Requirements
The minimum admission requirements for acceptance are a high school diploma and at least 60 semester hours of credit form an accredited college or university. Any student must be at least 18 years of age. The college credit must include at least 30 credits of general education or liberal arts courses which may include, but are not limited to, English, history, philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, sociology, foreign languages, humanities, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and psychology with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0. The college does not admit students under the "Ability to Benefit" criteria, meaning that a high school diploma and/or Certificate of High School Equivalency is required for all admitted students.
Academic success at the College is dependent upon the student’s ability to communicate in English. The ability to understand, speak, read, and write in English must be well-developed in order to learn material with full comprehension in a reasonable time period. Every effort should be made to perfect English skills prior to entering the college. Unless exempted by the Admissions Committee, students who are not native speakers of English must take Tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. The minimum required score is an overall score of 61 on the TOEFL or a level 6 on the IELTS. The result of the examination determines if a student must take special courses in English prior to enrollment or if he/she may be allowed to take an English course while concurrently enrolled in the program.
Application Procedure
Qualified applicants must submit the following items:
The completed Application for Admission. Please click this link to download the form, or you can fill out the application online.
Application Fee: $50. You may pay for the Application Fee Online.
If Applicable:
$100 Transcript Assessment Fee for Transfer and International Students
A $100 International Student Processing Fee
Signed Background Check Consent Form. Please click this link to download the form.
Admissions Interview. Please click this link to download the form.
A current resumé presenting your educational and professional credentials.
A brief (one to two pages) autobiographical essay which includes reference to life goals and reasons for wanting to enroll in the Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Program.
Two passport photos. Please click this link to download the passport photo attachment form.
Proof of US Citizenship or Alien ID number
College transcript(s) sent directly from the college(s) to FCIM that document successful completion of at least 90 semester hours of credit.
Two letters of recommendation from non-family members.
Expense Acknowledgement Form.
Admissions Process
Acceptance for admission is based on the completed application as noted above; commitment to or experience in the healing arts; compassion; motivation and attitude; the personal interview; quality of previously completed academic courses with regards to type of courses and grades; and financial ability to meet tuition. Only those applicants who are believed to be capable of achieving the educational objectives of the program are admitted to the program.
The Admissions Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending an applicant's acceptance into the program. The Admissions Committee makes all final admissions decisions. The Director of Admissions submits an applicant’s completed file with recommendations to the Committee. Upon acceptance, the Director of Admissions issues a letter of acceptance to the applicant.
In order to secure a place in class, the Enrollment Agreement, registration fee and down payment must be received and signed within three weeks of the date the student is notified of acceptance or at least ten days prior to the first day of class, whichever comes first. If this requirement is not met, the student may lose his/her place in the class.
International Student Application Process
International students must meet the requirements of the above application process and also provide the following:
Official Transcript Evaluation (contact the Admissions Director for a list of evaluation resources)
Passport
Proof of Health Insurance
Proof of English proficiency
Because the application process takes considerable more time for an international student, it is highly recommended that you begin the application process no less than 6 months prior to the desired start date.
Once the student has been accepted, FCIM will issue an I-20. At that time, the student can apply for their VISA. Please tell FCIM if you are bringing any family members with you as we will have to adjust the I-20 accordingly.
Students coming from other countries should arrive in Orlando a minimum of 2-3 weeks prior to classes starting. This is to allow for the time it takes to find housing, a vehicle, vehicle insurance, set up an account at a financial institution, set up utilities and get to know the area. International student assistance is available for incoming international students. If interested in having an FCIM student assist you in getting acclimated, please contact the Admissions Director.
Re-admission to FCIM
A student who has withdrawn from the Program for any reason must re-apply for admission and be accepted by the Admissions Committee in order to rejoin the Program. Students with any outstanding fee due to the College must make full payment before being considered for re-admission.
Certain re-admissions may be on a ‘conditional’ basis as determined by the Admissions Committee. In order to be re-admitted, an applicant who had previously withdrawn from the Program must, among other things (as may be reasonably determined by the Admissions Committee), adequately demonstrate that he/she is willing and capable of successfully completing the Program notwithstanding the circumstances that had given rise to his/her prior withdrawal.
Students who have been ‘suspended’ from the Program for failure to do acceptable academic work, who were absent in excess, whose performance or attendance in the student intern clinic was unacceptable, or whose conduct has been deemed unacceptable to the College, must apply for re-admission to the Program and be accepted by the College prior to resuming his/her studies at the College. Additional admission requirements may, at the sole discretion of the Administration, be placed on any or all suspended student(s) applying for re-admission to the Program. These additional requirements may include, but are not limited to, adequate demonstration by the applicant of his/her willingness and capability to successfully complete the Program notwithstanding the circumstances that had given rise to his/her prior suspension, and will also require a mandatory in-person interview with the full Admissions Committee. Re-admission of a suspended student requires the unanimous vote of the Admissions Committee and final approval by the Academic Dean. Depending on the reasons for suspension, the Admissions Committee may also impose additional requirements in its reasonable discretion as conditions to granting re-admission for the relevant student.
There is no possibility of re-admission to the College for anyone who has been expelled from the College.
Conditional Acceptance
For students who meet the minimum requirements of 90 college credits from an accredited college or university but lack any of the General Education requirements, the prospective student may be accepted on a conditional basis at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. The prospective student will sign an agreement stating they will enroll in the course(s) needed at an accredited college or university and earn no less than a 2.00 (“C”) in each course concurrently with FCIM’s program. Upon completion of the course(s) needed and submitting official transcripts from the institution, the student will be placed on regular status. The prospective student will not receive the Bachelor in Professional Health Studies degree nor the Master of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine degree without completion of these course(s).
Upon completion of our program, graduates receive both a Bachelor in Professional Health Studies and a Master of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. FCIM is duly authorized by the Florida Department of Education to award both a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree to students who successfully complete FCIM's dual-degree program, where the Master's Degree is also fully accredited by ACAHM. The two degrees will be awarded simultaneously to successful FCIM graduates and not separately. Click here for more information on our ACCREDITATION DISCLOSURE.
Transfer of Credit
The College may accept transfer credit toward the Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Program that it judges to be equivalent to its requirements for graduation. Transcripts and other required documentation must be received directly from the transferring institution. At least one academic year of the Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Program must be completed at the College.
Students who receive a grade of “D” for a specific class they wish to transfer will have that class approved as long as their overall GPA is above a 2.0. If a students’ GPA is below 2.0, then their credits will not be transferred.
Transfer Students from other Accredited Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Colleges, should be aware that based on evaluation of their transferred courses they will be placed accordingly, with reference to the Program Progression Policy, in the program. Transfer courses will be evaluated according to the below listed requirements:
All courses must have the equivalence in content to the FCIM course.
All courses must have a minimum of 50% of FCIM’s required credits for the course in order to receive full transfer credit.
FCIM does not currently have any Articulation Agreement with any other college or university.
Any questions? Please contact Admissions at [email protected] or 407.888.8689 Ext. 35
