Admission and Unit Information - Master of Health Science (Acupuncture)
Advanced Standing
Applications for advanced standing will be assessed in accordance with current UWS policy.
Admission
Applicants must have:
An undergraduate degree in Acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine
or
A Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture
or
Five years full-time equivalent clinical work experience in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture and recognition by an Australian professional association representing Chinese herbalists or acupuncturists.
Applicants holding full membership from any of associations in Group 1 will be accepted without additional assessment. Applicants holding any type of membership other than full membership from any associations in Group 1, or applicants holding any type of membership from any association in Group 2 will be further assessed. For each of these applicants, this assessment will be an interview by the Head of Program and a nominee of the Head of School. The interview will assess the applicant’s prior learning, experience in the discipline and understanding of the assumed knowledge appropriate to entry into the course.
Association
Group 1
- Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria (CMRBV)
- Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
- The Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association Inc (ATCMA)
- Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA)
- Joint ATCMA & CMASA (established on 3rd July 2010)
- Australian Chinese Medical Association (Victoria) (ACMA)
- The Australian Medical Acupuncture College
- Australian Medical Acupuncture Society (AMAS)
- Australian College of Acupuncturist (ACAL)
- Australian Natural Therapist Association (ANTA)
- Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
- Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Societies of Australia (FCMA)
- NSW Association of Chinese Medicine (NSWACM)
- Victorian Traditional Acupuncture Society / Chinese Medicine Association (VTAS/CMA)
Group 2
- Acupuncture Association of Victoria Inc (AAV)
- Acupuncture Association of Australia (AAA)
- Acupuncture Association of Australia, New Zealand and Asia (AAANZA)
- Australian Acupuncture Association Ltd / Acupuncture Ethics and Standards Organisation Ltd (AAcA/AESO)
- Australian Nurses Acupuncture Association (ANAA)
- Australian Physiotherapy Association (Acupuncture Study Group) (APA)
- Society of Natural Therapists & Researchers (SNTR)
- Register of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (RATCM)
- Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia (STAA)
- Traditional Medicine of China Society Australia (TMSC)
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to UWS should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and UWS.
Course Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the two core units listed below.
Core units
Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine 1
This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to search, understand and critically appraise scientific literature related to Chinese medicine. Basic research methods will be introduced sufficient to support the student through this unit. This unit will introduce and develop concepts and principles of evidence-based practice applied to Chinese medicine and explore specific research developments in Chinese medicine.
Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine 2
This unit will focus on the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in the diagnosis and management of disease. A significant focus of this unit will be on the interpretation and integration of medical diagnostic tests with TCM diagnosis, and will include an examination of the research that attempts to validate TCM theory and diagnostic techniques. Students will learn how to integrate and prioritise clinical information and undertake the development of a research proposal.
Specialist Units
Students must complete six specialist units from the following pool.
Women's Health in Chinese Medicine 1
This unit enables practitioners to extend their understanding of a range of gynaecological and obstetric disorders and to diagnose and treat these using acupuncture and patent herbal medicines. The clinical focus of this unit is on the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the treatment of disorders of the menstrual cycle, obstetric disorders, menopause and breast disease.
Dermatology in Chinese Medicine 1
This unit along with Dermatology in Chinese Medicine 2 will enable practitioners to develop an in-depth understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and management of a wide range of skin diseases using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This unit includes orthodox medical diagnosis and management of common skin disorders and the integration of this with TCM theory, diagnosis and management. Dermatology in Chinese Medicine 1 and 2 together provide a strong specialist clinical focus on the management of skin disorders with Chinese medicine.
Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 1
This unit along with Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 2 will enable practitioners to develop an in-depth understanding of the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This unit presents a systematic approach to the assessment of musculoskeletal disorders using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and specific medical tests and includes a focus on common musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries and rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 1 and 2 together, provide a strong specialist clinical focus on the management of musculoskeletal health disorders with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 2
This unit extends students' knowledge and understanding developed in Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 1. This unit includes a systematic approach to the assessment and treatment of fractures, systemic and inflammatory disorders. Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine 1 and 2 together provide a strong specialist clinical focus on the management of musculoskeletal health disorders with TCM.
This is a practical unit that helps strengthen graduate acupuncture skills in the management of a range of illnesses. This unit will deepen the practitioners' understanding of the ancient acupuncture theories and techniques and their application in contemporary practice. Practitioners will extend their understanding of different theoretical approaches in the design of acupuncture point prescriptions and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Evidence in support of acupuncture practice will be explored.
Chinese Medicine Specialities 1
This unit will enable practitioners to extend their understanding of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and management of a range of gastrointestinal and paediatric disorders. A feature of this unit is the integration of TCM and western medical approaches. Treatment will focus on acupuncture with common patent Chinese herbal medicine treatments included.
Mental Health in Chinese Medicine
This unit will enable practitioners to extend their understanding of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and management of a range of mental health conditions that are common in the community. A feature of this unit is the integration of TCM and western approaches. Treatment will focus on acupuncture with common patent Chinese herbal medicine treatments included.
Neurological Disorders in Chinese Medicine
This unit will enable practitioners to extend their understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and management of a range of neurological disorders. A feature of this unit is the integration of TCM and western medical approaches. Treatment will focus on acupuncture with common patent Chinese herbal medicine treatments included.
Graduate Diploma Exit Point
Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Acupuncture) upon the successful completion of the two core units plus four specialist units (60 credit points).
Graduate Certificate Exit Point
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Health Science (Acupuncture) upon the successful completion of any four core or specialist units (40 credit points).



