Vital Spirit Acupuncture

Master of Science in Oriental Medicine

A Master's of Science in Oriental Medicine is a four-year professional degree program that emerges the practitioner in the five branches of classical Oriental medicine: Acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Chinese nutrition, Tui na (Chinese bodywork), and finally, Tai chi and Qi gong. The practitioner learns the underlying philosophy and theories of Oriental medicine and applies these in both diagnosis and treatment in the classroom and clinic.  The program at Southwest Acupuncture College is over 3,000 hours, including 1,065 hours of clinical practice.  

Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

A Diplomate of Oriental Medicine is a practitioner who is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) and has met the certification requirements for both acupuncture and Chinese herbology. It is a considerable professional achievement to earn the designation Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). NCCAOM certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbology as defined by the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession. For additional information, about the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, please visit the NCCAOM Website.

Doctor of Philosophy in Metaphysics

A Doctor of Philosophy in Metaphysics was achieved through a distance learning program provided by the American Institute of Holistic Theology. The program was a study of the science which investigates the first causes of all existence and knowledge. It sought to explain the nature of being, the origin and structure of the world, in relationship between the ethereal and the physical.

Metaphysics holds that the soul or spirit and the physical body are one yet separate. The study of Metaphysics can be the beginning or continuance of an individual's exploration of spirituality, interest in holistic health (i.e., energetic therapies), and/or work towards becoming a spiritual counselor.

This program has three tiers (Bachelor, Master, Doctor of Philosophy) and requires a dissertation for completion. The American Institute of Holistic Theology now offers a different program entitled, 'Metaphysical Spirituality.'

The awareness that health is dependent upon habits that we control makes us the first generation in history that to a large extent determines its own destiny.

-- Jimmy Carter