Topic: East coast (NY) and West coast (California, Oregon) TCM schools.
When I began my school search, I had no idea studying acupuncture would encompass more than just learning how to stick a bunch of needles in a patient.
Sure, I knew it would involve theories and a shockingly different way of viewing, thinking and understanding the human body but I didn't know acupuncture is under the gigantic umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM includes the following: acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, acupressure, herbs, nutrition and qi gong.
What does that mean in terms of schools?
My main focus were on schools in the West coast but because I live in NY, I also visited a couple of schools in the area.
Here's a quick run down of the schools I checked out:
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (New York, NY)
New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Long Island, NY)
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (San Francisco, CA)
Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine of Berkley (Berkley, CA)
Five Branches University (Santa Cruz, CA)
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
Surprisingly, each school varied greatly in terms of their focus, campus, clinics, students and how they approach TCM. However, there were distinct differences between the East and West coast schools I visited, primarily due to the license requirements (OCOM may be in Portland but it is structured as if it is one of the California schools).
East vs. West
1) License. All acupuncturists are required to take and pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM); however, for any acupuncturist to practice in the state of California, he/she also needs to pass the State of California Acupuncture Board Exam.
2) Degree. The East coast schools had an option of a 3-year Master of Science in Acupuncture (MSAc) or a 4-year Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM); whereas the West coast schools offer a 4-year MSTOM program. The main difference in the degree is that the MSAc does not require the study of herbs. Additionally, all the West coast schools (aside from Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Berkley) offer a doctorate program.
3) Herbs. Herbology is required as part of the MSTOM in the East and West coast schools; however, is offered as a separate certification in the East coast for the MSAc program.
4) Body Work. East coast schools offer a separate program in Asian Body Work (massage) as an Associate and/or Bachelor's degree. The MSTOM program in the East coast does not require its students to study body work. On the West coast, however, body work is required.
5) Qi Gong & Tai Chi. The West coast schools tend to have more focus on the study of qi gong and/or tai chi; however, each school varies in how many classes/hours are devoted.
2) Degree. The East coast schools had an option of a 3-year Master of Science in Acupuncture (MSAc) or a 4-year Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM); whereas the West coast schools offer a 4-year MSTOM program. The main difference in the degree is that the MSAc does not require the study of herbs. Additionally, all the West coast schools (aside from Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Berkley) offer a doctorate program.
3) Herbs. Herbology is required as part of the MSTOM in the East and West coast schools; however, is offered as a separate certification in the East coast for the MSAc program.
4) Body Work. East coast schools offer a separate program in Asian Body Work (massage) as an Associate and/or Bachelor's degree. The MSTOM program in the East coast does not require its students to study body work. On the West coast, however, body work is required.
5) Qi Gong & Tai Chi. The West coast schools tend to have more focus on the study of qi gong and/or tai chi; however, each school varies in how many classes/hours are devoted.
