Dear Prospective Student,
It is with profound pride and deep conviction that I welcome you to Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU). Since our founding in 1990 by a group of dedicated Chinese medicine practitioners, CCMU has grown to become the oldest and most respected Chinese medicine institution in Colorado. But in today’s ever-changing world, the survival and advancement of Chinese medicine demand more than tradition—it requires belief, responsibility, and courage.
Across the globe, Chinese medicine is facing unprecedented challenges. In many clinical settings, acupuncture and herbal therapies are used without theoretical coherence or methodological clarity, leading to questions about their efficacy. At the same time, respected Chinese medicine schools in the U.S. have closed their doors, not merely due to financial pressures, but because the foundational belief in Chinese medicine itself has been shaken.
At CCMU, we affirm without compromise: the future of Chinese medicine lies in reclaiming its core principles—beginning with a profound belief in the wisdom of its classical roots. We do not view Chinese medicine as a collection of fragmented techniques, but as an integrated system of thought and practice centered on the unified theory of Qi. This is not an abstract ideal, but a clinical reality that our programs are built to express and deliver.
Our Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) program embodies this commitment. Grounded in the philosophical foundations of the Huang Di Nei Jing, we train our students to understand, regulate, and verify Qi through diagnostic and therapeutic processes that are both rigorous and reproducible. Our system emphasizes real-time pulse-based assessment, the logical coordination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and other modalities, and most importantly, the cultivation of a healer’s mindset rooted in clarity and integrity.
In 2023, we expanded our academic mission through collaborative research projects with peer institutions, and in 2024, CCMU became a proud member of the RAND Research Across Complementary and Integrative Health (REACH) Center. Through this affiliation, we are contributing to a new era of scientific inquiry into traditional medicine, grounded not in compromise, but in confidence.
Our service mission is equally strong. We provide free or low-cost care to underserved populations, and partner with local healthcare providers to bring integrative medicine to the broader community. Our students learn not only to treat illness, but to serve with compassion and responsibility.
We are proud to be accredited for MAc, MAcCHM, DAc, DAcCHM, and DAOM programs in the United States, and our degrees are recognized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). These endorsements reflect both academic excellence and international reach.
Above all, we believe that running a Chinese medicine school is not simply an educational endeavor—it is a sacred trust. It requires unwavering belief in the value of Chinese medicine, a mission to preserve its depth, and a commitment to train the next generation to heal with both skill and soul.
If you are seeking a place where classical wisdom meets modern practice, where healing is both a science and a calling, and where Chinese medicine is lived, not merely studied—CCMU is here for you. Please contact our admissions team at admissions@ccmu.edu to learn more, arrange a tour, or attend a class.
Thank you for considering Colorado Chinese Medicine University as the place to begin or deepen your journey. We welcome you with open arms and shared purpose.
Sincerely,
Songtao Zhou
President & CEO
Colorado Chinese Medicine University
