The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Program

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The College’s Oriental Medicine program combines rigorous academic course work with broad clinical experiences, leading to a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine combined with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition (TCM).

Education focuses on the “Zang Fu” system of physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment strategy. Traditional pulse and tongue diagnosis aid the graduate in formulating and comprehensive treatment plan. This is the style taught today, in China, at Universities of Chinese Medicine and practiced in their affiliated teaching hospitals.

Students in the Oriental Medicine program study various forms of acupuncture, traditional herbs and formulas, as well as, nutrition and Chinese food therapy. They are introduced to new clinical protocols, based firmly upon the principles of TCM that combine nutritional supplements with herbal formulas. Students also learn which foods to recommend and which to avoid based upon the TCM pattern and presenting complaint and traditional constitutions.

The Midwest College’s student clinics provide the opportunity to rotate through a variety of unique clinical settings where interns experience the approach of many different practitioners. Interns at the Midwest College treat a wide range of conditions and gain thorough, hands-on experience in acupuncture and the other physical modalities of Oriental healing, such as, tuina massage, moxibustion, and cupping. They also gain clinical experience making healthy eating recommendations and suggesting specific healing foods based upon their energetic characteristics and recommending nutrition supplements base on TCM concepts. The nutrition component in the program is integrated in the Oriental Medicine courses. Internship is designed to build knowledge and skills and to fine-tune patient/healer sensitivities. Midwest College delivered over 14,000 individual treatments in 2011. Internship begins in the very beginning of the education at the college and continues during the entire enrollment. After completing the program, graduates are confident in their ability as Oriental Medical Practitioners to address the full spectrum of conditions seen in practice.

The total hours in the Oriental Medicine program are 199.8 quarter credit hours, or 2,826 clock hours. Additional internship hours and courses may be needed for licensure in some states. However graduate are qualified for licensure in the Midwest.

Minimum completion time for the Oriental Medicine program is 36 months (4 academic years). To complete in the minimum time frame, students attend classes on Saturday and a minimum of two evenings per week. Students have up to six and a half years to complete the program on a part-time basis.

Graduates of the Midwest College’s Oriental Medicine Program earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition (TCM) granted simultaneously with the Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine. Graduates are qualified to sit all examinations given by the NCCAOM, and meet the requirements for a license in Illinois, Wisconsin and many other states.

Graduates of the Midwest College’s Acupuncture program receive Master’s level certification. They are qualified to sit for the examinations given by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) which lead to Acupuncture Certification and meet the requirements for a license in Illinois, Wisconsin and many other states.