Program Overview

The DAOM degree is designed as a 24-month program consisting of 1,215 total hours and 55.5 academic credits organized into six trimesters. Each trimester includes a combination of online classes and in-person sessions, including scheduled campus residency periods. Graduates complete the program with advanced diagnostic, treatment, and research competencies in Chinese medicine.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum includes both didactic coursework and clinical training:

Didactic Coursework

Theoretical instruction comprises approximately 510 classroom hours, covering advanced acupuncture, herbal medicine, classical texts, and integrative medicine concepts.

Clinical Training Hours

Clinical training comprises approximately 705 hours in supervised clinical environments, including observation, internship, practicum, clinical forums, and pedagogy, emphasizing real-world application of classical Chinese medicine principles.

Classical Qi-Based Medicine Components

The DAOM curriculum deeply explores classical Qi theory, including the properties, movement, transformation, location, and communication of Qi, as well as related diagnostic and treatment strategies grounded in classical texts such as Huang Di Nei Jing, Nan Jing, ShangHan Lun, and Shennong Bencaojing.

Part Ⅰ.Comprehensive Concepts of Qi

Foundational study of Qi’s properties, movement, and transformational functions, includes:

1. Properties of Qi
2. Movement of Qi
3. Transformation of Qi
4. Location of Qi
5. Communication of Qi
6. Harmony of Heaven and Human

Part Ⅱ. Anatomical Structures of Qi

Investigation of Qi’s systemic anatomy in both macrocosmic and human systems, includes:

1. Qi’s structure in the universe
2. Qi’s anatomical structure in the human body
3. Circulation of Wei Qi
4. Circulation of Ying Qi

Part Ⅲ. Qi Diagnosis & Pulse Methods

Advanced training in pulse-centered diagnosis and symptom analysis.

1. Color Diagnosis
2. Pulse Diagnosis
3. Symptoms

Part Ⅳ. Qi Treatment Modalities

Training in classical treatment modalities including acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and other traditional therapeutic approaches.

Part V. Qi-Based Prevention

Study of Qi-centered preventive strategies includes:

1. Five Yun and Six Qi
2. Preventive Treatment

Part VI. Qi-Based Research Methods

Study of Qi-centered research methods that inform clinical practice design.

Capstone Research Project

A key element of the DAOM program is the Capstone Research Project, designed to synthesize and apply theoretical knowledge and clinical experience. Students work individually with an advisor to complete an applied research project, demonstrating competency in research design, implementation, and scholarly communication.