Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Overview
An entry-level doctoral program that prepares you to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine within an integrative, whole-health model of care. You’ll learn acupuncture, herbal therapy, and Western biomedical sciences like anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and diagnostic imaging.
The program blends conventional and complementary medicine, considering the physical, mental, social, and environmental factors that affect a patient’s health. You’ll also get interprofessional education, learning with and about other healthcare disciplines.
If you’re drawn to whole-person healing and want a rigorous clinical education grounded in science, this field can be a strong fit. You’ll graduate ready to diagnose and treat using both Eastern and Western frameworks, work in varied care settings, or run your own practice.
You’ll be able to formulate Oriental medicine diagnoses, prescribe acupuncture and moxibustion treatments, design herbal formulas, and build more. You’ll also gain skills in evidence-based practice, business management, communication, and interprofessional collaboration.
Admissions and Application
You’ll need a minimum 2.5 GPA and at least 90 semester or 135 quarter credits (or a completed bachelor’s degree) from an accredited institution. Visit the Admissions Requirements page for the full list of requirements.
No. With at least 90 semester credits, you can enter the DAcCHM directly. With at least 47 credits, you can start in SCU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (Eastern Medicine concentration) first. Visit the Admissions Requirements page to see which path fits your credits.
Yes. You can qualify through prior coursework at an English-based institution or by meeting minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores. See the International Students Admissions page for current score requirements.
Submit your application and documents three to six months before your intended start term. SCU reviews applications on a rolling basis, so applying early helps. Check the application deadlines for upcoming terms.
Take SCU’s prequalified Accelerated Science Courses, completable in as little as five weeks, to fill gaps or boost your GPA.
Yes. SCU’s Master’s Graduate Transfer Program lets MAOM alumni transfer applicable coursework into the doctoral curriculum, completing the DAcCHM in as little as 12 months, typically up to two years.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Please see the Tuition and Scholarships page for the current term-by-term breakdown.
No. SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee locks in your per-credit rate for your program’s length, as long as you stay on track to graduate. Full terms are on the Cost and Affordability page.
Yes. You may qualify for federal financial aid, plus SCU scholarships specifically for DAcCHM students, including merit-based awards, an out-of-state scholarship, and a relocation housing scholarship. See SCU’s Graduate Student Aid page for current offerings.
Program Length & Format
It depends on your format:
- Full-time, daytime/evening: about 3 years, 4 months (10 terms)
- Full-time, evening: about 4 years (12 terms)
- Part-time Flex Schedule: typically 4 to 7 years (12 to 20 terms)
A part-time, blended option letting you progress at your own pace over 12 to 20 terms. Courses run on-ground, blended, and online, with day, evening, and weekend classes, so it fits well around work or family commitments.
Curriculum & Training
Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, clinical lab diagnosis, pharmacology, nutrition, emergency procedures, Chinese medical theory, acupuncture and meridians, Chinese herbology, business management, and integrative clinical education.
Yes, through Acupuncture Orthopedics (treating neuromuscular conditions with acupuncture and herbs) or Healthy Aging (managing age-related conditions through Chinese and biomedical approaches, lifestyle, and nutrition).
Clinical Experience
Training starts in year one at SCU’s on-campus health clinics, which see tens of thousands of patient visits annually. You’ll then rotate through SCU Health Clinics and affiliated sites, treating patients under supervision in an integrative care setting.
Yes. Beyond campus rotations, you may train at affiliated sites like Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). SCU is the only acupuncture school with hospital rotations at CHOC, a nationally ranked teaching hospital.
Licensure & Accreditation
Yes. It’s accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and approved by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB).
The NCBAHM examination and the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE). Passing both, plus meeting state requirements, is required to practice in the U.S.
Career Outcomes
Primary/general care, integrative practices, and specialty practices like orthopedics/sports medicine or women’s health. Many alumni open private practices, and some teach or research.
Demand and pay vary by region, specialty, and practice type. Please visit the Careers page for current data from O*Net OnLine for the latest outlook as you plan your career.
The large majority practice in Southern California which gives you a strong regional network and referral base if you plan to stay local.
Yes. The curriculum’s practice management courses and clinical operations experience prepare you to “be your own boss” in private practice, building a schedule and business that fits your goals.