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Admission Requirements

Southwest Acupuncture College accepts applicants in good standing who are at least twenty years of age and present evidence that their personal credentials and intellectual skills are of such quality as to predict a high rate of success in the study and practice of Oriental medicine. In compliance with the Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) standards, at least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of general education at the baccalaureate level from an accredited college is required as prerequisite to admission.

Southwest Acupuncture College welcomes beginning students in the fall (September), spring (early January) and summer (May) at all campuses. Transfer students may enter at the beginning of any term as well.

Most students who enroll hold diverse degrees in liberal arts and many hold advanced degrees, however no preference is given to students with a concentration or major in any particular field. We believe that a well-rounded academic background, combined with the passion to learn this medicine, contributes to the overall development of the person/practitioner.

Students are encouraged to take Human Anatomy and Physiology (90hrs), and General Human Biology (45hrs) before entry to the program of study at Southwest Acupuncture College. While the college does offer these courses as part of the curriculum, students who do take these classes prior to entry will lighten their course load, will lower the cost of their program and will have had exposure to the basics of a medical education. These sciences, when taken prior to entry, must be taken in addition to the minimum 60 credits required for admission. Assistance in selecting these or other courses is available from the Academic Dean of each campus.

While the college does not have within its scope the ability to evaluate prior learning experience (life experience), we can accept a maximum of 30 semester credits of the prerequisite two-year education requirement from any one or a combination of the following:

  • portfolio assessment (life experience evaluation) or Credit By Examination if awarded from an accredited university;
  • assignment of credit for military and corporate training based on recommendations established by the American Council on Education.

Additional Requirements for Foreign Students

  • Attain a score of at least 61 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based exam or
  • Attain a score of at least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based exam (173 on computer-based exam) and at least the currently reported mean score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or
  • Earned a baccalaureate level degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education.