About AAAOM

The American Academy of Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....

 and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) was first established in 1997 in response to the strong encouragement of staff and faculty at the Shandong

Shandong

' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...

 University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan, China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

. Regular classes began in 1999 in a small collection of rooms in the University Technology Center building in Dinkytown, near the University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...

. At that time there were about 40 full and part-time students and the school consisted of two class rooms, four treatment rooms and a small series of adjoining offices which served as reception, administration office and pharmacy. The one clinic consultation room was little more than a closet with a window and enough space for a desk and two chairs.
Today the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine occupies its own independent campus with a full traditional herbal pharmacy, 5 classrooms, 12 treatment rooms in our faculty – student clinic, a student lounge, a study room with internet access, a large practice space for events and t'ai chi ch'uan classes as well as quite possibly the most complete library of TCM literature in Chinese and English in the United States.
As the only independent accredited school of TCM in Minnesota, AAAOM’s current standing as an educational and professional leader in the field of TCM healthcare is growing yearly. In 2000, TCM World magazine awarded AAAOM “Best Faculty.” In 2002, Twin Cities Wellness magazine called AAAOM the “Mayo Clinic of Eastern Medicine.” In 2003, TCM World Magazine recognized AAAOM as being the “Best New School” and recognized as having the “Best Curriculum” for TCM in the country.
AAAOM offers a Master of Science degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine – emphasizing the diagnostic and pathology

Pathology

Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....

 model of TCM and all aspects of traditional treatment methods; not just acupuncture, but also extensive study of Chinese herbal medicine, dietary therapy, Chinese tuina massage and healing Qigong

Qigong

Qigong or chi kung is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation...

. AAAOM is one of the minority of schools in the country that offers an authentic replica of the training one would expect to receive if one was to study TCM in China. Students may elect to specialize in traditional Chinese internal medicine, gynecology, geriatrics, pediatrics, dermatology, neurological disorders, musculo-skeletal disorders or sensory organ disorders.
In addition, a unique feature of the AAAOM program is its affiliation with several medical schools in China. The Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan, China (AAAOM sister school) has served not only as a model for the formation of AAAOM, but has also hosted two graduates for Ph.D. study in TCM. Exchange programs for advanced study in TCM can also be arranged at other medical universities in China.

Faculty

AAAOM’s faculty include 8 expert Chinese scholar – physicians from who have made significant contributions to the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Collectively they have published over 450 textbooks, research papers and reference books in China and the United States. These are individuals who have distinguished themselves as clinicians drawing upon decades of practice and scholars who are actively expanding the profession as a whole. Biomedicine classes are taught by several highly skilled western doctors and chiropractors trained in the United States. Combined, the faculty at AAAOM offer a uniquely diversified body of theoretical knowledge, exceptional clinical expertise and strong professional advocacy.

Student body

The program at AAAOM attracts intelligent, competent students who represent a diverse range of cultures, ages, interests and a wide range of academic and career experiences. The majority of students are women over the age of 30 and over 14 % of the student population is of a non-Caucasian ethnicity. Due to the small size of the school, the current body of approximately 110 students enjoy small classes, close relations with faculty and administrative staff and the student association plans many events that foster close bonds amongst students.

Location

The American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) is located at 1925 West County Road B2 in Roseville, Minnesota

Roseville, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 33,690 people, 14,598 households, and 8,598 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,543.9 people per square mile . There were 14,917 housing units at an average density of 1,126.4 per square mile...

, near the junction of Interstate 35W and Highway 36.

Licensure and Authorization

The American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) is incorporated under and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 302A. AAAOM is licensed by the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 141.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program of the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), which is the recognized accrediting agency for the approval of programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners.

Minnesota License Requirements for Practice

Minnesota requires passage of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a non-profit organization in the United States that aims to "establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the...

 (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination in order to practice in the state. Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is licensing agency for practicing

Medical ethics

Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. As a scholarly discipline, medical ethics encompasses its practical application in clinical settings as well as work on its history, philosophy, theology, and sociology.-History:Historically,...

acupuncture in Minnesota. Graduates from the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program at the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which is an accredited program with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), are qualified to take the NCCAOM exams. AAAOM prepares its students for national certification by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).