Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Study Abroad
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 herbal 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:
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TUTCM)
By the coast of the Bohai Sea, Tianjin is home to one of the oldest universities of TCM founded in China. TUTCM has six affiliated hospitals, 30 teaching hospitals, and a TCM research institute. University publications include the Journal of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Chinese Encephalopathy Magazine. - Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SDUTCM)
Notable as the birthplace of Confucius, Shandong translates to “East of the Mountains.” As a landscape rich with culture, the province of Shandong is significant in the history of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. SDUTCM was founded in 1958. It is the only independent medical university in the province of Shangdong. - China Medical University (CMU)
CMU is based in central Taiwan in the city of Taichung, famous for its open-air night markets, hot springs, and pleasant climate. Established in 1958, CMU offers a rich environment that teaches Western medicine, Chinese medicine, pharmacy (including Chinese herbology), life sciences, and management. CMU has two teaching hospitals.
SCU students training at China Medical University (Taichung, Taiwan)
National & International Collaboration
SCU partners with universities and hospitals across the Los Angeles area and around the world
Student Testimonials
Shelby
Student, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine program
Mackenzie
Student, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine program
Mayra
Student, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine program
Dr. Jamie Kuljis
Graduate, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
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.
My favorite part of SCU is the collaboration from our beginning terms. We were working alongside chiropractor students, PA students, and ayurvedic students. It’s a unique community where we get to learn about these different fields and sit in classrooms with them and work with them in the clinic. It allows you to get an understanding of all the different fields and how they can work together, and what is unique about your field. I think that is a wonderful aspect that I didn’t think was going to be as prominent as it is here; even now, in my upper term classes and I am not in class with chiropractic students, I can still reach out to them about a certain aspect I may not understand or if I am working on a case. I want another perspective I know I have them to reach out to, so that has been a great networking community to have resources for.
Message from the Dean
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.
Jenny Yu, DACM, LAc.
Dean, Eastern Medicine Department
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Faculty
Sivarama P Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda), DACM, MPH
Assistant Program Director, Eastern Medicine Department
Advisory Board
Our AcCHM programs are 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.
Dr. Kevin Liu is the founder of Risen International Culture Exchange Center (RICEC), an international nonprofit organization providing diversified platform for scholars around the world. With an excellent reputation and professional team, RICEC has gained high credibility and established partnerships with many universities and research institutes in the United States, China, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Kevin has a Doctorate in Business Administration and a master’s in journalism and speaks four languages. He is committed to providing high-quality educational services, and helping students to grow and cultivate a noble sense of social responsibility.
