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FLEXIBLE LEARNING OPTIONS:
9 TERMS | 3 YEARS, FULL-TIME DAYTIME1
11 TERMS | 3 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS, FULL-TIME EVENING2
PART-TIME OPTION (FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE WITH DAY, EVENING, AND WEEKEND CLASSES)
Spring: January 6th, 2025
Summer: May 5th, 2025
Fall: September 2nd, 2025
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are a form of Traditional Medicine. They were established thousands of years ago and have developed into a well-established, effective, and popular form of healing for countless patients around the world. SCU’s Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) program honors tradition, teaches students to treat individuals with a variety of conditions, and prepares students to formulate and prescribe therapies including acupuncture needling, cupping, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and more.
SCU offers technologically advanced classrooms and labs, diverse clinical learning opportunities, and a fun and engaging college experience. As a well-studied health care methodology, acupuncture is a whole paradigm into itself, a way of thinking that can be combined with Western medicine or applied in evidence-informed ways to treat the whole person.
Completion of SCU’s Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program prepares students to be eligible for the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE) and the National Certification Commission For Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which enable students to become licensed.
SCU’s model of experiential learning in interprofessional settings combines learning alongside other healthcare disciplines, coursework, clinical experiences, community engagement, and campus clubs to introduce students to a variety of philosophies, practices and treatment options; help students develop a broad base of knowledge; and prepare future healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of integrative, evidence and team-based, whole-person healthcare.
Graduates are prepared for the business side of their career in acupuncture with three business management courses. Learn how to sustain and operate a business, and study practice management theories that help you succeed after graduation. You will acquire business success skills through 75 hours of courses in practice management and jurisprudence, in addition to gaining clinical experience as early as your second term.
Students have two class options, daytime or evening. Daytime students can complete the program in as little as three years and four months. Evening students can complete the program in as little as four years taking courses in the evening and on select Saturdays. Clinical training is completed during regular business hours. Students interested in working while they study should consider the part-time flexible “Flex Schedule” option. SCU’s part-time option is designed to provide students with the ability to extend their time to completion.
If you have 47 credit hours or more, you can enter the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Eastern Medicine, saving you both time and money toward earning your Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Students can elect to continue their studies for one additional term (4 months) and be awarded both the MAcCHM and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) degrees.
Our practitioner faculty bring timely experience to the classroom every day, supplementing their lectures with practical advice. Many SCU faculty members earned degrees in more than one discipline, offering a comprehensive perspective of health care. Discover real-world insights from faculty who currently practice acupuncture, and who are deeply connected to the field beyond a theoretical and academic perspective. At the intersection of two worlds, our practitioner faculty help guide your first steps into the world of acupuncture practice, paving the way for a more gentle and gradual transition from student to professional. All clinical faculty in acupuncture have a minimum of 10 years of clinical experience.
At SCU, our low clinical faculty to student ratio of 1 clinical faculty member to 5 treating students is designed for a more personalized, supportive learning experience. The primary advisor for each student is a content expert in acupuncture, ensuring that you benefit from the mentorship of practicing faculty in your precise field of study.
The scope of practice for acupuncturists varies by state. In California, Chinese herbology is included within the scope of practice. Learn from a comprehensive curriculum that includes Chinese herbal medicine in addition to acupuncture.
Learn at one of the only acupuncture schools in the nation with a cadaver lab. Cadaver-based anatomy is a classic teaching method that offers invaluable lessons and insight into the shape, feel, and function of the body. During this unique experience for future acupuncturists, students express reverence and awe as they approach the body to make their first cut in real tissues and structures. The cadaver lab offers unparalleled insight into anatomical variation, structure, and function to help you become an outstanding provider.
Education at SCU is supplemented by advanced anatomical teaching tools. All learning technologies are available on site, and many are also accessible at home. SCU offers convenient access to anatomy educational materials outside of normal classroom hours. Advanced learning technologies include:
Students train at a modern health center with an enriched teaching environment. The SCU Health System provides care to over 45,000 patients per year. The University Health Center is equipped with an expansive herbal pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, and an electronic health record system. Located on-campus in Whittier, it has 36 private treatment rooms and 1,000 square feet dedicated to active care space. Interact with other health professions and disciplines and learn how to co-manage patients in an integrated setting within an interdisciplinary team environment. Begin clinical training as early as your second term.
SCU is the only acupuncture school with access to hospital rotations at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Students are eligible to complete part of their clinical training at CHOC through SCU’s exclusive affiliation. CHOC is nationally ranked in seven specialties by US News and World Report, and listed as one of the best regionally ranked hospitals in California.3
With the opportunity to learn through direct experience in a private practice setting, you can gain invaluable insight that will better prepare you for private practice after graduation.
SCU is dedicated to integrative health. Our MAcCHM graduates become patient-centered, team-based healthcare professionals. We prepare students to be great providers through a variety of methods, including a diverse mixture of classical and innovative teaching tools to help you learn in a comprehensive way. Education at SCU is evidence-informed and treats the whole person.
Respect for Chinese medicine’s cultural and philosophical roots forms the foundation of SCU’s MAcCHM program. The curriculum includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, clinical laboratory diagnosis, pharmacology, nutrition, emergency procedures, traditional Chinese classical medical theory and related techniques, acupuncture and meridians, Chinese herbology, business management, exercises such as tai chi and qi gong, and integrative clinical education.
Excellence in healthcare begins with excellence in education. Our vision at the Eastern Medicine Department is to make a difference in the world through education and healthcare. It motivates our administrators, faculty, and staff, by nurturing future generations of integrative healthcare practitioners who are passionate about helping others. We commit profoundly to the University, to our community, and more importantly, to our students.
The students at the Eastern Medicine Department experience unique education by taking courses alongside students in multiple healthcare programs and truly uncover integrative awareness. The early exposure to clinical education in our state-of-the-art health centers enhances their knowledge learned in the classroom with the coalitions of hands-on practice to connect between classroom theory and the reality of presenting these services to the community. Our rigorous curriculum strives to educate skilled integrative practitioners who are sensitive to current healthcare needs. Our outstanding and experienced faculty has taken a leadership role in ensuring that we offer our students a comprehensive and stimulating course of study.
At the Eastern Medicine Department, student success means being student-centered, treating all students with dignity and respect, and ensuring that we are serving all of our students. We have been providing an integrative education of honoring the tradition and yet embracing the modern for over two decades. We focus not just on enrolling students, but furthermore to support them in achieving success while maintaining academic rigor and relevance. Our faculty and staff members work diligently to provide students with optimal, diverse, and personal educational experiences.
At a time when healthcare education and practice are rapidly growing and transforming, we are witnessing an intersection of great challenge and a great opportunity. At the same time, we are determined to prepare practitioners who will continue to excel, shape, and promote health care in this environment of healing evolved.
We welcome and heartily invite you to embark on this sensational journey at the Eastern Medicine Department at Southern California University of Health Sciences. Together, we will make a difference in the world.
Dean, Eastern Medicine Department
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Our MAcCHM program is overseen by our advisory board members which are composed of senior university academics, industry leaders, and content experts from around the world focused on continually improving the program.
The Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine degree program at Southern California University of Health Sciences is the first to be awarded programmatic accreditation by The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) on the West coast. ACAHM granted accreditation to Southern California University of Health Sciences professional doctoral program in English under applicable ACAHM standards effective 24 February 2018.
The following programs offered by Southern California University of Health Sciences are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):
The programs listed above may offer courses via distance education. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level. Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.
ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331; phone 952/212-2434; https://acahm.org
One of the great things about SCU is we do have a campus layout, so all your classes aren't in a single room. We have our cadaver lab. We have different specialty rooms for physical assessment classes vs. acupuncture classes. All our acupuncture-specific classes have all the herbs in the room. You can pull out the herbs and look at them, whether in class or in between classes to get that extra studying in.
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March is National Nutrition Month, which promotes the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. Along with a balanced diet, taking vitamins and supplements can also improve overall health. While there are many options available, if I could only choose three, they would be Omega 3 fish oil, Vitamin D, and Magnesium. These three vitamins offer a range of benefits, from improving brain function to reducing inflammation and supporting bone health.
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March is National Nutrition Month, which promotes the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. Along with a balanced diet, taking vitamins and supplements can also improve overall health. While there are many options available, if I could only choose three, they would be Omega 3 fish oil, Vitamin D, and Magnesium. These three vitamins offer a range of benefits, from improving brain function to reducing inflammation and supporting bone health.
Southern Californians can receive free Chiropractic Care and have their vitals checked by a physician assistant at an upcoming SCU Health Tent Event community outreach clinic in East Whittier. SCU Health offers free clinics in a continuing effort to serve the community with integrative healthcare services, increase the awareness of integrative healthcare benefits, and provide students with clinical experience and patient treatment.
SCU Health’s Tent Event will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 1–4 p.m. on the campus of Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), at the Sports Medicine Clinic inside Building T, across from the University Health Center. The campus is located at 16200 Amber Valley Drive Whittier, CA 90604.
March is National Nutrition Month, which promotes the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. Along with a balanced diet, taking vitamins and supplements can also improve overall health. While there are many options available, if I could only choose three, they would be Omega 3 fish oil, Vitamin D, and Magnesium. These three vitamins offer a range of benefits, from improving brain function to reducing inflammation and supporting bone health.
March is National Nutrition Month, which promotes the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. Along with a balanced diet, taking vitamins and supplements can also improve overall health. While there are many options available, if I could only choose three, they would be Omega 3 fish oil, Vitamin D, and Magnesium. These three vitamins offer a range of benefits, from improving brain function to reducing inflammation and supporting bone health.
Elections were recently held for the 2023 SCU ASB Executive Board (E-board) annual student leadership positions, including President, Vice President, CCO Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Community Liaison.
Congratulations to the following elected student leaders for 2023 who will serve a one-year term beginning Jan. 2023, through Dec. 2023.
President: Joanna Quintana (top left)
Vice President: Tim Schrijver (top middle)
Secretary: Kristeen Shamas (top right)
Treasurer: Eira Perez (bottom left)
Community Liaison: Madison Park (bottom middle)
CCO Chair: John Krueger (bottom right)
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Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (ACM) has been a primary, whole-person health care system in Asia for centuries. MAcCHM and DAcCHM graduates can be found in family and preventive health practices, in specialties such as orthopedics/sports medicine and women’s health. In almost all settings, you will work with people of a wide variety of ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
As an acupuncturist, you’ll have many career options available to you, including:
In addition to their practices, many ACM graduates become teaching faculty at ACM and other institutions where they may also conduct research.
the average annual wage for a Doctor of Acupuncture in California1
expected growth from 2018 to 2028 in California, faster than the average for all occupations2
Our MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs nurture students to be ready to “be their own boss” if they aspire to open their own practice. The curriculum not only teaches technical content, but also includes business content with three practice management courses.
You also learn clinical operations while participating in clinical training. For example, SCU’s Health Center is an open-to-public clinical facility. You also have the opportunity to shadow private practice practitioners in their offices.
Our MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs support student leadership. This mindset empowers you to become your own boss after graduation. Practice owners can build businesses that reflect their values, their schedule, and their preferred work-life balance.
View the sites below for job and career resources.
The Eastern Medicine Department (EMD) non-credit study abroad experience provides interested students the opportunity to learn ancient techniques and theories where acupuncture and Chinese medicine originated, paired with modern scientific research from prestigious universities and hospitals. EMD students typically study abroad during the two-week intersession between Spring and Summer terms. The EMD currently affiliates with esteemed organizations in China and Taiwan, including:
SCU students training at China Medical University (Taichung, Taiwan)
SCU partners with universities and hospitals across the Los Angeles area and around the world
Our approach to Interprofessional Education is unique in California and across the country. Here, modern medicine unites with ancient and traditional healing arts to create an environment of engagement. SCU’s groundbreaking IPE model combines curriculum, clinic, community, and clubs to help you develop a broader base of knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives on care which leads to a seamless transition from student to practitioner.
We bring together aspiring students from different disciplines so you can learn and excel side-by-side. The depth and breadth of this dynamic experience will prepare you to one day take the lead in a collaborative, interprofessional practice.
View our application requirements above or fill out a request for information to start speaking with an enrollment advisor today.
If you have 90 credit hours or more and meet other admission standards, you are eligible for the Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Students at SCU have many financial assistance opportunities available to them in order to cover their educational expenses. It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office to assist our students as much as possible to afford their education. Talk with a financial counselor by calling (562) 947-8755 ext 766 or click here to learn more
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