Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture

The only national medical acupuncture postgraduate course in Australia, designed for general practitioners, this one year course is conducted via off-campus learning to promote an understanding of medical acupuncture, both historically and philosophically, .  Open to both domestic and International students the course commences in semester 1 each academic year.

Course co-ordinator: Dr Daniel Traum
Course code: 2678

What is Medical Acupuncture?

Medical Acupuncture is a different approach to medical care.   A method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning, acupuncture is an ancient art with many approaches. Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine, but who has also had training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. Such a doctor can use either approach or a combination of both as the need arises.

Why study Medical Acupuncture?

'As a full time rural GP, and GP trainer, having a new therapeutic modality has presented me with learning opportunities, where previously there was only frustration’.  Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture graduand.

Large numbers of general practice patients have chronic complaints – often exacerbated by drug management.   Medical Acupuncture is an alternative method of care that frequently helps the chronically ill patient.

This course clarifies medical acupuncture's interlocking role with modern medical care and provides general practitioners the necessary tools to develop non-pharmacological pain management strategies and promote self-appraisal of drug prescribing/ referral patterns for patients with pain. Knowledge and skills gained from the course, in addition to the practical guidance provided, equip general practitioners to practise medical acupuncture with confidence in appropriate clinical conditions.

What is Off-campus learning?

More than 14,000 Monash students take advantage of the flexibility off-campus programs provide.  This mode of study allows you to study when and where you choose.

We provide comprehensive course materials, to let you learn at your own pace, and tutor contact for academic queries.  Our course is assessed by coursework, which means you submit work by designated due dates, and one written examination conducted in your nearest capital city or main population centre for rural and remote students.  There are also two residential weekend workshops during the year.

Is it the course accredited?

The course is accredited with the Joint Consultative Committee on Medical Acupuncture. General Practitioners recognised with Medicare and practising Medical Acupuncture may claim Medicare Item numbers 193, 195, 197 and 199 on JCCMA accreditation. Practitioners will also need to participate in on-going Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements to maintain their eligibility with Medicare Australia.

Students are also awarded Australian Medical Acupuncture College Part 1 Fellowship on successful completion of course.

The RACGP QA&CPD program has also approved this course for 60 Category 1 Higher Education points for the 2008-2010 triennium.

What will I study?

The Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture is course divided into four compulstory units of study.

The course has been designed to meet the academic standards of a postgraduate degree. Students are required to satisfy successfully the requirements for each unit of study in order to be eligible for course completion of the Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture.

What is the cost and how do I pay the fees?

Fees are payable to the fee department on a semester by semester basis.  Students are not required to pay the full amount at the beginning of the course.

What are the pre-requisites for entry?

Applicants must be

• currently registered by the medical board in their respective state, or
• have a qualification which is eligible to be registered in a state of the Commonwealth.

A minimum of two years of work experience in general practice is essential.  Preference will be given to applicants who are currently employed and have been in active general practice for a minimum period of two years.

Special consideration may be given to suitably qualified overseas graduates residing in their own country.

What are the English language requirements?

Students are expected to be proficient in English and must satisfy the minimum English language requirements of the university.  You can meet these requirements in one of the following ways:

• You have achieved a satisfactory level of performance in an English subject at Year 12 or equivalent level.  For postgraduate study, a study score of at least 30 in units 3 and 4 in any VCE English subject is required.

• Satisfactorily completed a sufficient period of study, at a sufficiently advanced level, in an English-medium institution, ie; an undergraduate degree within the five years prior to commencement of the course of intended enrolment.

   

• Completion of an Australian TAFE, Singapore Polytechnic or Malaysian College diploma will satisfy this requirement. 

Documentary evidence in the form of a letter or transcript is required from the institution at which the study was undertaken.

• You have undertaken an English language proficiency test within 24 months prior to your study commencement date and have achieved the following results:
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System - academic) minimum test score of 6.5with no individual band score less than 6.5. Please refer to important IELTS information below. For more information on IELTS go to www.ielts.org
  • TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language) minimum test score of 580 with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of at least 4.5 or a minimum test score of 237 in the computer-based TOEFL with an Essay Rating (ER) of at least 5.  You must include the original TOEFL or TWE test report with your application.  For more information on TOEFL go to www.ets.org and select TOEFL.
• You have successfully completed the Monash University English Language Bridging Program, or equivalent programs, at the appropriate level.  For further information on the Monash University English Language Bridging Program, visit www.monash.edu.au/englishcentre/courses/elbp.html
• All of your secondary schooling was in English and you have successfully completed at least two university level subjects in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment.
  

How do I apply?

If you are interested in applying for the Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture , please use the Application Form.

Regrettably faxed or e-mailed forms cannot be accepted. Please submit the original form with supporting documents to the address on the Application form.

If you have any further questions or wish to discuss your application to the course, please contact 

Julieanne.McLuckie@med.monash.edu.au
Administration, Marketing & International Development Manager, Graduate Studies
Department of General Practice
School of Primary Health Care