Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) Program

The Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) at Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) is a professional doctoral degree designed to prepare students for entry-level doctoral practice in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
The program integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, biomedical sciences, and supervised clinical training to support licensure preparation and professional readiness.

Program Overview

The DAcCHM program provides comprehensive doctoral-level education in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, supported by biomedical sciences and progressive clinical practice.
Students develop advanced diagnostic reasoning and integrated treatment strategies appropriate for doctoral-level professional practice.

Program Snapshot:

• Degree Level: First-professional doctorate

• Primary Focus: Doctoral-level acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine practice

• Structure: Didactic coursework combined with supervised clinical practicum

Who Should Pursue This Program

This program is designed for:

• Students seeking a doctoral entry-level degree integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

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

• Applicants preparing for licensure involving both acupuncture and herbal medicine

Curriculum Focus and Key Components

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

Core focus areas include:

• Advanced acupuncture theory and meridian systems

• Chinese herbal medicine theory, materia medica, and formula application

• Biomedical sciences and clinical foundations

• Supervised clinical observation and patient care

Detailed Curriculum Structure

The Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) curriculum is designed to provide doctoral-level education in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, biomedical sciences, and supervised clinical practice.
Courses are organized to progressively develop advanced diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic integration, 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

Chinese Herbal Medicine Studies

Chinese herbal medicine training provides doctoral-level education in herbal therapeutics within Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Coursework emphasizes the properties, functions, formulation principles, and clinical application of herbs and formulas.

Course topics typically include:

• Materia medica and herbal classifications

• Formula construction, modification, and clinical strategy

• Herbal applications for internal medicine conditions

• Safety, dosage, and professional considerations

Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Foundations

Biomedical science coursework provides essential knowledge of Western medical concepts necessary for safe, informed, and responsible integrative clinical 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 DAcCHM program and includes supervised patient care involving both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Students progressively assume responsibility for patient intake, assessment, treatment planning, acupuncture treatments, and herbal applications under faculty supervision.

Clinical training includes:

• Clinical observation and case analysis

• Supervised acupuncture treatments

• Supervised herbal consultations and applications

• Patient intake, assessment, and documentation

• Clinical ethics and professional conduct

Professional Development and Practice Preparation

Professional development coursework prepares students for responsible, ethical, and effective 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 Phase

The DAcCHM 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 emphasizes core TCM concepts, acupuncture meridian and point theory, and introductory Chinese herbal medicine principles.

  Practical training includes Tui-na to develop palpation skills, traditional acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, and selected adjunctive modalities.
  Qigong and Taiji practices are incorporated to support the cultivation, regulation, and clinical understanding of qi.

  Biomedical coursework introduces medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, surface anatomy, and foundational biological sciences, providing essential knowledge for safe and effective clinical practice.

  Clinical exposure begins through structured observation of licensed practitioners and student clinic operations, allowing students to contextualize theoretical learning within real-world clinical environments.

• Year 2 – Advanced Theory and Supervised Clinical Practice

  In the second year, students advance their application of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory to understand disease processes and develop integrated acupuncture and herbal treatment strategies.
  Ongoing participation in clinical diagnosis forums supports the refinement of diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning skills.

  Supervised clinical practice formally begins, with students assuming responsibility for patient intake, assessment, acupuncture treatments, and herbal applications under faculty supervision.
  This hands-on training emphasizes clinical safety, professional conduct, and progressive skill development.

  Professional preparation includes coursework in Clean Needle Technique (CNT), OSHA and HIPAA compliance, and clinical ethics.
  Completion of required safety certifications is required prior to participation in advanced clinical internships.

• Year 3 – Advanced Clinical Integration and Herbal Medicine Practice

In the third year, students deepen their clinical competence through advanced supervised practice and expanded Chinese herbal medicine training.
Students assume increased responsibility for comprehensive patient care while transitioning from student clinicians to beginning professional practitioners.

Advanced acupuncture coursework focuses on complex disease treatment, including refined acumoxa diagnosis, pattern differentiation, prescription formulation, and treatment strategies commonly encountered in professional practice.
Chinese herbal medicine studies emphasize systematic internal medicine and gynecology approaches based on syndrome differentiation, alongside courses in the clinical application of herbal medicine.

Clinical training expands through internal medicine internships and advanced observation experiences, allowing students to refine diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making under the guidance of experienced practitioners.
Opportunities to assist clinic supervisors further support professional development and clinical confidence.

Biomedical coursework strengthens integrative competence through Western physical examination and diagnosis, pharmacology and pharmacognosy, medical referral protocols, and Western nutrition.
This training enhances students’ ability to integrate Eastern and Western medical perspectives in clinical settings.

Professional preparation is further supported through clinical business management coursework, covering foundational principles of practice development, marketing, and professional planning.
Board examination preparation guides students through final proficiency assessment and national board readiness.

Completion of Year 3 fulfills the requirements for the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (MAcCHM) for students enrolled in the dual-degree pathway.

• Year 4 – Doctoral-Level Integrative Clinical Practice and Professional Leadership

Year 4 constitutes the doctoral-level component of the DAcCHM program and builds upon the full MAcCHM curriculum with advanced professional training.
This year emphasizes integrative clinical mastery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-informed professional development.

Didactic coursework includes advanced internal medicine treatment strategies, integrative biomedical and Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostics, collaborative healthcare models, research literacy, and professional development.
These courses support doctoral-level clinical reasoning and integrative decision-making.

Advanced clinical training focuses on the management of complex cases within integrative acupuncture and internal medicine clinics.
Students collaborate with supervisors from Chinese medicine and allied health disciplines, engaging in interdisciplinary discussions that inform diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical delivery.

Clinical supervision emphasizes comprehensive Chinese medicine treatment strategies that complement integrative medical care.
Students develop advanced judgment regarding indications, contraindications, referrals, and the role of Chinese medicine within multidisciplinary healthcare environments.

Through these experiences, students gain insight into diverse diagnostic and therapeutic approaches while refining their professional identity as doctoral-level practitioners.
Graduates of the DAcCHM program are uniquely prepared for Chinese medicine practice within integrative clinical settings, equipped with advanced skills, collaborative experience, and professional leadership readiness.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine program are prepared to:

• Integrate acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in doctoral-level clinical practice

• Apply advanced diagnostic reasoning and treatment strategies

• Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical responsibility

• Enter professional practice and licensure pathways involving acupuncture and herbal medicine

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 DAcCHM degree?

An entry-level professional doctoral degree integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine education and clinical practice.

Is the DAcCHM a research doctorate?

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

How does the DAcCHM differ from the DAc program?

The DAcCHM includes comprehensive Chinese herbal medicine education in addition to doctoral-level acupuncture training.

Program Category Totals

• Biosciences 585 hours / 39 credits
• TCM Theory & Technique 1080 hours / 64.5 credits
• Miscellaneous 135 hours / 9 credits
• Observation 300 hours / 10 credits
• Chinese Herbal Medicine 480 hours / 32 credits
• Clinics:
  • Acupuncture 495 hours / 16.5 credits
  • Chinese Herbal 330 hours / 11 credits
• For more detail, please See Catalog

Total 3,405 hours, 182 credits