Transfer Credit Evaluations

AIAM accepts students in good standing who wish to transfer from another school or college. Transfer students must first meet the admission requirements of the Institute. Once these are met, the following transfer policy for course credit may apply:

A. Credit for courses previously taken may be transferred into the program if all of the following criteria are met:

1. The course is listed on an official transcript from an approved massage therapy school (massage therapy only) OR from an ACAOM Candidate School or an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the United States Department of Education (acupuncture, Chinese Massage Therapy or massage therapy program). Credits for First Aid/CPR courses taken through programs or institutions other than the above do not transfer.

2. The course was taken within the last five years.

3. The course meets the hour and credit requirements of the equivalent class at AIAM.

4. The grade received in the course is a “C” or better.

B. Credit for courses taken previously that exceed the time limit of transferability (i.e.greater than five years) may be awarded credit through the proficiency credit process.

C. Acupuncture students who have taken courses more than five (5) years ago and are currently practicing in the medical field, may have previous course credit accepted for transfer credit without the proficiency exam. Students should have a valid license confirming their currency in the medical field.

D. If a course is not listed on a transcript, regardless of the person’s prior experience, no credit can be awarded.

E. Transfer credit cannot be awarded twice for the same class.

F. An official copy of the transcript, course syllabus, and catalog pages with course descriptions must accompany the application for admission. Acupuncture students who have earned medical degrees from schools in another country listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) must present transcript, diploma, or medical license with the English translation from an agency such as the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., in lieu of the required syllabus and course description requirement.

G. A $50 non-refundable transfer credit evaluation fee must also accompany the application. The appropriate dean will evaluate the information and make a determination on transfer of credit. If awarded, the student will receive specified credits and a “K” will notate the grade. Which credits will transfer is solely at the discretion of AIAM. For transfer students enrolled in the acupuncture program, in order to receive an AIAM diploma, the final third of all courses must be taken on-site at AIAM.

H. Once a student is enrolled in the American Institute of Alternative Medicine, all coursework and credit needed to complete the program must be taken at AIAM in order to assure quality and consistency in the educational outcome.

To receive more information on our programs, please visit our Contact Us page.

Proficiency Credit

Any student wishing to challenge a transfer credit decision may be allowed to take a proficiency credit exam. A student may be permitted to take a proficiency examination for credit. Permission is given only in cases when it is evident that previous experience or study warrants and only after the student has been accepted into the program. 50% of the course fee will be charged for the examination. The student must receive a minimum grade of “C” on the exam in order to have this grade and credits counted for the class. If the minimum grade is not received, the student must register to take the class and pay the full tuition for that class. Students seeking this option should submit their request 45 days prior to the start of the quarter.

For acupuncture students who have taken courses more than five (5) years ago and are currently practicing in a related field, previous course credit may be accepted without the proficiency exam. Students should have a valid license confirming their currency in the medical field.

Acupuncture students who have earned medical degrees from other countries whose school is listed in the IMED and who have been in the same field at anytime during the past five (5) years may be candidates for waiving the proficiency exam and receiving applicable proficiency credit(s).

The Standing Committee for Academic Excellence will make the final determination on all situations.

To receive more information on our programs, please visit our Contact Us page.