Background – AAHW acupuncture school in Minnesota

AAHW faculty members are highly-trained professionals in their fields of expertise. They include skilled doctors of Oriental medicine from China, and doctors of biomedicine who have received training in both Western and Oriental medicine. Our faculty members embody a comprehensive range of experience in academic knowledge, clinical practice and technical skill.

AAHW was founded with the aid and support of many people and institutions in China and the United States. Our curriculum was designed to conform to the standards of education offered by Chinese universities of TCM, and was specifically modeled on the curriculum of the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan, China. After much hard work and dedication, the Academy was founded in August 1997 under the name of the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), and regular classroom instruction began in January, 1999. In February 2021, the American Academy of Health & Wellness (AAHW) acquired AAAOM’s three outstanding graduate-level programs: Master of Acupuncture; Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization; and Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. As the successor institution to AAAOM, AAHW continues the exemplary tradition of education in acupuncture and Asian health studies.

Statement of Purpose

The American Academy of Health and Wellness educates and prepares students to become licensed practitioners of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), to advance the profession through lifelong learning and professional development, and to actively support the integration of TCM with the wider U.S. health care system.

The American Academy of Health and Wellness offers a Master of Acupuncture (MAc) degree, Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MACHMS) degree, and Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) degree. Master’s-degree students will learn to apply the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine to health conditions including: back and joint pain; musculo-skeletal disorders; gynecological problems; neurological disorders; anxiety and depression; and others. DAOM students receive advanced training in TCM diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on integrative medicine.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of AAHW are listed below. To achieve these objectives graduates will:

Demonstrate a solid understanding of the theories and philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine.
Be competent in skills of patient assessment, clinical diagnosis, and the development of treatment plans.
Be able to effectively administer various modalities in traditional Chinese medicine.
Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Western medical science to complement TCM medical diagnosis and to enable informed and responsible referrals.
Display a sound understanding of professional ethics.
Be competent in the application of professional practice standards in order to communicate and interact appropriately with peers and patients.
Be prepared to enter all available TCM professional practice opportunities including those in private practice, integrated clinics, hospitals, community health centers, teaching, and research.

Location

The American Academy of Health and Wellness is located at 2233 Hamline Ave N, Suite 432 in Roseville, Minnesota, at the RPC Properties, Inc. building near the junction of Interstate 51 and Highway 36. Our facilities include two classrooms, a student intern clinic with four treatment rooms, a library resource and study area, an herbal pharmacy, a small bookstore, administrative offices, and faculty area. Classrooms are equipped with acupuncture charts, models, and human anatomy models. The building also has two conference room spaces for ongoing Tai Chi and Qi Gong courses. The building has ample free parking to accommodate students, faculty, and patients.

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Federal regulations 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and 34 CFR 668.43 (c) require educational institutions which grant degrees leading to professional licensure or certification to disclose specific information regarding state licensure requirements. For each program leading to licensure, institutions must determine whether or not that program meets the licensure requirements of each state. Institutions are also obligated to notify prospective and enrolled students if the degree program in which they are enrolled, or for which they are applying, does not meet the state licensing requirements of the student’s state of residence.

In most states, a Master’s degree in acupuncture/Oriental medicine is the entry-level degree required for licensure. The American Academy of Health and Wellness offers two degree programs which are designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for licensure as an acupuncturist: a Master of Acupuncture (MAc) program and a Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MACHMS) program. Specific licensure requirements vary from state to state, but most state licensing agencies require applicants to pass two or more of the four national board exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and many states also require passage of the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) Clean Needle Technique (CNT) exam. NCCAOM board exams validate entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. AAHW’s MAc program prepares its graduates to sit for the NCCAOM board examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture with Point Location, and Biomedicine. AAHW’s MACHMS program additionally prepares graduates to sit for the NCCAOM Chinese Herbology exam. Both programs require a 15-hour OSHA/CNT course, which prepares students to take the CCAHM CNT exam. While AAHW’s programs qualify graduates to take the NCCAOM and CCAHM exams, AAHW does not guarantee passage of exams, licensure, certification to practice, or employment upon completion of its programs.

The American Academy of Health and Wellness also offers a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) degree, which is not designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment. The DAOM program is designed to provide advanced training in traditional Chinese medicine theory and practice. A Master’s degree is a requirement for enrollment in the DAOM program. Therefore, DAOM students have already met eligibility for state licensure and national certification based on prior master’s level education, and do not receive direct disclosures about licensing requirements in different states when they matriculate or change location during their enrollment.

In the table below, AAHW has done its best to provide up-to-date information on state licensure requirements in regard to its Master’s degree programs. However, prospective students should additionally check their state’s licensure requirements and contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and guidance before beginning any professional-degree program. Program graduates should be aware that legislation changes can take place, and take the precaution of checking state licensing requirements prior to applying for a license, especially if considering relocation to another state post-graduation. In addition, states can have a number of licensure requirements that are not related to the educational content of a program, such as background checks or fingerprinting, years of experience, age, English proficiency, professional examinations, etc.

Below is a list of states in which AAHW’s Master’s degree programs do and do not meet licensure requirements. Please note that Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Dakota do not have licensing requirements.

Program

Meets State Requirements

Does Not Meet State Requirements

MAc

AK, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, *ME, *MI, *MN, MO, *MS, MT, NC, NE, *NH, NJ, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY, DC

* See Licensure Notes, below.

AR, *AZ, CA, FL, KS, MA, ND, NV, NM, *NY, RI, *VT

*AZ & VT – see Licensure Notes, below. *NY – see Licensure Notes, below.

KS, MA, ND, RI require herbal training.

MACHMS

AK, AZ, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, *ME, *MI, *MN, MO, *MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, *NH, NJ, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, DC

* See Licensure Notes, below.

AR, CA, FL, NV, NM, *NY

*NY – see Licensure Notes, below.

For more information regarding state acupuncture licensing laws and conditions, please use these links to visit the following websites:

https://www.nccaom.org/state-licensure/

https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Laws

State Licensure Notes:

Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Dakota do not have an acupuncture practice act. In states without a licensing act, one cannot obtain a license but may still be able to practice, depending on state requirements.

Arizona and Vermontrequire 800 hours of supervised clinical practice. The MAc program requires 780 hours of clinical practice. A MAc graduate who documented an additional 20 hours of clinic practice would thereby meet the 800-hour requirement of Arizona and Vermont.

California requires graduation from a school approved by the California Acupuncture Board, and passage of the California Acupuncture Board exam to qualify for licensure. Students must be trained in Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and biomedicine to qualify for the CAB exam, and have completed at least 950 hours of supervised clinical instruction. Graduates of non-qualifying programs have become licensed in California after completing additional coursework.

Florida requires 60 hours of education in injection therapy. Requires 20 hours’ education in FL laws and rules.

Maine requires special certification to formulate and dispense custom-made Chinese herbal formulas. Requires undergraduate qualification of Baccalaureate degree, R.N. license, or Physician’s Assistant qualification.

Michigan mandates that practice of acupuncture by non-physicians requires physician delegation and supervision.

Minnesota: The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is the licensing agency for practicing acupuncture in Minnesota, and requires NCCAOM certification for licensure. Address: 335 Randolph Ave. Suite 140, St. Paul, MN 55102. Website: https://mn.gov/boards/medical-practice/

Mississippi requires that licensed acupuncturists can only treat patients with a written referral or prescription from a physician, and treatments must be performed under the general supervision of the referring physician.

New Hampshire requires undergraduate qualification of Baccalaureate degree, R.N. license, or Physician’s Assistant qualification.

New York requires 4,050 hours of training, which exceeds AAHW’s MAc and MACHMS programs, but states that completion of an ACAHM-accredited program may be accepted as meeting NY professional education requirements.

Policy on Determination of Student Location
Institutions must determine each student’s location (i.e. State) at the time of the student’s initial enrollment and upon receipt of information from the student regarding a change in the student’s location. Institutions must have a process for determining student location at the time of the student’s initial enrollment, and a process for tracking student location and change of address during the student’s continuing enrollment. The institution’s location-determination and tracking process and policy must be applied consistently to all students.

In regard to AAHW’s policy/procedure, “initial enrollment” refers to the date the student begins classes, as opposed to submission of an application form by a prospective student, or receipt by a prospective student of an official acceptance letter from AAHW. A student’s “current address” is defined as the address given on the student’s most recent Registration form, or the address given by a student in a change-of-address notification. Under AAHW’s Student Records policy, students are required to keep AAHW informed of their current address and phone number.

Location is Determined by the Registration Form: Prior to the beginning of each term, enrolled Master’s degree students submit a Registration form to the school Registrar. Students are asked to provide their name, street address, phone number, and email address on their Registration form. When processing a student’s Registration form, it is the Registrar’s responsibility to note the student’s State location, and the program the student is enrolled in, and to determine if the student’s program meets the educational requirements for licensure of the State the student is located in. If the Registrar determines that the student’s program curriculum does not meet the licensure requirements of the student’s stated location, the Registrar will notify the student within 14 days of said determination. The Registrar will notify the student directly, via mail or email, and will ask the student to verify that they have received the notification. The Registrar will also communicate any location/licensure issues to other administrative personnel, including the Academic Dean, Financial Aid Administrator, and Campus Director. Upon request by the Secretary of Education, AAHW will provide the Secretary with written documentation of its determination of a student’s location, including the basis of such determination.

On its website, AAHW publishes the federally-required Professional Licensure Disclosures, including a list of the states for which AAHW has determined that its program curricula meet the state’s educational requirements for licensure, and the states for which AAHW has determined that its program curricula do not meet the state’s educational requirements for licensure. It is this information the Registrar refers to when determining whether it is necessary to notify a student of state licensure issues.

Notification of Prospective Students: AAHW’s application form does not include its professional licensure disclosures, but does require prospective students to give their address/location information. It is the responsibility of the Admissions Officer to note the applicant’s stated location and the program the applicant is applying for, and to inform the applicant of any state licensure issues based on location. While AAHW’s legal obligation is to notify enrolled students, it is AAHW’s policy to inform prospective students as well as enrolled students of any licensure issues based on state location and/or change of address.

State Registration and Approval

The American Academy of Health and Wellness is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education: 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108, telephone 651-642-0567; email: info@ohe.state.mn.us; website: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us

Minnesota Licensing Requirements for Practice

Minnesota requires that candidates pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination in order to practice in the state. The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is the licensing agency for practicing acupuncture in Minnesota. Graduates from the master’s degree programs at the American Academy of Health and Wellness, which are accredited programs with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), are qualified to take the NCCAOM exams. AAHW prepares its students for national certification by the NCCAOM.

Campus Safety Policies

I. Safety and Security Measures for Students, Staff, and Faculty

Exercise caution to prevent loss or theft of personal effects. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Lock your vehicle when it is in the parking lot.
Be familiar with emergency exit routes from the campus in case of fire or other emergency. There is a stairwell at each end of the corridor, with a red “Exit” sign. DO NOT TAKE THE ELEVATORS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY. (See Emergency Evacuation section below.)
In the event of severe weather, take shelter in the basement.
Report any safety hazards such as icy sidewalks, etc., to building management in a timely manner.
Be aware of the school drug and alcohol abuse policy and sexual harassment policy (AAHW Student Handbook, Sections 5.10.4, 5.10.5 & 5.10.6). The possession, use, or sale of alcohol or unauthorized drugs on campus is prohibited.
No guns are permitted in the building.
Students, staff, and faculty with symptoms of a communicable disease such as influenza are asked to remain at home until they cease to be contagious. Students should contact their instructors or school administrative staff in a timely manner to report their illness.

II. Reporting Criminal Activity

AAHW does not have an on-campus security department. Building management is responsible for safety and security issues in the building. If you witness a crime or are the victim of a crime, call 9-1-1 immediately. The 24-hour non-emergency number for the Roseville Police Department is 651-767-0640. Once the police have been notified, report the incident to a member of AAHW’s administrative staff as soon as possible.
Under the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2013, incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus property are reportable crimes (see Section III, below).
On-campus, the Academic Dean is in charge of security issues. However, all administrative personnel is responsible for the first response to an emergency situation until assistance is provided by police, fire, or medical agencies. Report immediately any emergency situation, suspicious activity, or criminal behavior to any member of the available administrative staff, including front desk receptionists, instructors, and clinic supervisors.
Non-emergency criminal activity, such as incidents of alcohol possession, sexually inappropriate behavior, suspected theft, etc., should be reported to the Academic Dean as soon as possible to begin appropriate investigative and disciplinary action.

III. Campus Security and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Victims of, and witnesses to, the criminal activities of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking on campus should call 9-1-1 immediately or notify the Roseville Police Department directly. AAHW will support the police department to the best of its ability in these cases and will use the standards of evidence used and set forth by the police department in any institutional proceeding arising from such a report.
Victims of or witnesses to criminal actions, such as stalking, which are not overtly violent, but which cause the victim to fear for her/his safety or cause the victim substantial emotional harm, should report such action(s) to AAHW administration as soon as possible. Victims are also free to report such activity to the police or civil authorities. If the police are involved, AAHW will abide by standards of evidence used by the police to determine whether there is sufficient evidence against an accused perpetrator to warrant institutional action.
If a student wishes to report an incident only to the AAHW administration, AAHW will investigate the incident’s circumstances. To determine if a criminal action has taken place, AAHW requires confirmable evidence, such as emails or voicemails from the perpetrator to the victim or third-party eyewitness confirmation of criminal actions.
Students who have been the victim of criminal activity on campus may request the following types of assistance or accommodation from AAHW administration, whether the criminal activity was reported to the police or not, and whether any disciplinary action was taken against an accused perpetrator or not. Students who feel unsafe in one or more of their academic classes may request an independent-study option to complete a class. Interns or externs in the AAHW Student Clinic may refuse to treat a patient if that patient is perceived as a threat to the student. Students who work on campus property may request the AAHW administration to intervene in a situation which they perceive as dangerous or threatening to themselves or others. Students may request an escort to their vehicle.
Students or staff members of AAHW who commit violent criminal actions on campus and are found guilty of doing so will be dismissed from the program (students) or terminated as employees (staff).

IV. Emergency Evacuation/Safety Procedures

Fire: In the event of a fire, the building must be evacuated immediately. Proceed to the stairwell you are nearest to and descend quickly, but in an orderly manner, to the ground floor building exit (fire or perceived danger) or to the basement (severe weather).
Severe Weather: If a tornado or severe weather outbreak is imminent, all students and staff should stay calm and take the stairs to the basement of the building. Do not take the elevator; do not leave the building.

V. Building Security

At 8:00 pm, the building exits are locked. After 8:00 pm, the building can be exited by doors on all sides of the building, but can only be re-entered at the main building entrance with the use of a code. On campus, after clinic and classes are over for the day, a faculty member or administrative staff member will lock the doors to campus rooms. Any students who are still on campus will be asked to leave at that time.

VI. Campus Crime Statistics

In compliance with federal requirements (the Clery Act, 1990), AAHW submits an annual campus crime and security report to the Department of Education. This survey documents any criminal offenses, hate crimes, drug, alcohol, or weapons violations, etc. which have occurred on campus. The survey includes crime statistics reported for the previous three years. The campus security report is required to be available to all current and prospective school students and employees. The annual campus security report is posted on AAHW’s website. A paper copy is available in the office of the Financial Aid Administrator (FAA). In addition, AAHW makes available to students and employees a log of public crimes, compiled by the Roseville P.D., which have been committed in the building, building parking lot, and adjacent road.

2023 Annual Campus Safety and Security Report

VII. Sex Offender Registry

AAHW is required to inform current and prospective students, and current and prospective employees, that the Roseville P.D. maintains a Sex Offender Registry. Students and employees may contact Roseville P.D. at 651-792-7008 or www.cityofroseville.com to obtain information regarding sex offenders who may be enrolled or employed at AAHW. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension administers a predatory offender registration and tracking program and may be reached at 888-234-1248 or 651-603-6748.

Promoting an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Campus

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is committed to promoting an educational and workplace environment that ensures that students and employees can learn, work and develop to their full potential. The use and abuse of alcohol and other controlled substances have a negative impact on the ability of students and employees to learn and work to their full potential. In recognition of this fact, AAHW has implemented and will enforce the following alcohol- and drug-free campus policies. This guide also contains information on the health risks associated with the use of controlled substances and provides a list of community resources available to students and employees who may wish to seek help.

RESOURCE AND POLICY GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

Safeguarding the Privacy of Student Education Records

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, requires all educational institutions which disburse federal financial aid funds to safeguard students’ personal information and education records and to provide students with the opportunity to access and amend their records.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)