Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Admissions Requirements

Discover Your Path To Success: Pathways For Every Student

If you have at least 90 undergraduate credits and meet the admission requirements, you may apply directly to the DAcCHM program. If you have fewer than 90 credits, you can begin with the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Eastern Medicine concentration, which requires only 48 credits to enter and serves as a direct route into the DAcCHM program.

Prerequisite Entrance Requirements

  • 2.5 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale.
  • Don’t meet the GPA requirements? Students may still be considered for admission with the approval of the Dean.
  • Students who are missing a prerequisite course requirement or are looking to improve their GPA can choose to take an SCU Accelerated Science course and complete the requirements in as little as five weeks. SCU’s Accelerated Science courses are prequalified and guaranteed acceptance for this program. Click here to learn more.
  • Minimum of 90 undergraduate semesters or 135 quarter credits at an institution(s) accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency or a bachelor’s degree.
  • Introductory course in Physics is not required for admissions, but if you have taken it will reduce your need to take the course as co-requisites of the program.
  • Meet the technical standards (physical and technical requirements) to complete the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • If applicants do not fully meet these criteria, they may still be considered for admission with the Dean’s approval, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

Meet English Language Competency by One of the Following:

  • The student must have completed a two-year (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) undergraduate-or graduate-level, English-based education in an institution:
    • accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or
    • in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, or Ireland. In all cases, English must have been both the language of instruction and the language of the curriculum used;
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) -Acceptable score: TOEFL iBT total score 80; or
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)Academic Format -Acceptable score: IELTS overall band score 6.5.

Application Deadlines

  • To ensure an admission decision prior to the desired start term, applicants are encouraged to submit their application, all application documents, and supporting documents three to six months before their intended start date.
  • SCU admits students on a rolling basis.

Finish your bachelor’s as you complete your Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, with no added time

At SCU, we offer an embedded degree option that enables you to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine—simultaneously. The curriculum is designed so that many courses count toward all three degrees, enabling you to complete all three within the same timeline as the Doctorate alone.

  • Students interested in this embedded bachelor’s option must complete the required general education course requirements prior to enrollment. Contact your SCU Admissions Advisor for detailed information about program requirements, curriculum structure, and application procedures.

Turn 48 Credits Into Your Pathway to a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Degree

With 48 or more credit hours, you can enter the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Eastern Medicine concentration. This program fulfills the admissions requirements for the doctorate program and allows you to save money on your journey toward earning the degree. Learn More.

International Students

  • SCU welcomes applications from qualified students from other countries. The general admission requirements are identical for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. However, immigration regulations, varying educational backgrounds, and financial considerations require additional procedures necessary for international students.
  • For additional information please visit our International Students page.

Accessibility and Disability Services

Students seeking reasonable accommodations or support services while enrolled at SCU can do so through the Student Services Office (SSO). We encourage you to register with SSO as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the approval and notification process.