Admissions - Acupuncture and Massage College

Requirements and Prerequisites:

The Acupuncture and Massage College is a non-discriminatory educational institution. Admissions are based upon equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of race, color, creed, age, handicap, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status.

Applicants to the Associates of Arts in Health Science and Massage Therapy program are required to be 18 years of age and must have completed high school or the equivalent.

Master of Oriental Medicine applicants must have completed 60-semester credits at the baccalaureate level from an accredited institution. At least 30 of the 60-semester credits must be in general education courses. General education courses must include written and oral communication, quantitative principles, natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities and fine arts.

Application Procedure

Prospective students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Acupuncture and Massage College’s Admissions Director who will assist the applicant in making an informed decision.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

1. A non-refundable application fee of $50.
2. A completed application form.
3. A digital photograph taken by the Admissions Director
4. A signed, dated, and typewritten essay on “Why I want to be an Acupuncture Physician/Massage Therapist” (500 words for Master of Oriental Medicine applicants and 200 words for Massage Therapy and Associate of Arts in Health Science applicants). This essay must be written entirely by the applicant. Oriental Medicine applicants must have official copies of their college transcripts sent directly to the Institute
5. Massage Therapy and Associate of Arts in Health Science applicants must submit an official copy of a highschool transcript, high school diploma, or GED.
6. Oriental Medicine applicants must have official copies of their college transcripts sent directly to the College.
7. Two signed letters of recommendation on letterhead. (For Oriental Medicine applicants only)
8. A personal interview with the Academic  Dean.

Applications will be processed until the incoming class quota is met. Once the class quota is met students will be placed on a waiting list.

Prospective students who have already submitted an application to Acupuncture and Massage College are permitted one complimentary treatment at the Community Intern Clinic. The Community Intern Clinic is supervised by Clinic Supervisors. Treatments are administered by Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy Interns.

If you have a criminal record and plan to be licensed (massage or acupuncture) in the state of Florida, you are advised to consult an attorney prior to enrolling at AMC. Individuals who have committed crimes that fall within Florida Statute 465.035 are currently NOT ELIGIBLE for licensure in Florida. If the offense does not fall under the statute, you still may not be eligible for licensure in Florida and should check with an attorney. See the Student Handbook for further information.

All official admissions documents must be submitted in order to be eligible for federal student aid.

English Competency

1. Graduation from an accredited High School in the United States or having received a GED in English.
2. Completion of an English Composition or Literature course with a minimum grade of “C” at an accredited college in the United States.
3. A minimum score of 61 on TOEFL internet-based test with a minimum of 26 on the speaking exam and 22 on the listening exam.
4. Attain level 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
5. Completed a two-year (60-semester credits or 90 quarter credits) college-level education in an institution recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or from an equivalent English language institution in another country.
6. If none of the above conditions have been met, students must pass an in-house reading comprehension test, an essay exam, and an oral screening with AMC’s ESL Specialist. All exams must be taken at AMC.

Transfer Credits

Students who wish to transfer credits from another institution must have official transcripts sent directly to AMC for evaluation by the Program Director and Academic Dean. Applicable credits will be transferred based upon received official transcripts. The evaluation of transfer credit will be performed with official transcripts only. A student will not receive full acceptance to AMC until all final official transcripts have been received. Students will be advised to take courses at AMC based upon the completed transfer evaluation. Students may be asked to take and pass AMC’s corresponding final exams and may be required to take all comprehensive exams including the first year comprehensive. A copy of the college’s catalog, a detailed syllabus, and/or course description are frequently required to adequately determine transfer credits. Transferability of credits is at the discretion of the accepting institution, and it is the student's responsibility to confirm whether or not credits will be accepted by another institution of the students choice.

Transfer credits must come from an accredited college or university. Transfer credits for Oriental Medicine coursework must come from a college in candidate or accreditation status with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), that is determined to be equivalent to AMC in its training. AMC will determine to what extent credit can be given.

Students transferring into the Massage Therapy Program* or the Associates of Arts in Health Science program must complete at least twenty five percent (25%) of their studies at AMC. Students transferring into the Oriental Medicine Program* must complete at least 50% of their studies at AMC, with no more than 25% of clinical training transferred in.

The number of transfer credits and the appropriate fees will be determined at the time of the request. See “Tuition and Fees” in this catalog. For additional information see AMC’s Student Handbook. Only courses taken on a letter grade basis (A, B, and C) are considered for transfer credit.

Transfer credits must come from an accredited college or university. Transfer credits for Oriental Medicine coursework must come from a college in candidate or accreditation status with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), that is determined to be equivalent to AMC in its training. AMC will determine to what extent credit can be given. Effective 5/7/2018, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine allows credits earned more than five (5) years prior to admission to be accepted for transfer after validating and documenting that the student has retained the content knowledge and competencies of the respective course(s) for which transfer credits are being assessed.

Effective May 7, 2018, The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, allows applicants to receive transfer credit for up to 50% of the total program credit requirements. Of that 50%, no more than 25% of the program clinical training requirements may be accepted as transfer credits.

Foreign Transcripts

An official course-by-course evaluation must be submitted to be fully admitted to AMC and to receive a final transfer credit evaluation. Courses completed at foreign institutions must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation service. For a listing of agencies, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Challenge Exams

AMC may offer challenge exams for coursework not taken at AMC, at the Academic Dean’s discretion.

Advanced Placement

AMC may accept up to twelve Advanced Placement credits which will count toward the 60 required college credits for admission to the Oriental Medicine Program* or for general education requirements in the Oriental Medicine program. Advanced placement credits are not eligible for transfer credit.

* For GE Information, please see our disclosure information.