Admissions Requirements for Doctor of Acupuncture (DAC) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DAcHM) Programs

1) Satisfactory completion of at least three years (90 semester credits/135 quarter credits) undergraduate level education from an institution accredited or pre-accredited by an agency recognized by the US department of Education.

2) Submission of Official transcripts. Transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope or directly from the institution in a secure digital format. Students will be required to submit official transcripts from all other institutions from which academic credit was earned if the student intends to request transfer of credit.

• All foreign-trained students who have completed undergraduate and/or graduate-level training overseas must provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation for each degree attained. An official transcript for these degrees will be requested from the student. For those who have also completed an advanced degree (Masters, Doctorate) from an accredited institution in the English language in the United States but completed their undergraduate training overseas, the student will not need to provide an official transcript from their foreign institution; foreign transcript evaluations will still be required. The student must provide an official transcript from the US-based institution of study.

• Degrees earned outside of the US, issued by an institution not recognized by the department of education must be translated and evaluated by an agency recognized by NACES (National association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.). VUIM offers a service for a fee through FIS (Foundation for International Services, Inc.), a member of NACES.

• Completion of undergraduate level Chemistry, Biology and Psychology courses. If not complete, the student will be required to take graduate level courses in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology at VUIM

3) Completed application for admission.

4) Application fee

5) English language proficiency:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT) — Total: 61

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Format — Overall Band: 6

• Duolingo English Test — 90

• China Standard of English Language (CSE) — CSE 6

• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) — C

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) — C

• Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) — B2

• Occupational English Test (OET) — 250, C

• Pearson Test of English (PTE), Academic — Overall: 45

• Completion of a two year degree (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) at the baccalaureate or masters level, at an accredited US college or University in the US, or at a college or University in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (not including Quebec), New Zealand, or IrelandIn all cases, English must be the language of instruction and curriculum

6) 300 – 700 word essay – “What inspired you to pursue a career in acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine?”

7) Recommendation

8) Photo ID

Admissions Requirements for DAC and DAcHM Degree Completion Students

The DAc and DAcHM completion track is designed for the individual who has graduated from an ACAHM accredited/pre-accredited Master’s level program. Students who enter this track complete the remaining doctoral program requirements not included in their master’s level training.

1) The applicant must meet all of the admissions requirements outlined above.

2) The applicant must have satisfactorily completed master’s degree or master’s level program in Acupuncture/ Oriental Medicine from an ACAHM accredited/pre-accredited program or institution.

3) If the applicant is not a VUIM Alum or is a VUIM alum who graduated more than 5 years ago, a comprehensive transcript analysis must be completed by the Academic Dean and demonstrate that all applicable master’s level AOM coursework completed is equivalent to VUIM’s MAc or MAcHM degree requirements in terms of content, rigor, and credit hour requirements.  There is a $400 fee for this evaluation. The results of this review may require the student to complete coursework at VUIM at the Masters’ level. See Transfer of Credit and Exemption policy for more information.