The Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture is an acupuncture school specializing in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture. The school offers a Master of Acupuncture degree and emphasizes personal transformation, nature-based learning, and traditional oral teaching methods.

ITEA is located in Louisville, Colorado, in the Boulder/Denver area.

Yes. ITEA is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM).

ITEA offers a Master of Acupuncture degree focused specifically on Classical Five-Element Acupuncture.

ITEA focuses exclusively on Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, an oral tradition introduced to the West by Professor J.R. Worsley. The program emphasizes treating the body, mind, and spirit together while supporting deep personal growth and transformation.

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture is a traditional acupuncture system that seeks to restore balance physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through alignment with the elements and nature.

ITEA’s faculty includes internationally recognized practitioners and educators in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture. The program is directed in part by Hilary Skellon, daughter of J.R. Worsley.

Yes. Students gain practical experience through ITEA’s student clinic, where they provide affordable acupuncture treatments under supervision.

No. ITEA intentionally keeps class sizes limited to create a close-knit learning environment with individualized attention.

Yes. The program is designed for students who are eager to learn both academically and through personal experience, observation, and relationship-building.

ITEA seeks students interested in personal transformation, natural medicine, helping others, and experiential learning.

ITEA does not require prior medical experience. Prospective students should contact admissions for detailed prerequisites.

While there is some online engagement, in-person learning is required for the duration of the program. Our Hybrid Track includes both in-person learning and online engagement. This allows flexibility for adult learners. Residency in Colorado is required for Year 3.

ITEA promotes an experiential and community-oriented learning environment focused on observation, nature, self-awareness, and interpersonal development.

Yes. Prospective students can contact the school to learn about tours, events, and admissions opportunities.

Yes. ITEA operates both a student clinic and a community AcuWellness clinic offering acupuncture treatments.

Yes. The school offers a free weekly community AcuDetox clinic for community members, including veterans, active military, first responders, and healthcare workers.

Yes. Members of the public can receive affordable acupuncture treatment through the student clinic.

ITEA’s accredited Master of Acupuncture program is designed to support professional acupuncture practice. Students should verify licensure requirements for their specific state.

Accreditation helps ensure educational quality and may be required for licensure, financial aid eligibility, and professional recognition.

ITEA specializes in traditional Classical Five-Element Acupuncture rooted in the teachings of J.R. Worsley.

The Hybrid Track is ITEA’s low-residency Master of Acupuncture program focused on Classical Five-Element Acupuncture. It combines in-person intensives in Colorado with online learning modules and live virtual classes.

The program is designed to be completed in approximately 37 months.

Yes. The program is nationally accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM).

Graduates earn a Master of Acupuncture degree specializing in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture.

ITEA’s Hybrid Track focuses specifically on Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, emphasizing sensory development, relationship-based healing, personal transformation, and experiential learning rather than purely academic instruction.

Students participate in:

• Monthly in-person Intensives in Louisville, Colorado
• Online learning modules
• Live virtual classes
• Independent study and assignments between Intensives

For the first 19 months, students attend 4-day Intensives approximately once per month in Louisville, Colorado.

Yes. Students are not required to reside in Colorado during the first two years of the program.

Students relocate to the Louisville area during Year 3 to complete clinical internship training in the ITEA Clinic.

Yes. The Hybrid Track is specifically designed to accommodate healthcare professionals and other working adults who need greater flexibility while pursuing acupuncture training.

Many students can continue working during the first two years because of the low-residency structure. However, students should expect a demanding academic workload.

Students can expect approximately 20–30 hours of homework per week between Intensives.

The program is ideal for:

• Students with at least 90 college credits
• Healthcare practitioners
• Students with acupuncture or healthcare backgrounds
• Licensed massage therapists
• Individuals seeking a transformational healing profession

No, but healthcare experience is helpful. The program welcomes students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds.

Yes. ITEA specifically notes that licensed massage therapists are encouraged to apply.

Yes. Professional experience in healthcare-related settings may apply toward certain program requirements.

Year 1 includes:

• Fundamentals of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture
• Diagnostic principles and skills
• Anatomical palpation and point location
• Pathology
• Pharmacology and nutrition

The first year emphasizes sensory discernment and understanding the laws of nature rather than purely intellectual memorization.

Students deepen their understanding of:

• Point location
• Diagnostic skills
• Listening and rapport-building
• Pharmacology and pathology
• Chinese medicine philosophy and history

Clinical training begins during Year 3 at the ITEA Clinic in Colorado.

Clinical education includes:

• Supervised patient treatment
• Case studies
• Practice management
• Leadership and professionalism
• Western medical testing
• Advanced treatment situations

Yes. The program includes biomedical sciences, pathology, pharmacology, anatomy, and western medical testing alongside Classical Five-Element Acupuncture training.