Acupuncture

Description

Students develop the in-depth theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills required to meet the entry-level standards of practice set by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario  (CTCMPAO). Students benefit from expert clinical training that combines integrative healthcare models with Traditional Chinese Medicine, providing graduates with the necessary abilities to practice as a regulated healthcare professional.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Acupuncture program may be employed as a Registered Acupuncturist (NOC 3232 - practitioners of natural healing) in fertility clinics, doctors’ offices, physiotherapy clinics, naturopathic clinics, massage therapy clinics or chiropractic offices. As well, graduates may open their own clinic space thus becoming self-employed and/or eventually specialize and become involved in one specific area of healthcare such as pain management, dermatology or gynecology.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. critically analyze and evaluate Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine theories and treatment methods to perform safe and effective Acupuncture skills within a clinical setting;
2. evaluate patients incorporating a bio-medical approach with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) examination techniques to formulate a TCM diagnosis and treatment strategy, and carry out the treatment in a skillful and professional manner;
3. explain the importance of Qi-cultivation in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and competently perform practical skills in the various techniques of Qi cultivation;
4. employ essential therapeutic communication skills in professional practice situations to effectively work with and educate the public about integrative medical care models;
5. establish professional relationships with Acupuncture colleagues and members of the inter-professional healthcare teams;
6. assess and treat clients in a clinical setting using effective health related interpersonal skills;
7. promote and advocate for the benefits of Acupuncture treatment to the community;
8. establish a plan for lifelong learning for personal and professional development;
9. access and support current and pertinent research to self-reflection, self-direction and the creation of best practices and current outcomes in the Acupuncture profession;
10. provide culturally sensitive care to a diverse client population in the acupuncture clinical setting;
11. evaluate and implement environmentally related initiatives relevant to the Acupuncture profession;
12. identify and articulate the importance of conducting an Acupuncture or TCM practice in an ethical and professional manner, and within the appropriate provincial and federal legal requirements;
13. apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities.

External Recognition

There is a legislative requirement that program graduates must be registered by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) to be able to perform the following controlled acts while performing the duties of the profession: insertion of a needle below the dermis; and provide a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. 

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Summer 2026
• Sem 4: Fall 2026
• Sem 5: Winter 2027
• Sem 6: Summer 2027

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 11 Biology (C or U), or Grade 12 Biology (U)

First-year enrollment is limited, satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

Applicants must have an up-to-date immunization record in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act. Completion and submission of this record is required during registration in order to ensure your placement in clinical and field placement facilities.

A Hepatitis B vaccination is required for your own safety. It may be obtained at a reduced cost through the student insurance plan.

It is required that students have Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid on admission to the program (On-line courses are not acceptable). It is the student's responsibility to renew their Level HCP CPR certification annually while in the Program. Students are asked to submit a copy of their current Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid certificate to the registrar's office and show the original to the program coordinator at registration.

Graduation Requirements

27 Program Courses
6 Clinical Practices
2 Communications Courses
4 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking 

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
ACPT 1002	Acupuncture 1 - Jing Luo/Channels and Collaterals	42
ALTM 1000	Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine	84
BIOL 1019	Anatomy and Physiology	84
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from General Education list during registration		42
	Hours	294
Semester 2
Program Courses
ACPT 1003	Acupuncture 2: Introduction to Points and Meridians	42
ALTM 1006	Clinical Diagnosis in TCM 1	42
ALTM 1007	Introduction to TCM Dietary and Herbal Therapy	42
BIOL 1020	Palpation Anatomy	42
ETHC 1000	Professional and Ethical Standards in Acupuncture	42
Clinical Practice
ALTM 1005	TCM Grand Rounds Introduction	42
	Hours	252
Semester 3
Program Courses
ACPT 2001	Acupuncture Therapeutics	42
ACPT 2003	Fundamentals of Acupuncture Needling	42
ACPT 2004	Acupuncture 3: Points and Meridians Advances	56
ALTM 1001	Qigong and Mindfulness 1	42
ALTM 2007	Clinical Diagnosis in TCM 2	42
BIOL 2019	Western Biomedical Sciences 1	42
General Education Course
Select one course from the general education list during registration		42
Clinical Practice
ALTM 2008	Clinical Observation	42
	Hours	350
Semester 4
Program Courses
ACPT 2005	Acupuncture Practice	56
ALTM 2000	TCM Differential Diagnosis Introduction	42
ALTM 2009	Internal Medicine	42
BIOL 2020	Western Biomedical Sciences 2	42
Clinical Practice
ALTM 2006	TCM Grand Rounds Advanced	42
ACPT 2006	Acupuncture Clinic Practice	56
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration		42
	Hours	322
Semester 5
Program Courses
ACPT 3004	Acupuncture Point Prescription and Treatment Planning	28
ALTM 2003	TCM Differential Diagnosis Advanced	84
ALTM 3002	External Medicine, Traumatology and Orthopedics	42
ALTM 3004	Qi Gong and Mindfulness 2	28
REAS 3000	Research Methodologies	28
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Clinical Practice
ACPT 3000	Acupuncture Clinic Internship Introduction	168
	Hours	420
Semester 6
Program Courses
ACPT 3001	Comprehensive Acupuncture Examination Review	84
ALTM 3000	Integrated TCM Cases	42
ALTM 3003	Gynecology and Pediatrics	42
BUSI 3012	Business and Practice Management for Acupuncturists	42
Clinical Practice
ACPT 3003	Acupuncture Clinic Internship Advanced	168
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration		42
	Hours	420
	Total Hours	2058

Graduation Window 

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of three years (as stated above) may take a maximum of six years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission. 

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.