Bachelor Of Health Science (Acupuncture) (Health Stream)

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education Act 2020, and Acupuncture Associates Limited is accredited to provide it under section 441 of the Act.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Approved & Accredited (PC4462)

Level	7
Credits	360
Duration	3 years full-time study, 6 years part-time study
Intake	Feb
Location	Block courses, Auckland campus
Delivery	Blended learning, Online learning with four block weeks a year

Programme Content

Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
Biomedicine
Clinical
General

The aim of the BHSc (Acupuncture) is to prepare graduates to be competent entry-level acupuncturists eligible for membership of an acupuncture professional body, and able to operate their own clinic or be employed as an acupuncturist in the allied health field.

On completion of the BHSc (Acupuncture), graduates will have acupuncture knowledge and skills within the traditional Chinese Medicine worldview, at the level of a competent acupuncturist able to practise at an entry-level within professional boundaries, together with the ability to learn new skills and keep abreast with new developments.

A BHSc (Acupuncture) (Health Stream) has been introduced to make it easier for health professionals to become registered acupuncturists by studying fewer modules, attending classes online with block courses 4 times a year in Auckland.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of BHSc (Acupuncture) will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles, and clinical application of acupuncture and TCM in the diagnosis and design of treatments and management of a range of patients and health conditions;
Exercise critical thinking in appraising modern and traditional literature, make informed judgments in identifying health problems, planning, and applying acupuncture and appropriate TCM treatments;
Critically review, analyze, consolidate, and synthesize relevant acupuncture/TCM knowledge, ethics, and professional standards, and apply in a clinical environment;
Deploy knowledge, understanding, skills, and personal qualities with a high level of professional judgment and awareness; and
Manage a clinical caseload, including the treatment of patients, making appropriate referrals when required.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our bachelor’s degree trend toward establishing private practices of their own, joining, or establishing multidisciplinary practices, or taking advantage of flexible working hour opportunities as locums in existing practices.

Entry Requirements

Hold a current practicing certificate for nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy (or equivalent medical health field) to meet the requirements for clinical practice in New Zealand or Australia; or
Have a qualification in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy (or equivalent medical health field) to meet the requirements for clinical practice in New Zealand or Australia; or
Have a qualification or health professional experience deemed appropriate by the Health Profession Coordinator (a new position) and approved by the Academic Committee where the criteria are that it is considered that the applicant has a reasonable chance of succeeding in the qualification;
Local students must show proof of NZ citizenship or residency; and
International students must have achieved an academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5.

Programme Structure

Year 1

Semester One	Semester Two
ACUP-100-5: Acupuncture channel theory & fundamental acupoints TCMT-100-5: Foundations of TCM CLIN-100-5: Introduction to clinic & professional practice	ACUP-101-5: Acupuncture: supplementary points & fundamental techniques TCMT-101-5: Causes of disease within TCM BIOM-101-5: Surface anatomy of the human body

Year 2

Semester One	Semester Two
ACUP-200-6: Acupuncture: complex & supplementary techniques TCMT-200-6: Differential diagnosis within TCM CLIN-200-6: Applied professional practice (1)	ACUP-201-6: Acupuncture therapeutics for musculoskeletal & common biomedical conditions TCMT-201-6: Application of differential diagnosis within TCM TUIN-200-6: Foundations of Tuina & Maori bodywork practices CLIN-201-6: Applied professional practice (2)

Year 3

Semester One	Semester Two
ACUP-300-7: Acupuncture therapeutics for biomedical specialties TCMT-300-7: TCM differential diagnosis from clinical practice CLIN-300-7: Applied professional practice (3)	ACUP-301-7: Acupuncture classical techniques & contemporary development PROF-300-7: Professional issues, ethics & cultural safety for acupuncture/TCM practice CLIN-301-7: Applied professional practice for entry-level acupuncturists