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. The program features an integrative training approach that focuses on interprofessional collaboration. This provides graduates with advanced expertise in navigating the complex world of integrative medicine. The program features both remote and in-person classroom learning, supervised hands-on instruction, and group work exploring critical concepts in acupuncture clinical practice.
In the first year, students learn core foundational theories and principles of both Eastern and Western medicine and begin to integrate these concepts to understand acupuncture from both perspectives. You will immediately begin to practice and develop the clinical skills and professional competencies necessary to become a successful acupuncturist in small groups under the direct supervision of highly skilled faculty. Students begin their clinical training in the first semester by observing and assisting in the delivery of patient care. Students begin their study of Chinese herbs by exploring important concepts and issues in herbal medicine today and learn about individual Chinese herbs.
In the second year, students continue to integrate fundamental concepts from year one of the program with more advanced theories of Eastern and Western medical theory. The focus in this year is on the pathology and treatment of disease from an integrative perspective. Students continue to develop professional skills and patient care competencies necessary to formulate an acupuncture diagnosis and carry out a treatment plan. Students continue their clinical training as interns directly responsible for the management and delivery of patient care. Students continue their study of Chinese herbs with an exploration of Chinese herbal formulas and patent preparations.
In the third year, students study research methodology, epidemiology and biostatistics and begin to incorporate scholarship and research into patient care and case management. Students continue their professional development by completing a series of practice management courses which helps them develop a practice plan to meet their professional goals as an acupuncturist. Students continue their clinical experiences and are placed in a variety of clinical settings, providing patient care under the direct supervision of senior faculty. Students continue their study of Chinese herbal medicine with series of courses related to internal medicine and the recommendation of Chinese herbs as part of clinical case management. Upon completion of the third year, students may receive their Master’s degree and become eligible to sit for national board examinations and seek licensure.
In the fourth year, students further develop research competencies to support evidence-based practice and patient centered care. Students study concepts in advanced diagnostic assessment and how to incorporate these findings in case management. Students study patient care systems prevalent in today’s healthcare system and how to communicate, and collaborate with providers to deliver the highest quality care. This year is highlighted by interdisciplinary clinical experiences that highlight innovative approaches to integrative pain management.
Innovative Clinical Experiences
The Doctoral program features extensive training in the latest theories and clinical approaches in integrative pain management as it relates to the application of acupuncture. Students learn from leading clinicians and educators in the field of integrative pain management from various areas such as nursing, physical therapy, physician’s assistant studies, pharmacy, occupational therapy, diagnostic medical imaging, chiropractic, and naturopathy. Practitioners from these various fields discuss best practices for the delivery of the highest-quality, patient-centered care. Students take part in clinical theater-style learning experiences focused on team-based approaches to healthcare. This allows students to differentiate between models of care and treatment modalities to best guide patient care.
Emphasis on Scholarship
Doctoral candidates learn the difference between evidence-based medicine and evidence-informed practice. Students are trained to use the evidence base to modify treatment plans and to improve and guide patient care. Innovative clinical experiences are enriched through extensive reading and analysis of literature related to best practices and challenges in patient care.
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) Completion Program
The two-semester, 20-credit Doctor of Acupuncture completion program is designed for those who have completed a master’s level program in acupuncture or acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization. This program prepares students to communicate and collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers and serve successfully as part of an integrative healthcare team.
Students gain an understanding of today’s healthcare practices and policies that guide patient centered care, and they explore models of integrative healthcare with a focus on pain management. They learn directly from leaders in the emerging field of integrative health and develop the research competencies necessary to guide explorations of integrative healthcare improvement, innovation, and interprofessional collaboration.