Acupuncture Institute Graduate

Master of Science in Acupuncture with Chinese Herbology

MS Master of Science

A four-year, 142.5-credit ACAHM-accredited master’s adding herb theory, dispensary practice and clinical herbal training to the acupuncture curriculum.

4 yrs142.5 credits, 3,368 hours
Program length
300+The traditional Chinese Materia Medica
Individual herbs
150Alongside clinical internship
Formulas studied
ACAHMMaster of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization
Accredited
Curriculum

Four years, built in stages

1

First year

You will study basic theory, acupuncture concepts and biomedicine.

2

Second year

You will gradually begin your herbal studies, starting a survey of the traditional Chinese Materia Medica, which encompasses over 300 individual herbs.

3

Third year

Herbal training continues alongside your acupuncture training and acupuncture clinical internship. In this phase you will continue to explore individual herbs and 150 formulas.

4

Fourth year

You will finish your education with classes in clinical applications of Chinese medicine including dietetics, acupuncture and moxibustion, and herbal formulae, plus a herbal clinic concentration.

Individual and flexible

A unique University environment

We pride ourselves on a proven track record of working closely with students in a flexible manner. We are committed to creating individual academic plans that accommodate personal needs and goals. Our program provides a unique opportunity to study Chinese medicine in a comprehensive, multi-purpose University, alongside students pursuing other health profession degrees. You will work closely with naturopathic, chiropractic and other students and practitioners in a supportive, integrative environment. This experience will be of lasting value in your future professional lives as healthcare providers and healers.

142.5
Credits
3,368
Hours

Admission requirements

How to apply

Applications are reviewed by the Acupuncture Institute.

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
  • Biology and chemistry courses must include a laboratory, be passed with a grade of C or better, and be a course offered for science majors.
  • Prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation.

Required materials

  • Application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • International applicants should consult our international admission requirements, or contact an admissions officer with specific questions.
Apply now

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

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

Every course, in full

View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.

Start your application

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for a fall start.