Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must be competent in speaking, reading and writing English as well as understanding spoken English. Candidates must provide the Institute with all necessary admission documents including transcripts of at least two years of accredited baccalaureate-level education (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits). 19 of those 60 credits must be taken in the four General Education/Liberal Arts areas below, with 3 or more credits in each of the areas:

1. Humanities/Fine Arts
2. Social/Behavioral Sciences
3. English/Communications
4. Science/Mathematics
   

ATOM candidates are to be mature-minded, self-motivated, academically capable and prepared to undertake three years of an intensive, demanding educational experience. They must also be motivated by the genuine desire to heal. An interview with the ATOM Admissions Committee is also required prior to the final admissions determination.

Not all applicants can be accepted for admission. ATOM reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who is not approved by the Admissions Committee.

English Language Competency

English-language competency is required of all students seeking admission to the program. If the ATOM administration has any concern about English-language competency, the applicant must prove a score of at least 500 (Paper-Based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Admissions Documents

Admissions documents are required to begin the application process at ATOM. It is understood that these documents can neither be returned to the candidate nor forwarded to any other institution or agency. The Admissions Committee makes all acceptance decisions. New matriculating classes begin in January (Winter Session), May (Spring Session) and September (Fall Session).

1. A completed application form and $20 application fee.
2. Photo Identification and a Social Security Card (Photocopied for file).
3. Transcripts from 2-year or 4-year colleges accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that document a passing grade in 60 or more baccalaureate-level semester credits (or 90 or more quarter credits). These transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions involved to ATOM. (See Admission Requirements for specific prerequisites.)
4. A professional resume. 
5. One-page essay describing reasons for pursuing this program and plans for financing three years of study.
6. Two letters of reference sent directly to the Institute from individuals outside the applicant’s family.
7. Copies of professional licenses, certificates, etc., if any. (Optional, but preferred)
8. International students must have Visas permitting study in the U.S. for at least 3 calendar years. Foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a credential-evaluation service approved by ATOM.

Assessment of Prior Learning

A maximum of 30 semester credits (50%) of the prerequisite two-year education requirement may be earned through prior learning assessment using either one or a combination of the following assessment techniques: (1) credit by examination through the use of standardized tests and/or (2) assignment of credit for military and corporate training based on recommendations established by the American Council on Education. Guidelines are as follows:

1. Credit by examination can be earned through successful testing and the recommended college credit equivalencies of the College Scholarship Service’s AP (Advanced Placement) examinations, the College Scholarship Service’s CLEP (College Level Examination Program) examinations, the American College Testing PEP (Proficiency Examination Program) examinations, PONSI (N.Y. State Department of Education Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction), the USAFI (U.S. Armed Forces Institute) program, and the DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) tests.
2. Credit for military and corporate training may be assigned according to the recommendations established by the American Council on Education in The National Guide to Educational Credit For Training Programs and The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services.
   

Provisional Admission

No student will be admitted unless he/she has successfully completed 60 college (semester) credits from an accredited postsecondary institution. As noted in the relevant section of these Policies and Procedures, included within those 60 (semester) college credits must be 3 (semester) credits in each of the following: (a) Humanities/Fine Arts; (b) Social/Behavioral Sciences; (C) English/Communications; (d) Science/Mathematics.

From time to time a student will meet the 60 hour requirement yet lack three semester credits in one of the four above-specified categories. In some limited special cases, the Admissions Committee has the power to grant Provisional Admission to those students. That Provisional Status will require the student to rectify any deficiency in the four above-specified categories before a Bachelor’s Degree of Health Science or a Master’s Degree of Oriental Medicine can be conferred. The student will be required to earn a minimum grade of 70% in that course in order for the course to be considered successfully completed.

If the student on Provisional Status does not complete the required coursework in the four above-specified categories he or she will not receive a Bachelor’s Degree of Health Science and a Master’s Degree of Oriental Medicine. Upon such successful completion of all requirements, the student will be placed in Regular Student Status.

Should any student wish to apply for Provisional Status, he/she will be required to execute a written agreement encompassing the above conditions. It is certain that the student will be required to comply with all other requirements for admission and for continuation as a student.

Transfer Policies

ATOM welcomes students who wish to transfer credits from other accredited schools. Courses for transfer credits must be equivalent to those offered at the Institute. Students must have their previous college(s) send a transcript which shows credits and grades directly to ATOM. In addition, students must provide a syllabus for evaluation of the transfer course. A score of 70% or more is required in each course.

According to the new California Board regulations, for any transfer students, who are at a non-California Board approved school in the U.S. previously, only 50% credits for TCM courses can be granted and 100% credits for Western Medicine and practice management courses.

Students requesting transfer credit for a course equivalent to one offered at ATOM will be granted credit for the number of hours that the Institute’s course earns. A student may be asked to demonstrate knowledge and skills through examination in order to be granted credit. In addition, a transfer student is required to take Comprehensive Exams before he/she is enrolled in the designated class. A score of 70% or more on all these exams is required for credit.

At least one academic year at ATOM is required for the granting of an Institute diploma. Therefore, no more than two years of transfer credit can be accepted toward completion of the program.

Please Note: Transferability of ATOM credits is at the discretion of the accepting institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm if credits will be accepted by another institution.