Registration opens on January 4 2027, at 9 a.m. (EDT). There is a special discount tuition fee available to the first 10 registrants. If you receive any discount codes or want to learn about our promotions, please contact us at acupuncture@mcmaster.ca.
This fundamental level introduces the basic concepts of acupuncture treatment, including the neuroanatomical, evidence-based and basic science approaches to common musculoskeletal conditions. Safety issues and potential complications from acupuncture treatments will be discussed. Dry needling techniques, electrical stimulation and trigger points will be explored. An in-person format will be used for lectures, practical needling sessions, written examinations and practical examinations.
Continuing education credits
There will be self-study components to explore more in-depth theoretical and evidence-based acupuncture foundations and plan for treatment protocols.
- Registrant may claim up to 100 hours of credit for work completed
- Continuing education components consist of 50 hours (ACUP 1A25, 1B25, 1C25) of in-person contact.
- The remaining 50 hours of self-study are required for registrants to meet the requirements of their regulatory colleges or boards (ACUP 1D25, due the day before examination)
Program dates
All dates are in-person, from 8 a.m. to 5:15/30 p.m.
- Fri., April 2
- Sat., April 3
- Sun., April 4
- Fri., April 30
- Sat., May 1
- Sun., May 2
Exam
The exam will be held on Saturday, May 15. The written examination takes place in the morning and the practical examination is scheduled for the afternoon.
Tuition fees
- Regular tuition fee: $5,000
- Tuition application fees: $1,000 application fee (or $250 per course)
- Early-bird discount fee: $3,290 (includes the $1,000 in tuition application fees that are non-refundable)
- There is no charge for the examination if taken with the registered cohort on a specified date. Otherwise, the cost is $995 CAD plus a $250 CAD application fee to sit the examination on a different date, or retaking the examination due to failure, absenteeism, illness or injury, etc. Please see our terms and conditions for details.
- 2.5% Moneris non-refundable transactional fee
Please note: Students must successfully pass the written and practical examinations within two years of registering and starting the acupuncture program. Students will not be admitted to the examinations unless they have taken a refresher course and completed all the practical session requirements again.
Please note that the tuition fee for the course or courses does not include the costs of the textbook, which can be purchased separately from the instructor through this link. Course content or materials will be provided digitally. Please bring a laptop to access the course content during classes.
Please note that this McMaster Medical Acupuncture Program: An Evidence-based Approach is chaired by Dr. K. Trinh. If you intend to sign up for the Acupuncture Canada Acupuncture Program, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Acupuncture Program, or the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program by Dr. Elorriaga, please do not sign up for our program, as the Moneris bank transaction fees and the application fees to our program are non-refundable.
Important Information
Our university has paused the vaccine requirements policy at the moment.
Students must successfully pass the written and practical examinations within two years of registering and starting the acupuncture program. Otherwise, students will not be admitted to the examinations unless they have taken a refresher course and completed all the practical session requirements again.
Note: Registrants from the in-person cohort who wish to participate in any of the online components must pay the difference between the full online program fee and the fee they have already paid. Their registration will then be updated to reflect the online status. No switching or changing to the online cohort from the in-person cohort is allowed within 30 days or less from the date of the Fundamental examination.
Students should consider purchasing cancellation insurance through a provider such as Allianz Global Assistance (www.allianz-assistance.ca). We strictly enforce our cancellation policy regardless of the reason for cancellation.
