Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) Degree Program

The Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) at Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) is a professional doctoral degree designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in acupuncture at the doctoral level.
The program emphasizes advanced clinical training, professional formation, and supervised patient care to support licensure preparation and professional readiness.

Program Overview

The DAc program provides comprehensive doctoral-level education in acupuncture, biomedical sciences, and clinical practice.
Students progress through structured academic coursework and supervised clinical training, developing the clinical reasoning and professional skills expected of doctoral-level practitioners.

Program Snapshot:

• Degree Level: professional doctorate

• Primary Focus: Doctoral-level acupuncture education and clinical practice

• Structure: Didactic coursework combined with supervised clinical practicum

Who Should Pursue This Program

This program is designed for:

• Students seeking a doctoral degree in acupuncture

• Individuals pursuing professional doctoral credentials without completing a separate master’s program

• Applicants preparing for acupuncture licensure and doctoral-level professional practice

Curriculum Focus and Key Components

The curriculum is structured to develop advanced theoretical understanding, clinical competence, and professional responsibility consistent with doctoral-level practice.

Core focus areas include:

• Advanced acupuncture theory and meridian systems

• Doctoral-level point location, needling techniques, and treatment strategies

• Biomedical sciences and clinical foundations

• Supervised clinical observation and patient care

Detailed Curriculum Structure

The Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) curriculum is designed to provide doctoral-level education in acupuncture theory, biomedical sciences, and supervised clinical practice.
Courses are organized to progressively develop advanced clinical reasoning, technical proficiency, and professional competence required for entry-level doctoral practice.

Advanced Acupuncture Theory and Techniques

This component emphasizes doctoral-level understanding and application of acupuncture practice.
Students study advanced acupuncture theory, meridian systems, point location, and needling techniques with a focus on precision, safety, and clinical effectiveness.

Course topics typically include:

• Advanced acupuncture theory and channel systems

• Point location and anatomical precision

• Doctoral-level needling techniques and safety

• Treatment planning and clinical integration

Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Foundations

Biomedical science coursework provides essential knowledge of Western medical concepts necessary for safe, informed, and professional acupuncture practice.
These courses support interdisciplinary communication, diagnostic understanding, and patient safety.

Course topics typically include:

• Medical terminology

• Anatomy and physiology

• Surface anatomy

• Pathology and disease mechanisms

• Biomedical assessment principles

Clinical Training and Supervised Practice

Clinical training is a core component of the DAc program and involves structured observation and supervised patient care.
Students apply doctoral-level clinical reasoning in real-world settings under faculty supervision, assuming increasing responsibility as competencies develop.

Clinical training includes:

• Clinical observation and case analysis

• Supervised acupuncture treatments

• Patient intake, assessment, and documentation

• Clinical ethics and professional conduct

Professional Development and Practice Preparation

Professional development coursework prepares students for responsible practice within regulated healthcare environments.

Course topics typically include:

• Professional ethics and legal responsibilities

• Clinical safety and risk management

• Practice management fundamentals

• Practitioner–patient communication

Program Progression by Academic Year

The DAc curriculum follows a structured progression guiding students from foundational doctoral studies to advanced clinical integration and professional readiness.

• Year 1 – Foundations and Clinical Observation

In the first year, students establish a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and essential clinical skills.
Coursework focuses on fundamental TCM concepts, including theories of qi, health, and disease etiology, alongside comprehensive study of acupuncture meridians, channels and collaterals, and acupoint classification, location, and application.

Practical training begins with Tui-na to develop palpation and manual therapy skills, forming the foundation for traditional acupuncture and moxibustion techniques.
Students are introduced to a range of acupuncture-related modalities, including auricular and scalp acupuncture, microsystem approaches, cupping, plum blossom, bleeding techniques, and gua sha.

Qigong and Taiji practices are incorporated to support the cultivation and regulation of qi and to enhance clinical understanding.
Clinical education begins through structured observation of licensed practitioners and student clinic operations, allowing students to contextualize theoretical learning within real-world practice.

Biomedical coursework introduces medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, surface anatomy, and foundational biological and chemical sciences to support safe and informed clinical practice.

• Year 2 – Applied Theory and Supervised Clinical Practice

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of disease processes through the applied use of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory.
Coursework emphasizes the formulation of Chinese medicine treatment principles and the application of acupuncture and moxibustion methods to promote health and address underlying pathology.

Clinical diagnosis forums continue to support the development of diagnostic reasoning, pattern differentiation, and treatment planning skills.
Preparatory internships further develop Tui-na and acupuncture techniques, with particular emphasis on the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

Supervised clinical practice formally begins, with students assuming responsibility for patient intake, assessment, treatment delivery, and clinical documentation under faculty supervision.
Professional training includes Clean Needle Technique (CNT), OSHA and HIPAA compliance, and clinical ethics. Completion of required safety certifications is required prior to participation in clinical internships.

Biomedical studies expand to include biochemistry, microbiology, Western physical examination and diagnosis, pathology, pharmacology and pharmacognosy, psychology, and professional communication skills, strengthening students’ ability to integrate Eastern and Western medical perspectives.

Introductory training in the topical application of Chinese herbal medicine provides foundational exposure to external herbal therapies commonly used in acupuncture practice, with an emphasis on safety and professional responsibility.

• Year 3 – Advanced Clinical Integration and Doctoral-Level Practice

In the third year, students complete advanced clinical training and transition to doctoral-level professional practice.
Students apply advanced acupuncture treatment strategies for a wide range of clinical conditions while assuming increased responsibility for comprehensive patient care.

Advanced clinical observation allows students to refine diagnostic reasoning and engage in higher-level clinical inquiry under the guidance of experienced practitioners.
Biomedical coursework concludes with training in Western medical referral and nutrition, further supporting integrative clinical competence.

Professional development includes clinical business management coursework addressing practice planning, professional development, and sustainability in both solo and group practice settings.
Structured exam preparation supports readiness for final proficiency assessment and national acupuncture board examinations.

Following completion of the master’s-level curriculum, the doctoral component of the DAc program provides advanced didactic and clinical training focused on integrative and collaborative care.
Students engage in advanced acupuncture treatment of disease, integrative biomedical and TCM diagnostics, collaborative medicine, research literacy, and evidence-informed practice.

Advanced integrative clinical training emphasizes the management of complex cases within multidisciplinary healthcare environments.
Under joint supervision by Chinese medicine and integrative healthcare practitioners, students refine clinical judgment regarding treatment strategy, referral, and the role of acupuncture within integrative medical settings.

Graduates of the DAc program are uniquely prepared for professional acupuncture practice with the clinical competence, integrative experience, and professional readiness expected of entry-level doctoral practitioners.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctor of Acupuncture program are prepared to:

• Practice acupuncture at the doctoral professional level

• Apply advanced diagnostic reasoning and treatment strategies

• Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical responsibility

• Enter professional practice and licensure pathways in acupuncture

Official Curriculum and Academic Catalog

For a complete and official list of courses, credit requirements, and graduation standards, please refer to the Academic Catalog.

Admissions and Next Steps

Prospective students are encouraged to review admissions requirements and application procedures.

Learn About Admissions → 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DAc degree?

An entry-level professional doctoral degree focused on acupuncture education and clinical practice.

Is the DAc a research doctorate?

No. The DAc is a professional entry-level doctoral degree emphasizing clinical training rather than dissertation-based research.

Does the DAc include Chinese herbal medicine?

No. Chinese herbal medicine training is included in the DAcCHM program.

Program Category Totals

• Biosciences 585 hours / 39 credits
• TCM Theory & Technique 1110 hours / 66 credits
• Miscellaneous 135 hours / 9 credits
• Observation 300 hours / 10 credits
• Chinese Herbal Medicine 45 hours / 3 credits
• Clinics: Acupuncture 555 hours / 18.5 credits
• For more detail, please See Catalog

Total 2,730 hours / 143.5 credits