Acupuncture Program Application Requirements

A completed application includes the following:

1. Prospective students may download an application or fill out an online application at www.esatm.edu.
2. Applicants requiring ADA information may do so by either signifying on their application or contacting the admissions department.
3. There is a non-refundable $50.00 application fee which may be paid via check, cash or credit card. View/Download Application Fee Credit Card Form Doument
4. Applicants to the Eastern School are required to have a minimum of 60 college credits and must submit official transcripts from the institution(s) of higher learning that they attended along with copies of professional licenses, if applicable. (GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT: While ESATM will accept 60 college credits to enter the program, the Federal Aid requirements have changed for students with under 90 credits at ESATM, therefore students entering the MSAc program with under 90 credits will not be eligible for financial aid until year two of the acupuncture program. The state of NJ still requires a bachelor’s degree independent of an applicant’s acupuncture education to apply for NJ state licensing. NY, PA, and CT do not require a bachelor’s degree to obtain licensure). Professional licenses may include but are not restricted to-M.D., D.C., P.T., R.N., and L.M.T. All post-secondary education outside the US must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) www.wes.org
5. If an applicant has 4 credits in Human or General Biology within ten years of applying with a grade of 2.0 or greater the course may be accepted as the ESATM Biology requirement unless they are a licensed health care professional* in which case the ten year requirement may be waived.
   All applicants who have not taken a 4 credit Human or General Biology course may elect to CLEP their Biology or take a 4 credit course at any accredited post-secondary school prior to entering the acupuncture program. Applicants also have the option of taking their Biology requirement at ESATM either prior to entering the program or in their first trimester of full time acupuncture program matriculation at ESATM.
   
   *Biology and other western bioscience/medical coursework credit may be granted at the discretion of the Dean and Director of Admissions, for a limited number of courses to individuals who have passed a state-recognized or state administered licensing examination resulting in a medical professional license (Acupuncture, Chiropractic, FLEX, ECFMG, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Nursing, etc.).
6. All incoming students must present a valid photo ID at their enrollment meeting, a driver's license or passport. If the student was not born in the US they must also bring valid proof of citizenship.
7. Students transferring credits into the MSAc program may be required to take a placement exam for individual courses at the discretion of the Academic Dean or Director of Admissions. Acupuncture transfer students who have prior Intern Clinical hours eligible for transfer will be required to take a practical clinic placement exam/or year two comprehensive exam. An Intern Clinic placement exam study guide will be provided by the Academic Dean to the applicant prior to scheduling the exam. Placement exams and study guides are available to ESATM program applicants only.
8. Applicants must supply three letters of reference from individuals knowledgeable about the applicant's potential for success in a graduate level academic program. Applicants are encouraged to seek references mainly from health professionals, educators, and employer's.
9. Applicants must submit a 2-4 page topic related essay. Please contact the admissions office for your assigned topic. Essay must be in either MLA or APA format.
10. All applicants under the age of 30 must submit their vaccination records (applicants can utilize a copy of their post-secondary school vaccination records) with their application.
11. Students who do not have any post-secondary education in the United States may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. Determining factors include but are not limited to, the student's admissions interview, personal essay, and assessment of classroom communication. English language competency must be required of all students seeking admission to the program taught in English. This may be satisfied by scoring at least 80 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet based test (iBT).
12. After all supporting documents are received, each applicant is interviewed by the Academic Dean or Director of Admissions who make the final decision for acceptance. Applicants are notified via email their admission status.

Note: Any modification of ESATM's admissions requirements will only be granted under exceptional circumstances and at the sole discretion of the CEO/President.

All prospective students who intend on utilizing financial aid are strongly urged to fill out their FAFSA prior to applying to the acupuncture program for a free financial aid consultation. Please refer to the financial aid sheet in this packet for further information.