The Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine is a four academic year professional degree curriculum designed to prepare graduates to be effective, competent, and caring members of the Chinese medicine profession.
The Academy’s MAcCHM program can be completed in three calendar years/ four academic years by full-time students. The curriculum is divided into two portions: the pre-professional courses of the first two calendar years; and the graduate courses of the final calendar year.
The preprofessional courses are considered to be equivalent to the latter two upper division years of a baccalaureate program. Written and practical comprehensive examinations are given in order to assess and determine each student’s eligibility for the next level of study and for graduation.
The Chinese arts of acupuncture, acupressure, herbal prescription, Taiji and qigong, and meditation are all based upon the study of the foundational theories of yin and yang, the five elements, and eight principles.
The practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine is able to determine the condition of the patient’s health by feeling and studying the pulse, observing the tongue, and asking specific questions. Whether the diagnosis is understood and explained in terms of the meridians, the internal zangfu organs, qi and blood, nutrition, or lifestyle, the patient’s imbalances and the practitioner’s treatment plan are always unified by the coherent framework which is traditional Chinese medicine.
By practicing Taiji Quan and qigong, students learn that simple, graceful, moving meditation takes motivation, dedication, perseverance and sensitivity.
Development of these character traits through meditative practice helps students to sustain the rigorous academic program and develop the perception necessary to practice an energetic form of medicine.
ACCHS MAcCHM By the Numbers
Clinic portion:
- 960 hours total
- 300 hours of Observation
- 250 hours of Pre Internship
- 410 hours of Internship
- Clinical Externships Available
Didactic portion:
- 2245 hours total including Basic Sciences & CPR
- Acupuncture 375 hours
- Herbology 550 hours
- Theory & Diagnosis 450 hours
- Western Medicine 360 hours
- Professional Development 210 hours
- Basic Science Co-Requisites 300 hours
- 181 Credit Units / 3205 Clock Hours
- $309 per didactic unit
- $20.60 per clinic hour
- $59,637 + $1,800 in fees:
- $61,437 total investment
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What Is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese medicine is one of the oldest formalized medicines. Many of its tools, techniques, and theories were developed prior to recorded history. Chinese medicine today is one of the most robust, comprehensive, and capable medicine traditions whose purpose is to treat the whole human-being, not just eliminate pain or illness.
Why ACCHS?
MORE CHINESE TEACHERS:
Because we offer our MAcCHM in both English and Chinese languages, we employ more Chinese faculty, most of whom teach in both programs. As the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, we place special emphasis on learning where this medicine comes from, honoring its ancient roots and the culture it comes from.
Why ACCHS?
CLASSICAL CHINESE MEDICINE:
The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences was established in 1982 by Master Wei Tsuei, making it the 2nd oldest Acupuncture school in the United States. As one of the few schools focused in Classical Chinese Medicine, we seek to honor and restore the roots of this medicine as it was meant to be practiced, as well as the Chinese culture that it comes from–this is why we are the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences.
Classical Chinese Medicine has its roots in Daoism. Through CCM philosophy, we approach everything in the universe as being interconnected and interdependent. Our program follows a classics-based approach to this ancient Chinese philosophy and practice, rather than the more modernized TCM practices.
From ClassicalChineseMedicine.org: “Classical Chinese Medicine invites you to explore the essence of Oriental medicine from a perspective that goes far beyond the institutionalized phenomenon presently known as “TCM” (traditional Chinese medicine). Since the 1970s, the TCM process of packaging the multi-faceted roots of Chinese medicine into the sterile confines of a highly standardized model has been eagerly absorbed by educational institutions in Europe and America, and is rapidly becoming the dominant face of Oriental medicine today. While TCM represents the recent marriage between local Chinese resources with the methodology of scientific materialism, Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) remains firmly committed to its ancient roots. CCM is a science in its own right, embedded in the mytho-poetic mode of observing and describing nature, which linked the spheres of macro- and microcosm in ancient China and became preserved in a set of works honoured as “the classics.””
Why ACCHS?
COMMUNITY:
As one of the oldest schools for TCM, we believe our approach towards education best suits individuals who are looking for more than just a degree and license, but a life long practice. We offer much more than courses and grades. We offer the promise of evolution, community, and balance.
Full time students progress through the program together, taking the same classes each term. They study together for four years and form lasting friendships and connections, often going into practice together upon graduation. Student clubs, student council, and campus events help further this sense of community.
At ACCHS, it is our mission to create a supportive, rewarding, and close-knit community environment where students grow into their capacity as a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you’re looking for a program steeped in Chinese culture with amazing teachers and a nurturing community, then ACCHS is your school.
Why ACCHS?
DISTANCE LEARNING:
Because of our focus in Classical Chinese Medicine and working from the roots of this medicine, we are offering in-person learning for all hands on classes in the MAcCHM. We believe that this is the best way for you to gain a deeper understanding of this medicine and its lineage.
Basic Science Co-Requisites will continue to offered via distance learning until further notice.
Becoming an Acupuncturist
To legally practice Chinese medicine in California, students are required to satisfactorily graduate from a Masters level (or higher) Chinese medical educational program at an accredited institution, or satisfy the requirements of the Tutorial Program.
Upon graduation at ACCHS, students may sit for the California Licensing Exam, or CALE, which is the state-mandated test required to practice Chinese medicine in California. After successfully passing the CALE, students will be granted the legal capacity to provide medical treatment in California as primary care providers using the various tools of Chinese medicine. Eligible students may also take the NCCAOM licensing exam.
ACCHS prepares it’s students for successful completion of the licensing exams through a series of comprehensive evaluations throughout the course of the program. Tutoring and study supports are available to all students at no cost throughout the program.
Our California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE)
pass rate for first time test takers was 100%
1/1/2023 – 6/30/2023
Our alumni open up private practices–solo or with their classmates, start or work at community clinics, work with hospitals, low-income and Veterans clinics, corporate workplaces, and cruise ships, and join the private practices of esteemed established practitioners.
They specialize in veterinary acupuncture, fertility, orthopedics, oncology, cosmetology, mental health, classical chinese herbalism, and more. They go on to further their education and deepen their practices with advanced Doctorates and PhD in Chinese Medicine and related studies. They practice as licensed acupuncturists, herbalists, tuina massage therapists, taiji and qigong masters, health coaches, physical therapists, and more.
They teach at acupuncture schools nationwide, are invited to provide continuing education courses, and guest lecture around the world. They further our medicine as Deans of acupuncture schools, leaders in chinese medicine associations, and founders of chinese medicine programs.
With your MAcCHM, you can not only be a practitioner, you could start an herbal supplement line, become a researcher in the field, start a continuing education school, found an acupuncture supply company, develop acupuncture review courses and study aids, start an herbal medicine farm, write a book on your speciality, and so much more.
MAcCHM Learning Outcomes
Our MAcCHM program provides established and licensed practitioners the professional capacity to:
Deepen Classical Understanding
Deepen your knowledge of the Chinese Medical Classics and apply this knowledge directly in the clinic
Discern Clinical Reasoning
Master and integrate foundational theory guiding clinical reasoning for assessment, diagnosis, and intervention
Communicate & Integrate
Appropriately communicate and integrate with other medical practitioners at an Expert level
Master Pain Management
Efficiently assess, manage and treat musculoskeletal pain conditions using classical anatomy, orthopedic testing, and TCM principles
Explore New Modalities
Apply major Chinese medicine modalities including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and manual therapy with greater skill
Increase Referrals
Practice high-level skills in consultation and collaboration with other healthcare practitioners and insurance providers
Build Your Practice
Measure and document patient conditions for insurance providers and non-TCM healthcare practitioners and cultivate clinical practice management, organization, and direction of end-to-end patient services
Supervise and Teach
Competently perform clinical supervision and teaching of upper-graduate level Chinese medical student
Conduct Scientific Research
Engage in original, creative, critical scientific/scholarly inquiry to synthesize & communicate knowledge
Class Schedule
We can accommodate full or part-time students, with classes offered only two days a week, year round.
English language program
Classes Tuesdays & Thursdays
Chinese language program
Classes Saturdays & Sundays
Clinic shifts
Monday-Saturday, including evening options
