There is an accredited school in NJ for acupuncture but it is a master diploma, not a master degree whereas the acupuncture schools in NY offers the Masters degree program but is double the tuition and takes more time. Does it really matter if you have a degree? As long as you are licensed to work, it shouldn’t matter right?
To legally practice acupuncture in New Jersey you do need to complete an accredited degree program before you can be licensed.(1)
You are also required to pass NCCAOM board exams to be licensed in New Jersey. Just to sit for the exams you must be enrolled in an accredited degree program. Later to receive your Dipl. of Acupuncture, or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the NCCAOM you must provide transcripts demonstrating graduation from the accredited program.(2)
1 -http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/laws/acuregs.pdf
2 -http://www.nccaom.org/applicants/eligibility.html
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Technically, it doesn’t matter. Because you are only administering a placebo. This has been well shown and it has been also well shown that it doesn’t matter where you insert the needles, or even if you just twist toothpicks, the result is the same as if using traditional acupuncture points. Which clearly shows there is no such thing as meridians. So whatever you study, its baloney anyway.
You should be aware that the CFI (Center For Inquiry) have just released a position paper on acupuncture. From the website:
"Proponents of acupuncture repeatedly make the unjustified claim that acupuncture is an efficacious and cost effective complement to conventional medicine. These claims rely on dubious and discredited research data. During the past ten years, however, an increasingly robust body of research has accumulated showing that acupuncture has no intrinsic clinical value. Despite mounting empirical evidence against it, however, acupuncture has become increasingly embedded within the American healthcare system, in part through government funding of integrative medical clinics."
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cfi_publishes_position_paper_criticizing_government_funding_of_acupuncture/
You can download the paper here, and all those who have an interest in acupuncture would be well advised to read it: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/uploads/attachments/Acupuncture_Final_Paper.pdf
Having said all that, a degree is better than a diploma any day. If I had to put my health into the hands of an acupuncturist, I’d be looking for the most qualified, and not someone who may take shortcuts.
References :
To legally practice acupuncture in New Jersey you do need to complete an accredited degree program before you can be licensed.(1)
You are also required to pass NCCAOM board exams to be licensed in New Jersey. Just to sit for the exams you must be enrolled in an accredited degree program. Later to receive your Dipl. of Acupuncture, or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the NCCAOM you must provide transcripts demonstrating graduation from the accredited program.(2)
1 -http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/laws/acuregs.pdf
2 -http://www.nccaom.org/applicants/eligibility.html
References :
Acupuncturist