This page aims to provide a quick overview of commonly asked questions about the DAOM program. For more general information, please go to the DAOM homepage instead.
Who is the DAOM program for?
What makes the DAOM program distinct?
CCMU’s DAOM program focuses extensively on the concept of Qi. In the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi describes the fundamental life force that underpins both physical and spiritual vitality. The CCMU DAOM’s teachings are informed by the body of work that compromises classical Chinese medicine (CCM), delving into the properties, conditions, and manifestations of Qi to address its role in organ function, meridian flow, and the onset of disease. Highlights of what students learn in the program include:
- A new and highly effective system for treatment based on classical knowledge
- Advanced pulse assessment, utilizing only 6 pulses
- Advanced treatment modalities not covered in entry-level curriculums
- Innovative acupuncture & herbal medicine to diagnose and treat Qi concerns.
What special techniques do DAOM practitioners learn?
The DAOM program focuses on teaching techniques based on applying knowledge of Qi flows and balance to treatment, something we typically refer to as “Qi medicine.” These Qi medicine specializations include:
- Diagnosis
- Using pulse to diagnose the Qi’s movement in the body.
- Treatment
- Regulating the Qi from imbalance to regulation via acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary adjustment, moxa, music, and other techniques.
- Assessment
- Evaluating Qi balance by employing pulse diagnosis to gauge the effectiveness of treatment.
- Preventive Care
- Utilizing predictive methods to proactively prevent diseases, regulating the pulse periodically to maintain overall wellbeing.
How long is the DAOM program?
The program is in total 1215 hours (55.5 credits), with 510 hours (310 credits) of didactic courses and 705 hours (23.5 credits) of clinical training. In practice, a full-time student (6 – 11 credits per trimester) will have 6 – 9 hours per week of class and graduate in 2 years. A part-time student (2-6 credits per trimester) will graduate in 2 to 4 years depending on their specific pace of enrollment.
What is the tuition for the DAOM?
The total cost of the DAOM program in 2027 before scholarships or financial aid is $48,600.00, based on a per-hour price of $40. Tuition is typically paid on a per-trimester basis based on courses actually taken. Students who choose to pay full tuition up front receive a 5% discount.
What financial aid opportunities are there for the DAOM program?
- CCMU provides three $5000 scholarships for DAOM students, based on the following criteria:
- Academic Achievement: Exceeded a 3.8 GPA in a MAc or MAcCHM program.
- Business Achievement: Owning a clinic whose annual income exceeds $65,000. Supporting documents will be requested to validate this information.
- Research and Publishing Achievement: Publishing at least five academic articles or one book in the TCM field.
- CCMU has multiple merit fellowship opportunities for DAOM students:
- Qualified students may work 2 days (16 hours) per week at CCMU and receive a full tuition waiver.
- At CCMU’s discretion, exceptional applicants may also receive a paid position starting at $24/hour with advancement opportunities.
- CCMU provides discounts to students and faculty:
- CCMU alumni receive a 10% tuition discount.
- Former faculty receive a 15% tuition discount
- Current faculty receive a 25-35% tuition discount based on years of service.
- CCMU can take Title IV direct unsubsidized student loans.
What sources is the DAOM program drawing from?
The DAOM program actively covers a core set of classical texts:
- HuangDi NeiJing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor)
- Nan Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Eighty-One Difficult Issues)
- ShenNong BenCao Jing (Classic of the Materia Medica)
- Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases)
- Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet)
- Wen Bing Xue (Warm Disease Theory)
Preferred translations are provided in the syllabus and catalog. We also provide a larger list of recommended works for independent study and reference.
Important Disclosure
Career outcomes, including employment, patient volume, and income levels, vary widely based on individual effort, geographic location, and market conditions. CCMU does not guarantee employment, income, or business success.