The Midwest College of Oriental Medicine was founded in 1979, making it one of the oldest schools of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in America.

Over the last twenty-three years, faculty and student interns have contributed to community service at Cook County Hospital, for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and at the AIDS Alternative Health Project. Graduates of our programs are on the faculty of other schools, the Boards of professional associations, state and national agencies, and hold positions in hospitals across the country.

Since 1986, college administrators and faculty have participated in local and national organizations; including the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The college has been granted accreditation for three cycles. In 2001, the College received a five-year reaccreditation; the longest term granted. Many faculty members have been with the school 10 years and more; providing the maturity and continuity needed to develop a clinical competency based educational model.

Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Midwest College's educational programs are to combine the traditional teachings of Chinese Medicine with a foundation in the biomedical sciences, so that graduates can work independently, as a colleague with other health care providers, or find employment in a larger medical setting. The combination of Eastern and Western science, together with an appreciation of the natural healing philosophies of Asia, leads to the development of the qualities that are the "Heart of Chinese Medicine". With this foundation, graduates will become true practitioners of Oriental healing. The subtle balance of clinical science and compassion is the key to a successful practice.

The Acupuncture Program
The Acupuncture Program is modeled on the modern eight-principle style, currently taught at TCM Universities in China. Combined with the biomedicine courses, it prepares graduates to practice "Integral Medicine" using acupuncture, moxibustion and other accessory modalities. The curriculum in the Oriental Medicine program includes a distinctive course of study in areas of food and herb therapy that are fundamental to traditional Oriental Medicine. Baccalaureate study in nutrition within the Oriental Medicine program can lead to a simultaneously granted Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine. Graduates have the knowledge and clinical skills to provide nutritional counseling services as part of their Oriental Medicine practice.

The class schedule can accommodate working adults. Classes meet on Saturday and one evening per week. Clinic hours are offered Monday through Friday during the afternoon and evening.

Location The Midwest College's main campus and administrative offices are located in southeastern Wisconsin, offering a combination of city and country lifestyle. Students relocating from other parts of the country will find a moderate cost of living, good job market, and ample opportunity for boating, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

The campus in Chicago is located in the city's northside Lakeview neighborhood on the south side of Montrose Ave., a few blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and one block east of Broadway Ave. Students who choose to relocate to Chicago will find the cost of living very reasonable for a city with such a large number of cultural and entertainment venues.

Foreign Internships
The Midwest College has been conducting foreign internship trips to China for over fourteen years. Students have gained clinical experience at Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals all over China, including Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Guangzhou. In 1996, we became formally affiliated with the Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Guangzhou University's TCM Hospital is a model of the integration of Chinese Medicine with advances in science and biomedical technology.

Based upon our numerous trips to China, and visits to the Midwest College from TCM professors, we have collaborated with leaders of Chinese medical education to bring the most recent advances in medical therapy to our educational programs. In 1996, to mark our affiliation, the Guangzhou University presented the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine with a scroll that describes the philosophy of both schools: "Developing Traditional Chinese Medicine, Combining with Modern Scientific Advances."

Faculty
The faculty at Midwest College is one of its major strengths. Many instructors were professors at TCM Universities in China. Faculty members communicate the complex and subtle principles of Oriental Medicine in a manner that encourages and motivates students.

Accreditation and Approval
The Midwest College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, an agency approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The school is approved by the State of Wisconsin Educational Approval Board and the State of Illinois Board of Higher Education. It was the first accredited College of Oriental Medicine in both Wisconsin and Illinois.

Financial Aid
Graduate loans of up to $18,500 are available per year to students in the Oriental Medicine program. Students in the Acupuncture program are eligible for a lower loan amount, but may be qualified for a PELL grant.

Applicants
Students from across the U.S. and several foreign countries have entered the programs. The average age is 38 with a wide range of educational backgrounds and work experience. Two years of college (60 semester credit hours) is required for entry. The Midwest College has students from many counties creating a vibrant and diverse student population.

After completing their program, graduates have the full range of knowledge, competencies, and skills necessary to begin a successful practice and meet the health care demands of the 21st century. These demands will result in new advances in TCM and new ways that integral medicine can be used to meet today's health care problems.