Won Institute of Graduate Studies, located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, is a regionally accredited graduate school offering programs in Acupuncture Studies, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Won Buddhist Studies.
WON INSTITUTE... Employs a diverse faculty, many of whom are professional practitioners, business owners, and meditation specialists. Offers small class sizes allowing faculty members to share their expertise with students in a personalized learning environment. Has a fully-staffed faculty and student acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine clinic that sees patients throughout the week, a well-established library, and strong student support services. Focuses on self-cultivation and personal development through meditation and journaling assignments. This gives acupuncturists a new tool for treating patients and aids students in developing awareness by becoming more perceptive to the needs of others. Hosts a variety of guest speakers Continuing Education (CE) events
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Minutes to Center City Philadelphia Warminster, PA, is a suburb of Philadelphia – less than 20 minutes from Doylestown, 15 minutes to Willow Grove and 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia.
"The fact that I have the title of doctor garners more respect from patients and other medical practitioners in the field. What I learned in the program made me more confident in my understanding of medicine and made me a much better researcher". ___ Dr.Anthony Felix, D.Ac - Class of 2020
Since its inception in 2005, the Master of Acupuncture Studies program has combined rigorous academic instruction and early clinical exposure to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Chinese medical theory and the ancient and modern uses of acupuncture.
3-4
Years to Complete
2.5
Days Per Week
10-Day
Study Abroad In South Korea
The accredited three-year Master’s Degree program integrates two main acupuncture styles: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Five-Element Acupuncture Additionally, the Acupuncture Studies program offers: Extracurricular opportunities Access to professional development forums Discounted membership to the Association for Professional Acupuncture in Pennsylvania
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM The Doctor of Acupuncture program is a four-year program consisting of the Master’s level curriculum in the first three years. The final year of the program consists of doctoral-level courses and is delivered in a 100% online, asynchronous learning experience. Graduates receive the highest level of education available in the field, allowing them to achieve degree parity alongside other doctorally-trained healthcare professionals. Those with a Doctor of Acupuncture degree hold a competitive edge over Master’s level graduates, and this advanced degree allows them to participate in research and teaching opportunities at the doctoral level.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
600 + 250
Clinical Internship Hours Total Treatments Completed
Students spend the final four terms of the Master of Acupuncture Studies program in an intensive clinical internship, treating patients under the supervision of experienced faculty members.
Understanding and implementing Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element treatment plans are the primary focus during the first two terms. Latter terms encourage students to develop their identities as acupuncturists by crafting their own treatment regimens. Physiological Medicine, Disease Management and Prevention, and Issues in Primary Care Medicine courses provide the fundamental understanding of standard medical terminology, physiological roots of disease, and common medical diagnoses. Integration of western biomedical theories of health and disease allow graduates to communicate effectively with other medical professionals. Meditation provides a unique tool to become attentive practitioners when treating their patients and helps students develop selfawareness, focus, clarity, and composure.
WESTERN BIOMEDICINE
The program includes 24 credits (360 hours) of foundational western biomedicine. Courses include: Physiological Medicine Disease Management and Prevention Issues in Primary Care Medicine Students learn: Standard medical terminology The physiological roots of disease and common medical diagnoses How to communicate effectively with other medical professionals How to integrate western biomedical theories of health and disease into their knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese medicine
MEDITATION The integration of meditation, unique to Won Institute’s Acupuncture Studies program, helps students develop selfawareness, focus, clarity, and equanimity. Students take several courses in sitting and moving meditation not only to become attentive practitioners, but to develop another tool to use when treating their patients.
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24
Credits
360
Hours
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL AID
3.1
Priority Application Deadline
Applications are accepted throughout the year, with new students beginning only in the fall. Applications are due prior to July 1.
4.1
Scholarship Application Deadline
Start Date: Fall term ONLY. Classes begin in late August.
International Student Application Deadline
PREREQUISITES
6.1 7.1
Final Application Deadline
Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from an accredited school. 3 credits each of Anatomy & Physiology I and II COREQUISITES (Doctoral level program only) 3 credits each of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. All prerequisites must be completed prior to the first day of classes. Corequisites can be completed during the Doctor of Acupuncture Program and must be completed prior to graduation. Won Institute offers the Anatomy & Physiology courses 100% online over the summer each year. In addition, all applicants should ensure that they are capable of meeting the Technical Standards. For more information about our admissions requirements please visit woninstitute.edu.
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INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Complete the same admissions requirements as domestic applicants. Complete the TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT) with a minimum overall score of 80, a MyBest score of 80, OR complete the IELTS test with a minimum overall score of 6.5. Submit their undergraduate transcripts to World Education Services (www.wes.org) or an equivalent NACES-approved evaluation agency to determine U.S. equivalence. Submit a completed application by June 1 for fall term. INSTITUTIONAL AID SCHOLARSHIP The Institutional Aid Scholarship is a merit and need-based scholarship awarded to select members of the incoming class of students. Individuals interested in applying must submit the Institutional Aid Scholarship Application by April 1. FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID Won Institute meets the criteria for participation in the Federal Student Financial Aid program. Students are eligible for a Direct Loan or a Direct Graduate Plus Loan. Information about these loans and how they differ is available from the Department of Education. Currently, the upper limit of the Direct Loan is $20,500. The upper limit of the Direct Graduate Plus Loan depends on the cost of attendance of a student’s program. The first step is to complete an application for financial aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov. The school code for Won Institute is G39493. The FAFSA should be completed online at least one month prior to the start of classes but may be completed earlier. Learn more about financial aid and scholarships on our website at woninstitute.edu.
VETERANS BENEFITS Won Institute is approved for veteran’s educational benefits. For more information on this process, please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@woninstitute.edu.
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TUITION BREAKDOWN
TOTAL PROGRAM COSTS ESTIMATED YEAR ONE COSTS..................$23,741 Tuition.............................................................$22,191 Fees................................................................$550 Estimated Textbook Cost................................$1,000 ESTIMATED YEAR TWO COSTS..................$23,901 Tuition..............................................................$22,191 Fees ...............................................................$550 Estimated Textbook Cost................................$500 Malpractice Insurance.....................................$100 CPR certification.............................................$60 Clinical Supplies.............................................$350 Clean Needle Technique Exam......................$150 ESTIMATED YEAR THREE COSTS...............$23,541 Tuition..............................................................$22,191 Fees.................................................................$550 Estimated Textbook Cost.................................$300 Malpractice Insurance.....................................$100 Clinical supplies...............................................$300 Diploma fee.....................................................$100 ESTIMATED YEAR FOUR COSTS................ $12,495 (DAc ONLY) Tuition..............................................................$10,995 Fees................................................................ $750 Estimated Textbook Cost................................ $750
TOTAL LICENSURE COSTS (PENNSYLVANIA) APPRX. COSTS OF LICENSURE................. $1,745 (NCCAOM) Application....................................$500 CNT Results Sent to NCCAOM.......................$10 NCCAOM Pregrad Transcript fee....................$10 Practice tests (recommended).........................$200 Point Location Board exam..............................$310 Biomedicine Board Exam.................................$310 Foundation of OM Board Exam........................$310 PA State Board Application Fee.......................$30 NCCAOM Exam Result Request......................$45 NCCAOM Graduate School Transcript.............$10 State Board Graduate School Transcript..........$10
Won Institute offers federal financial aid and scholarships to those who qualify. Students interested in setting up custom payment plans are able to do so through the Office of the Registrar. Estimates reflect prices as of April 2023. Tuition and fees are subject to change as decided by the President of the Won Institute. For further explanation and next steps, please contact financial.aid@woninstitute.edu. Further information on licensure costs can be found at nccaom.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM? A: The Master of Acupuncture program is a total of three years in length, with fall, spring and summer terms each year. Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks, while summer semester is 10 weeks. The Doctor of Acupuncture program is four years in length, with the first three years containing the Master of Acupuncture Studies curriculum. The final year is conducted in a 100% online format (with the exception of clinical collaboration coursework) and consists of the doctoral level courses. Q: DO YOU ACCEPT PART-TIME STUDENTS? A: No, there is only a full-time option, however our program is offered in a flexible, hybrid format, one evening and two days per week. Q: WHEN ARE THE CLASSES HELD? A: The program is held one evening and two days per week. The exact days depend on which cohort you start with. Most classes are held in person, but our Western Biomedical courses are conducted mainly in an online format. The final year of the Doctor of Acupuncture program is conducted online. Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR THE MASTER OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM? A: A Bachelor's Degree in any subject. Three credits each of Anatomy & Physiology I and II. For all prerequisites, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required. The prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the program. To apply, applicants must complete the online application form, two letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, submit official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, and pay the application fee. Additional application documents are required for
doctoral level applications. Further instructions can be found on the online application at www.woninstitute.edu. Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY TO THE FULL DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM? A: The prerequisites are the same as listed above for the Master’s level. Additionally, Doctor of Acupuncture program applicants will need to complete corequisites including 3 credits each of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. Corequisites can be completed during the program and must be completed prior to graduation. Students can choose to take our online Biochemistry of Plants course to cover the Biology or Chemistry requirement, or can take the requirements through any accredited college. We also offer a Buddhist Psychology course that can cover the Psychology corequisite. Q: WHAT WILL BE LEARNING? A: Study in the Master’s program includes Acupuncture Medical Theory, Diagnosis and Treatment Techniques, Eastern and Western Biomedicine, Chinese Medical Language and Research, Ethics, Practice Management and Counseling, Sitting and Moving Meditation, Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine, as well as 600+ hours of on-site clinical training in our Student Clinic. For the full curriculum, please see the Curriculum page or access our Course Catalog on our website. Q: HOW MUCH TIME WILL I BE SPENDING IN CLASS AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM? A: Students can expect to spend up to 24 hours in class per week, with an additional 15-20 hours per week spent completing assignments outside of class. While it is doable to maintain a part time job while attending the program, individuals that are also planning to work will need to have strong time management skills.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
Q: WHAT TYPE OF JOB CAN I EXPECT AFTER BECOMING LICENSED?
A: Estimated cost for the three-year Master of Acupuncture Studies program is a little over $23,000 annually. This includes tuition, fees, and estimated book costs. Please see the tuition breakdown page for more information.
A: Alumni of our Master of Acupuncture Studies program work in a variety of clinical settings including hospitals, wellness centers, addiction treatment centers, community clinics and private practices. Some alumni with previous medical experience have taken their acupuncture skills and incorporated them into an existing clinical practice, while others have built their own practices and wellness centers that offer a variety of treatment options. Others have focused on practicing in sports medicine and have worked with athletic teams in the area.
Q: DO YOU OFFER FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS? A: Yes. Federal financial aid is available to students who qualify. Scholarships are also available based on need and merit. Q: Is Won Institute an accredited school? A: Yes, the Won Institute is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Additionally, the Master and Doctor of Acupuncture programs are programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). Q: Will I be able to take the acupuncture licensure exam when I graduate? A: Yes. The Master of Acupuncture program prepares students to sit for the national board exam which is required for licensure as an acupuncturist in many states including Pennsylvania. Q: What salary range can I expect as an acupuncturist? A: Salary range varies greatly depending on experience, hours worked and treatments per week. Range is $26,000-$130,000+ per year. The national average salary as of 2022 is $80,000 per year.
Q: Why should I attend Won Institute’s acupuncture program? A: Small class sizes (20-25 students) and community environment Diverse and highly experienced faculty members Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element acupuncture modalities, exposure to a wide range of other acupuncture modalities Opportunity to study abroad in South Korea and learn Traditional Korean Medicine Practice Management classes in your third year, which help prepare you to open your own practice Professional Development events and programs Sitting & moving meditation (tai chi) incorporated into the curriculum Complete your education in the field with our Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine Program and Doctor of Acupuncture Program
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MASTER OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM COURSES BY YEAR YEAR ONE / TERM ONE AcS 500 AcS 501 AcS 545 AcS 545L AcS 551 AcS 580 AcS 590 CC 510
(2 credits) (3.5 credits) (2.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (2 credits) (0.5 credits)
Nutrition & Food Energetics Acupuncture Medical Theory I Point Location and Energetics I Point Location and Energetics I LAB Clinical Observation I Surface Anatomy I Physiological Medicine I Moving Meditation I
YEAR ONE / TERM TWO AcS 502 AcS 515
(3.5 credits) (3 credits)
AcS 546 AcS 546L AcS 552 AcS 581 AcS 591 CC 551
(2.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (1.5 credits) (2 credits) (0.5 credits)
Acupuncture Medical Theory II Research in Acupuncture Acupuncture Medical Theory Point Location and Energetics II Point Location II and Energetics II LAB Clinical Observation II Surface Anatomy II Physiological Medicine II Sitting Meditation
YEAR ONE / TERM THREE AcS 503 AcS 553 AcS 565 AcS 592 AcS 599
(3.5 credits) (0.5 credits) (1 credit) (3 credits) (2 credits)
Acupuncture Medical Theory III Clinical Observation III Asian Bodywork Therapy I (Tuina) Physiological Medicine III Orthopedic and Neurological Testing for Acupuncture
YEAR TWO / TERM ONE AcS 511 AcS 530 AcS 532 AcS 554 AcS 601 AcS 641 CC 520
(4 credits) (4 credits) (1 credit) (1.5 credits) (3 credits) (2 credits) (0.5 credits)
Differentiation of Disease I Diagnostic Techniques (Tongue, Pulse) Needle Technique Practicum I Clinical Observation IV Disease Management and Prevention I Clinical Skills / Mentor Group I Moving Meditation II
YEAR TWO / TERM TWO AcS 512 (4 credits) AcS 602 (3 credits) AcS 632 (1 credit) AcS 642 (2 credits) AcS 690 (3 credits) CC 571 (0.5 credits)
Differentiation of Disease II Disease Management and Prevention II Needle Technique Practicum II Clinical Skills / Mentor Group II Acupuncture Medical Theory IV Sitting Meditation
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YEAR TWO / TERM THREE AcS 505 AcS 603 AcS 651 AcS 673
(1 credit) (3 credits) (4 credits) (2 credits)
Chinese Medical Language Disease Management and Prevention III Clinical Internship I Medical Ethics
AS AVAILABLE
AcS 504 AcS 531 Elective
(non-credit) (non-credit) (3 credits)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)** Clean Needle Technique (CCAHM CNT)** WBS, CC Elective, or, AcS 688 Research Project***
YEAR THREE / TERM ONE AcS 547 (2 credits) AcS 604 AcS 652 AcS 665 AcS 691 CC 521
(3 credits) (6 credits) (2 credits) (3 credits) (0.5 credits)
Five Element Point Energetics and Treatment Planning Disease Management and Prevention IV Clinical Internship II Asian Bodywork Therapy II (Advanced Tuina) Acupuncture Medical Specialties I Moving Meditation III
YEAR THREE / TERM TWO AcS 520 (2.5 credits) AcS 653 (6 credits) AcS 682 (3 credits) AcS 692 (3 credits) CC 581 (0.5 credits)
History of East Asian Medicine Clinical Internship III Practice Management I Acupuncture Medical Specialties II Sitting Meditation
YEAR THREE / TERM THREE AcS 605 (1 credit) AcS 654 (4 credits) AcS 684 (2 credits) CC 591 (2 credits)
Issues in Primary Care Medicine Clinical Internship IV Practice Management II Mental Health: Special Topics
**These courses are not part of the curriculum and must be taken off-site at some additional cost. ***Electives may be taken in the student’s preferred term, as offered. Most students take their electives in Year 2. ***AcS 695 Traditional Korean Medicine Elective is offered as an elective to eligible students in the Summer term.
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DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM COURSES
The Doctor of Acupuncture Program consists of the Master’s level courses as listed above in the first three years. The courses in the fourth and final year are as follows:
TERM ONE DAC 7101 (3 credits) DAC 7102 (3 credits) DAC 7103 (3 credits) Laboratory Values
Leadership in Integrative Medicine Medical Research Methodology Biomedical Diagnostics: Imaging Studies and
TERM TWO DAC 7301 (3 credits) Health and Wellness
Nourishing Life: Integrative Medicine for Community
DAC 7302 (3 credits) East Meets West: Clinical Collaboration and Cooperation - 75 Hours**** DAC 7303 (3 credits)
Research Proposals: From Creation to Publication
TERM THREE DAC 7201 (3 credits) & Options
Career and Professional Development: Advancement
DAC 7202 (3 credits)
Healthcare Systems and Systems-Based Practice
****Course DAC 7302 consists of one didactic credit and 2 clinical credits.
LICENSURE Our program prepares students to sit for the national board exams that are required for licensure in most states, including Pennsylvania. Graduates of our program are eligible to meet board exam testing requirements in states that accept NCCAOM board exams and those that require diplomate status. Additional requirements for licensure may be necessary and often differ between states. Individuals wishing to obtain a license to practice acupuncture outside of Pennsylvania should contact the licensing board of that state or visit www.nccaom.org for updated requirements.
Scan the QR code to learn more! 800 Jacksonville Road, Warminster , PA 18976 | Phone: 267-884-3468
woninstitute.edu