# Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine

> private graduate college in Seattle, Washington

**Wikidata**: [Q7442115](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7442115)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Institute_of_East_Asian_Medicine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/seattle-institute-of-oriental-medicine

## Summary
The Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine (SIOM) was a private graduate college in Seattle, Washington, specializing in East Asian medicine. Founded in 1996, it offered master’s degree programs focused on traditional practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine. The institution closed in December 2020.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1996 and dissolved on December 9, 2020.
- Located in Seattle, Washington, at 444 NE Ravenna Blvd, Suite 101.
- Operated as a private for-profit educational institution with 31 students and 31 employees (as of September 2020).
- Classified by the Carnegie system as a "special focus four-year" institution and "exclusively graduate/professional."
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
- Provided master’s programs in East Asian medicine, emphasizing clinical training and traditional practices.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine established?
A: The institute was founded in 1996 and operated until its closure in 2020.

### Q: What programs did SIOM offer?
A: It specialized in master’s degree programs for East Asian medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, with a focus on clinical practice.

### Q: Why did the institute close?
A: The exact reason for closure is not specified in available data, but public records indicate it dissolved on December 9, 2020.

## Why It Matters
The Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine played a significant role in educating practitioners of East Asian medicine in the United States. As a specialized graduate institution, it addressed the growing demand for traditional healthcare practices by integrating classical Chinese medicine with modern clinical training. Despite its closure, SIOM contributed to the professional development of licensed acupuncturists and herbalists, reflecting broader trends in integrative healthcare. Its focused curriculum and small student body emphasized hands-on learning, filling a niche in alternative medicine education during its 24 years of operation.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus**: Exclusively offered graduate programs in East Asian medicine, distinct from broader university offerings.
- **Accreditation**: Held accreditation from ACAOM, a key credential for professional practice in the field.
- **Small-Scale Education**: Maintained a 1:1 student-to-employee ratio (31 students and 31 staff in 2020), enabling personalized training.
- **Clinical Emphasis**: Required extensive clinical hours, preparing students for licensure in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

## Body
### History
- Founded in 1996 as a private for-profit graduate college.
- Dissolved on December 9, 2020, per Washington state corporate records.

### Academic Programs
- **Master’s Degree**: Offered a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM) with a focus on classical Chinese medicine.
- **Curriculum**: Included acupuncture, herbal medicine, and clinical practice, requiring over 2,800 hours of training.
- **Accreditation**: Programs accredited by ACAOM, enabling graduates to pursue licensure in the U.S.

### Closure
- The institute closed in 2020 after 24 years of operation. No official reason was provided in public disclosures, but the closure followed broader challenges in specialized higher education.

### Institutional Profile
- **Classification**: Recognized by the Carnegie Classification as a "special focus four-year" institution and "exclusively graduate/professional."
- **Location**: Based in Seattle at 444 NE Ravenna Blvd, Suite 101 (ZIP: 98115-6467).
- **Online Presence**: Maintained a website (siom.edu) and social media accounts (@sieamedicine on Instagram and Facebook).

### Legacy
- SIOM trained practitioners in traditional East Asian medicine, contributing to the workforce in integrative healthcare.
- Its closure marked the end of a dedicated regional institution for acupuncture and herbal medicine education.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [OpenCorporates](https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_wa/601524242)
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. [Source](http://www.siom.edu)
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
9. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
10. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)