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Schedules, Student Life & Upon Completion...

The Goal of Study: Student Life & Upon Completion

The Acupuncture Diploma Program is designed to prepare students to become competent acupuncture practitioners.  Graduates of the program can expect to be able to practice acupuncture therapy alone or along with their current discipline in a confident manner. Extensive hands on training working with highly qualified professionals, gives our graduates the edge that is required to become successful acupuncturists.

Acupuncture can be studied by anyone; no prior scientific background is required to start your studies as an acupuncturist. Whether you are looking at this as a new career or  have previous knowledge of the various related sciences; we work with to you to help you achieve your career goals.

If you have previously studied various related science courses, we offer possible exemptions for such equivalent courses within the Acupuncture Diploma Program. Many healthcare professionals find it beneficial to expand their practice by continuing their studies and/or specializing in offering acupuncture treatments as a complimentary form of therapy. Click here for further details on possible exemptions.

For those starting from scratch, a foundation in Western sciences (anatomy, physiology and pathology) lays the building blocks while students approach their Eastern theory courses and make the transition from purely Western thought processes to a more holistic approach to healthcare. Please review the program schedule below for various start options related to these foundational courses (which are part of any eastern therapeutic diploma program offered at the SSC).

Courses are offered in a schedule that allows students to continue working and/or practicing while they train for a new or expanded career.

Program Schedule Options

The Acupuncture Diploma Program is a 2000 hour diploma program and is offered part time over 3 years, generally two evenings and one day on the weekend starting on a yearly basis in January. However, the SSC offers the       foundational courses 3 times per year: January, April and September, allowing individuals a chance to build their own study schedule around their lifestyle in preparation for a September start of two evenings and one day on the weekend.

The first year of study, students focus on learning the foundations of the human body. Courses include Human Anatomy, Physiology and the Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These 3 foundational classes can be taken course by course or at the same time, enabling the student to build a very flexible combination of daytime classes and/or evening classes.

Generally classes that start in September run until April and/or June and are usually offered during the mornings during the week (approx. 3 to 4 weekday mornings, 8:30am to 12).

Generally classes that start in January run until July and are usually two evenings from 6pm to 10pm and one day on the weekend.

The Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine is also is offered in April and runs until July, generally on Mondays from 10am to 6pm.

If all three foundational courses are taken by the following September, students start a more advance level of training where specific acupuncture courses start start three times per week; two set evening classes, 6pm to 10pm and one full day on the weekend.

A  wide variety of schedule options within the first year allow students the chance to transition their current life schedule as they prepare for a set part time schedule for the remaining program courses.

The curriculum is a balance of theory and practice and includes courses in Human Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),  Jing-luo & Meridian System, Treatment of Disease, Differential Diagnosis,  Acupuncture Points, Oriental Medicine Diagnosis, Auricular (EAR) Acupuncture, External Techniques (cupping, moxa techniques, etc), Clean Needle Technique and Needling, Acupuncture Technique, Ethics & Modality Research, Practice Management and Communication Skills, Biomedical Pharmacology. Tuina Massage, Medical QiGong, Prevention, Lifestyle and Diet tips and Western Medical Assessment are also covered in length and incorporated into Acupuncture Clinical Practice.

We are currently accepting applications for the January 2012 start date.  For further information on the application process, please feel free to contact admissions at (416) 323-1818 ex.22 or call our toll free number, 1-800-263-1703 ex.22.

Applicants can also review application details online. 

To accommodate students who need to continue working while they study, we have developed two schedule options for the 2000 hour Acupuncture Diploma Program. 

Students will start with the first three courses January, April or September 2012:

Anatomy please see January or September 2012 schedule

Physiology please see January 2012 schedule

Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine  please see January, April or September 2012 schedule

Note: Registered Massage Therapists and other healthcare professionals may receive extensive exemptions and reduced tuition. Click here for further details.

For more information about these schedule options or tailor made schedules, please contact the Admissions Department at (416) 323-1818 ex.22 or for those who are outside of Toronto but reside in North America, please call our toll free number at 1-800-263-1703 ex.22

This program does not require approval under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005.

The Shiatsu School of Canada reserves the right to make changes to any course, program, fee, policy or procedure with respect to availability, delivery mode, schedules, or course requirements described in this calendar, at any time, without further notice. All course offerings are subject to a minimum pre-registration.

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