Acupuncture Institute

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Health Sciences Center
60 Lafayette Street
Telephone: (203) 576-4122
Fax: (203) 576-4107
Email: acup@bridgeport.edu

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medi­cine (TCM) are one of the most respected healing professions around the globe. It serves a quarter of the world’s population and has increased in public acceptance in the United States and Europe as the fastest growing complementary health care field. TCM has gained this respect by being the most ancient written form of medical therapy known. For more information, call Dr. Jenni­fer Brett: (203) 576-4122 or 1-800-EXCEL-UB (1-800-392-3582), ext. 4122

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses acupuncture, manual therapy, diet counseling, herbal therapies, exercise and breathing techniques, has been in use for thousands of years. Over the millennia, the Asian community has continuously re­fined this ancient healing art. During the last century, this refinement has included inte­gration of Western medical sciences within the paradigm of TCM.

M.S.Ac.

The development of the Master of Science in Acupuncture degree program integrates the medical concepts of both the East and West. The student will learn classical acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medical theory as well as up-to-date western bio-medical sci­ences.

The Master of Science in Acupuncture de­gree program’s goal is to provide acupunc­ture and Traditional Chinese medical training consistent with the developing traditions in Asia and the growing modern health care system in the United States.

Having an opportunity to work alone and in conjunction with other health care prac­titioners in the Health Sciences Center, the students will be able to integrate the care of patients with other health care providers. Thus, the student gains a “real world” advan­tage before entering private practice.

MS.Ac.CH.

The MS.Ac.CH. is a 4-year program during which the students are instructed in Chinese Herbology during three (3) of the four (4) years of training, after a first year of basic sciences, theory and diagnosis classes lay the foundation for understanding the art and sci­ence of a full range of TCM modalities. All foundational courses and clinical rotations from the MS-AC program are included in the MS-TCM.

The nearly 3400-hours of training in Tradi­tional Chinese Medicine modalities, includ­ing excellent training in acupuncture, moxi­bustion, tui na as well as Chinese herbal studies is designed to produce graduates with exemplary clinical skills. The clinical focus of this program is evident from the very first classes and permeates all the train­ing in the MS-TCM program.

The MS.Ac.CH program is a residential pro­gram with students completing 80% of their course work and clinical rotations in resi­dence. The Chinese herbology (ACH) cours­es will be offered in a blended format with 50% of the didactic program offered online and 50% in person each semester, and addi­tional weekends each summer for advanced study. Students will participate in an online environment to complete their herbal stud­ies.

M.S.CH.

The MS.CH program is a stand-alone pro­gram that will allow licensed health care professionals to better understand Chinese Herbology and be able to safely utilize these herbal products.

Currently, many healthcare professionals are able to prescribe herbal therapies (MDs, DOs, NDs, DCs, L.Acs) or work with herbal therapies (PharmDs). The UB MS-CH pro­gram is the only clinically-oriented system­atic masters-level program for health pro­fessionals in these therapies. The focus of this program is on not only clinical usage of Chinese herbal therapies but also on safety in the clinical setting while framing the clini­cal use of these herbs in the TCM tradition. The potential for issues associated with inte­grated care and drug-herb and nutrient-herb interactions are covered in detail within the MS-CH courses.

The nearly 900-hours of training in Chinese herbal studies will produce graduates with exemplary clinical skills. The clinical focus of this program is evident from the very first classes and permeates all the training in the MS-CH program.

DAc.TCM.

The DAc.TCM is a 160-credit, 4-year program during which the students are instructed in both biomedicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The first year of studies focuses on biomedicine and TCM theory and diagnosis classes which form the foundation for understanding the art and science of TCM modalities. The second and third years in­troduce students to the full panoply of TCM treatment modalities including acupuncture, Chinese herbology, dietetics, tui na, taiji­chuan and qigong. The last two years of training focus on clinical rotations both on campus and off campus including training in integrated medical settings.

The DAc.TCM program is designed to pro­vide significant training in biomedicine and integrative medicine for those interested in providing traditional Chinese medicine in primary care. Chinese medicine practitio­ners (L.Ac.s) play an important part in U.S. healthcare. The Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination against complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, including acupuncturists. UBAI is dedicated to ensuring that its graduate practitioners are included in all aspects of healthcare, from the private office to hospitals and public health forums.

UBAI’s DAc.TCM program will help graduates participate in a healthcare system that is multidisciplinary and enhances competence, mutual respect, and collaboration across all healthcare disciplines. The clinical program stresses a team-based approach to care.

Accreditation

The MS-Acupuncture, MS-Acupuncture with Chinese herbology, and Doctorate of Acu­puncture with Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine degree programs of the Univer­sity of Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute are programmatically accredited by the Ac­creditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), which is the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and TCM medicine practitioners.

Accreditation contact:

ACAHM

500 Lake Street, Suite 204

Excelsior, MN  55331

Phone 952/212-2434; fax 952/657-7068.

email: info@acaom.org

Educational Mission, Objectives & Goals

Acupuncture Institute Mission & Educational Objectives

The mission of the University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute is to offer a compre­hensive education and training that prepares qualified candidates to become successful licensed practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The programs seek to advance the practice and discipline of Traditional Chinese Medicine through educational, clinical and scholarly activities. The programs educate and train students to be productive, skilled caring and responsible healthcare profes­sionals.

The Educational Objectives of the Acupunc­ture Institute are to train and educate acu­puncture students who prior to graduation:

The Educational Objectives of the Acupunc­ture Institute are to train and educate acu­puncture students who prior to graduation:

1. Demonstrate competency in utilizing the four examinations to identify Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnoses.
2. Have the ability to formulate and skillfully implement the safe and effective clinical application of Chinese medicine modalities based upon a total assessment of the patient;
   1. For MS- Acup: to formulate and skillfully implement safe and effec­tive TCM acupuncture, moxibustion, qi cultivation, tui na and adjunctive techniques.
   2. For MS-Acu w/Chinese Herbs & DAc.TCM.: to formulate and skillfully im­plement safe and effective acupunc­ture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, qi cultivation, tui na and other adjunctive techniques.
   3. For MS-CH: to formulate and skill­fully implement safe and effective Chinese herbal medicine, and dietary therapies.
3. Adapt diagnosis and treatment strategies as needed for diverse patient populations.
4. Evaluate patient care from biomedical, pharmacological and Asian perspective in order to understand the medical context in which patients present, make appropriate treatment, and consultation decisions in various healthcare settings including as part of a collaborative health care team; and make timely referrals when appropriate.
5. Value patients’ dignity and confidentiality.
6. DAc.TCM: will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient-centered care in a variety of settings in order to optimize patient health and coordinate care with other healthcare practitioner.

University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Insti­tute institutional goals are to:

Offer a comprehensive graduate-level educa­tion that trains future graduates in a broad range of TCM knowledge, competencies and skills so that we achieve our Mission and educational objectives

1. Offer a comprehensive graduate-level education that trains future graduates in a broad range of TCM knowledge, competencies and skills so that we achieve our Mission and educational objectives
2. Administer a professional and affordable treatment clinic that:
   • Serves the local community; and
   • Instructs student interns in the diag­nosis and treatment of health condi­tions in a diverse population
3. Conduct outreach clinics to:
   • Support the profession of acupunc­ture through community service; and
   • Train students in integrative care set­tings;
4. Preserve and further the understanding of human health and the art of Asian medicine.
5. Produce graduates who can meet state and national licensure requirements.

Programs

• Acupuncture with Chinese Herbology, M.S.CH.
• Acupuncture, M.S.
• Chinese Herbology, M.S.

• Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine, D.Ac.

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