Overview

The following is a description of the prerequisites and application process for the MAcEAM and DAHM programs.

If you are a current SIEAM student, alum, or faculty seeking to register for the DAHM completion program, read about the registration process on the DAHM program page.

Admissions Process

The admissions process consists of three steps.

1. Complete an Online Application.

2. Attend an Admissions Interview.

3. Enroll.

1) Complete an Online Application.

You can start your application anytime. Applications are completed online through a virtual portal that saves your work as you go, so you can start and finish whenever you like. We encourage you to start an application now to familiarize yourself with the required fields.

Start your application now.

The MAcEAM and DAHM programs share one application. When you apply for SIEAM’s programs, you are applying for dual enrollment to receive both the master’s and doctoral degrees. You can choose in your third year whether to graduate in three years with the master’s degree or in four years with the doctorate degree.

There are no fixed application deadlines. SIEAM accepts applications on a rolling basis for annual enrollment. Applications are accepted throughout the year for the upcoming academic year, beginning in September. Applications for enrollment are accepted until the class is full and the first term begins.

The application includes fields for the following information.

• Basic personal information

• Status of prerequisite completion

• Transcripts from all prior higher education institutions. Transcripts from other countries must be translated into English and evaluated by a credential-evaluation service. We suggest World Education Services.

• Description of relevant community service

• Resume

• Essay describing reasons for choosing this field and the Seattle Institute

• Three (3) professional references (no letters required)

• A brief explanation of how you plan to finance your education and living expenses

• Signed Prospective Student Release of Information form

• $100 non-refundable application fee

2) Attend an Admissions Interview.

Applicants whose initial applications are approved will be invited to attend a required admissions interview. Interview spots are on a space available basis. Prospective students should submit applications at least one month prior to the date they wish to interview. Interviews may be held virtually to account for safety and travel.

3) Enroll.

Following the interview, applicants will receive a decision on acceptance within two weeks. Accepted applicants will then have two weeks to submit their enrollment agreement and nonrefundable $1,000 deposit to reserve their place in the entering class. This deposit will be applied to the first trimester’s tuition. Some applicants may be placed on a wait list.

Student Consumer Information and State Licensing Eligibility 

We encourage applicants to review the map provided by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) for detailed information on the requirements for licensure in each state.

Please note that the most accurate source of information on this subject is always from the state license issuing authority. Information on licensure requirements for Washington state can be found here.

Prerequisites

All applicants must complete meet the following prerequisites.

1. At least three (3) years of college study at the baccalaureate level (90 semester or 135 quarter credits through an accredited college or university) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

2. Completion of the following four (4) prerequisite courses through an accredited college or university with a grade of B or above. No labs are required for any courses.

   • Biology

   • Chemistry

   • Psychology

   • Western Nutrition

     Applicants who have not completed all prerequisite coursework may still apply. If accepted, enrollment would be contingent upon completion of all prerequisites prior to the first day of fall classes with a B average or above.

3. All applicants must have up-to-date basic CPR/AED training and First Aid certification prior to starting the program. Standard Red Cross or National CPR certifications are sufficient for this requirement.

Candidates for admission must demonstrate maturity, academic ability, and sincerity to enter the field of East Asian medicine.

English Language Requirement

All classes are taught in English.

Therefore English language competency is required of all students seeking admission to the program. International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission to degree, certificate, and non-degree graduate programs. This must be demonstrated by one of the following means:

1. The applicant must have completed one of the following:

a) four years at a U.S. high school demonstrably delivered in English;

b) at least two-years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education in an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education;

c) at least two-years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education demonstrably delivered in English;

d) high school or two-years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education in an institution in one of the following countries or territories: American Samoa; Anguilla; Antigua & Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Botswana; British Virgin Islands; Cameroon; Canada (except Quebec); Cayman Islands; Christmas Island; Cook Islands; Dominica; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; The Gambia; Ghana; Gibraltar; Grenada; Guam; Guyana; Ireland; Isle of Man; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Malawi; Montserrat; Namibia; New Zealand; Nigeria; Norfolk Island; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Pitcairn Islands; Sierra Leone; Singapore; South Africa; South Sudan; St. Helena; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Swaziland; Tanzania; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands; United Kingdom; U.S. Virgin Islands; Uganda; Zambia;

In all cases, English must have been both the language of instruction and the language of the curriculum used.

OR

2. The applicant must have completed one of the following assessments at the required level:

Other Admissions Policies

Transfer Credit to SIEAM
There are provisions for students to transfer credit for previous biomedical science courses. Assessment of transfer credit is done on a case-by-case basis. SIEAM does not accept transfer credit for any East Asian medicine training done at other institutions. To receive transfer credit, students submit a Transfer Credit Request Form (available through the Academic Coordinator) and provide records of previous college credit. It may also be necessary to submit additional documentation and/or take a competency exam in the material. Acceptance of transfer credit does not affect the overall cost of the program or the length of time to complete the program.

Advanced Standing
There is no advanced standing for the MAcEAM program. All accepted students start at the beginning of the program.

Deferral of Entrance into a Program
While it is possible to have permission granted for a one-year deferral, a deferral is only granted after the SIEAM administration has reviewed the written request and deemed it acceptable. Failure to remain in contact with school administration during the deferral year may result in the program acceptance being withdrawn.

Attendance Time Frame
SIEAM’s programs can only be completed on a full-time basis. If a student cannot maintain a full-time academic load in good standing at the school, they may petition the Academic Dean for approval of a leave of absence. A leave of absence may be granted for up to one academic year. Students returning at a later date will need to demonstrate preparedness for further study and competence in the subjects required at the point of re-entry. Tuition will be based on the tuition set for the cohort that the student joins at re-entry.

Transfer Credit to Other Institutions
Credit earned at SIEAM may be transferable to other academic institutions. This determination is made at the discretion of the school that is considering the acceptance of transfer credits from SIEAM. Course descriptions are made available to other institutions upon request.

Nondiscrimination Policy
This policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, political ideology, and any other classification protected by law. SIEAM also prohibits illegal discrimination on the basis of physical, mental, and sensory disability and provides qualified individuals with disabilities with reasonable accommodation.

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