Diploma of Acupuncture
Professional Acupuncture Training in Canada
Program Overview
Train to become an acupuncturist through Pacific Rim College’s comprehensive Diploma of Acupuncture. Located in Victoria, British Columbia, PRC has been educating Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine practitioners since 2007, combining traditional Chinese Medicine theory with extensive acupuncture training, biomedical sciences and hands-on clinical experience.
The Diploma of Acupuncture includes 2,190 hours of education and 525 hours of clinical training. Students develop a strong foundation in acupuncture points and meridians, diagnostic principles, acupuncture techniques and therapeutics, Traditional Chinese Medicine, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and professional practice.
Students gain extensive practical experience through Pacific Rim College’s teaching clinic, progressing from clinical observation to supervised and independent clinical practice.
For students looking for an acupuncture school in Canada that combines comprehensive academic study with extensive clinical experience, PRC’s Diploma of Acupuncture provides the education required to pursue registration as an acupuncturist in British Columbia, subject to the registration requirements of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC).
Credential: Diploma of Acupuncture
Length: 6 semesters (2-3 years)
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Study Format: Primarily on campus, with live-online options for eligible coursework
Intakes: January, May and September
Professional Pathway: Designed to meet the educational requirements toward registration as a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) in British Columbia
Clinical Training: 525 hours
Total Training: 2190 hours
I had a wonderful experience studying at Pacific Rim College for my Diploma of Acupuncture. The instructors are very knowledgeable, friendly and easily approachable. The clinical training is well balanced to foster independence while providing appropriate guidance.
– Victoria Dong, Alumnus
Become an Acupuncturist
Acupuncture is a regulated health profession in British Columbia. Becoming a Registered Acupuncturist requires comprehensive education in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, biomedical sciences and clinical practice, followed by completion of the applicable registration requirements.
PRC’s Diploma of Acupuncture provides students with progressive training in acupuncture theory and practice, beginning with foundational studies of meridians, acupuncture points and Traditional Chinese Medicine and advancing into diagnosis, treatment techniques and specialized areas of clinical practice.
Students also develop an extensive biomedical foundation through studies in anatomy and physiology, surface anatomy, pathophysiology and Western diagnosis and laboratory testing.
A defining part of the program is 525 hours of clinical education. Students progress through clinical observation, supervised practice and independent practice, developing experience working with clients while supported by experienced practitioners.
Why study Acupuncture at Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
The ancient and powerful system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from classical to contemporary applications.
Key Learning Outcome #2
Extensive background of biomedical understanding of the human body, its physiology and common pathologies.
Key Learning Outcome #3
An in-depth understanding of biological energetic principles and how to enhance energy using acupuncture, massage, nutrition and exercise.
Key Learning Outcome #4
Working knowledge of complementary therapies to provide enhanced, safe client experiences.
Key Learning Outcome #5
The experience to establish a private acupuncture clinic or to join an integrative health centre.
My time at Pacific Rim College was very special. In my three years at the college, I deepened my understanding of TCM and also discovered so much about myself as a patient and practitioner. Some of my peers are now my closest and dearest friends and colleagues. I feel so blessed to have learned under some of the most skilled teachers and practitioners in Canada. It was an experience so unique and unforgettable. I would highly recommend PRC to anyone interested in the alternative healing arts.
– Victoria Rohac, Alumnus
Core Program Instructors
Curriculum
Below is a list of all courses that must be completed for a student to be eligible for graduation with a Diploma of Acupuncture. Some course prerequisites do exist, and it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are eligible to enrol in any particular course. Please click on course links below to see more course information including descriptions and prerequisites.
Acupuncture
Biomedical/Biological Sciences
Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice
Elective
Professional Development
Total Requirements
Clinical Training
Students in the Diploma of Acupuncture program complete 525 hours of direct clinical practice. Students must complete all clinical training in PRC’s on-campus Student Clinic only.
Admissions
Pacific Rim College is committed to educating the highest quality industry professionals, and we offer priority acceptance to applicants who demonstrate the highest potential for success. Admission into the School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College is on a competitive basis, and applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, humanitarian activities, community involvement, program-related experience, communication skills, professionalism, emotional maturity, independence, ambition, and passion.
Admissions Criteria and Application Requirements
Admission requires successfully meeting the following minimum criteria:
- Applicants must be 19 years of age or older, or have completed high school or an equivalent, such as the GED or CAEC. Applicants who are 19 or older without a high school diploma or equivalent may be considered for mature student status and will be required to complete an essay provided by the college.
- A minimum grade of 70% in previous coursework. All grades will be taken into consideration with emphasis on related language and science-based courses, such as but not limited to general English, general science, creative and professional writing, biology, and chemistry.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:
- Completion of grades 9-11, including English 11 with a grade of ‘60%’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) – An applicant must earn a score of no less than 16 out of 30 on any of the 4 test sections and a total score of no less than 75 out of 120.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – An applicant must earn an overall score of 5.5 or higher.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test – An applicant must earn an overall score of 40 or higher.
- Duolingo English Test – An applicant must earn an overall score of 95 or higher.
Application Deadline
We offer three semesters of study per year for our diploma programs – Fall (September – December), Winter (January – April), and Summer (May – August). Diploma students are welcome to apply to begin in any semester. We do not have a set deadline for applications and will continue to accept students up until the start of classes provided there is space within the program, however, programs do fill prior to the semester start, so we recommend applying 6 months to one year in advance.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is based on a per credit system. Although the college provides guidance for the order of course completion within each program, ultimately each student determines personal course load and schedule and thus per semester tuition. Audited credits do not apply towards graduation requirements. All prices listed are in Canadian dollars. For each semester, full tuition payment is due on the first day of the semester.
Please click here for a description of Academic Fees in PDF format.
Financial Aid
This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.
For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.
Post-Graduation
Graduates of the Diploma of Acupuncture program who have met the requirements of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) of BC, which includes 60 university credits of liberal arts or sciences, will be eligible to sit for the Canadian national registration exam to become Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac.) in the province of British Columbia. Based on reciprocity agreements, this distinction permits registrants to practice acupuncture across Canada.
Students aiming for licensure by the State of Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners are eligible to do so only after completing PRC’s Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program. The DTCM program meets the requirements of R4-8-403 and R4-8-404 (licensure qualifier under Arizona Revised Statutes 32-3924(2)).
Past graduates who have completed required electives in appropriate disciplines have also met the professional standards set by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) in the United States. This has permitted them to sit for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination and thus be licensed in the majority of US states. PRC graduates aiming for licensure in the United States must have their credentials evaluated by ACCRAO.
Licensing Requirements
Practitioner licensing requirements vary based on region of governance. The Diploma of Acupuncture program is approved by the CCHP of BC and meets the education requirements of many other provinces, states and countries. It is students’ responsibility to ensure they meet eligibility criteria in their chosen region.