Doctor of Acupuncture Degree

A degree program that allows you to enter the field with a doctoral degree and advanced diagnostic skills, preparing you for collaborative and integrative care.

Doctor of Acupuncture Program Overview

Deepen your understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as you study to become a Doctor of Acupuncture and gain advanced skills in diagnostic studies and collaborative and integrative care. You will also gain additional skills in research literacy and professional development.

This degree allows you to enter at the entry-level and achieve a masters and doctorate in acupuncture. No applying for your doctorate after finishing your master’s degree!  This acupuncture program includes robust clinical training at both our teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, and our off-site community care clinics.  

Next start date
Location
Seattle
Program Length

 4 years (14 quarters)

Credentials Earned

DAc 

Acupuncture School Highlights

47

number of states (including DC) that legally recognize acupuncture

1,004

minimum number of total clinical training hours before graduation

44

number of preceptor hours shadowing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine professionals in their private practices

Acupuncture Program Details

  • Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 135 quarter credits.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Grade C or higher in prerequisite courses

Reference our curriculum table for full prerequisites. 

Undergraduate Entry Option

In addition to the prerequisites, applicants who plan to start the program without an awarded bachelor’s degree must also complete the following General education requirements:

  • English Literature and Composition - 9 quarter credits
  • Speech Communication or Public Speaking - 3 quarter credits
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics - 9 quarter credits
  • Arts and Humanities - 15 quarter credits
  • Social Sciences - 15 quarter credits
  • Electives - 70 quarter credits

Recommended Elective Courses

For students entering the program without a bachelor's degree, the following are strongly recommended courses to take while completing your general education requirements:

  • Anatomy
  • Chinese Language (Mandarin)
  • Physiology
  • Chinese History/Culture/Philosophy
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Business
  • Cellular Biology
  • Marketing

Want to know which classes fulfill these prerequisites? Check the General Education Requirements breakdown.

Bastyr accepts graduate and undergraduate transfer credits earned at accredited colleges and universities. Learn what you need to make this process go smoothly.

For more information, visit Financial Aid.

 

Graduates of Basytr’s DAc program are presented with a variety of opportunities to become a respected healer in both conventional and natural medicine circles. 

  • Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) in private practice
  • Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) with a collaborative patient care model with other private practice practitioners
  • Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) within an integrative clinic or collaborative clinic