Academics

Curriculum – Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM) curriculum features an in-depth, four-year course of study. Building upon the foundation of the MAcCHM program, students will comprehensively explore ancient symbol science and macrocosm-microcosm relationships in the context of classical Chinese medicine (CCM).

You will also learn to integrate evidence-based biomedical analysis into your practice and work collaboratively within the healthcare system. Furthermore, students develop the skills to describe CCM theory and techniques to patients and the public, applying principles from classical texts to clinical scenarios.

Clinical training is a significant program component, focusing on developing foundational knowledge, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and technical skills. The training progresses from observation to active involvement in patient care, emphasizing individual treatment plans and patient-centered care.

Year One

Fall See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 911 Classical Texts I: Introduction to Classical Chinese Language and the Chinese Classical Texts Lecture 36 3.00 
CM 511 Foundations of Classical Chinese Medicine I Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 512 Chinese History and Culture I Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 513 Acu-Moxa Points I (Point Actions) Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 514 Acu-Moxa Techniques I (Point Location) Lecture & Lab 24 1.50 
CM 515 Palpation and Perception I Practicum Lab & Lecture  24 1.50 
CM 518 Qigong I Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 519 Qigong I Practicum Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 551 The Business of Chinese Medicine I Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 530 Introduction to Clinic Lecture 18 1.50 
First-Year Fall Totals Lab: 36; Lecture: 180  Total Hours: 216 16.50 

Winter  See Course Description
Course CatalogCourse  Hours Credits 
CM* 921 Classical Texts II: Introduction to Classical Chinese Language and the Chinese Classical Texts Lecture 36 3.00 
CM 521 Foundations of Classical Chinese Medicine II Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 522 Chinese History and Culture II Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 502 Professional Development Lab 12 1.00 
CM 562 Chinese Diagnostic Techniques I Lecture & Lab 24 1.50 
CM 523 Acu-Moxa Points II (Point Actions) Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 524 Acu-Moxa Techniques II (Point Location) Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 525 Palpation and Perception II Practicum Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 516 Herbs I Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 556 Herbs I Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 528 Qigong II Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 529 Qigong II Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
First-Year Winter Totals Lab: 48; Lecture: 240  
Total Hours: 252 
19.00 

Spring See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 931 Classical Texts III: Introduction to Classical Chinese Language and the Chinese Classical Texts Lecture 36 3.00 
CM 531 Foundations of Classical Chinese Medicine III Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 532 Chinese History and Culture III Lecture 18 1.50 
CM* 595 Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries I Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 572 Chinese Diagnostic Techniques II Lecture & Lab 24 1.50 
CM 533 Acu-Moxa Points III Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 534 Acu-Moxa Techniques III (Point Location) Lab & Lecture 36 1.50 
CM 535 Palpation and Perception III Practicum Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 526 Herbs II Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 566 Herbs II Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 599 Evidence-Informed Practice Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 538 Qigong III Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 539 Qigong III Practicum Lecture18 1.50 
CM 500 Pre-Observation Clinic Rotation 24 1.00 
First-Year Spring Totals Clinic: 24; Lab: 60; Lecture: 234;  
Total Hours: 318 
58.50 

First-Year Totals – Clinic: 24; Lab: 144; Lecture: 618; Total Hours: 786; Credits: 58.50 

Year Two

Fall  See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 971 Classical Texts VII: Neijing Seminar Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 661 Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism I Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 612 Chinese Pathology I Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 613 Acu-Moxa Points VI Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 534 Acu-Moxa Techniques VI Lab & Lecture 36 2.00 
CM 615 Asian Bodywork Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 536 Herbs III Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 566 Herbs III Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 617 Biomedicine I Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 699 Immunology Lecture 36 3.00 
CM 618 Qigong IV Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 539 Qigong IV Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 600 Clinic Observation Rotation 48 2.00 
Second-Year Fall Totals Clinic: 48; Lab: 48; Lecture: 234;  
Total Hours: 330 
23.59 

Winter  See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 981 Classical Texts VIII: Neijing Seminar Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 621 Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism II Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 622 Chinese Pathology II Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 623 Acu-Moxa Points V Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 663 Auricular Points Lab & Lecture  18 1.25 
CM 534 Acu-Moxa Techniques V Lab & Lecture 36 2.00 
CM 616 Herbs IV Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 656 Herbs IV Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 617 Biomedicine II Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 657 Acu-Moxa Anatomy I Lab & Lecture 18 1.25 
CM 628 Qigong V Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 629 Qigong V Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 615 Asian Bodywork Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 600 Clinic Observation  48 2.00 
Second-Year Winter Totals Clinic: 48; Lab: 48; Lecture: 234;  
Total Hours: 330 
23.50 

Spring  See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 991 Classical Texts IX: Neijing Seminar Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 631 Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism III Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 632 Chinese Pathology III Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 633 Acu-Moxa Points VI Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 634 Acu-Moxa Techniques VI Lab & Lecture 36 2.00 
CM 635 Practitioner Cultivation I Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 626 Herbs V Lecture  24 2.00 
CM 666 Herbs V Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 637 Biomedicine II Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 667 Acu-Moxa Anatomy II Lab & Lecture 18 1.25 
CM 638 Qigong VI Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 639 Qigong VI Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 600 Clinic Observation  48 2.00 
CM 671 The Business of Chinese Medicine II 12 1.00 
Second-Year Spring Totals Clinic: 48; Lab: 54; Lecture: 246;  
Total Hours: 348 
24.75 

Second-Year Totals – Clinic: 144 | Lab: 150 | Lecture: 714 | Total Hours: 1008 | Credits: 71.75 

Year Three

Fall  See Course Description
Course CatalogCourse  Hours Credits 
CM* 941 Classical Texts IV: Shanghan Lun, Jingui Yaolüe Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 711 Advanced Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism I Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 712 Clinical Medicine I Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 714 Advanced Acu-Moxa Techniques I Lab & Lecture  24 1.50 
CM 715 Chinese Medical Psychology I Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 636 Herbs VI Lecture24 2.00 
CM 676 Herbs V Practicum Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 717 Biomedicine IV Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 718 Qigong VII Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 719 Qigong VIII Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 710 Clinical Case Presentation I 24 2.00 
CM 700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation  96 2.00 each rotation 
CM 751 The Business of Chinese Medicine III 18 1.50 
Third-Year Fall Totals Clinic: 120; Lab: 24; Lecture: 252;  
Total Hours: 396 
27.00 

Winter  See Course Descriptions
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 951 Classical Texts V: Shanghan Lun, Jingui Yaolüe Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 721 Advanced Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism II Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 721 Clinical Medicine II Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 724 Advanced Acu-Moxa Techniques II Lab & Lecture  24 1.50 
CM 725 Chinese Medical Psychology II Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 727 Biomedicine V Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 777 Clinical and Physical Diagnosis Lab & Lecture  24 1.50 
CM 728 Qigong VIII Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 729 Qigong VIII Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 710 Clinical Case Presentation II 24 1.00 
CM 700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation  96 2.00 each rotation 
Third-Year Winter Totals Clinic: 120; Lab: 36; Lecture: 210;  
Total Hours: 366 
24.00 

Spring  See Course Descriptions
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 961 Classical Texts VI: Shanghan Lun, Jingui Yaolüe Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 731 Advanced Chinese Organ Systems: Cosmology and Symbolism III Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 795 Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries II Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 732 Clinical Medicine III Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 735 Applied Palpation and Perception Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM 737 Biomedicine VI Lecture 48 4.00 
CM 799 Nutrition Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 889 Race and Disparities in Health Care Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 738 Qigong IX Retreat Lab 12 0.50 
CM 739 Qigong IX Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 730 Clinical Case Presentation III 24 1.00 
CM 700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation  96 2.00 each rotation 
CM 770 Clinical Pre-Internship Rotation 24 1.00 
Third-Year Spring Totals Clinic: 144; Lab: 24; Lecture: 240;  
Total Hours: 408 
27.00 

Third-Year Totals – Clinic: 384 | Lab: 84 | Lecture: 702 | Total Hours: 1170 | Credits: 78.00 

Fourth Year 

Summer  See Course Description
Course CatalogCourse  Hours Credits 
CM* 845 Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries III Lecture 0.50 
CM 805 Ethics and Jurisprudence Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 800 Clinical Internship Rotations 144 2.00 each rotation 
Fourth-Year Summer Totals Clinic: 144; Lecture: 18;  
Total Hours: 162 
7.50 

Fall  See Class Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM* 537 CCM View of Biomedicine Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 812 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial  Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 815 Practitioner Cultivation II Lab & Lecture 24 1.50 
CM* 855 Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries IV Lecture 0.50 
CM 817 Physiology of Acupuncture Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 819 Taiji I Practicum Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 810 Internship Case Presentation I Clinic 24 1.00 
CM 800 Clinical Internship Rotations 96 2.00 each rotation 
Fourth-Year Fall Totals Clinic: 120; Lab: 12 Lecture: 84;  
Total Hours: 216 
12.50 

Winter  See Course Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM 822 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial II Lecture 24 2.00 
CM* 865 Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries V Lecture 0.50 
CM 826 Herbs Review/Medicinary Practicum Lecture  18 1.50 
CM 829 Taiji II Practicum Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 820 Internship Case Presentation II Clinic 24 1.00 
CM 861 The Business of Chinese Medicine IV Lecture  18 1.50 
CM* 862 Healthcare Landscape Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 800 Clinical Internship Rotations 48 2.00 each rotation 
CM 900 Collaborative Care Clinic Rotation  60 2.50 
Fourth-Year Winter Totals Clinic: 132; Lecture: 96;  
Total Hours: 228 
13.50 

Spring  See Class Description
Course Catalog  Course  Hours Credits 
CM 993 Doctoral Capstone Mentorship Lecture 24 2.00 
CM 813 Acu-Moxa Board Review Lecture 12 1.00 
CM 832 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial III Lecture  24 2.00 
CM* 857 Eastern and Western Correspondences 24 2.00 
CM 839 Taiji III Practicum Lecture 18 1.50 
CM 800 Clinical Internship Rotations 96 2.00 each rotation 
CM 820 Internship Case Presentation II Clinic 24 1.00 
CM 930 Collaborative Care Case Clinic Presentation  24 1.00 
CM 871 Community Education Lab 240.50 
Fourth-Year Spring Totals Clinic: 120; Lab: 12; Lecture: 108;  
Total Hours: 240 
14.50 

Fourth-Year Totals – Clinic: 516 | Lab: 24 | Lecture: 306 | Total Hours: 846 | Credits: 48.00 

256.75 Credits (without electives) = 3822 Total Hours without Electives

266.75 Credits (with Electives) = 3942 Total Hours with Electives