Jean Piaget Higher School of Health of Vila Nova de Gaia

Registered at the Directorate-General of Higher Education (DGES – Direção-Geral de Ensino Superior) with n. R/A -Cr 91/2018, and published in the Official Journal (Diário da República), Ministerial Order 7712/2018, dated August 10, 2018.

4 years / 8 semesters • Total = 240 ECTS Credits

Further studies

Undergraduate degree in Acupuncture gives access to postgraduate studies in terms and under the conditions of the currently valid legislation.

Study area

Non-Conventional Therapies – Acupuncture

Assessment

The purpose of the student’s assessment is to evaluate his/her achievements in the acquisition and development of knowledge and competences defined in the Curricular Units syllabi.

Thus, assessment methods and instruments are adapted to the specific objectives, characteristics and contents of the corresponding Curricular Unit, and assessment is carried out in accordance with the currently valid Attendance and Assessment Regulations.

There are two main types of assessment: Continuous Assessment, which assesses the student’s work over an academic period (semester / quarter / year), e.g. his/her participation in the Curricular Unit activities, individual and/or group assignments, oral and written tests, etc., and Assessment by Exam, which assesses only the student’s performance at the exam he/she sits for.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities for Licenciado degree holders in Acupuncture include jobs and positions in:

• Hospitals;
• Rehabilitation centres;
• Spas and other thermal establishments;
• Sports structures;
• Special education schools and institutes;
• Institutions for the elderly.

Professional Title

The qualification gives access to the professional title of Acupuncturist, as defined in article no. 5 of the Law No. 71/2013, 2 September and following the ACSS norms.

UC – Curricular Unit | CH – Workload | ECTS – ECTS Credits | T – Theoretical | TP – Theoretical/Practical | PL – Practical and Laboratory | TC – Field Work | SE – Seminar/Internship | OT – Tutorial

Admission requirements

Successful applicants are admitted through one of the following competitions:

• Institutional Competition: completed secondary education and the following entrance exam group:
  • Biology and Geology + Physics and Chemistry

• Special Competitions:
  • Students Over 23 Years of Age
  • Holders of Higher Education Degrees
  • Holders of a Technological Specialization Diploma (DET)
  • Holders of a Higher Technical Professional Diploma
• Change of Institution/Course
• Readmission
• International Student
• Special Conditions Regimes: see the DGES site.

Diploma Requirements

A successfully concluded Undergraduate Degree in Acupuncture requires completion of a study program of 240 mandatory ECTS credits.

Consequently, Licenciado degree holders in Acupuncture acquire the skills and competences necessary to:

• Discuss the theories of acupuncture based on TCM and its implications;
• Integrate knowledge of the fundamental and clinical sciences into decision-making;
• Critically reflect on their professional performance, based on continuous training, taking into account ethics and codes of ethics;
• Demonstrate competence in diagnosis and management/adequacy of therapeutic plans;
• Select, implement and monitor interventions appropriate to the client’s needs;
• Communicate appropriately with all stakeholders and promote the therapeutic relationship;
• Apply methods and techniques of acupuncture in health promotion and treatment of diseases;
• Produce and maintain records and clinical data in compliance with legal requirements;
• Prescribe and implement ancillary acupuncture treatments;
• Critically evaluate scientific evidence, grounding the practice and the clinical reasoning;
• Demonstrate competence in clinical assessment and reasoning in complex and unpredictable situations;
• Know the limits of acupuncturist practice.

Accreditation / Evaluation

• Accredited by the A3ES – Portuguese Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Agency

• Published: 19/07/2018
• Decision of the A3ES Board of Directors