Diploma of Acupuncture
Program Overview
The Diploma of Acupuncture is a 3-year (6-semester) program that deeply explores theoretical and clinical concepts of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Students learn foundational philosophies, diagnostic principles and therapeutic techniques of this ancient and powerful system of medicine, and incorporate them with biomedical sciences and other healing philosophies. This program satisfies curriculum requirements of the CTCMA of BC.
Length: 6 semesters
Intakes: Winter, Summer, Fall semesters
Format: Blended online and on campus, with on campus requirements for program specific courses.
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
Why 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
Rory has advanced training in Sports Acupuncture techniques is the proprietor of Jin Therapeutics Sports Acupuncture in downtown Victoria.
Dr. Zhang completed a Bachelor of Medicine degree (specializing in acupuncture and moxibustion), a Master of Medicine degree (specializing in integrating TCM and modern medicine) and a PhD in Internal Medicine of TCM at the Chengdu University of TCM.
Dr. Huang received her PH.D. in internal medicine of TCM at Beijing University of TCM and Pharmacology, Beijing, China. She has 28 years of clinical experience both in China and Canada.
Patrick has been in private practice as a Registered Acupuncturist since 2001, incorporating a variety of healing modalities into his treatments.
Malcolm turns old art forms into very practical life skills and has built techniques to relieve physical, environmental and emotional stresses.
Dr. Tripp is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with 11 years of training in Western and Traditional Medicine areas and 30 years’ experience working in Canada and China.
Melissa is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a special interest in women’s health, mental health and digestion
Ted has been a Registered Acupuncturist in British Columbia since 2001, and an instructor of acupuncture for more than 15 years.
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 can complete all clinical training in PRC’s on-campus Student Clinic, or can participate in our Global Outreach Program, Clinical Externship Program, or with our clinical partner in China, Liaoning University of TCM. Full-time students generally begin clinical training via observation during the very first week of studies.
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 Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CTCMA) 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 CTCMA 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.
