Becoming a Student of Asian Medicine And Acupuncture
     

About our Programs
Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture is licensed by the Arizona Private Post Secondary Education Board to offer its Masters Degrees in: 

• Acupuncture (2665 hours)
• Oriental Medicine (3310 hours)

*NOTE: The Acupuncture Degree can be completed in less time depending upon the student's schedule.

These Masters Degree programs are designed to prepare students to sit for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). This exam is the main requirement for licensing in most states, including Arizona.

Prerequisites
PIHMA requires 60 semester/90 quarter credits from a regionally-accredited school or college whose accrediting agency is recognized by the Department of Education.

PIHMA also requires the following courses as prerequisites for our Masters Degrees:

• General Chemistry
• General Biology
• Introduction to Physics
• English
• Psychology 101

If these specific courses have not yet been met at the time of enrollment, the student has the option to complete them within their first year at PIHMA College.

Flexible Schedule
We understand how difficult it can be to continue your education while still continuing the rest of your life? This is why our faculty and students created a unique schedule format offering classes on alternating weekends and weekday evenings Students select clinic shifts during the weeks (days or evenings), or Saturdays according to their own schedule. This allows students to still carry a job or fulfill other responsibilities during the day.

Enrollment Periods
Semesters begin the first week of January (classes are held on alternating weekends), the first week of June (classes are held every weekend) and the first week of August (classes are held every weekend). Certain classes are also offered during the weeknights during each semester. Priority deadline for your application package is 2 months before the semester begins. Applications may be sent in up to 6 months in advance. If you are a student interested in attending PIHMA, we encourage you to set up a time to tour the campus.

Dual Program With Southwest College Of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM)
PIHMA, in association with SCNM, offers N.D. students the opportunity to earn their Master of Science in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine while completing their program at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Details are provided in PIHMA's catalog.


Click Here for More Information for Transferring Students

A CAREER IN ORIENTAL MEDICINE & ACUPUNCTURE
A career in the field of Oriental medicine and acupuncture is exciting and rewarding.  It is oneof the fastest-growing professions in the field of medicine. Our graduates work independently in private practice, with other healthcare providers in integrated practices or hospitals, in the spa industry, in education, and in business.

Depending on the type of practice, level of workload, and sale of related products, graduates can expect to earn $45,000 to $200,000 annually.

While PIHMA trains its students for independent practice, PIHMA assists its students to enter the field of traditional medicine (e.g. hospitals) and health-related industries (spas and resorts).

Notably, PIHMA’s graduates were the first to work as acupuncturists at Banner Hospitals and the Phoenician Resort. PIHMA also offers its graduates the opportunity to work in PIHMA’s professional clinic alongside faculty practitioners


Other Career Opportunities Include:

• Teaching in an Oriental Medicine Environment
• Employment with Various Herb and Acupuncture Suppliers
• Government Work including (Lobbying, Legislation and Administration)
• Research and Development

Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition will vary each semester depending on workload, and generally increasing as students add on clinic hours.

Average yearly cost for the Oriental Medicine Degree is $13,326.

Average yearly cost for the Acupuncture Degree is $9,534.

PIHMA offers financial aid in the form of federal and nonfederal loans. Payment plans for tuition are also available which is charged by the semester.

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