Acupuncture School Schedule Options

You have a number of ways to complete your master’s program in Oriental Medicine at AIMC Berkeley. Your schedule options provide you a flexible structure for balancing your life and planning your future. Details>>

Progressive Start
You can finish your basic science requirements (BSRs) early by taking classes in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology one trimester early in the progressive start. You then join the rest of your class the following term.

With the standard progressive start you keep the same schedule throughout: fall BSRs are held in the evenings, winter BSRs are held Mon/Wed/Fri, and spring/summer BSRs are held Tu/Th. You can start with this option any trimester, and combine it with a standard, gradual, or part-time start.

Three-day
(Standard Program, 10 trimesters)
This is the classic start: your schedule remains constant for the first two years of the program. Daytime classes begin at 8:30 or 9 am and end at 5 or 5:30 pm. You then have more class schedule options available during your clinical internship. The Mon/Wed/Fri schedule starts each April/May; the Tu/Th/Sa schedule starts each September.

Two-days Only (Tu/Th)
(Standard Program, 11 trimesters)
This is the perfect schedule for reducing your commute time and keeping your weekends free. Your first trimester will contain only daytime classes, with subsequent terms combining day and evening classes. You attend classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 9:30–10 pm with two meal breaks. This schedule finishes after eleven trimesters; however, by completing more clinical hours in the last two trimesters, you have the option of finishing in ten trimesters. Two-day schedules start each fall in September.

Evening Programs
The evening programs offer you the same curriculum and experienced instructors as our day program. These schedules are designed with the working professional in mind.

Mon–Fri Evenings
(Standard Program, 10 trimesters)
You interact with evening students as well as some day students in this option. Classes begin at 5:30 or 6 pm and end at 9:30 or 10 pm each night; internship clinic shifts start at 4 pm (trimesters 6–10).

Mon–Th Evenings, M/W/F Days
(Standard Program, 11 trimesters)
This is similar in design to the Tu/Th two-day schedule option, in which you have the advantage of interacting with both day and evening students. You take evening classes Monday–Thursday, then make up regular Friday classes during the following trimester on a M/W/F schedule. Evening classes begin at 5:30 or 6 pm and end at 9:30 or 10 pm each night. Subsequent daytime classes begin at 8:30 or 9 am and end at 5 or 5:30 pm.

Half-time Evening
(Part-time Program, 20 trimesters)
You can keep your class schedule under twelve hours-per-week during most trimesters in the half-time evening schedule option.

Gradual Start
(Part-time to Standard Transition, 11–12 trimesters)
If you are ready to start your master’s program now, but not quite ready to attend full-time, this may be your optimal choice. You attend one-to-two trimesters (or more) on a part-time basis, then join a later cohort on a full-time basis. This schedule option offers you an easier transition back into student life.

Custom Part-time
IIf you still haven’t found the schedule option that’s right for you, customized part-time schedules are always an option. Just ask!
Contact the Academic Dean...