Degrees Awarded

East West College of Natural Medicine awards two degrees simultaneously. The “Bachelor of Professional Heath Sciences” and the “Master of Science in Oriental Medicine” are exclusively conferred concurrently upon successful completion of all academic, clinic, and administrative requirements.

Program of Study

The program of study at EWCNM is a professional degree program designed to prepare the student for a successful career practicing Oriental Medicine. The program combines both classroom and practical study that includes the philosophy, theory and clinical application of Oriental and Western medicine. Oriental Medicine courses include classical diagnostic approaches, acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, tuina medical massage and Qi Gong exercise therapy. Western biomedicine courses prepare the student with the relevant tools needed to diagnosis and accurately execute a complementary approach to healthcare. Biomedical courses include biological sciences, anatomy & physiology, diagnostic skills, pharmacology and nutrition. Students are also exposed to the subtleties of Japanese acupuncture and alternative therapies such as homeopathy. Upon completion of the didactic program students possess a thorough understanding of the strengths and differences of both the western and Oriental Medical approaches.

The clinical phases of the program prepare students to utilize the knowledge, both theoretical and technical, that is acquired in the classroom. The clinical education is directly supervised by experienced and licensed practitioners of Oriental Medicine. Students begin their clinical career as an observer and gradually work toward independently treating patients as an intern. This portion of the program gives students the opportunity to apply their treatment skills and knowledge in a practical manner. Through the clinical externship program, students are provided additional experience in collaborative biomedicine settings. Over the course of the clinical education students develop skills and synthesize their knowledge in an experience that will prepare them for a successful professional career in healthcare.

Program Summary:

The curriculum leading to the Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine at EWC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), and meets the educational requirements of the Florida Board of Acupuncture, New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, California Acupuncture Board, and for NCCAOM certification.

Additional Requirements:

CPR and First Aid:

Students are required to complete an approved CPR and First Aid training program. This is a pre-requisite to CS501 Clinical Phase I : Observation. Current certification must be maintained throughout the program.

CNT Course from Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM):

Students are required to successfully complete the CCAOM Clean Needle Technique Course. This is a prerequisite to CS502 Clinical Phase II: Supervised Practice.

EWCNM Community Service

Students are required to participate in 8 Hours of EWCMN community educational events (i.e. health fairs, open house, etc.) This is a prerequisite to PL402 Practice Management.

Clinic Externship

Students are required to participate in 60 hours of clinic externship as part of their Clinical Intern phase.

Program Length and Schedule

When students enroll, they join a specific class and move through the program with the same set of students. This style of graduate training has been successfully used in leading colleges and universities and is well-suited to highly motivated learners. Enrollment is typically 20-30 students per class. The 3,000 hour academic program is designed for students to complete 5 academic years, consisting of 10 terms in 3.4 calendar years. Classes are conducted year round with three terms per calendar year. Each term is 15 weeks long, a total of 45 weeks per year. Class times vary, but generally students will spend an average of 22 hours per week in the classroom and/or clinic. Didactic courses are generally scheduled over two full days each week, and students schedule clinical shifts as necessary to fulfill their requirements. During the last two terms students spend less time in didactic classes and additional days are spent attending to patients in the EWCNM clinic and at Externship sites. In addition to the normal course load, students are required to complete comprehensive exams at the end of every two terms. These exams are scheduled in advance, and the days and times may vary. Upon graduation the College confers both the Bachelor of Professional Health Sciences and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine degree.