Accreditation of TCVM Programs
World Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (WATCVM) Committee on Accreditation of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Education (CATCVME)
To view the WATCVM Accreditation of TCVM Programs Guidelines in its entirety, please click here.
Introduction: Why the accreditation of TCVM institutions is important
The Committee on Accreditation of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) Education (CATCVME) of the WATCVM represents the highest standard of achievement for TCVM education world-wide. Veterinarians that earn certification from a WATCVM-accredited institution confirm the best education and training in all TCVM modalities.
Accreditation is a process by which a TCVM training institution or program submits the required details to WATCVM-CATCVM to determine whether it meets accepted standards of TCVM quality. The WATCVM-CATCVM develops standards and conducts reviews of TCVM programs. An institution, college or program is considered fully accredited when it is found to meet these standards.
Veterinarians seeking Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) must have graduated from a veterinary college listed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Foreign/Documents/ecfvg12.pdf)
OR The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (http://www.eaeve.org/about-eaeve/member-establishments.html)
In summary, WATCVM accreditation of a TCVM training institution or program assures:
- that the graduates, as Certified in Veterinary Acupuncturists (CVA) from WATCVM-accredited institutions, have met competency standards for entry level practice of acupuncture (ACP) on animals
- employers with a CVA designation have achieved specified learning goals and are prepared to begin practicing veterinary ACP
- veterinary faculty/college administration are hiring well-educated practitioners in both theory and practice of ACP to teach and perform ACP in veterinary teaching hospitals
- animal owners are assured that the health and safety of their animals are being addressed; and
- the veterinary profession that the science and art of TCVM are being advanced through contemporary curricula
To continue reading the WATCVM Accreditation of TCVM Programs Guidelines, please click here.