management: Acupuncture Professional Issues

1

1

SACAS 240

Survey Classic Chinese Medical Texts

1

1

SACAS 140

History of Chinese Medicine

1

1

SACAS 260

Western Nutrition

1

1

SAEL

CHM Elective 1

2

0

SACLC OM CHM

*MAOM CHM & JAS Clinical Internship VII, VIII, IX

6

6
TOTAL

18

16
Summer Term Year 3

SASCI 201

Physiology of Acupuncture

2

2

SAEL

CHM Elective 2 

  2  0

SASCI 170

Microbiology

  3  3

SACLC OM CHM

MAOM CHM & Dual Clinical Internship X, XI, XII*

  6  6

SACLC 702

Focused Clinical Placement I

2

2

SACLC 703

Focused Clinical Placement II

2

2
TOTAL

17

15
Fall Term Year 4

 

HSC 801

Introduction to Doctoral Studies

3

3

HSC 815

Healthcare Research Methods

3

3
TOTAL

6

6
Spring Term Year 4

 

HSC 852

Capstone I: Question Development & Search for Evidence

3

3

SACAS 705

Interprofessional Communication

3

3
TOTAL

6

6
Summer Term Year 4

HSC 854

Capstone II: Appraisal of the Evidence

3

3

PBH 710

Introduction to Health Policy & Management

3

  3
TOTAL

6

6
Fall Term Year 5

HSC 856

 

Capstone III: Dissemination of Findings

 

3

3
TOTAL

3

3
Total credits to complete degree requirements: MAOM/DAc (CHM and CHM/JAS)

179

186

  • Apply the foundational knowledge of acupuncture, Chinese medicine and/or Chinese herbal medicine, including philosophies and theories, to patient care

  • Synthesize information from the health history, intake and physical examination to accurately diagnose illness and develop and implement an effective treatment plan for patients

  • Utilize critical thinking and professional judgment to manage a case appropriately over time

  • Apply sufficient understanding of western biomedical terminology, pathophysiology and treatment strategies to support effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals

  • Demonstrate preparedness to establish and maintain a successful clinical practice, participate collaboratively in a variety of clinical settings, and serve successfully as part of an integrative healthcare team

  • Honor ethical standards in all interactions with patients and healthcare professionals

  • Evaluate published research to guide healthcare improvement, innovation, and interprofessional delivery

  • Exhibit an understanding of healthcare practices and policies across the healthcare system

  • Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, and make informed and appropriate referrals

  • Demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular self-assessment and lifelong learning to achieve continuous professional growth

Our students learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields and are committed to the success of each student. Discover our full list of DAc faculty. 

 

MCPHS New England School of Acupuncture

Close up of Acupuncture needling.

NESA at MCPHS is the oldest college of acupuncture in the United States and prepares students for careers in holistic patient care.

Watch the video

Acupuncture in Increasing Demand as Healthcare Grows More Integrative

NESA Acupuncture Clinic

The acupuncturist job outlook gives plenty of reasons for optimism.

Read More