Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) Degree Program

The Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) at Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) is a 3,075-hour, 36-month graduate-level professional degree designed to prepare students for comprehensive clinical practice in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
The program integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine theory to support professional competency, clinical reasoning, and licensure preparation.

Program Overview

The MAcCHM program provides integrated education in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine alongside biomedical sciences and supervised clinical practice.
Students develop diagnostic and treatment skills across multiple therapeutic modalities through structured coursework and progressive clinical training.

Program Snapshot:

• Degree Level: Master’s

• Primary Focus: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

• Structure: Didactic coursework combined with supervised clinical practicum

Who Should Pursue This Program

This program is designed for:

• Students seeking comprehensive training in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

• Individuals preparing for professional licensure involving both acupuncture and herbal medicine

• Applicants interested in integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical practice

Curriculum Focus and Key Components

The curriculum is structured to progressively develop theoretical understanding, clinical skills, and professional readiness across both acupuncture and herbal medicine disciplines.

Core focus areas include:

• Acupuncture theory, meridian systems, and needling techniques

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

• Biomedical sciences and clinical foundations

• Supervised clinical observation and patient care

Detailed Curriculum Structure

The Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) curriculum is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, biomedical sciences, and supervised clinical practice.
Courses are organized to progressively develop diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic integration, and clinical competence required for professional practice and licensure.

Core Acupuncture Theory and Techniques

This component of the curriculum focuses on foundational and applied acupuncture practice.
Students study classical and modern acupuncture theory, meridian systems, point location, and needling techniques with emphasis on safety, accuracy, and clinical application.

Course topics typically include:

• Acupuncture theory and meridian systems

• Point location and anatomical landmarks

• Needling techniques and clinical safety

• Acupuncture treatment principles and modality integration

Chinese Herbal Medicine Studies

Chinese herbal medicine training provides students with a systematic understanding of herbal therapeutics within Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Coursework emphasizes the properties, functions, and clinical application of herbs and formulas.

Course topics typically include:

• Materia medica and herbal classifications

• Formula construction and modification

• Herbal applications for internal medicine conditions

• Safety, dosage, and clinical considerations

Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Foundations

Biomedical science courses provide essential grounding in Western medical concepts necessary for safe and effective integrative clinical practice.
This coursework supports interdisciplinary communication, diagnostic understanding, and patient safety.

Course topics typically include:

• Medical terminology

• Anatomy and physiology

• Surface anatomy

• Pathology and disease mechanisms

• Introduction to biology and chemistry

Clinical Training and Supervised Practice

Clinical training is a core component of the MAcCHM program and includes supervised patient care involving both acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Students progressively assume responsibility for patient assessment, treatment planning, and clinical documentation under faculty supervision.

Clinical training includes:

• Clinical observation and case review

• Supervised acupuncture treatments

• Supervised herbal consultations and topical applications

• Patient intake, assessment, and documentation

• Clinical ethics and professional conduct

Professional Development and Practice Preparation

Professional development coursework supports 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 Year

The MAcCHM curriculum follows a structured progression that guides students from foundational theory and observation to advanced clinical integration and professional readiness.

• Year 1 – Foundations and Clinical Observation

  The first year emphasizes foundational knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the development of essential practical skills.
  Students study core TCM theories, acupuncture meridian and point theory, and introductory herbal medicine concepts.

  Training includes Tui-na, traditional acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, and adjunctive modalities.
  Qigong and Taiji exercises are incorporated to support the cultivation and regulation of qi.

  Biomedical coursework introduces medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, surface anatomy, and foundational biological sciences.

  Clinical exposure begins through structured observation of licensed practitioners and student clinic operations.

• Year 2 – Advanced Theory and Supervised Clinical Practice

  In the second year, students apply TCM theory to understand disease processes and develop integrated acupuncture and herbal treatment strategies.
  Participation in clinical diagnosis forums continues, supporting refinement of diagnostic and treatment planning skills.

  Supervised clinical practice formally begins, with students responsible for patient intake, assessment, acupuncture treatments, and herbal applications 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 advanced clinical internships.

• Year 3 – Advanced Clinical Integration and Professional Readiness

  The final year emphasizes advanced clinical integration and professional readiness.
  Students refine clinical reasoning, integrate acupuncture and herbal medicine strategies, and prepare for final proficiency assessments.

  The curriculum supports preparation for national acupuncture and herbal medicine board examinations in alignment with professional licensure pathways.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the MAcCHM program are prepared to:

• Integrate acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in clinical practice

• Apply diagnostic reasoning across complex clinical conditions

• 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 an MAcCHM degree?

A master’s-level professional degree that integrates acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine training.

How does the MAcCHM differ from the MAc program?

The MAcCHM includes comprehensive Chinese herbal medicine education in addition to acupuncture training.

Does this program prepare students for licensure?

Yes. The program is designed to meet educational requirements for professional licensure involving acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Transfer Opportunities

Students can transfer between the MAc and Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (MAcCHM) programs with appropriate prerequisites and a program transfer fee. MAc graduates can return to complete the necessary coursework and clinics for the MAcCHM degree.

Program Category Totals

• Biosciences 540 hours / 36 credits
• TCM Theory & Technique 990 hours / 58.5 credits
• Miscellaneous 90 hours / 6 credits
• Observation 150 hours / 5 credits
• Chinese Herbal Medicine 480 hours / 32 credits
• Clinics:
  • Acupuncture 645 hours / 21.5 credits
  • Chinese Herbal 180 hours / 6 credits
• For more detail, please See Catalog

Total 3,075 hours / 165 credits