Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine submits self-study for re-accreditation

After more than a year of preparation and hard work, the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) at Northwestern Health Sciences University submitted its self-study in April 2009. “The process started in October 2007,” said Mark McKenzie, dean of MCAOM. “It was kicked off in February 2008. The self-study takes about 16 months to complete.” After more than a year of preparation and hard work, the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) at Northwestern Health Sciences University submitted its self-study in April 2009. “The process started in October 2007,” said Mark McKenzie, dean of MCAOM. “It was kicked off in February 2008. The self-study takes about 16 months to complete.”

According to McKenzie, a self-study is submitted 18 months before accreditation is up. “Last time was a four-year accreditation; we’re hoping for a seven-year accreditation this time,” he said.

The findings of the self-study were grouped into four areas:
* Collaborate – recommendations around faculty; collaboration between faculty groups; inter-department collaboration between faculty groups. Northwestern has a variety of types of faculty, and this gives them an opportunity to collaborate;
* Attract – involves the components the University wants to attract: enrollment through admissions and communications; employers to graduates;
* Design – involves the design of the program, taking into consideration all recommendations; and
* Integrate – involves collaboration within the University and pursuing an integrated strategy within other departments. It fits well with Northwestern’s integrative focus and strategic plan.

“Within the self-study there are 14 standards,” noted McKenzie. “We found we are in compliance with all 14. Some were considered strengths such as governance; administration; library; facilities; learning resources; and finance. Specific areas need further development, such as assessment and evaluation. We’re always trying to improve.” The department is making changes based on the outcomes of the self-study. Some of these include language in the mission; and significant changes in the assessment mechanism.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Visit http://www.nwhealth.edu for more information.