Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Overview
What is SCU’s Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) program, and what will it prepare me to do?
This degree prepares you to become a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, blending traditional techniques with Western medical training. You’ll graduate ready to sit for licensing exams, with the option to continue into SCU’s Doctorate program. Learn more on the Program Overview page.
What's the difference between the Master's and Doctorate programs, and which should I choose?
The difference shows up in career paths beyond direct patient care.
The Doctorate tends to be the stronger credential if you’re aiming for teaching positions at acupuncture colleges, program director roles, hospital or academic settings, or research careers, since those opportunities generally favor doctoral-level training.
If your goal is primarily clinical practice, the Master’s gets you there just as fully. Master’s students can bridge into the Doctorate with about 16 additional credit hours (roughly 4 more months), continuing with the same faculty and clinical training rather than starting over.
Admissions & Applying
Do I need to have already earned a bachelor's degree to apply?
No. With 60 or more undergraduate credits, you can apply directly. With fewer credits, SCU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (Eastern Medicine concentration) is a direct pathway in. View details on the Program Overview page.
What are the admission requirements?
You’ll generally need a 2.5 GPA, 60 or more undergraduate credits, and to meet technical and English proficiency standards. You can view the full requirements on the Admissions Requirements page.
When are the application deadlines, and how do I apply?
SCU admits students on a rolling basis, but applying 3 to 6 months before your intended start date is recommended. Check the Admissions Requirements page for current dates.
I'm applying from outside the U.S. Can international students apply?
Yes. Admission requirements are the same for all applicants, though international students handle a few additional steps for immigration and transcripts. Visit the International Students Admissions page for details.
Tuition & Financial Aid
How much does the program cost?
Tuition is charged per credit hour, plus separate fees for items like your medical bag and herb kit. For the current, full breakdown by schedule format, see the Tuition and Scholarships page.
Does my tuition rate change while I'm enrolled?
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.
Are scholarships or financial aid available for this program?
Yes, you may qualify for federal financial aid, plus SCU scholarships including merit-based awards, an out-of-state scholarship, and a relocation housing scholarship. See Graduate Student Aid for current offerings.
Is this degree worth the investment given the cost?
That depends on your finances, timeline, and where you plan to practice, so it’s worth a closer look before committing. You can review the Tuition and Scholarships and Career Information pages together to assess your specific situation.
Program Length & Format
How long does the program take to complete?
About 3 years full-time daytime, 3 years and 8 months full-time evening, or up to 6 years on a part-time flex schedule. You can compare formats on the Program Overview page.
Can I complete this program part-time or on a flexible schedule while working?
Yes, through SCU’s blended flex schedule, with classes on days, evenings, and weekends over up to 6 years. See the Program Overview page for details.
Career Outcomes
What can I expect to earn as an acupuncturist after I graduate?
Earnings vary by location, specialty, and whether you’re employed or in private practice. Current wage data is on the Career Information page.
What career paths can I pursue with this degree?
About half of graduates go into integrative practice, a quarter into primary care, and a quarter into a specialty, and roughly three-quarters eventually own their own practice. See more on the Career Information page.
Licensure & Accreditation
What exams do I need to pass to become licensed, and can I practice outside California?
You’ll be eligible for the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE) and the national NCCAOM exam, which covers licensure in 46 states plus D.C. A few states, including Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, don’t license acupuncturists at all. See the Accreditation, Exams, Licensure page for state-specific details.
Is SCU's Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program accredited?
Yes, by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), and approved by the California Acupuncture Board. Details are on the Accreditation, Exams, Licensure page.
Curriculum & Clinical Training
When do I start getting hands-on clinical experience?
Year one, not year three like many programs, at SCU’s own Health Center under licensed faculty supervision. See the Program Details page for the year-by-year breakdown.
Can I study abroad as part of the program?
Yes, through a non-credit study abroad option in China and Taiwan during intersession. Details are on the Study Abroad page.
Will I train alongside students from other healthcare programs?
Yes. From your early terms on, you’ll take classes and clinical training alongside SCU’s chiropractic, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and Ayurveda students.
Integrative, Whole Health Approach
Why should I care that SCU is focused on Integrative, Whole Health?
Because healthcare is increasingly moving in this direction. You’ll be entering a healthcare system that places greater emphasis on whole-person care, prevention, and collaboration across disciplines. An Integrative, Whole Health education will prepare you to understand the many factors that influence health, the range of approaches available to patients, and how your profession fits into the bigger picture.
Why should I care that SCU provides an Interprofessional Education?
Because in the real world, healthcare is rarely delivered by one profession alone. Learning with and about other healthcare disciplines will help you understand what other providers do, when their expertise may benefit your patients, and how to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate care effectively.
Will focusing on Integrative, Whole Health take away from learning my own profession?
No. You will still develop the advanced knowledge and skills you need to become an expert in your chosen profession. Integrative, Whole Health adds a broader understanding of the patient, other health professions, and the healthcare system in which you’ll practice—it doesn’t replace professional expertise.
Couldn’t I learn this at any healthcare university?
You may encounter elements of it elsewhere. At SCU, however, this broader perspective is part of the environment in which you’ll learn from the beginning—not simply a topic you’ll encounter in an individual course or elective.