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Pacific College Expands With Two New Associate Programs

Starting Fall 2006,Pacific College of Oriental Medicine will offer two new Associate degree programs at both the San Diego, and New York campus. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Massage Therapies will be offered in San Diego. An Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) in Massage Therapies will be offered in New York.

For the past two decades Pacific College has provided a quality education to students in graduate-level degree programs, certificate programs, and through continuing education to practitioners.

Now with the addition of the Associate degree programs, the opportunity to provide more students with an education in Oriental medicine is an exciting step in a new direction. This core foundation will enable students to build a long term, successful career in Oriental medicine.

"These new undergraduate programs from Pacific provide another path for individuals who wish to enter the growing profession of holistic and Oriental medicine," said Jack Miller, Licensed Acupuncturist and President of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. "Massage is a great profession on its own and is also an excellent way for students to earn a living if they enter the Master's degree program that leads to acupuncture licensure." The college's goals for these new two Associate programs are:

To provide students with the physical sensitivity, emotional maturity, intellectual knowledge, and spiritual awareness to be able to touch their patients therapeutically;
To inspire, through the presentation of Oriental and natural healing, a deep and lasting respect for the integrity of the human body, mind, and spirit;
To provide a supportive educational environment conducive to personal growth and academic advancement;
To further the understanding of the profession of Oriental medicine through dialogue with other members of the health care community and the public at large;
To participate in state and national Oriental medicine and holistic health issues and convey the essence of professionalism to its students.

AAS in San Diego

As the San Diego campus expands its degree offerings, a new generation of students will have the opportunity to explore the integration of Asian and Western bodywork therapy.

Foundation classes for this program include Oriental Medicine Theory and Acupuncture Points for Body Therapists, Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathophysiology for Body Therapists. These core classes create a competent bodyworker, with an understanding the human muscular-skeletal system, as well as the nature of human disease.

In addition to theory courses, the AAS presents a wide variety of hands on classes including: Circulatory Massage, Tui Na Hand Techniques, Tui Na Structural Techniques, Shiatsu, Jin Shin Acupressure, and Thai massage, and other specialty courses. With such a broad exposure to massage techniques students will be able to adapt massage routines to the specific needs of each patient.

AOS in New York

With the addition of the AOS degree, Pacific College's New York campus offers a new avenue of study to students interested in Asian holistic health and massage. This new curriculum combines Asian and Western bodywork therapy, emphasizing Oriental medicine theory, and hands-on training in specialized therapeutic techniques. Students will experience a wide range of classes including, Tui Na, Swedish Massage, Pediatric Massage, and Circulatory Massage. These courses provide a solid foundation in order to prepare each student to become a highly qualified practitioner.

Oriental medicine and biomedicine classes that support this program include anatomy and physiology, general pathology, myology/kinesiology, tai chi, qi gong, nutrition as well as business practice and public safety. Students will gain a deeper understanding of an effective treatment for pain, muscular-skeletal problems, as well as internal disorders, for example respiratory, digestive, and circulatory problems.

"Pacific College has a world-wide reputation for its acupuncture and Oriental medicine curriculum," said Gina Lepore, Chief Operating Officer of the New York campus. "We're proud to add the degree program in massage therapy as an additional option for developing healers, using touch and a deeper understanding of Asian healing systems. With this new program, students choose the healing system best suited for them."

Advantages to the AAS and AOS Programs

As bodywork becomes integrated into the main- stream, students who participate in this program will be at the forefront, having acquired and mastered some of the most effective forms of massage therapy including Tui Na, Shiatsu, Thai massage and Circulatory massage. Both the AAS and the AOS programs are open to those who are at least 18 years of age, and have the equivalent of a high school degree.

"Associate degree programs in body therapy are doubly rewarding, said Miller. "They provide a viable career path and are also a way to greater personal health and well-being."