Why study Chinese Medicine at NUNM?

NUNM offers a rigorous, high-quality educational experience, one that prepares you for a wide range of career options. 

One very simple reason people choose to study Chinese Medicine at NUNM is because we offer 3 different options — you can choose to earn your Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization, or Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization.

The basic difference among these three programs is the depth of training, educational hours, and hands-on professional preparation and clinical practice. 

Students who choose the Master of Acupuncture program will develop a foundational mastery of Chinese medicine modalities, with a particular focus on acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Qigong, Shiatsu, and Tuina. 

Many students choose the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) specialization to gain foundational training in these same Chinese medicine modalities as in the Master of Acupuncture while also receiving comprehensive education in Chinese herbal medicine, including herbal formulas and poultices.

Others who choose to pursue their Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) specialization will earn the same foundational mastery of Chinese medicine modalities while delving into doctoral-level coursework , in-depth study of classical texts,and advanced, hands-on clinical training.

Within our clinical training sequence, students progress from clinical observation to mentored skill development before ultimately participating in an advanced supervised internship experience.

As part of the doctoral-level clinical training, students also complete a Collaborative Care Rotation, where they work alongside other healthcare practitioners and interns, including naturopathic doctors, in an integrative clinical setting.

By the end of these programs, students will graduate with the education, training, and hands-on experiences necessary to advance into the next phase of their careers. 

What are the differences between the Master and Doctoral programs?

How long are the MAc, MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs?

The Master of Acupuncture is designed as a two or three-year program.

The Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialty is designed as a three- or four-year program. 

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialty is designed as a four-year program. 

How many credits do you earn in the MAc, MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs?

The Master of Acupuncture is a 129.5-credit program

The Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialty is a 175.75-credit program.

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialty is a 199.25 -credit program. 

Each program is $538 per credit hour.

What are the educational differences between these three programs?

The primary educational difference among the MAc, MAcCHM, and DAcCHM programs lies in the breadth and depth of training in Chinese herbal medicine, clinical education, and doctoral-level study.

NUNM’s Master of Acupuncture (MAc) program provides foundational education and clinical training focused primarily on acupuncture and related Chinese medicine modalities, preparing graduates for acupuncture licensure and entry-level clinical practice.

The Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (MAcCHM) builds upon this foundation by incorporating comprehensive training in Chinese herbal medicine, including herbal formulas and related therapeutic applications, preparing graduates for licensure and broader clinical practice in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (DAcCHM) includes the same foundational and herbal medicine training as the MAcCHM program while further advancing students through doctoral-level coursework, deeper study of classical texts, advanced clinical reasoning, collaborative care experiences, integrative healthcare training, and enhanced supervised clinical practice

Can you earn your MAc, MAcCHM or DAcCHM degree online?

For these three programs, the first year of instruction can be taken online. The remaining years must be completed in person. 

What are the prerequisites for the MAc, MAcCHM or DAcCHM programs?

These three  programs share the same set of prerequisites.

Applicants are not required to have earned a bachelor’s degree before applying, but they must have completed at least 90 semester credit hours (equivalent to 135 quarter credit hours) of undergraduate coursework. 

These 90 (135) credit hours must include completion of prerequisite courses that NUNM considers foundational to the understanding of our programs. 

These foundational knowledge courses include: 

• General biology
• General chemistry
• Psychology
• Humanities

Additionally, although these courses are not required, students who excel in NUNM’s Chinese Medicine program have historically had experience in anatomy and physiology, systems science, biochemistry, cellular biology, Chinese history and language, and/or the philosophy of science. 

What is the application process for the MAc, MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs?

Although the application process for the MAc, MAcCHM, and DAcCHM programs is similar to that of many universities, NUNM believes there is one quality that can truly distinguish applicants: passion.

We seek to educate and support the next generation of Chinese medicine practitioners—individuals who are committed to helping their communities achieve greater wellness while advancing the field of Chinese medicine.

Before beginning the application process, applicants should demonstrate a strong academic foundation, including a minimum 3.0 GPA across all prerequisite coursework.

Beyond academic preparation, we want to learn more about who you are, what motivates you, what you are passionate about, and the unique perspectives and experiences you would bring to NUNM’s diverse and inclusive community.

Why are you drawn to the study and practice of Chinese medicine? What experiences have inspired your professional goals?

Once you are ready to thoughtfully answer these questions, you are prepared to begin the application process.

Learn more about NUNM’s application process.  

How can I learn more about NUNM’s Chinese medicine programs?

To learn more about our MAc, MAcCHM or DAcCHM programs to determine which pathway is right for you and goals, we encourage you to contact our admissions team.

You’ll learn about these program offerings, our campus community and culture, and why earning your degree at NUNM is an experience unlike any other. 

Contact us today — we can’t wait to meet you.