Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Courses & Labs

Our understanding and respect for Chinese medicine’s cultural and philosophical roots form the foundation of our program. SCU students will learn from expert faculty, combined with the latest classroom, online learning, and lab technologies. The curriculum covers the areas of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, clinical laboratory diagnosis, pharmacology, nutrition, emergency procedures, traditional Chinese classical medical theory and related techniques, acupuncture and meridians, Chinese herbology, business management, exercises such as tai chi and qi gong, integrative clinical education, and chosen areas of concentration are offered. Upon graduation graduates will have gained a unique education based on an innovative approach to patient care through the understanding of integrating classical Chinese medical theories with biomedicine.

For full program information, view the catalog.

SCU offers two specialized concentration areas including Acupuncture Orthopedics and Healthy Aging with both classroom and clinical learning experiences.

Acupuncture Orthopedics: This concentration emphasizes practical training in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of neuromuscular conditions using Chinese herbal formulas, traditional and contemporary acupuncture, and related therapies. You will learn about a wide range of neuromusculoskeletal injuries and pain conditions, and how to restore health, functioning and well-being. You will also learn to appropriately manage patient conditions with other healthcare professionals, and be able to recognize and manage emergency medical conditions warranting physician referral.

Healthy Aging: This concentration emphasizes healthy living throughout the life cycle. You will learn how to guide patients in aging well through traditional Chinese medicine and biomedical treatment principles, mental and physical activities, and nutritional efforts that prevent commonly seen health conditions. You will also discuss how to support these activities and lifestyle choices early in life to promote healthy aging and a longer lifespan.

DAYTIME and EVENING, not FLEX SCHEDULE students

Year 1 – Focus on the Fundamentals

Focus on the basic sciences to set your foundation of the body’s organization on a cellular, tissue, and organ level, along with regional interrelationships. Learn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) foundations, acupuncture needling technique, herbology, meridian points, and begin clinical observations, integrating classroom learning with clinical skills.

Year 2 – Focus on Clinical Sciences

Build upon the previous year by combining TCM methods and basic science knowledge to treat common conditions and learn pathology and formulate herbal prescriptions based on patient conditions. Begin guided clinical practice treating patients under the supervision of licensed doctors and with peers in other professions in SCU’s on-campus University Health Center.

Year 3 or 4 – Putting it All Together with Clinical Practice

Your final year combines your classroom learning and clinical skills into the practice of treating patients. You will be fully prepared to lead in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

Flex Schedule:

Students in the Flex Schedule may complete the program at their own pace in as few as 12 terms or as many as 20 terms. Courses are offered on-ground, blended, and in an online format. Classes are offered on days, evenings, and weekends, and students register for courses that best suit their schedules and availability.

At SCU, we want you to understand when you start the program what you will know, be able to do, and value as a result of taking a course or completing the program. Our full course curriculum includes detailed learning outcomes to guide and sharpen your learning throughout your individual courses and overall program during your time with SCU.
  1. Oriental Medicine Diagnosis: Graduates will synthesize etiology and clinical manifestations to construct Oriental Medicine differential diagnoses.
  2. Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Graduates will prescribe and formulate acupuncture, moxibustion, and related Oriental Medicine therapies.
  3. Herbal Therapy: Graduates will plan and prescribe herbal formulas and modifications.
  4. Biomedical Diagnosis: Graduates will synthesize pathogenesis and clinical manifestations to construct Western Medicine differential diagnoses.
  5. Evidence-based Practice: Graduates will synthesize and apply historical and scientific evidence in clinical practice.
  6. Business and Clinical: Graduates will assess business principles to develop a clinical practice.
  7. Communication: Graduates will effectively communicate verbally, non-verbally, and in written form.
  8. Professionalism: Graduates will demonstrate leadership, integrity, and respect for all, and actively engage in ethical, moral, and legal standards of the profession.
  9. Inter-professional Collaboration: Graduates will collaborate with appropriate professionals to plan and manage patient-centered care.

For full program information, view our catalog.