Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

ACAOM, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the only organization in the United States, fully recognized by the United States Department of Education, that can offer national accreditation at the Master's level to schools teaching acupuncture and oriental medicine with the country. ACAOM is a completely independent organization that works with schools offering either a first professional Masters degree, Master level certificate or diploma programs in acupuncture, oriental medicine or oriental medicines with concentrations in both acupuncture and herbal medicines and therapies. The organization was established in 1982 and was originally known as National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Like other accreditation bodies the ACAOM strives to set high standards of excellence for schools seeking accreditation. Currently there are more than sixty different schools recognized as either fully accredited or considered as accreditation candidates within the United States. Schools that are candidates are in the process of accreditation, which involves rigorous examination of curriculum, teacher qualifications and overall professionalism of the program. Through the accreditation process each candidate program or school must look at their current teaching practices, student outcomes and programs goals and curriculum to ensure it meets the standards set down by ACAOM. The schools prepare a report outlining their findings, then ACAOM reviews the school as well as the documentation before accrediting the program or school. This program review is both internal and external with the Commission overseeing the accreditation process and providing a visiting team that examines the report and the data at the school or program level. Part of the ongoing accreditation includes regular reviews of the school or program as well as a continued self-evaluation of the goals set forth in the accreditation document.

ACAOM is currently considering the possibility of being able to provide accreditation for Doctoral level programs in the fields of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. If this is approved they will be able to begin this accreditation process as well. The organization provides a self-study guide on accreditation and an accreditation handbook as well as information on the latest research on quality education, best teaching practices and current research in the fields of acupuncture and oriental medicine. Newsletters on accreditation updates and new curriculums and practices in teaching are sent out to member schools and programs on a quarterly basis. Copies of past newsletters as well as additional information on accreditation through ACAOM is available at http://www.acaom.org/aboutus.htm.