It was just about two months ago that our accrediting agency, the Accrediting Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), released its guidelines for programs seeking accreditation for the first professional doctorate (FPD) degree. At least some of the motivation for the initiation of transition of TCM education to the FPD is to facilitate an overall upgrade of the TCM profession, a move that will open the door for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to achieve enhanced parity with other healthcare professions whose practitioners’ degrees and titles are at the doctoral level. Among those practitioners for which parity is sought includ allopathic & osteopathic physicians (MDs and DOs), homeopathic practitioners, chiropractors, physical therapists and clinical psychologists. The upgrade is also likely aimed at expanding participation in third party payment for health care services rendered by TCM practitioners including possibility of the participation of the TCM profession in the national healthcare plan. Shortly after ACAOM made its announcement regarding the FPD guidelines, the Yo San University administration appointed a study group to explore the feasibility of offering the FPD program at Yo San University. That study group headed by MATCM Dean Dr. Lawrence Lau has engaged the task diligently, exploring all possible formats and implications of Yo San University offering the First Professional Doctorate Program.
Here is what we know:
· There are some differences between the current ACAOM standards and the new FPD standards. However, because of the thoroughness, rigor and length (a minimum of four academic years) of our current YSU MATCM Program, we will require only minor additions in content and clinical hours to upgrade to a PFD Program.
· Because of the likely complexities of regulatory approval, the transition to the First Professional Doctorate as the required entry level degree for the TCM Profession is likely to take a number of years (at least three to five years).
· As per ACAOM’s current guidelines, practitioners who have earned MATCM degrees and who want to upgrade to a FPD degree will likely have to be enrolled in an approved FPD program for at least two years.
· The FPD program will ultimately raise the cost of an education in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
· The DAOM will continue to be an advanced specialized degree program.
Here is what we do not know:
· Will the State of California be ready for the change to the First Professional Doctorate? The California Acupuncture Board will have to change or amend its laws to allow for individuals to enter the profession with the FPD.
· Current state regulations make it difficult to obtain approval for doctoral level programs, and thereby could inhibit the eligibility of students in such program to participate in Federal financial aid programs to fund their education in FPD programs.
What should you do?
· Keep moving and complete the MATCM program in which you are currently enrolled – you are on a positive and productive path, and you are in a program that provides you with the knowledge and skills that you will need to qualify for licensure and thereby enter the TCM profession as a competent practitioner.
· If and when a FPD is fully authorized by the state of California as the entry level requirement for the TCM profession, you will likely be finished with your MATCM Program, licensed and well into your practice. There will be options for you to either ’upgrade’ your degree qualification, or to undertake a DAOM program that will include significant advanced and specialized training, practice and research.
Larry Ryan, President