Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the professional Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program provides comprehensive education and training in the following areas:
- Cultural and philosophical foundations of traditional Chinese medicine;
- Chinese language with a focus on medical terminology;
- Analysis of classical Chinese medical texts (Wen Bing Xue, Jin Gui Yao Lue, Shang Han Lun, etc...)
- Traditional Chinese medical concepts (physiology, pathology, diagnostics, point location and point energetics);
- Acupuncture treatment principles and practical skills;
- Tui Na;
- Traditional Chinese herbal medicine and dietary therapy;
- Related studies, including introductory Chinese language skills, ethics and practice management;
- Qi Development;
- Laboratory and other diagnostic findings;
- Nutrition;
- Health Care Systems and Policy;
- Professional Development;
- Biomedical clinical sciences to a level required for competence in contemporary practice of acupuncture and Chinese medicine;
- Clinical internship;
Clinical requirements include a minimum of 150 hours of observation/assistantship and 900 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Graduation Requirements
The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization is granted to those candidates who have:
- Completed the required course of study of the program, of which the last academic year has been in residence at Northwestern Health Sciences University;
- Completed the required 177 total credits;
- Has completed a minimum of 75% of their clinical hours within the NWHSU clinical system;
- Demonstrated competency in clinic and completed internship requirements;
- Earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better;
- Fulfilled all financial obligations to the University;
- Been recommended for graduation by the faculty.
Graduation Rate
Please refer to our website for the most recent graduation rate statistics.
The College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine makes no guarantee of employment for students upon completion of the program.