Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

The curriculum table lists the tentative schedule of courses each quarter. Next to each course are the number of credits per course (Crdt.), the lecture hours each week (Lec.), the lab/clinic hours each week (L/C) and the total contact hours for the course over the entire quarter (Tot). This table reflects a full-time course of study. A part-time option is also available.

Course descriptions are available in the Course Catalog.

Educational Objectives

Graduates of the clinical DAOM program’s clinical doctorate will have the skills to:

1. Develop an advanced TCM diagnosis and treatment plan including all applicable modalities within the scope of practice, commensurate with the status of patients’ health
2. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental, advanced pain treatment protocols in order to inform TCM care
3. Discuss treatment planning issues as part of an integrated medical team
4. Demonstrate an ability to participate as part of a clinical supervisory team educating master’s students in acupuncture and TCM 
5. Conduct research demonstrating and refining skills in study design and comprehension

Program of Study

Bastyr University’s Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program uses a weekend-intensive format that gives students the option of living and working elsewhere while completing the degree.  Classes and a portion of the clinical training take place over one 4-day weekend (Friday-Monday) per month for two years.  The program offers specialty training in advanced pain management using various acupuncture modalities including Chinese herbology. 

The program can be divided into following areas:​​

1. Medical Classics including relevant selections from:

Huang Di Nei Jing
Shang Han Lun
Jin Gui Yao Lue
Wen Bing Xue
These courses allow students to deepen their understanding of Chinese medical classics, and to apply theories, treatment principles and techniques to the clinical relief of pain.

2. Advanced clinical skills:

Clinical diagnosis – Physical exam
Clinical diagnosis—Orthopedic/Neurological assessment
Clinical diagnosis – Imaging
Clinical diagnosis – Laboratory

3. Research:

Biostatistics
Research methods
Applied Research Skills
Case Discussions
Recent Research Survey
Capstone independent study
Capstone presentation

4. Specialty Modules in Advanced pain management

Master Tung’s Points
Lasers & Advanced electro-acupuncture
Sports/joint/muscle injury
Scalp acupuncture
Japanese techniques
Advanced Tui-na
Thai Massage
Structural Integration
Oncology and Auto-immune
Balance Method
Microsystems
Medical Qi Gong for Pain

5. Specialty Training

Neurobiology of Pain
Pharmacology of Pain Management
Trigger and Motor Points

6. Special Topics

Pediatrics and Gerontology
Urological, Gynecological, Digestive and Vascular Systems
Psycho/emotional Aspects of Pain
Arthritis & Rheumatology
Nutrition, Herbs and Supplements
Chinese Herbs for External Application
Exercise Physiology           

7. Clinical training:

Supervision in Master’s Degree Clinics
Internship Specialty Clinic at BCNH
Clinical theater
Case discussions
Grand Rounds at Harborview Hospital with UW Resident MDs
Preceptorship
China externship 

Credit-clock hour conversion

Didactic classes—11 clock hours = 1 Credit
ONL- Online (Moodle Forum)—11 hours = 1 Credit
HYB- Hybrid (Moodle Course)—11 hours = 1 Credit
Clinic/Lab sections—22 clock hours = 1 Credit
1 clock hour = 50 min. of instruction + 10 min. break.

Evaluation of didactic competency achievement is conducted on-line via Bastyr’s Moodle system. This is estimated to be accomplished in one hour/credit and is included in the above. The evaluative tool is at the discretion of the instructor and could include an exam, a homework assignment, a relevant case history, etc.

Successful completion of the degree program requires a capstone project pertinent to the area of specialty.