The curriculum table lists the tentative schedule of courses each quarter. 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
6. Develop and show the ability to educate health professionals and others the functional, dynamic characteristics of TCM and related East Asian medical systems, their diagnostics and treatments 
7. Exercise leadership which results in fostering a community that will enrich and advance the profession and contribute to the development of future generations of practitioners, faculty, researchers, clinical supervisors and leaders, aimed at advancing the profession and developing future generations of the professional community. 

Program of Study

Bastyr University’s Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program uses a monthly 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 or 5 day period per month for two years. The program offers specialty training in advanced pain management using various acupuncture modalities including Chinese herbal medicine.

The program can be divided into following areas:​​

1. Medical Classics including relevant selections from:
   • Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic)
   • Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Injury due to Cold)
   • Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials of the Golden Cabinet)
   • Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm DIseases) and other classics of warm disease theory
   • Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing (The Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion)
   • Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)
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
   • Structural Integration
   • Oncology and Auto-immune
   • Balance Method
   • Microsystems
   • Point Injection Therapy
   • Trigger and Motor Points
5. Specialty Training
   • Neurobiology of Pain
   • Pharmacology of Pain Management
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
   • Table Rounds and Clinical Internship at Harborview Medical Center Integrated Pain Care physicians and pain specialists
   • Preceptorship
   • China externship or Integrative Care hospital intensive

Credit-clock hour conversion

• Didactic classes—11 clock hours = 1 Credit
• ONL- Online (Canva Forum)—11 hours = 1 Credit
• HYB- Hybrid (Canva 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 Elearning 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.