Programs
You can begin taking classes or a program at any time. We offer on-going classes which you can choose from to fit your schedule. Classes are offered mornings, evenings, and weekends (year-round). Enrolled students can review most classes for free on a space available basis.
Course Length
The length of time needed to complete the 150 hours ranges from one to eight months. Four-week intensives are usually offered 3 times a year. See current class schedule .
Class Size
Class enrollment is limited, ranging in size from 4 to 22 students.
Methods of Instruction include hands-on demonstrations, lecture presentations, and supervised clinical practice sessions. Some classes may also have teacher training students available to assist the instructor.
Enrollment
Students must be 18 years or older. To enroll, call for a counseling appointment or send a completed application with your tuition.
Supervised Clinical Practice Sessions: Each Wednesday from 5 to 7pm the Institute offers students of all levels an opportunity to practice with other students and ask questions of the faculty supervisor, at no additional cost.
Documenting Clinical Practice
Students are required to submit 7 case studies and 5 assignments (totalling 12 write-ups) to their evaluating instructor in typewritten form. A case study includes the client's background, complaints, points used, and results. Guidelines for these write-ups are provided at the time of enrollment.
Evaluation/Consultation
After completion of 90% of the classes, students turn in their 12 write-ups to the core instructor of their choice. Upon successful completion of a one hour verbal and hands-on evaluation, the student will receive a diploma. No written exams.
Course Materials
Class sheets and booklets are provided at no charge although there are some required books. A reading list of other recommended materials is available upon request.
Objective
Acupressurist (Masseur/Masseuse) DOT 334.374.010 Shiatsu Practitioner (Masseur/Masseuse) DOT 334.374.010 Occupational titles are defined by the U. S. Department of Labor.
Facilities
Located in a two-story building, we offer classes in two spacious, comfortable, carpeted rooms with displays of charts, reference materials, tables, chairs, and massage supplies. Since students work on floor mats as well as on tables, shoes are removed before entering the classrooms. This institution, the facilities it occupies, and the equipment it utilizes fully complies with the federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations, including fire, safety, building saftety, and health requirements.
Continuing Education Credits
The Board of Registered Nurses (Provider Number 00793) has approved Acupressure Institute’s classes for continuing education except for self-improvement classes.
Student Records
Enrolled students are advised that state law requires the Acupressure Institute to maintain school and student records for only a five-year period. We encourage students to keep track of their own records.
Blind Students
The Institute has trained many blind students to practice acupressure. The school limits enrollment to one blind student per class. Each hands-on demonstration is given to the blind student while others observe, or an advanced student is assigned to work with the blind student.
Work Trade
Students can work off up to half of their tuition through work trade if available. If you need financial assistance and have time to work, request a work trade application.
Housing Information
The Institute provides (upon request) a list of local housing resources including brief descriptions, costs, locations, and phone contacts. The approximate cost range for housing is $550 and up per month. Our school does not have a dormitory and requires students to arrange for their own housing.
Language Proficiency
Our programs are taught in the English language only. A student’s ability to comprehend spoken and written English is necessary. Translation services are not provided by the school.
Class Registration
To reserve a space in a class, send a deposit of 1/3 the class fee or the full class fee. You can call to reserve a space if you have paid in full for a program or to charge your payment on a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card). To guarantee a space in a class, students are required to pay in full for the class at least five working days in advance of first class date. For non-enrolled students, class deposits are not transferable unless you notify the Acupressure Institute at least five working days prior to the start of class. A student (18 years or older) can attend classes without enrolling in a certification program.
Review Policy
Enrolled Program Students in Good Standing* may Review classes taken in their Program(s) for FREE (subject to the conditions below):
- Reviewing is always on a Space Available Basis.
- Clinical classes (such as Acupressure Clinic & Apprenticeship Training) classes are not Reviewable.
- You may sign-up in advance to Review a class at any time under the conditions of your contract. Reviewing students understand that this privilege is on a space available basis. New students take priority before review students.
- After a Program's anniversary date and the student has graduated, the student may review a class within their original program for a fee of $75 per class.
- If a classes' content or timing substantially changes (25% or more new or revised content or timing) it becomes a New Class, and thus is not Reviewable.
- Any student reviewing a class understands that all of AI's policies and rules apply as far as attendance and tardiness.
*A Student is in Good Standing when tuition payments are current, and no behavioral issues are pending. If a student is not in good standing, then Review privileges are suspended until financial and behavioral issues are resolved AND the Director (or Associate Director) has formally reinstated the student in good standing.
Credit for Previous Experience
Students can receive up to 30% academic credit for equivalent courses taken elsewhere and financial credit based on a $7 hourly rate. No credit is given for private practice. Documentation must be provided at enrollment for credit to be given. The maximum amount of credit granted per area of study is 25 hours.
Program Extensions
Students may extend the length of their program for 8 additional months, along with signing a new contract by paying a $100 re-registration fee for the 150-hr, 100-hr and 250-hr programs. Student may extend the length of their 500-hr or 1000-hr program by one year by paying a $100 re-registration fee and signing a new contract. If the program is not completed after that extended period of time, any program tuition increases will be charged in addition to the re-registration fee.
Tardy Policy
Students are encouraged to be on time for classes. If a student has over three tardies (over 15 minutes late) he/she will be given a warning. After five tardies, the student may be put on probation and lose review privileges. If tardiness continues, the student may be asked to leave the program.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is recorded and essential for all classes. Students are required to complete at least 90% of their program to graduate. Missed portions of a class can be made up (on a space available basis) by attending future classes at no extra cost. Requests for individualized, special instruction beyond what is offered in the program such as tutoring may be charged an additional fee. More than two no-shows for a class without five day notification or doctor’s written excuse or documentation of an emergency will forfeit a student’s review privileges for all classes in the student’s program. Students who have given the school a 5-day notice or note from a doctor or documentation of an emergency can reschedule to take the class.
Health & Hygiene
Students will fill out a health form upon enrollment to make sure special needs can be met. If you are pregnant, have had surgery, or an injury or have mobility or disability issues, which inhibit your ability to participate in class, please discuss this with a school counselor before coming to class, and inform your instructors in all classes. Please respect yourself and the needs of other students by remaining home when you are contagious and/or running a fever. Good hygiene is also an important issue for practicing bodywork. Wear loose, comfortable, neat, clean clothing, and dress modestly. Please avoid wearing fragrances and perfumes. Smoking is prohibited on school property.
Dismissal Policy
Students are subject to dismissal for disciplinary reasons at the discretion of the Director. Violation of safety, poor hygiene, serious disruptive incidents, obscenity or vulgarity, unsatisfactory progress, failure to make payments, and recurring attendance problems are examples of misconduct that may result in dismissal. A dismissed student will not be allowed to re-enroll.
Complaint Policies
Our policies include a Conflict Resolution Procedure, Sexual Harassment Policy, Disciplinary Policy, and Code of Conduct to protect the rights of all students. These policies are designed to create a professional atmosphere for learning and sharing. These policy details are available upon request.
If you experience problems including, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment, conflict, or any form of inappropriate behavior, we encourage you to bring these issues to the attention of your instructor or a student counselor. If the situation is not resolved, contact the manager or director. Unresolved complaints may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary & Vocational Education, 1027 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95815, (916) 445-3427. Minor complaints can be put in our suggestion box.
Tuition Refund Policy
A student shall be refunded all monies paid upon written cancellation of enrollment, delivered to the school in person or by certified mail by the 5th business day after enrollment unless the student attended the first class of the course of instruction. If a student withdraws from the program 5 days after starting the course, the Institute will remit a refund less the registration fee. We will refund the monies within 10 days after receiving notice and reason of the cancellation. The student must pay for all equipment, books, and classes attended or not properly dropped.
The student will receive the refund of the down payment or full payment made on a program, less the registration fee, for only those classes that have not been attended. Students are only entitled to receive a refund if the total cost of the classes already taken is less than the amount of money they have paid. If a student has attended a portion of a class, no refund will be issued. The student is welcome to complete the class or make it up at a later date.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund
California law requires (Education Code Section 94343) that the Acupressure Institute support the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF), a special fund established by the California Legislature to reimburse students who might otherwise experience a financial loss as a result of the institution’s closure, breach of the course agreement of instruction, or a decline in the quality or value of the course of instruction, within the 30-day period before the institution’s closure. The Fund protects only resident California students.
Enrollees are encouraged to keep a copy of any enrollment agreement, contract, or application to document their enrollment, along with tuition receipts or cancelled checks. Such information may substantiate a claim for reimbursement from the STRF, which must be filed within one year of the Bureau’s service on the student of their rights under the STRF, or if no notice of rights is served to the student, within four years of institution’s closure. For more information contact: Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 1027 10th Street, Fourth Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-3427.