Application Process

Welcome to our college!

Requirements
The minimum admission requirements for acceptance are a high school diploma and at least 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university.  Any student must be at least 18 years of age.  The college credit must include at least 15 credits of general education or liberal arts courses.  The four areas of humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, English/communications, and science/mathematics must be represented in the general education coursework.

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 Test of Spoken English (TSE) and achieve a score of at least 500 on the paper-based exam or 173 on the computer-based exam or 61 on the Internet based exam. The result of the examination determines if a student must take special courses in English prior to enrollment or if they may be allowed to take an English course while concurrently enrolled in the program.

Conditional Acceptance
For students who meet the minimum requirements of 60 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. 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 con currently 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 Bachelors of Science in Professional Health Studies degree nor the Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine degree  without completion of these course(s).  

Application Procedure
Qualified applicants must submit the following items:

• The completed Application for Admission.
• Application Fee ($100 Domestic Student, $150 Transfer Student, $200 International Student).
• Admissions Interview
• 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 Oriental Medicine Program.
• Two passport  photos.
• 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 60 semester hours of credit.
• Two letters of recommendation from non-family members.
• A letter from a physician (medical doctor, chiropractor, Oriental medicine practitioner, or acupuncturist) concerning overall physical and mental health and the ability to undertake a rigorous course of study to qualify for licensure as an Acupuncture Physician.
• Proof of Hepatitis Vaccination (not required but recommended as you will be working in a health care facility) You may waive this by signing a waiver of liability at the time of the admissions interview.
• TB Test

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)
• TOEFL test
• Bank statement-  must show a minimum of $35,000USD for 1 year
• Passport
• Proof of Health Insurance

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. 

Transfer of Credit
The College may accept transfer credit toward the Oriental 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 Oriental Medicine Program must be completed at the College.  No transfer credit will be given for “D”’s.

Transfer Students from other Accredited Oriental Medical 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.