Acupuncture Institute Graduate

Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine

DAc.CHM Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine

The first clinical doctoral TCM program on the East Coast offered within a university setting, ACAHM accredited, training in Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, adjunctive therapies and biomedicine.

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1stOn the East Coast within a university setting

Clinical doctoral TCM program

ACAHMIncluding the degree completion track

Accredited

CAVia the DAc.TCM degree, as of 2021

California licensure

2.9Required, cumulative

GPA in science prerequisites

Curriculum

Comprehensive graduate training

University of Bridgeport’s Acupuncture Institute is proud to offer the Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAc.CHM) program, a comprehensive training in Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, adjunctive therapies, and biomedicine at the graduate level.

ACUPUNCTURE

Nine acupuncture courses

The nine acupuncture courses introduce students to the theoretical and practical information of acupuncture therapy. The student becomes proficient in the clinical applications of acupuncture, moxabustion, cupping, electrical stimulation, and bleeding techniques, and learns to identify acupuncture points by anatomical location, palpation, and proportional measurement.

PRIMARY CARE

Biomedicine and integrative medicine

The DAc.CHM program is designed to provide significant training in biomedicine and integrative medicine for those interested in providing traditional Chinese medicine in primary care. Graduates learn how to provide the full range of benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and clinical assessment, including in those states where TCM practitioners act as primary care providers.

TEAM

A team-based approach

UB offers the unique opportunity to study traditional Chinese medicine alongside students pursuing other health profession degrees. Students collaborate with chiropractic and other students and practitioners in the UB Clinics, our clinical teaching facilities. The clinical program stresses a team-based approach to care.

DEGREE

About the clinical doctorate

Clinical doctorates are professional degrees, focused on clinical competencies required to practice in private and public health settings. Those pursuing a DAc.CHM are preparing to help patients get well and stay well using TCM principles and practices. Clinical doctorates prepare students to use research, including translating research into practice, although these degrees are not typically used toward a research career.

A place in US healthcare

Practitioners across the healthcare system

Chinese medicine practitioners (L.Ac.s) play an important part in U.S. healthcare. The Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination against complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, including acupuncturists. UBAI is dedicated to ensuring that its graduate practitioners are included in all aspects of healthcare, from the private office to hospitals and public health forums. UBAI’s DAc.CHM program will help graduates participate in a healthcare system that is multidisciplinary and enhances competence, mutual respect, and collaboration across all healthcare disciplines. Our program is the first clinical doctoral TCM program on the East Coast to be offered within a university setting.

1st

Clinical doctoral TCM program on the East Coast

ACA

Protects CAM practitioners from discrimination

Admission requirements

How to apply

Applications are reviewed by the Acupuncture Institute. We review applications on a rolling basis for a fall start term only. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a completed application and all supporting materials by July 15 for priority consideration.

Program prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (120 completed semester hours) from an accredited institution or recognized international institution
Required cumulative GPA of 2.9 or higher in the science prerequisites
Biology, 6 semester hours
Chemistry, 6 semester hours
English, 6 semester hours
Psychology, 3 semester hours
Social Science, 3 semester hours
Prerequisites completed prior to matriculation.

Required materials

Application
Official transcripts for the last degree earned
Personal statement of 250 to 500 words detailing why you are seeking this degree, how you expect to apply it to your professional career after graduation, and why you seek to pursue your degree through University of Bridgeport
Resume
International applicants should consult our international admission requirements, or contact an admissions officer with specific questions.

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Deadlines

April 15

Summer semester

Completed application and all supporting materials

July 15

Fall semester

Completed application and all supporting materials

December 1

Spring semester

Completed application and all supporting materials

Dual degree with MS Acupuncture option

Students who wish to pursue the DAc.CHM degree may enroll in the MS Acupuncture program first, earn the MS degree, and then continue their doctoral program through completion.
These students complete the same requirements as the MS Acupuncture degree with the following exceptions: ACS 812 is substituted for ACS 723, and AHM 612 is substituted for ACH 511.
The dual degree is recommended for students who seek flexibility in course scheduling while beginning their professional practice as they move beyond the MS degree and continue toward the DAc.CHM completion.

Learning outcomes and careers

What graduates will be able to do

Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine program, the graduate will have the ability to demonstrate competency in utilizing the four examinations to identify Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnoses.

Clinical application

Formulate and skillfully implement the safe and effective clinical application of Chinese medicine modalities based upon a total assessment of the patient; formulate and skillfully implement safe and effective acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, qi cultivation, tui na and other adjunctive techniques.

Diverse populations

Adapt diagnosis and treatment strategies as needed for diverse patient populations, and value patients’ dignity and confidentiality.

Working across disciplines

Evaluate patient care from biomedical, pharmacological and Asian perspectives in order to understand the medical context in which patients present, make appropriate treatment and consultation decisions in various healthcare settings including as part of a collaborative health care team, and make timely referrals when appropriate.

Patient-centered care

DAc.CHM graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient-centered care in a variety of settings in order to optimize patient health and coordinate care with other healthcare practitioners.

Where practitioners work

The settings in which acupuncture practitioners work vary from a multi-disciplinary clinic with other health care professionals, to a hospital, to private practice. Other career options include teaching, translating, publishing, research, or working with an acupuncture supply company.

The profession by the numbers

According to the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM), there are approximately 20,000 to 25,000 AOM licensees throughout the United States. While current data concerning the income of these practitioners nationwide is not available, recent estimates have suggested an annual starting salary range of $55,000 to $80,000. It is not uncommon for practitioners to earn in excess of this amount.

Practice ownership

Most graduates of acupuncture schools and colleges start private practices and are their own boss. They can choose the work environment that is best for them.

Insurance coverage

As a result of increasing demand from health group members for alternative care coverage, group health insurance companies such as CIGNA and Aetna provide varying degrees of acupuncture care coverage. The amount of coverage depends on each individual plan. Some health plan policies require that the individual or employer group purchase an additional “Alternative Medicine Rider” to provide coverage for acupuncture services.

Licensure of graduates

Where UBAI programs meet state requirements

Completion of any of the UBAI programs does not guarantee licensure in any state. Most states require passage of some or all of the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam modules and the Council of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) Clean Needle Technique (CNT) exam for licensure.

MS-Acupuncture: meets state requirements

AK, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL*, IN, KY, LA, MA*, MD, ME, MI, MN, MD, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH*, OR, PA*, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT*, WA, WI, WV, WY, Washington DC*. *DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, VT and PA allow for acupuncture only licensure or licensees can choose TCM licensure including TCM Herbs, which requires a TCM degree and passage of the herb module for NCCAOM.

MS-Traditional Chinese Medicine: herbal training required

AR, DE, HI, FL**, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT. **Florida only accepts masters-level degrees in TCM for licensure as of 2021. FL also requires training in injection therapies prior to licensure.

MS-Traditional Chinese Medicine: herbal training optional

DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, PA, VT. The optional category also includes all of the states where MS-ACUP meets state requirements.

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

California, plus all of the states where MS-ACUP and MS-TCM meet state requirements, except FL. California requires passage of the California exam.

MS-Chinese Herbology

MS-CH does not lead to acupuncture licensure alone. Completion of an acupuncture degree is required.

No acupuncture licensure (2021)

AL, OK, SD.

California

In California you must take a program approved by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) and pass the California Acupuncture exam to qualify for licensure. As of 2021, the only program at UBAI that qualifies a graduate for the California exam is the Doctor of Acupuncture with Traditional Chinese Medicine (DAc.TCM) degree.

Before you apply

Please note that legislation changes can take place and completing the program does not guarantee state licensure eligibility alone. Many states require a state-specific exam in Jurisprudence or other areas of state-specific laws in addition to the NCCAOM exam modules. Always check state licensure requirements prior to applying for an acupuncture license.

Accreditation

Accredited by ACAHM

The following programs offered by University of Bridgeport’s Acupuncture Institute are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

Accredited programs

Master of Acupuncture Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization (including a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization degree completion track)

Scope of accreditation

The programs listed above may offer courses via distance education. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor’s level. Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.

About ACAHM

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; acahm.org

Public disclosure

Public Disclosure Statement Effective as of 12 February 2025

Course catalog