Trying to choose an Acupuncture and Chinese medicine program? There are many decisions to be made when picking a school—such as location, cost, the focus of study, financial aid availability, and specific degrees available. This article highlights five of the best programs in the USA.
Choosing An Acupuncture School
Choosing a high-quality school to obtain your Master’s or Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a very important step in your career. There are a few main degrees offered within this field (with a wide, and sometimes confusing variety of post-nominal letters earned) such as Master of Acupuncture, Master of Chinese Medicine, Doctorate of Acupuncture, and Doctorate of Chinese Medicine.
With over 50 accredited schools in the United States, choosing the program and school that fits your needs is an important first step.
There are two main things that every program you are looking into should have:
- ACAHM Accreditation- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, is the official accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education for the education and training of acupuncturists in the US. This is a legal requirement for licensing in 47 states.
- State-approved curriculum– Acupuncturists need to obtain an individual state license (for most states) to practice within. Choosing a program that meets your state guidelines, will save you time and money in the long run.
It is also important to ask yourself if you want to obtain a Master’s Degree or a Doctorate from your studies. You can practice this medicine with just a Master’s degree and if you feel called you can obtain your Doctorate at a later time. Some people though prefer to complete their studies through the Doctoral level at one time.
The location also needs to be taken into account, as you may need to move to attend a program, and this may be a major factor in decision-making. Some doctoral programs offer weekend seminars, and it is possible to fly in for long weekends, and some even offer online or virtual schooling.
Cost and accessibility for financial aid can also be a big factor, as many schools range in tuition and fees.
Much studying and practicing will come after you obtain a degree, but a high-quality program is important to lay a solid foundation of medicine and to make sure you pass your national board exams.
Top 5 Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Programs in the USA
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM): Portland, Oregon.
(CLOSED AS OF 9/1/2024)
This school offers a high-quality education focused on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Shiatsu, Tuina, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi.
OCOM offers master’s programs, as well as doctoral-level education in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. They have diverse clinics scattered around the city to give you an in-depth hands-on education and a highly educated staff and renowned teachers. Several types of financial aid are available at OCOM, including loans, work-study, and scholarships. Monthly payment plans also may be available if not accepting aid.
- Degree Programs Offered
- Masters of Acupuncture (MAc)
- Master of Chinese Medicine (MACM)
- Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM)
- Program Format
- All degree programs are full-time.
- The school uses the quarter system—three 12-week quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring, and a short Summer quarter).
- Full-time MAc program= 33 consecutive months.
- Full-time MACM/DACM = 48 months.
Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS): Campuses located in San Diego, New York, Chicago, and Online. Formerly Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, or PCOM).
PCHS offers Master in Acupuncture, Master in Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine certification, Certificates in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Transitional Doctorate, as well as a Doctorate in Acupuncture, and a Doctorate in Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization. Extensive clinical experience at off-site externships, located at hospitals, clinics, and designated treatment sites. This school also offers massage therapy, holistic nutrition, yoga teaching, and medical cannabis certificates. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
- Degree Programs Offered
- Masters of Science in Acupuncture (MSAc)- Available at New York Campus
- Master of Science in Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MSAcCHM)-Available at New York, San Diego, Chicago Campus
- Advanced Certificate in Chinese Herbology (CCHM)- Available in Chicago and New York
- Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM)- Available at San Diego Campus
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM)- Available at Chicago Campus
- Transitional Doctorate for Master’s Graduates- Online
- Facial Applications for Cosmetic Enhancements (FACE)- Online
- Program Format
- All beginning didactic courses can be taken online or on campus that offer the specific degree program
- Masters of Science in Acupuncture- 3-4 year program, 133.5 credits
- Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization- 11 terms, full-time, 192 credits.
- Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine, 3 yr. program, 450 didactic hours, 240 clinical hours.
- Doctor of Acupuncture- 11 terms, full-time, 150 credits
New England School of Acupuncture (NESA): Newton Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is one of the oldest Acupuncture schools in the nation. Three-degree paths available- Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine Specialization, and a Doctorate of Acupuncture.
This program is known for its extensive focus on research and has received over 5 million dollars in grants to support this sector. Degrees can be tailored to fit individuals’ areas of interest such as Pain Management, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and/or Japanese Acupuncture. High-quality clinic experience available. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate-level degree from an accredited institution to apply. Financial Aid is available.
- Degree Programs Offered
- Masters of Acupuncture (MAc)
- Masters of Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM)
- Doctorate of Acupuncture (DAc)
- Program Format
- Master of Acupuncture is a 32-month program.
- Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization is a 36-month program.
- Doctor of Acupuncture is a 4-year program.
Bastyr University: Kenmore, Washington.
Four-degree pathways available- Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine Specialization, Doctorate of Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate. Master’s degree students also have the opportunity to study at partner schools based in Shanghai or Chengdu, China. Bastyr is known for its comprehensive research within oncology and integrative neuroscience. This school also offers Naturopathic, nutrition, herbal medicine, and midwifery programs as well. Financial Aid is available.
- Degree Programs Offered
- Masters of Acupuncture (MAc)
- Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)
- Masters of Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM)
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate (CCHM)
- Program Format
- Masters of Acupuncture- 3 years, 11 quarters, full time, 165.5 quarter credits, 828 hours of clinical training.
- Doctor of Acupuncture- 4 years, 14 quarters
- Masters of Acupuncture with Herbal Medicine Specialization- 12 quarters (4 years) full-time
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate- 9 quarters (2 years), 62 quarter credits, 220 hours of of which are clinical training.
Five Branches University: Two campuses- San Jose or Santa Cruz, California.
This well-known school takes pride in its Herbal Medicine department. It offers master’s and Doctoral level degrees. The school focuses on integrating Western medicine with TCM, herbology, Chinese medical nutrition, and acupuncture. Five Branches also offers fully online education. Many courses are also offered in English and Chinese. Financial Aid is available for some degrees.
- Degree Programs Offered
- Masters in Acupuncture (MAc)
- Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM)
- Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dual-Degree (DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree)
- Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program (Postgraduate DAOM)
- Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine / PhD (China)
- Program Format
- Masters in Acupuncture- 3-year program, 119.24 credits, 15-week trimester format with summer clinical training.Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine- 4-year program, 195.5 credits, trimester format.Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dual-Degree (DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree)-4 yr program, 195.5 credits, trimester format. Taught in English at the
- Santa Cruz campus and English/Chinese at San Jose.
- Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program (Postgraduate DAOM)- Offered at San Jose Campus in English and Chinese. Courses are offered once a month in 4-day weekend seminar format. Able to be completed in 24 months.
- Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine / Ph.D. (China)- Offered at San Jose campus and at one of 4 partnered schools in China. 2 yr. program to obtain postgraduate DAOM (financial aid available), 3rd year Ph.D. year in China ( financial aid not available).
Subjective Opinion
I am a graduate of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, Oregon. This school has not only gotten my vote for one of the top 5 Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Schools in the USA, but was deemed so by The Best Schools in 2012, 2015, and 2021, unfortunately closed down as of September 2024.
My education here set up a solid foundation for my understanding of this medicine and for excelling in practice. It more than prepared me for my national board exams (all passed the first time) and how to start a private practice.
My herbal internship allowed me hands-on learning in preparing formulas and getting acquainted with herbs. My clinical hours set me up for success in working with patients, bedside manner, charting, organizing treatment plans, and more, all the extra things that make a good practitioner outside of skill with needles.
I was hired directly out of school to work for a busy clinic by a mentor within the city. The school encourages students to seek a mentor early in their education to shadow a professional, the practitioner in turn gets to log CEU hours for this training. I worked there for about 2 years until I was confident enough to open my own private practice.
I am still in contact with my professors, who are amazing resources for my career path. The professors at this school are top-notch and come from diverse and educated backgrounds, from naturopathic doctors, and Ph.D. from China, to Qi Gong lineage holders.
I have many colleagues and friends who have gone to the other schools listed above here, as well as attended seminars or worked closely with some staff of the programs. All schools listed here are highly recommended and I suggest you speak with graduates as well as staff and professors from the school you are hoping to attend before applying. Good Luck!