Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Overview

Developed more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (often referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine or “TCM”) is one of the world’s most time-tested, holistic healing systems. Based on the idea that health requires a harmonious balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment, TCM incorporates a range of treatments (from acupuncture and herbal medicine to nutrition and therapeutic manual techniques, to mind-body practices like Qigong or Tai Chi) to promote overall wellness rather than treating individual diseases in isolation.

SCU’s unique and forward-thinking Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) program blends the best of traditional practices with the best of Western biomedicine—empowering you with well-rounded skills for today’s healthcare industry. Equally unique, after completing this master’s program, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your studies and earn your Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine by taking just 16 additional credit hours!

Program at a Glance

  • Three formats:
    • Full-time, in-person, daytime: 3 years (9 terms)
    • Full-time, in-person, evening: 3 years and 8 months (11 terms)
    • Part-time, blended flex schedule: up to 6 years (18 terms)
  • Ability to enter without a bachelor’s degree
    • Those with 90+ qualifying college credits are eligible for acceptance
    • Those with 47+ credits may first enter our Bachelor’s in Health Sciences program with a concentration in Eastern Medicine, and then transfer into the master’s program
  • Graduates will have the option to continue their studies and earn a Doctorate by taking just 16 additional credit hours
  • Prepares graduates or the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE) and the National Certification Commission For Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which enable students to become licensed practitioners
  • Accredited by The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and approved by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB)
  • Fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional and program-specific scholarship opportunities

Upcoming Start Dates

  • Fall: September 2nd, 2025
  • Spring: January 5th, 2026
  • Summer: May 4th, 2026

What Sets Our Program Apart?

CURRICULUM THAT HONORS THE TRADITIONAL WHILE EMBRACING THE MODERN

At SCU, in addition to gaining knowledge and skills in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, you’ll learn Western medical terminology and concepts, diagnostic imaging, and more—equipping you with more tools to improve patient care and helping you confidently navigate conventional healthcare environments.

EARLIER HANDS-ON TRAINING

You won’t have to wait until year-three clinical rotations to begin putting your knowledge into practice. Your hands-on clinical training will begin year one at our own SCU Health Clinics (which serve 40,000+ patients per year) where you’ll work under the supervision of seasoned practitioner faculty, learning to treat patients in an integrative, whole health setting. Learn more on our Clinical Training page.

DIVERSE CLINICAL ROTATIONS

After completing your first rotations at our SCU Health Clinics, you’ll expand your clinical experience at one or more of our affiliated sites including private practice offices, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and more. Of note, SCU is the only acupuncture school with access to hospital rotations at CHOC, giving you the opportunity to learn and work at this nationally ranked teaching hospital.

CADAVER LAB

SCU is one of the only acupuncture schools in the nation with a cadaver lab—a classic teaching method offering unparalleled insight into the shape, feel, and function of the body. During this awe-inspiring experience, you’ll examine and dissect real human tissues and structures, gaining an understanding of human anatomy that is simply not possible through textbooks and virtual models alone.

BUSINESS SKILL-BUILDING

Success after graduation requires more than strong clinical skills; it requires business know-how. Through a series of coursework on management theory, risk mitigation, coding & billing, and more, you’ll gain invaluable, practical skills for establishing, operating, and sustaining a successful practice and career.

ABILITY TO ENTER WITHOUT A BACHELOR’s

Yes, you read that correctly! Most colleges require students to have a bachelor’s degree before entering a master’s program. But at SCU, you may enter into our Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program with just 90+ qualifying college credits. And if you have just 47+ credits, you may enter our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Eastern Medicine, and then transfer directly into the master’s program.

DOCTORATE “ADD-ON” OPTION

After earning your master’s, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to continue your studies and earn your Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine by taking just 16 additional credit hours.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING

In addition to classroom lessons and hands-on clinical training, we support your learning through advanced teaching technology including:

  • Complete Anatomy: Also known as 3D4 Medical, Complete Anatomy is a powerful simulated anatomy suite on which you can perform intricate tasks such as removing layers of tissue and visualizing details of the human body.
  • SynDavers: These lifelike silicone structures replicate living human tissue and are designed to be ultra realistic, helping you better understand the human body as you move muscles and parts.
  • Draw It to Know It (DITKI): This interactive tool is perhaps our most popular, featuring YouTube-style videos that include drawings, animations, and digital worksheets to help you more easily learn about physiology and successfully prepare for your licensure exams.
  • Diagnostic Imaging Technology: You’ll learn to use advanced tools like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and more to “see” inside the body without surgery, for less invasive, earlier diagnosis.

BROADER INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But at SCU, our Interprofessional Education is broader and, frankly, we think that makes it better. Unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.

AN INTEGRATIVE, WHOLE HEALTH APPROACH

All too often, healthcare providers “stay in their lanes” rather than building comprehensive care plans that include other disciplines, professionals, and approaches. In addition, they look strictly at the physical body as opposed to all the factors that may be influencing a patient’s health and well-being—genetics, lifestyle, mental health, relationships, physical environments, community support, and beyond. But at SCU, no matter what program you are in, you’ll learn to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness.