CITCM > FAQ CITCM

Frequently Asked Questions
Is CITCM Accredited?
CITCM’s Acupuncture program is licensed under the Private Vocational Training Act and is the only program we offer that is approved by the Health Disciplines Board, Alberta Health & Wellness. The Dr. Of TCM Program and Bachelor’s Degree Program (issued from Shan Dong University) contain the full Acupuncture Diploma Program and graduates of these programs will meet the criteria required to write the Alberta provincial licensing examination to become a registered acupuncturist in Alberta, which is also recognized by BC and Quebec.

Why is the Acupuncture Diploma program four years?
Currently, most acupuncture programs in Alberta are for 3 years of training. At CITCM, our Acupuncture program is four years, and the reason for that are as follows: First, CITCM’s curriculum is based on TCM university curriculum in China, where all acupuncture programs are five years undergraduate studies. Since CITCM has three trimesters, we are able to complete the same level of course content in four years.

Second, at CITCM, we emphasize to students to study all aspects of Chinese medicine, and especially the two most important components of TCM: acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This is because we know that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work side by side, and we believe studying these two components together will not only provide students with an advantage of stronger knowledge and skills to deal with complicated clinical conditions, but also allow students to study and understand TCM more in depth. To study both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at same time, 3 years is insufficient.

What is unique about CITCM’s programs?
In Alberta, study in Acupuncture is regulated by the Health Disciplines Board, Alberta Health & Wellness and CITCM’s Acupuncture Diploma program is an approved program that allows graduates from this program to take the provincial registration exam for acupuncturists. CITCM’s Dr. of TCM Diploma program and Bachelor of TCM program contain the entire Acupuncture Diploma program. In other words, graduates of the Dr. of TCM program are not only eligible to take the provincial acupuncture registration exam, but also, with the additional knowledge they will have learned, will be eligible to take British Columbia’s exam to be registered as a Doctor of TCM. Graduates of our Bachelors Degree program, in addition to the above, will also receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Shandong University of TCM in China.

CITCM’s Acupuncture Diploma program has 2900 hours of training which is at a higher level of training hours in comparison with the provincial regulation required hours of 2090. Our Dr. of TCM program has 4188 hours which meets or exceeds the regulation requirements for British Columbia and the United States (NCCAOM)(it is not yet regulated in any other province in Canada).

At CITCM, we encourage students to study all aspects of TCM to gain stronger knowledge and skills to better prepare them for their future practice. To encourage this, we have kept the tuition fees of our Dr. of TCM Diploma program that same as our Acupuncture Diploma program so that students would benefit from the extra 1288 hours, without having the extra cost burden.

How does CITCM curriculum compare with the requirements of the regulations?
The curriculums of CITCM’s programs are based on five year acupuncture and TCM degree programs in China and have been modified to North American standards. The curriculum hours of the Acupuncture Diploma Program offered by CITCM meets or exceeds the regulation required hours of Alberta, British Columbia and the United States (NCCAOM). CITCM’s Dr. of TCM Program hours meets or exceeds the regulation required hours for British Columbia and the United States (NCCAOM) (it is not yet regulated in any other province in Canada). The curriculums are set at the highest standard in Canada for this type of program.

*CITCM Canadian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine
*NCCAOM National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

What Healing Modalities Are Included in the Programs?
• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Tui Na (Massage / Acupressure)
• Qigong/Tai Ji
• Nutrition/ TCM Therapeutic Diet
• History, Philosophy and Methodology of TCM
• Western Medical Science and Research Component
• Preventative Medicine

How much are the tuition fees?
$9200.00 per instructional year for the Acupuncture Diploma Program or the Dr. of TCM Program; $9800 per instructional year for the Bachelor’s Degree of TCM Program (Degree issued from Shan Dong University of TCM, China). We offer superior programs at a competitive tuition. Our Acupuncture Diploma Program hourly rate is at $12.69/ hour, and Dr. of TCM Program hourly rate is at $8.78/hour as well, our Bachelor’s  degree program is $8.61/hour.

Can I get student loans?
Student loan financing is now available for four years of study at CITCM.
Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify.

Applications are online at:
http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/studentsfinance/eap/ main.asp

I have other courses at other schools. Can I transfer?
Yes, we accept credit transfers. The transfers must be for equivalent courses at accredited institutes and will be accepted at the discretion of the registrar.

Can I carry a part time job while I attend full time school?
CITCM’s programs are scheduled in three semesters for every year with a four week break between semesters and a five week break in the summer. Lecture classes are scheduled between 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Monday to Friday, with 1-2 afternoons, evenings or weekends for clinic practice, allowing students the flexibility to hold a part time job.

Is Acupuncture and TCM Regulated?
Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec are the three provinces in Canada where acupuncture is regulated and there is a mutual recognition for registration between those three provinces in that you can transfer your registration as an acupuncturist. TCM is regulated in British Columbia and currently, graduates of the Dr. of TCM Diploma program and the Bachelor Degree of TCM program are eligible to take TCMD licensing exam in British Columbia.

Is There Growth In The TCM Field?
The Rise of TCM is not a short-term trend, but appears to have become a permanent fixture in Canadian Society, as demonstrated by the number of institutions dedicated to researching and teaching it’s concepts. Many mainstream entities not only recognize the efficacy of some of the aspects of TCM but also accept acupuncture treatment coverage for injured claim-ants. These include worker’s compensation boards in BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon and Ontario, many insurance companies (e.g Pacific Blue Cross and Maritime Life) and even Veterans Affairs Canada*.
* Source Canada Asia Commentary Dec 2003 issue

Are There Many Career Opportunities?
The fact that medical professionals are in short supply together with the rising interest in TCM and acupuncture leaves many new opportunities for Doctors of TCM and Acupuncturists to build a thriving practice. Working either as a self employed practitioner or sharing space with other practitioners (massage therapist, physiotherapist, and chiropractors to name a few), the opportunity for TCM practitioners and acupuncturists to build a prosperous practice has never been greater. We have had patients from as far away as Montana, Vancouver, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Newfoundland. The majority of our out of town patients are referred to us from many of the southern Albertan towns surrounding Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

What is the Earning Potential?
In Alberta, the average wage for experienced acupuncturists practicing full time ranges from $30,000 to over $60 000 per year * (2001 estimate) *Source Alberta Learning and Information Service (ALIS)

What is the Market Potential?
The Natural Healing occupational group is expected to grow 1.1 to 2.1 % each year from 2003 to 2008 in Alberta. Additional job openings will be created by employment turnover. Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next five to ten years.*
*Source Alberta Human Resources and Employment

How do I find out more?
Call us to book a tour. We look forward to meeting you!
403-520-5258
1-888-859-8686