May 16, 2024

Dear OCOM Students, 

Welcome to the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) and our College of Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM). It would be my honor to have you join our university community. We know this situation is difficult and unexpected, which is why we are working closely with OCOM to ensure a speedy and seamless transition.

It is my top priority, and the top priority of the entire university team, to support you through this period of change. As we know more, we’ll share that information quickly and openly. We want to keep you informed every step of the way.

We’ve simplified the admissions process for you. If you choose to join us at NUNM, you can view a checklist of required enrollment materials and a webpage specially created for OCOM students.

Below is important information we know right now:

Program Placement

Pending regulatory approval, and based on preliminary guidance from those accreditors, the following pathways are available to you depending on your current year of OCOM enrollment:

1. Current Third-Year Students (Moving into your 4^th/final year): You would complete your education through a teach out process here at NUNM. This will ensure that you can finish your studies with minimal disruption and receive your intended qualification and curriculum as planned. NUNM will offer the same courses as OCOM and similar clinic rotations to those you would have taken at the college.
2. Current First- and Second-Year Students: Based on your current curriculum and program at OCOM, you will be given transfer credit into one of three programs at NUNM: Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DAcCHM), Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (MAcCHM), or Master of Acupuncture (MAc). We have worked to ensure comprehensive transfer of credit, allowing significantly more credit overlap than would be available outside of a Teachout agreement. It is our anticipation that transferring will not add any additional time to your planned program length unless you move to a longer/heavier program. NUNM and OCOM academic counselors will work closely with you to determine the best fit based on your academic history and career goals.
3. Current Deposited Students (Coming into your first year): Incoming students who have been accepted by OCOM and who made a deposit for the Fall 2024 program at OCOM will also be eligible for expedited entry into our program. We understand that NUNM and OCOM have some differences in our pre-requisites. While we are working to align those, for Fall 2024, OCOM students will have no additional requirements beyond what they have already completed for their application.

We understand that transitioning to a new institution can bring about a range of questions and perhaps even uncertainties. Please know that we are here to support you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Office at admissions@nunm.edu or our Student Life team at studentlife@nunm.edu.

We look forward to meeting you and to celebrating your many successes that lie ahead. Thank you for your resilience and trust in us during this transition.

Warm regards,

Melanie Henriksen, ND, LAc, CNM
President/CEO
National University of Natural Medicine