General Policies

At the heart of our community is a deep commitment to the well-being and inclusivity of all members. We foster an engaged and diverse community of learners, embracing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Our approach to scholarship is rooted in ethics, where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged, provided they are shared respectfully and thoughtfully. Everyone is welcome in our community and training programs, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, background, or educational history. Just as diversity is a hallmark of thriving ecosystems, we celebrate it as essential to our growth.

In today’s challenging world, our community serves as a sanctuary where individuals can come together to learn and rejuvenate. To maintain a welcoming environment in our classes, we have a zero-tolerance policy for derogatory comments, bullying, grandstanding, or disrespectful behavior. If a student continues to exhibit unwanted behavior despite receiving feedback from staff, they may be expelled from the program without a tuition refund or the right to appeal, at the discretion of the primary course teacher. Additionally, they may be barred from future training opportunities.

If you have concerns or complaints, please reach out directly to your primary course teacher. For issues arising during live clinical trainings, please communicate with the teaching assistants or the primary teacher. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for everyone.

Guidelines for Learning New Skills

Learning new skills requires a combination of knowledge and common sense. To ensure a safe and effective learning experience, please follow these guidelines:

  1. Skill Level and Supervision: Instructors will demonstrate advanced clinical skills prior to student practice. It’s crucial to practice within your skill level and not attempt new techniques without proper training and supervision.
  2. Course Objectives: The Foundations Level I class focuses on providing basic skills necessary for treating common issues in primary care. This course does not cover the treatment advanced or complex illnesses, which are addressed in Level II Advanced Training courses. Level I students should not use their training to treat these conditions or promote their ability to do so. However, students with prior experience in treating such conditions may continue using those techniques.
  3. Safety Precautions: Pneumothorax is a significant medical complication associated with acupuncture. When learning new techniques, especially in sensitive areas like the chest, diaphragm, shoulder, and neck, exercise extra caution. Instructors and teaching assistants monitor student treatments closely, but it’s essential to be mindful of your actions.
  4. Safe Learning Environment: Our instructors and teaching assistants strive to create a safe learning environment. However, it may not be possible to monitor every student interaction. It’s vital to prioritize self-care during training. You have the right to decline any clinical exercise or treatment without explanation or apology. Taking sufficient downtime and practicing self-monitoring are encouraged.
  5. Collaborative Learning: Clinical training involves working closely with peers. Occasionally, students may unintentionally cause discomfort during practice sessions, such as palpating too deeply. Providing constructive feedback can help improve their skills.
  6. Respect and Consent: Always ask permission before examining another student or patient. Proper draping should be used consistently to maintain a respectful and professional environment.

Helpful Links

2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Training

Professionalism

I agree not to engage in unprofessional, disrespectful or unsafe behavior at any time. The instructor may expel me from classes for unprofessional, disrespectful or unsafe behavior without prior warning. Such determinations are made at the discretion of the instructor and are not subject to review or appeal. If a student is expelled for such behavior, no refund will be issued.

Class Safety

  • I agree to take responsibility for my own physical and emotional care and well-being. If I feel uncomfortable or unsure of what is happening or have an adverse reaction to an exercise, it is my decision and responsibility to withdraw and notify the attending instructor.
  • I will not engage in activities that I believe threatens my personally safety, or exercises and lectures that feel invasive or uncomfortable. I will excuse myself if I feel tired or ill, contact the instructor about my decision, and refrain from participating in the activity.
  • I agree not to perform techniques observed in clinical demonstrations until they have been properly demonstrated and reviewed.
  • I agree not to perform treatments between the seventh cervical vertebrae and the second lumbar vertebrae in the thorax or in the axilla unless specifically directed by the instructor. I agree to account for and properly dispose of acupuncture needles within an appropriate sharps container.
  • I agree that Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC, Dr. Edward Neal MD, the owners, instructors, employees, contractors, and all third parties associated with courses hosted by Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC and this website (neijingstudies.com) do not assume any risk whatsoever for my enrollment in courses or use of this website and the information contained herein, and make no warranties nor express or implied representations whatsoever regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, comparative or controversial nature, or usefulness of any information contained or referenced in the courses offered by Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC and on this Website.
  • By enrolling in the courses offered by Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC or using this website, I agree that all parties associated with this website and the materials contained herein WILL NOT be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to my use of any information or practices presented herein.

Supporting your Journey

We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you encounter unexpected challenges such as a medical illness, family difficulties, or sudden financial hardships, you may be eligible to take a leave of absence from your training with the instructor’s approval. In this case, you can resume your studies at the same point in a future calendar year, provided space is available.

Course Prerequisites

Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: 2-Year Postgraduate Training

No prerequisites are required for the 2-Year Postgraduate Online Mentorship or Wisdom of the Cosmos trainings.

Eligibility for Clinical Skills Training

To participate in clinical skills training during our Clinical Practicums, students must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be medically licensed in their local area (where applicable).
  • Be currently enrolled in a recognized training program.

Acceptable medical licenses and training programs include:

  • Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Physician Assistant (PA) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Naturopathic physician
  • Chiropractor
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Licensed Professional Body Worker
Neijing Nature-Based Medicine Advanced Training

Students who have successfully completed the Neijing-Nature Based Medicine: 2-Year Postgraduate Training (Online Lecture Series + all 3 Clinical Practicums) are eligible to apply for the Advanced Training. Due to the clinical nature of the advanced level of study, applicants must be medically licensed in the locality in which they live. Acceptable medical licenses or training programs include LAc, MD, PA/FNP, and RN.

Important Notice: Use of Course Materials and Copyright Protection

At our community, we value the free exchange of ideas and information, which is essential for our growth and success. To maintain this environment, we must respect and protect intellectual property from plagiarism and theft. Therefore, we have a strict zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism, which includes any form of using others’ ideas or writings without proper attribution.

Personal Use of Course Materials

Course materials are provided exclusively for personal study. If you wish to use these materials for teaching, writing, or research purposes, you must first obtain written permission from the course instructors or relevant parties involved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited

Sharing, copying, broadcasting, or using course materials in any form of media, research, teaching, or publications without prior written authorization is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized use in publications or other media venues. Violations may result in immediate dismissal from the course without a tuition refund and may lead to legal action. Access to course lectures and materials is reserved for officially registered students who are up to date with their tuition payments.

Payment and Refund Policy

By enrolling in courses offered by Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC, I agree to the Payment and Refund Policies.

Apricot Grove Refund Policies

Maintaining financial health is necessary for our long-term planning. For this reason, our class tuition refund policy is as follows:

ONLINE COURSES, LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS
  • Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Training 2025/27 program: $450 deposit required at the time of registration is non-refundable.
  • All online programs, courses, and workshops: 60 days prior to the first class: 100% of tuition balance may be refunded (not including deposit listed above).
  • All online programs, courses, and workshops: 45 days prior to the first class: 75% of tuition balance refunded (not including deposit listed above).
  • All online programs, courses, and workshops: Less than 21 days prior to the first class: no tuition refunds are given.
  • Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: “Wisdom of the Cosmos” (1st Semester Course): Pay in full is required at the time of registration (based on your registration status: Professional, Student, or Non-Medical Audit.). $350 is non-refundable and the refund policies above apply to the remaining balance.

NOTE: If you enroll in a Payment Plan and withdraw prior to the beginning of the class as outlined above, you are still responsible for any balance due less the refund amount.

IN-PERSON COURSES, LECTURES, AND WORKSHOPS (INCLUDING CLINICAL PRACTICUMS)

Due to the administrative cost requirements of in-person trainings, the refund policy is different from that of online courses:

  • To reserve a position for an in-person training, a $350 deposit required at the time of registration is non-refundable.
  • 45 days prior to the first class, 75% of tuition balance may be refunded.
  • Less than 30 days prior to the first class, no class refunds are given.

NOTE: Tuition for in-person training does not include room, board, or travel costs.

Payment Plan

By this contract, I agree to make payments to Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC, hereafter known as “Lender,” by the following schedule in exchange for enrolling in courses offered by Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC. This payment schedule is enforceable by law, and the methods described below will be used in cases of delinquent payment.

By this agreement, it is agreed that a payment will be surrendered to the Lender on the specified dates until the total of the payment required has been delivered.

The Payment Plan is divided into five payments of 20% of the remaining tuition cost after the deposit of $450.00 USD.

The Lender charges a 4% administrative fee (calculated on the cost of tuition after deposit of $450.00 USD is subtracted) to enter into a Payment Plan Agreement. The total fee is due at the time of registration, when the first payment is due.

Payment Plan Schedule

Tuition payment plans are paid in 1 deposit and 5 installments. The payment schedule for the Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: 2-Year Postgraduate Training 2025/27 program is as follows:

  • Deposit – $450 – Due at time of registration
  • 1st Installment – due August 24, 2025 (20% of balance due after deposit + 4% admin fee)
  • 2nd Installment – due November 24, 2025 (20% of balance due after deposit)
  • 3rd Installment – due February 24, 2026 (20% of balance due after deposit)
  • 4th Installment – due May 24, 2026 (20% of balance due after deposit)
  • 5th Installment – due August 24, 2026 (20% of balance due after deposit)

This agreement is binding, and failure to meet its terms will allow the Lender to take certain recourse against me. As a courtesy, the Lender offers a courtesy for the first returned or unpaid Installment Payment. After the first incident, insufficient or returned payments will incur a fee of $35.00 USD.

If payment should not be delivered in total or at all, Lender will be entitled to seek recourse, including collections and legal action as possible under Oregon State and United States federal laws.

Note About Your Payment Plan Responsibilities

An invoice is delivered at the beginning of the program with your payment plan schedule, which includes the installment dates and the tuition amounts you can expect to pay. We recommend adding the dates to your calendar, but we also send a reminder message approximately 2 weeks before each installment is due. The bank card used to pay the 1st Installment will be charged on the date your tuition installment is due, or shortly thereafter. If there is a problem with the card (expired, declined, you choose not to save the method on file), we will send an invoice for the amount due. After 10 business days of an unpaid invoice, course participants will lose access to the online classroom and weekend live classes.

You are responsible for all payments until the full tuition is paid, whether you finish the program or not. We understand that life happens and it’s not always possible to complete a course. If a significant life impacting issue arises, it’s your responsibility to contact us as soon as possible so we can help you find ways to complete your studies. In extreme cases, we will work with you to make up missed classes through recordings or find ways to help you continue your studies in a future course. You are required to agree to these legally binding terms and conditions when registering for the program.

© 2025 Apricot Grove Educational Services, LLC
Updated: March 25, 2025