AIM Institute Courses

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts annually in January and meets quarterly for a period of 18 months. These quarterly meetings will consist of one full day of hands-on practicums and testing from 9:00 am – 6:00pm and are conducted in Olympia WA. In addition, one-hour monthly zoom meetings are scheduled for questions and reviews.

What is included in the course?

The primary focus of the course is on TCM theory and the use of theory to select and perform acupuncture therapy. There is an emphasis on hands on practicums and review of essential theories, diagnostics and practice management. On line presentations between the immersion weekends will consist of a variety of learning tools including video, lectures, forums and reading assignments. On line consultations by appointments will also be available to students throughout the program and after graduation.

What if I live out of state?

In November 2017, the State of Washington, Department of Health, Nursing Quality Assurance Board approved the inclusion of medical acupuncture for Nurse Practitioners with 300 hours of training. If you are enrolling from another state, we advise you to check with your state board of nursing to ensure medical acupuncture is allowed and the criteria are the same.

What To Expect

Attendance And Class Participation

You are required to attend on campus classes unless arrangements are made in advance. Your active engagement and participation are essential to having a meaningful learning experience. Participation in web-based modules requires that you meet all deadlines for the learning activities and successfully complete them. Lack of full participation will lead to a potential loss of CE credit or disenrollment from the course.

Tuition: All tuition must be paid in full prior to the completion of the program and certificates of completion are awarded. In consideration of individual circumstances there are several payment options available however, please notify the director of any hardships so that personal payment plans can be arranged if needed. Any tuition paid is non-refundable after the course begins.

Practicums And Testing

Successful completion of module practicums and test are required to receive final certification from the course. If for any reason a participant is unable to successfully demonstrate competency in the practicum or pass a test on the first attempt all efforts will be made to repeat testing or provide interim tutoring if needed. This may require the participant to extent their stay by an additional day during the immersion weekend if needed.

Online Seminars/Lectures

Online seminars/lectures are developed for introduction to the subject matter and will require additional time and readings to fully comprehend the content. If for any reason during the course, you feel you do not have a full comprehension of the material it is imperative that you inform the lead instructor via email or phone before the next immersion weekend since the course material is presented in an order that builds on previous lecture material.

Instructional Strategies

Learning will occur using readings, discussions, in-class activities, web-based activities, and assignments. The instructor may change the syllabus as needed to facilitate student learning. Students are expected to have completed the assigned readings and other preparatory work as a basis for interaction. Faculty-student and student-student interaction will occur in the classroom as well as online through web-based modules or email as provided. Participants can always contact the course director Dr. McPherson via his email address at any time as well.

Web Based Modules

Most of the program will be web based however, immersion sessions will take place quarterly with a focus on practicums and introduction of complex theories. The web-based modules are designed to promote self-guided learning and foster interactions among the class members. Much of what makes this class interesting is the development and exchange of ideas. The goal of the web-based activities is to stimulate your interest and learning experience and create a venue for thought provoking dialogue that can be shared during the immersion weekends.

Academic Honesty And Behavior

Integrity and ethical behavior are the expectation of the program. What makes this program so unique is that the course instructors are licensed acupuncturist and participants are western trained clinicians. Therefore, it is essential that we learn from each other without criticism or confrontation. Courtesy and respect are critical to the learning process, and anything less will not be tolerated either by students or instructors. If you have any concerns, please notify the program director immediately. However, AIM Inst. will retain the option to disenroll any disruptive student without tuition reimbursement.

Disability Statement

Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability or hardships. Please notify the director and/or instructor before the start of the Quarter if you have any accommodation or transportation needs or requirements. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be unavailable.

COVID Precautions

The classroom and exam rooms are all equipped with air purification devices, yet restrictions will be based on current WA DOH policies and guidelines. Currently Mask, and mandatory Covid testing are optional, yet all students are encouraged to consider their personal health and those of other students and take the needed measures to ensure safety and self-care. This includes any illness or potential communicable disease.

ACUPUNCTURE & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Acupuncture Training: Course Syllabus

Winter, 2027

Course Number: 007

Course Title: Acupuncture Training Program

Class Meetings

Classroom instruction: Virtual with 1 Full day of hands-on practicums every 3 months 09:00 am – 6:00 pm

Course Practicum and Zoom Dates:

• January 16, 2027 (0900-1100 class orientation via zoom)
  April 17, 2027
• July 17, 2027
• October 16, 2027
• January 15, 2028,
• April 15, 2028

Location: TBA.

Address: 

Tel: 360-349-7882

Prerequisites: Nurse Practitioner

I. Course Description

This course explores the concepts and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how to apply them in the clinical practice. After completion of the program students will have proficiency in using TCM theory to diagnose and treat medical conditions using TCM based theories which facilitate the appropriate selection of acupuncture points and therapies to support an integrative approach to care. It also provides training in additional acupuncture therapies and other techniques used in treatment. The focus of instructions will focus on proficiency in hands on skills to include acupuncture, tuina, electro-acupuncture, auricular, laser therapy, cupping, and other integrative practices that facilitate and promote wellness, restoration of health, and the management of chronic and acute conditions in adults using an integrative approach to care. Strategies include nutrition, movement, mind body approaches, spirituality, complementary and alternative modalities and botanicals. Ultimately providing an expanded template for nurse practitioners to incorporate integrative health principles into their practices.

II. Course Outcomes

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Examine and demonstrate the theories and application of TCM; basic concepts and theories that provide the basis of point and other therapeutic selections, in addition to treatments that promote health and healing.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the application of acupuncture treatment and other TCM therapies.
3. Examine the legal, safety and ethical issues of an integrative health practice, strategies for effective collaboration with diverse healthcare disciplines to meet the needs of patients with various health concerns.
4. Review evidence-based studies to support the use of acupuncture and integrative approaches to promote health and well-being and manage health conditions.

III. Instructional Resources

• Machiocia, G. (2015), The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: 3rd Ed. A Comprehensive Text, New York, N.Y. Elsevier.
• Machiocia, G. (2007), The Practice of Chinese Medicine: The Treatment of Diseases with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, 2nd Ed. New York N.Y. Churchill, Livingston
• Deadman, P. Al-Khafaji, M. (2007). A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd Ed. Vista, CA, Journal of Chinese Medicine Publication
• Manual of Acupuncture App. https://amanualofacupuncture.com/
• Calhoun, DC. (2019) Acupuncture Techniques 101: Safety, CNT, and Needling Techniques, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Cats TCM Notes Press,
• Calhoun, DC (2019), Acupuncture Techniques 102: Moxibustion, Three-edged Needle, Cutaneous Needle Therapy, Gua Sha, Cupping and Electroacupuncture, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Cats TCM Notes Press, The Manual of Acupuncture is also available as an App at http://amanualofacupuncture.com/

recommended.

• Machiocia, G. (1995). Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. Philadelphia, PA. Eastland Press
• Flaws, B. (2012). The Secret of Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, 3rd Ed. Portland, OR, NY. Blue Poppy Enterprises.
• Kim, Hyunbae. (2008). Handbook of Oriental Medicine 3rd Edition. Anaheim, CA. Harmony & Balance Press.
• Hao, JJ, Hao, LL. Wolfe, HL (2011) Chinese Scalp Acupuncture, Portland, OR. Blue Poppy Press

Video

• Dr. Paul Lam: Tai Chi for Beginners Begin your journey to better health with Six Easy Steps and/or
• Dr Paul Lam: Tai Chi for Life: Gentle Exercises for Seniors and Beginners

See additional book list for recommended text

IV. Evaluation Methods

Participants are required to complete the following:

• Attendance of all Immersion Weekends
• Successful completion of practicum and module test.
• Participation in on-line modules and reading assignments.
• Recommended: 100 hours of clinical observation with a Licensed Acupuncturist.

V. Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine (AIM) Institute’s Code of Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is openness and honesty in all scholarly endeavors. AIM Institute is a scholarly community dedicated to the discovery, investigation, and dissemination of truth, and to the development of the whole person. Membership in this community is a privilege, requiring each person to practice academic integrity at its highest level, while expecting and promoting the same in others. Breaches of academic integrity will not be tolerated and will be addressed by the community with all due gravity.

VI. Accommodation & Emergency Information

If you have a disability and require an accommodation to fully participate in this class, contact the Program Director before the start of class or as soon as possible (360-349-7882), email: aiminst18@gmail.com, web: https://aiminst.org,

If you have any medical conditions, or emergency before or during the program that would prevent you from participating or completing the program or at any time during the program please let the director or any instructor know so that we can insure any medical or administrative needs are met.

VII. Technology Usage

Cell phones, computers, cameras, or other electronic devices may not be used in the classroom or clinical setting unless their use is directly related to learning in the course or clinical setting, and only with instructor permission.

VIII. AIM Institute Conduct Policy

AIM Institute recognizes the nature and challenges of learning a new conceptual model. What makes AIMI unique is the integration of clinical practitioners who clinically participate in different forms of medicine. Therefore, we ask that students respect and learn from each other, extending the professional courtesies expected of medical professionals. It is the policy of AIMI to ensure all students feel respected and safe and can learn in a comfortable and safe environment regardless of sex, gender, or profession. If you have any concerns regarding the conduct of others or any instructor, please notify the director immediately. Also be aware that for students that display any form of behavior contradictory to the institutes policies, the institute reserves the right to dis-enroll the student and the tuition will be non-refundable.

IX. Schedule of Topics

See course schedule.

X. Tuition

Tuition must be completed prior to the end of the course to receive the certificate of completion. Any tuition paid after the start of the course or prior to withdrawal or completion of the course will be non-refundable.

For more information contact:

For more information contact:

Contact Information:

Dr. Fujio McPherson, DAOM, ARNP, EAMP. Dipl. Ac.

Office #, 360-349-7882
email address: aiminst18@gmail.com
website: https://aiminst.org

Office Hours: By Appointments

First you need to register for an account and afterwards, you will be able to login where you may purchase either individual modules or the entire 6 module package.