Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization Program Overview
This acupuncture program is for students who want to learn all aspects of acupuncture and add the safe use of herbal medicines to their practice. It explores both acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine and integrates Eastern traditions with bio-medical best practices. Graduates from this program are prepared to sit for the LAc board exam to obtain licensure.
Students will also learn how to communicate effectively with other health care professionals and patients. Courses also include traditional Chinese Medicine theories such as tai chi, qigong, and therapeutic nutrition to support the well-being of their patients. Students who graduate from this program will be eligible to sit for the Chinese herbology board exam.
Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Certification Course Details
47
Number of states (including DC) that legally recognize acupuncture
1,092
minimum number of clinical hours you'll receive before graduation
44
number of preceptor hours shadowing and observing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine professionals
Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization Course Details
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
Year I
Term 1
AM4100 Survey of Organic and Biochemistry (4 credits)
AM4104 Medical Chinese (1 credit)
AM4108 History of Medicine (2 credits)
AM4401 Qi Gong 1 (1 credit)
AM4801 AOM Clinic Entry (2 credits)*
AM5100 Meridian and Points 1 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
AM5101 TCM Fundamentals (4 credits)
AM5109 Case Discussions 1 (1 credit)
BC4102 Living Anatomy for AEAM (4 credits)
BC4107 Medical Terminology (1 credit)
Term 2
AM4301 TCM Bodywork: Tui Na (1 credit)
AM5104 Meridians and Points 2 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
AM5201 TCM Diagnosis 1 (3 credits)
AM5203 TCM Pathology 1 (3 credits)
AM5401 TCM Techniques 1 (2 credits)
BC4104 Microbiology (3 credits)
BC4123 Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture/Lab (AEAM) (5 credits)*
CH5100 Introduction to Chinese Herbs 1 (1.5 credits)
Term 3
AM5106 Meridians and Points 3 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
AM5202 TCM Diagnosis 2 (3 credits)
AM5204 TCM Pathology 2 (3 credits)
AM5403 TCM Techniques 2 (2 credits)
AM5801 Clinical Observation 1 (2 credits)
BC4105 Introduction to Western Pathology for AEAM (3 credits)
BC4124 Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lecture/Lab (AEAM) (4 credits)*
CH5101 Introduction to Chinese Herbs 2 (1.5 credits)
Term 4
AM5300 Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 1 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
AM5308 Clinical Theater - Acupuncture Lab (1 credit)
AM5802 Clinical Observation 2 (2 credits)
CH5401 Chinese Materia Medica 1 (3 credits)
PS5205 Patient Communications (3 credits)
Year II
Term 1
AM6102 Pharmacology Overview for AOM (4 credits)
AM6109 Case Discussions 2 (1 credit)
AM6301 Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 2 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
AM6400 TCM Techniques 3 (2 credits)
AM6411 Acupuncture Point Selection Strategies (2 credits)
AM6412 Acupuncture Therapeutics 1 (2 credits)
AM6800 Clinical Observation Theater (2 credits)*
CH6400 Chinese Materia Medica 2 (3 credits)
Term 2
AM6201 Clinical Case Preparation Lab (1 credit)
AM6302 Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 3 (3 credits)
AM6307 Auricular and Scalp Therapy (2 credits)
AM6402 TCM Advanced Techniques Lab (1 credit)
AM6413 Acupuncture Therapeutics 2 (2 credits)
AM6414 Acupuncture Therapeutics 3 (2 credits)
AM6801 Clinical Observation Preceptorship (2 credits)
CH6100 CHM Dispensary 1 (2 credits)
CH6401 Chinese Materia Medica 3 (3 credits)
PS6100 Motivational Interviewing (2 credits)
Term 3
AM6408 TCM Whole Foods Nutrition (1 credits)
AM6415 Acupuncture Therapeutics 4 (2 credits)
AM6416 Acupuncture Therapeutics 5 (2 credits)
AM6802 AOM Clinic 1 (2 credits)
AM6803 AOM Clinic 2 (2 credits)
AM6804 AOM Clinic 3 (2 credits)
CH6101Chinese Herbal Preparations (1 credits)
CH6402 CHM Formulations 1 (4 credits)
TR6104 Nutrition and Dietary Systems (2 credits)
Term 4
AM6311 Public Health Issues in AOM (3 credits)
AM6805 AOM Clinic 4 (2 credits)
AM6806 AOM Clinic 5 (2 credits)
AM6807 AOM Clinic 6 (2 credits)
CH6402 CHM Formulations 1 (4 credits)
Year III
Term 1
AM7101 Business Fundamentals 1 - Finance and Accounting (1 credit)
AM7109 Case Discussions 3 (1 credit)
AM7804 AOM Clinic 7 (2 credits)
AM7805 AOM Clinic 8 (2 credits)
AM7806 AOM Clinic 9 (2 credits)
BC5140 Research Methods in AEAM (3 credits)
CH7101 Jia Jian/Formula Families (2 credits)
CH7104 Pharmacology of AOM and Drug Interactions (2 credits)
CH7401 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 1 (2 credits)
CH7800 CHM Clinic 1 (2 credits)
Term 2
AM7104 Business Fundamentals 2 - Marketing and Advertising (1 credit)
AM7110 Overview of Pain Management Therapies (2 credits)
AM7125 TCM Medical Classics (2 credits)
AM7320 Clinical Theater Lab (1 credit)
AM7808 AOM Clinic 10 (2 credits)
AM7840 AOM Clinic 11 (2 credits)
AM7841 AOM Clinic 12 (2 credits)
CH7402 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 2 (2 credits)
CH7403 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 3 (2 credits)
CH7801 CHM Clinic 2
Term 3
AM7106 Business Fundamentals 3 - Practice Management and Leadership (1 credit)
AM7126 Jurisprudence and Ethics (1 credit)
AM7301 Trigger/Motor Point Therapy Lecture/Lab (1 credit)
AM7400 Acupuncture Review (2 credits)
AM7842 AOM Clinic 13 (2 credits)
AM7843 AOM Clinic 14 (2 credits)
CH7100 CHM Dispensary 2 (2 credits)
CH7404 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 4 (2 credits)
CH7405 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 5 (2 credits)
CH7802 CHM Clinic 3 (2 credits)
Term 4
AM7844 AOM Clinic 15 (2 credits)
AM7845 AOM Clinic 16 (2 credits)
CH7406 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 6 (2 credits)
CH7407 Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 7 (2 credits)
CH7803 CHM Clinic 4 (2 credits)
*Courses may be offered at a different quarter
Students have two entry options for the MAcCHM:
- Option 1: Students may enter with a completed bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisite coursework. (see below)
- Option 2: Students may enter the program without a bachelor’s degree, but must complete the required prerequisite coursework, in addition to the detailed general education requirements, totaling a minimum of 135 quarter credits.
- Intermediate Algebra - 1 course
- General Chemistry (allied health-level with lab)1,2 - 1 course
- General Biology (allied health-level with lab)2 - 1 course
- General Psychology - 1 course
- General Physics - 1 course
Note: All students must complete a Basic Life Support CPR class (100% classroom-based) prior to entering clinic.
1. Survey-level class that covers inorganic chemistry and includes a lab component. Intended for students in allied-health majors.
2. Science classes must have been taken within seven years of entering the program. If not, additional coursework may be required after the admissions committee review
Visit the catalog for more information.
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.
- Licensed acupuncturist (LAc) in private practice, with ability to prescribe Chinese herbal formulations.
- Acupuncturist working in international health
- Writer on traditional Chinese medicine topics
Make an Impact: Be A Leader of Integrative Health Education
As a student in this program, you will have the opportunity to rotate through off-site community care clinics that provide affordable health care to diverse populations, including seniors, low-income, and immigrant communities.
National Board Certification
At Bastyr University, we prioritize core values, ensuring that our students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them to make a meaningful impact in the field of acupuncture.
Angela Tseng
DAOM, LAc
Dr. Tseng has been an acupuncturist since 1999. After graduating from Bastyr University with her Master of Science in Acupuncture (1999) and Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine (2000),…
Kathleen Lumiere
DAOM, MAc, LAc
Dr. Lumiere began an acupuncture program for low-income patients at the 45th Street Medical Clinic in 2000. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member and clinical supervisor at Bastyr…
