Doctor of Acupuncture w/Spec in Chinese Herbal Med Cmpl-HM

Curriculum Overview

The Professional Doctorate (PD) Completion Track for MAcCHM and equivalent graduates is for individuals who have graduated from an ACAHM accredited master’s program and want to earn a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM) degree.

Students in the doctoral program will build upon their master’s level education with a deep dive into understanding the classical theories of herbal medicine and clinical experience that focuses on integrated medical environments, complicated patient presentations, and more complex clinical reasoning. The goal of this program is to provide doctoral students with a deeper understanding of classical Chinese herbal medicine and the ability to use herbal medicine effectively in a modern clinical environment.

Northwestern graduates are trained to work in collaboration with other health professionals in integrated medical environments. The clinical training provided by NWHSU allows students the opportunity to put their skills to work within a variety of clinical environments that give our students exposure to a diverse range of patient populations. The diversity of patient populations and conditions, coupled with an emphasis on integrated medical care, gives students the confidence and skill to be effective practitioners.

Graduation Requirements

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM) degree is granted to students who:

• Complete the required course of study, including 23 credits;

• Successfully pass all courses with a grade of C or better;

• Demonstrate competency in clinic and complete all required 180 clinical internship hours and meet all required clinical assessment competencies;

• Demonstrate appropriate professionalism and clinical acumen;

• Successfully complete the program Benchmark and Exit Exams.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need to have graduated from an ACAHM-accredited program with a MAcCHM degree or equivalent degree. Equivalent degrees include, but are not limited to, a Master of Chinese Medicine or Master of Oriental Medicine. An applicant’s master’s degree needs to meet the NCCAOM graduation requirements for the Herbal Board exam.

Transfer Credit and Challenge Exams

Transfer credit is not permitted for courses taken in a master’s level program. Students can request a Challenge Exam for courses taken at a master’s level if the course was taken less than three years prior and it was passed with a C or above.

Clinical Requirements

Applicants need to show proof of having passed the national Clean Needle Technique Exam (CNT) and have an active BLS certification. After a student has been accepted into the program, they can begin their clinical rotations in their second trimester of study. A clinical skills check may be required prior to clinical placement.