Acupuncture
Overview
Faculty of Health and Community Studies
Department of Allied Health and Human Performance
MacEwan.ca/Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a traditional healing modality widely used in China, has established itself as a well-respected, regulated health profession in Alberta and other provinces in Canada. The fundamental theories of acupuncture are rooted in holistic ideas that developed over the course of approximately 2500 years in China. Acupuncture promotes health, and is used to treat acute and chronic illness, mainly through the insertion of filiform needles to establish a healthy balance of the individual’s energy and body functions.
The Acupuncture program prepares you to become a professional acupuncturist, subject to successful completion of the national and provincial registration examinations. Students receive the instruction needed to practice acupuncture competently based on the most recent national standards.
Career Potential
- Work in a multi-disciplinary clinic with other allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and medical doctors.
- Work as an associate with another registered acupuncturist.
- Establish private practice as an independent professional.
- Establish a clinic and employ other allied health professionals.
Contact Information
T: 780-497-5221
E: acupuncture@macewan.ca
Teaching Clinic Receptionist
T: 780-497-4610
PROGRAM OFFICE
Robbins Health Learning Centre
Room 9-302, 10910 - 104 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
T: 780-497-4610
All the courses of the program directly related to Acupuncture and/or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are taught by registered acupuncturists. Basic bio-medical sciences are taught by professionals and experts in the related fields.
Program Requirements
The following program requirements are needed to complete the credential. Refer to the Student Plan as this plan identifies the usual course schedule.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| ACUP 101 | Meridian Systems and Acupuncture Points I 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 103 | Meridian Systems and Acupuncture Points II 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 104 | Diagnostics in Traditional Chinese Medicine 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 106 | Medical Terminology 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 108 | Clinical Observation I 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 114 | Introduction to Research Methodology 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 116 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnostics Lab 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 119 | Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine II 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 124 | Introduction to Medical Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 127 | Foundations of Chinese Medicine I 1 | 3 |
| MTST 125 | Physiology I 2 | 3 |
| HLSC 104 | Applied Human Anatomy | 3 |
| MTST 126 | Physiology II 2 | 3 |
| University-level English (includes WRIT 101) | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| ACUP 110 | Meridian Systems and Acupuncture Points III 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 112 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Therapeutics I 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 113 | Clinical Observation and Practice I 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 200 | Acupuncture Safety and Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities I 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 201 | Extra Meridians & Microsystems 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 203 | Therapeutic Principles of Acupuncture, Point Selection and Combination 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 204 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Therapeutics II 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 208 | Clinical Observation and Practice II 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 209 | Internal Medicine 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 210 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities II 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 215 | Internship I 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 218 | Professional Ethics and Acupuncture Regulations 1 | 1 |
| ACUP 222 | Qi Gong and Tui na 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 312 | Herbology for Acupuncturists 1 | 2 |
| HLST 150 | Pathophysiology 2 | 3 |
| Year 3 | ||
| ACUP 111 | Diagnostics in Traditional Chinese Medicine II 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 206 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Nutrition, Lifestyle and Zhong Yao 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 211 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Therapeutics III 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 213 | Traditional Chinese Medicine External Therapeutics I 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 216 | Traditional Chinese Medicine External Therapeutics II 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 220 | Internship II 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 221 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Therapeutics IV 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 303 | Internship III 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 304 | Internship IV 1 | 2 |
| ACUP 314 | Clinical Case Studies in Chinese Medicine 1 | 3 |
| ACUP 320 | Pharmacological Therapy 1 | 3 |
| INTD 305 | Practice Management for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| Total Credits | 101 | |
- 1
The minimum grade required for this course is a C.
- 2
The minimum grade required for this course is a C-.
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Student Plan
Students must follow the Student Plan (listed below) to complete this credential in the year(s) indicated by the plan. Students must consult with a program Academic Advisor regarding any deviation from the Student Plan, as this may extend the time it takes to complete the program. The student plan may be subject to change.
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits | Term 3 | Credits |
| ACUP 1061 | 1 | ACUP 1011 | 3 | ACUP 1031 | 3 |
| ACUP 1271 | 3 | ACUP 1041 | 3 | ACUP 1081 | 1 |
| HLSC 1042 | 3 | ACUP 1141 | 2 | ACUP 1161 | 1 |
| MTST 1252 | 3 | ACUP 1191 | 3 | ACUP 1241 | 3 |
| University-level English (includes WRIT 101) | 3 | MTST 1262 | 3 | ||
| 13 | 14 | 8 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits | Term 3 | Credits |
| ACUP 1101 | 3 | ACUP 2011 | 2 | ACUP 2091 | 3 |
| ACUP 1121 | 2 | ACUP 2041 | 3 | ACUP 2151 | 1 |
| ACUP 1131 | 1 | ACUP 2081 | 2 | ACUP 2181 | 1 |
| ACUP 2001 | 3 | ACUP 2101 | 3 | ACUP 3121 | 2 |
| ACUP 2031 | 2 | ACUP 2221 | 3 | ||
| HLST 1502 | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 13 | 7 | |||
| Year 3 | |||||
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits | Term 3 | Credits |
| ACUP 2061 | 3 | ACUP 1111 | 3 | ACUP 2161 | 2 |
| ACUP 2111 | 3 | ACUP 2131 | 3 | ACUP 3041 | 2 |
| ACUP 2201 | 2 | ACUP 3031 | 2 | INTD 305 | 3 |
| ACUP 2211 | 3 | ACUP 3201 | 3 | ||
| ACUP 3141 | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 11 | 7 | |||
| Total Credits 101 | |||||
- 1
The minimum grade required for this course is a C.
- 2
The minimum grade required for this course is a C-.
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 60 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
- One of Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30
- One subject from Group C
- Two subjects from Group A, B, C, or D
Notes:
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a broad range of subjects in order to benefit from the breadth of learning and to increase flexibility of future program and course choices.
- A maximum of two Group B subjects may be presented; they must be from different disciplines.
- A maximum of one Group D subject may be presented. Group D subjects used for admission must be 5-credit or any credit combination of at least 5 credits (e.g., two 3-credit subjects).
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Mature Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 60 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
- One of Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30
- One subject from Group A, B, C or D
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Previous Post-Secondary Work
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.
Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following from a recognized institution:
- A minimum of 24 post-secondary credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have completed the required science course(s) listed under the Regular or Mature Admission category.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.
2. Other Admission Criteria
To be evaluated through the Program
Applicable to All Admission Categories
Applicants offered admission must present a clear Police Information Check (or equivalent from another policing agency) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Search. The Police Information Check must be submitted by the published document deadline and have been issued within three months of the start of the program intake term.
Program Regulations
Police Information Check
A student must meet the specific Police Information Check (PIC) requirements as set out in the admission criteria for the duration of the program or they may be required to withdraw from the program.
Students whose PIC status changes following program admission must self-report this change in status; this may compromise the student’s ability to complete the program requirements as they may be denied required clinical placement and, therefore, be unable to meet graduation requirements.
Immunization
Current immunization against specified communicable diseases is required as a prerequisite for clinical experience and thus for continued enrolment in the program. Students must meet the specific immunization requirements detailed in the program student handbook by the end of the second term. Documentation of these requirements must be provided to the program by the end of the second term. Failure to meet the specified immunization requirements may result in a student being denied an approved clinical experience and/or they may be required to withdraw from the program.
Standard First Aid/CPR and AED Certification
Students must obtain standard first aid/ CPR + AED training and provide documentation demonstrating completion prior to the end of first term or evidence of current valid certificaiton. Failure to meet the specified first aid/CPR + AED requirements may result in a student being denied an approved clinical experience and/or they may be required to withdraw from the program. Any costs incurred are the responsibility of the student.
Internships and Field Placements
Students must comply with the Work Integrated Learning policy regarding practicum as well as other applicable policies and regulations of the university and the host agency. Students must have completed all prerequisite courses as well as all program and, where relevant, agency pre-placement requirements prior to the start of any practicum course. In accordance with the Work Integrated Learning policy, the university reserves the right, at any point during the practicum course, to remove a student from the practicum for serious performance issues (i.e., engaging in behaviour that places the client(s) and/or others at risk or that is contrary to the professional or safety requirements of the placement). In such cases, the Chair, in consultation with the Dean, will assign a grade of F in the course. For further information, refer to the Work Integrated Learning Policy.
In accordance with the Academic Standing policy, the performance of a Student in a clinical, practicum, ensemble setting, or equivalent learning activity may be reviewed at any time. If the student’s performance is inadequate relative to the standards required in the student’s program, the student may be placed on probation or required to withdraw from the program. For further information, refer to the Academic Standing policy.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of Chinese medicine theories and principles as they relate to traditional conceptions of both health and illness.
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as they relate to the practice of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
- Understand the professional scope of acupuncture and employ sound judgment to refer patients to other relevant healthcare professionals when required.
- Utilize appropriate interpersonal and interprofessional skills informed by professional standards and inclusive ethical principles.
- Competently identify and utilize appropriate acupuncture points and needling techniques for a broad range of clinical presentations of dysfunction and disease.
- Competently select and administer appropriate adjunct treatment modalities such as cupping, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, and tui na massage.
- Demonstrate the capacity to collect and synthesize clinical data and logically formulate a diagnosis, as well as principles of treatment and a treatment plan.
- Communicate to and collaboratively work with patients to ensure they understand the nature and purpose of all processes related to the professional delivery of acupuncture and related Chinese medicine modalities.
- Understand privacy requirements as they relate to clinical interactions, communication, and record management.
- Engage in evaluative self-reflection and demonstrate the capacity to engage in continued learning, growth, and improvement.
- Apply the legal and logistical requirements related to private practice and/or business ownership in a regulated environment.