Bachelor Of Health Science (Acupuncture)

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	February and July
Location	Auckland
Delivery	Classroom-based, online delivery (blended learning)

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.

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, join or establish multidisciplinary practices, or take advantage of flexible working hour opportunities as locums in existing practices.

Entry Requirements

For applicants under the general category, entry requirements are the achievement of NCEA level 3 (60 credits at level 3 or higher and 20 credits at level 2 or higher), including

A minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of three subjects from the list of approved subjects
A minimum of 10 credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
A minimum of 10 credits at level 1 or above in numeracy, made up of achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required), or
Any qualification (New Zealand or overseas) recognised by NZQA as being equivalent to the achievement of NCEA level 3
A qualification considered to be equivalent to the above.

An applicant with equivalent experience who does not meet all of the entry requirements, may be granted entry at the discretion of the Academic Committee where it is considered that the applicant has a reasonable chance of succeeding in the qualification.

English Language Requirements

The applicant is expected to have a level of English sufficient to enable study at the level of the programme. International learners whose first language is not English must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each band) issued within the last two years, or equivalent.

Programme Structure

Year 1

Semester One	Semester Two
ACUP-100-5: Acupuncture channel theory & fundamental acupoints TCMT-100-5: Foundations of TCM BIOM-100-5: Human body: anatomy & physiology COMM-100-5: Communication & counselling for health professionals	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 CLIN-100-5: Introduction to clinic & professional practice

Year 2

Semester One	Semester Two
ACUP-200-6: Acupuncture: complex & supplementary techniques TCMT-200-6: Differential diagnosis within TCM BIOM-200-6: Applied biomedicine: when to refer 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 RESM-300-7: Research literacy for acupuncture 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