The Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM) curriculum at NUNM delivers a profound understanding of classical Chinese medicine (CCM) alongside a holistic education in Western biomedical sciences. This comprehensive approach covers various primary modalities , including herbal formulation, acupuncture, moxibustion, Asian bodywork, qigong, and nutrition. The program places a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, optimizing your proficiency as a practitioner while supporting your well-being throughout your training.
Clinical training is an integral part of the program, guiding students from observation of experienced practitioners to conducting comprehensive patient assessments and delivering individually tailored treatment protocols under expert supervision. Training in case report writing is woven throughout your clinical education, emphasizing the importance of documenting and communicating clinical experiences effectively.
2025-26 MAcCHM Curriculum
Below is the 2025-26 curriculum for the four-year Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program. For the current curriculum and course descriptions, visit the Course Catalog .
Year 1, Fall
Course # Course Hours Credits CM511 Foundations of CCM I 24.00 2.00 CM512 Chinese History and Culture I 18.00 1.50 CM513 Acu-Moxa Points I 24.00 2.00 CM514 Acu-Moxa Techniques I 24.00 1.50 CM515 Palpation and Perception I 24.00 1.50 CM819 Taiji I Practicum 18.00 1.00 CM699 Immunology 36.00 3.00 CM530 Introduction to Clinic 18.00 1.50 CM551 Business of Chinese Medicine I 18.00 1.50 Shiatsu I 30.00 1.25 First Year Fall Totals 234.00 16.75
Year 1, Winter
Course # Course Hours Credits CM501 Professional Development 12.00 1.00 CM516 Herbs I 24.00 2.00 CM521 Foundations of CCM II 24.00 2.00 CM523 Acu-Moxa Points II 24.00 2.00 CM524 Acu-Moxa Techniques II 24.00 1.50 CM525 Palpation and Perception II 24.00 1.50 CM829 Taiji II Practicum 18.00 1.00 IM643 Physics of the Human Body 24.00 2.00 CM556 Herbs I Practicum 12.00 1.00 CM562 Chinese Diagnostic Techniques I 24.00 1.50 Shiatsu II 30.00 1.25 First Year Winter Totals 240.00 16.75
Year 1, Spring
Course # Course Hours Credits CM531 Foundations of CCM III 24.00 2.00 CM572 Chinese Diagnostic Techniques II 24.00 1.50 CM533 Acu-Moxa Points III 24.00 2.00 CM534 Acu-Moxa Techniques III 36.00 2.00 CM535 Palpation and Perception III 24.00 1.50 CM526 Herbs II 24.00 2.00 CM566 Herbs II Practicum 12.00 1.00 CM599 Evidence Informed Practice 24.00 2.00 CM839 Taiji III Practicum 18.00 1.00 Shiatsu III 30.00 1.25 CM500 *Clinical Observation I Rotation 24.00 1.00 First Year Spring Totals 264.00 17.25 FIRST YEAR TOTALS 738.00 50.75
* 6 weeks that may be taken in winter or spring terms Year 2, Fall
Course # Course Hours Credits CM611 Cosmology and Symbolism I 24 2 CM612 Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine I 24 2 CM613 Acu-Moxa Points IV 24 2 CM614 Acu-Moxa Techniques IV 36 2 CM536 Herbs III 24 2 CM576 Herbs III Practicum 12 1 CM617 Survey of Western Medicine I 24 2 Western Pharmacology and Biochemistry 30 2.5 OAC523 Tuina I 24 1.25 CM519 Qigong I Practicum 18 1 CM600 Clinical Observation II Rotation 48 2 Second Year Fall Total 288 19.75
Year 2, Winter
Course # Course Hours Credits CM611 Cosmology and Symbolism I 24 2 CM612 Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine I 24 2 CM613 Acu-Moxa Points IV 24 2 CM614 Acu-Moxa Techniques IV 36 2 CM536 Herbs III 24 2 CM576 Herbs III Practicum 12 1 CM617 Survey of Western Medicine I 24 2 Western Pharmacology and Biochemistry 30 2.5 OAC523 Tuina I 24 1.25 CM519 Qigong I Practicum 18 1 CM600 Clinical Observation II Rotation 48 2 Second Year Fall Total 288 19.75
Year 2, Spring
Course # Course Hours Credits CM631 Cosmology and Symbolism III 24 2 CM632 Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine III 24 2 CM633 Acu-Moxa Points VI 24 2 CM634 Acu-Moxa Techniques VI 36 2 CM635 Practitioner Cultivation I 24 1.5 CM626 Herbs V 24 2 CM666 Herbs V Practicum 12 1 CM637 Survey of Western Medicine III 48 4 CM667 Acu-Moxa Anatomy II 18 1.25 OAC525 Tuina III 1.25 CM539 Qigong III Practicum 18 1 CM600 Clinical Observation II Rotation 48 2 CM671 Business of Chinese Medicine II 12 1 Second Year Spring Total 312 23 SECOND YEAR TOTALS 918 64.5
Year 3, Fall
Course # Course Hours Credits CM712 Clinical Medicine I 48 4 CM714 Adv. Acu-Moxa Techniques I 24 1.5 CM715 Chinese Medical Psychology I 24 2 CM636 Herbs VI 24 2 CM676 Herbs VI Practicum 12 1 CM717 Survey of Western Medicine IV 48 4 CM710 Clinical Case Presentation I 24 1 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM751 Business of Chinese Medicine III 18 1.5 Third Year Fall Totals 318 21
Year 3, Winter
Course # Course Hours Credits CM722 Clinical Medicine II 48 4 CM724 Adv. Acu-Moxa Techniques II 24 1.5 CM725 Chinese Medical Psychology II 24 2 CM727 Survey of Western Medicine V 48 4 CM777 Clinical Physical Diagnosis 24 1.5 OCM644 Integrated Gyn; Acupuncture Chinese Med 24 2 OCM664 Integrated Gyn; Herbal Chinese Med 12 1 CM720 Clinical Case Presentation II 24 1 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM994 Clinic Internship Entrance Exam-Practical Third Year Winter Totals 324 21
Year 3, Spring
Course # Course Hours Credits CM732 Clinical Medicine III 48 4 CM735 Applied Palpation and Perception 24 1.5 CM737 Survey of Western Medicine VI 48 4 CM799 Nutrition 24 2 CM889 Race and Disparities in Healthcare 24 2 CM730 Clinical Case Presentation III 24 1 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM700 Clinical Mentoring Rotation 48 2 CM770 Clinical Pre-Internship Rotation 24 1 CM995 Clinic Internship Entrance Exam-Written Third Year Spring Totals 312 19.5 THIRD YEAR TOTALS 954 61.5
Year 4, Summer
Course # Course Hours Credits CM805 Ethics and Jurisprudence 12.00 1.00 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48.00 2.00 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48.00 2.00 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48.00 2.00 Fourth Year Summer Totals 156.00 7.00
Year 4, Fall
Course # Course Hours Credits CM812 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial I 24.00 2.00 CM817 Physiology of Acupuncture 12.00 1.00 OCM640 Neuro-Ortho Acupuncture & Pain Mgnt 24.00 2.00 OCM660 Neuro-Ortho Herbal Medicine & Pain Mgmt 12.00 1.00 CM810 Internship Case Presentation I 24.00 1.00 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48.00 2.00 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48.00 2.00 Electives* 2.00 Fourth Year Fall Totals 192.00 13.00
Year 4, Winter
Course # Course Hours Credits CM822 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial II 24 2 CM826 Herbs Review/Medicinary Practicum 18 1.5 OCM646 Integrated Pediatrics; Acupuncture Therapeutics 12 1 OCM665 Integrated Pediatrics; Herbal Therapeutics 24 2 CM820 Internship Case Presentation II 24 1 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48 2 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48 2 CM861 Business of Chinese Medicine IV 18 1.5 Electives* 2 Fourth Year Winter Totals 216 15
Year 4, Spring
Course # Course Hours Credits CM832 Traditional Mentorship Tutorial III 24 2 CM813 Acu-Moxa Board Review 12 1 CM830 Internship Case Presentation III 24 1 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation 48 2 CM800 Clinical Internship Rotation* 48 2 CM996 Clinic Exit Exam Electives 2 Fourth Year Spring Totals 156 10 FOURTH YEAR TOTALS 720 45
^ These hours are cumulative and may be earned in a term other than the term registered. Totals
Clinic Lab Lecture Hours Credits First year totals 24 234 480 738 50.75 Second year totals 144 192 606 918 64.5 Third year totals 384 48 522 954 61.5 Fourth year totals 504 0 216 720 45 Totals ( includes 6 credit Electives) 1056 474 1824 3330 221.75
CCM Electives: 6 credits required.