ADMISSIONS FAQS
Q. Does NESA's program immediately provide hands-on training?
Q. Is the faculty comprised of experienced practitioners?
Q. What is the student-teacher ratio?
Q. What is a typical school schedule?
Q. How many hours can I expect to study each week?
Q. Can I work while attending NESA?
Q. Do I need to have a strong science background to attend NESA?
Q. Can I apply to NESA if I have not completed any science courses? Will that affect my chances of being admitted?
Q. What are the introductory science courses?
Q. Where can I take the introductory science courses and what are the course requirements?
Q. How do I register for the introductory science courses at NESA?
Q. Does NESA's program immediately provide hands-on training?
A. Yes. At NESA, you will receive practical experience from the moment you begin the program. Theoretical and practical components of the program are taught simultaneously, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge right away.
Q. Is the faculty comprised of experienced practitioners?
A. Yes. Many acupuncture and Oriental medicine faculty members at NESA have numerous years of experience as acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine practitioners. Our teaching assistants are graduates of Oriental medicine schools, and in the rare cases when senior students are hired, they have demonstrated exceptional mastery of the material. Western science courses are taught by qualified faculty.
Q. What is the student-teacher ratio?
A. In all our practical classes, there is one teaching assistant for every six to eight students, in addition to the class instructor. This enables us to provide our students a great deal of one-on-one attention.
Q. What is a typical school schedule?
A. Students can expect to be in classes three to four days per week until they begin their internships, which require a five-day weekly commitment. Courses are offered at various times in the day and evening during each term: fall (15 weeks), spring (15 weeks), and summer (12 weeks).
Q. How many hours can I expect to study each week?
A. You can expect to study for approximately two hours outside of the classroom for each hour that is spent in the classroom. Full-time students are in class approximately sixteen hours a week.
Q. Can I work while attending NESA?
A. Yes. Many students who attend the program full time work part time.
Q. Do I need to have a strong science background to attend NESA?
A. No. NESA students come from many different backgrounds: music, the arts, financial services, social services, and management, to name a few.
Q. Can I apply to NESA if I have not completed any science courses? Will that affect my chances of being admitted?
A. You do not need any science courses completed to apply to NESA. An admission decision will be based on your qualifications as an applicant, not the number of science courses taken. You can take the required science courses subsequently.
Q. What are the introductory science courses?
A. Pre-requisites* to enroll full-time:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- Two other science co-requisites
*Science courses must have been completed within 10 years of the date of application.
Co-requisites to graduate from NESA:
- General Chemistry
- General Biology (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry
- General Psychology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology (with lab)
- Physics
Q. Where can I take the introductory science courses and what are the course requirements?
A. You can take these courses at NESA or at another institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each course must each be equal to 45 hours (three credits), and you must earn a grade of at least a “C” (70%). NESA offers approximately four science courses each term. For applicants entering acupuncture school after 6/30/09, at least one of these science courses must have a laboratory course requirement.
Q. How do I register for the introductory science courses at NESA?
A. Please call NESA to request a science course registration form or download it here.
Newton, MA 02458