The Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Completion Program (DACMCP) allows practitioners and graduates of Master degree programs to obtain their doctoral degree from home. The 100% online program can be completed in two semesters. The completion program consists of course work in doctoral-level research and collaborative communications with the addition of advanced Chinese medicine-specific content. Students will engage in academic research and writing with the intent to gain skills suitable for publication and professional presentation as Doctors of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
This program does not include clinic internship or lab classes. The classes are didactic, or based on clinical analysis and mentorship, making online instruction suitable for deepening and extending practitioner knowledge. The DACMCP provides students with skills to provide the best quality collaborative care essential to treat the whole health of their patients.
The DACMCP is designed for those graduates that have obtained Master’s level education approved by ACAHM (formerly ACAOM).
Designed with the working professional in mind, the transitional online DACM Completion Program offers the opportunity to obtain doctorate education in a convenient online 2-semester program. The degree builds on MSTCM knowledge to provide coursework in systems-based medicine, oncology, and advanced syndrome-based herbal study, research literacy and evidence-informed practices.
The program is 2 semesters (8 months) and 330 hours of academic education.
DACM Completion Program Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Units | Hours | Work |
| ACMC 7142 | Literature Research | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 7632 | Herbal Comparison and Syndrome-Based Herbal Study | 3 | 45 | 135 |
| ACMC 7633 | TCM Classics: Jin Gui Yao Lue | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 7637 | Case-Based Clinical Mentorship | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8133 | TCM Oncology | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8222 | Laboratory Diagnosis and Medical Imaging | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8235 | System-Based and Integrative Medicine | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8312 | Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research I | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8313 | Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research II | 2 | 30 | 90 |
| ACMC 8352 | Clinical Case Analysis Final Project | 3 | 45 | 135 |
| Program Total | 22 | 330 | 990 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Patient Care Competencies
- Articulate the significance of biomedical knowledge to inform acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to understand the significance of routine laboratory and imaging reports.
- Demonstrate the ability to review biomedical chart notes and relate this data to Chinese medicine patient care.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage patient care.
Systems-Based Medicine Competencies
- Demonstrate the ability to educate other health care professions regarding the appropriate use of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
- Articulate the roles and responsibilities of other healthcare practitioners.
- Articulate a definition of systems-based medicine.
- Describe how healthcare is impacted by the context of where and how care is provided.
- Articulate the role of evidence-based medicine and evidence-informed practice in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
- Articulate the proper provision of patient care in a collaborative setting.
Professional Development Competencies
- Articulate knowledge of state legal requirements and scope of practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to self-assess and make changes to improve professional and clinical outcomes.
- Demonstrate the ability to access and evaluate research information, and relate this information to clinical practice.
DACM Completion Program Course Descriptions
ACMT 7142 Literature Research (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course introduces techniques for assessing research literature, as well as teaching the basic concepts of research methodology. The course provides students basic skills for accessing research literature, including Boolean research tools and citation database. Students will conduct literature searches and develop bibliographies related to research topics.
ACMT 7632 Herbal Comparison and Syndrome-Based Herbal Study (3 Units) PF Grade Option
This course describes Chinese herbs in the context of comparative functions and herb combining. Groups of related herbs are discussed, relating function and nature in the context of indications and expected clinical outcomes. The characteristics of common pairs of herbs (dui yao) are also examined. This course enhances the student’s knowledge of the Chinese materia medica and herbal formulas in the context of zang fu organ pattern differentiation.
ACMT 7633 TCM Classics: Jin Gui Yao Lue (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course covers the formulas presented in the Han Dynasty classic Jin Gui Yao Lue. Known in English as the Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber, this text was compiled by Zhang Zhongjing during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 ACE). Formulas are differentiated based on content, indications and treatment principles.
ACMT 7637 Case-Based Clinical Mentorship (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course is case-based and participatory. The course is designed to engage student practitioners in critical thinking, problem solving, diagnostic, and decision-making skills. Led by a senior faculty member that guides and mentors students, this course supports students to identify areas of specific clinical interest in preparation of upcoming courses: Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research II and Clinical Case Analysis Final Project
ACMT 8133 TCM Oncology (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course presents the etiology and pathology of selected cancers from both Chinese medicine and biomedical perspectives. Students will be introduced to the principles of biomedical oncology, and Chinese medical modalities (acupuncture, herbs, diet and qi gong) to support patients undergoing conventional cancer care. The ethics pertaining to treating cancer patients will be discussed. Utilizing case studies student will become more confident treating patients with cancer in the clinical setting.
ACMT 8222 Laboratory Diagnosis and Medical Imaging (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course provides an introduction to the interpretation and limitations of biomedical laboratory diagnostic studies and medical imaging. Laboratory findings are reviewed in the context of practice as a licensed acupuncturist.
ACMT 8235 Systems-Based and Integrative Medicine (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course covers the management of health care systems, diversity issues, population-based assessment and care, and differentiating healthcare systems such as acupuncture and Chinese medicine, biomedicine, naturopathy and indigenous medical systems. Students learn about participating on interdisciplinary teams.
ACMT 8312 Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research I (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course is designed to help the students develop advanced skills in analyzing cases. The students are expected to access traditional and contemporary literature in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as biomedical research, including research on epidemiology and treatment in order to analyze cases they are seeing in the clinic. The students will be required to write high quality case studies, and to do a formal presentation to their classmates regarding findings and recommendations.
ACMT 8313 Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research II (2 Units) PF Grade Option
This course is designed to help the students develop advanced skills in analyzing cases. The students are expected to access traditional and contemporary literature in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as biomedical research, including research on epidemiology and treatment, in order to analyze cases they are seeing in the clinic. The students will be required to write high-quality case studies, and to do a formal presentation to their classmates regarding findings and recommendations.
ACMT 8352 Clinical Case Analysis Final Project (2 Units) PF Grade Option
The clinical case analysis project must demonstrate critical thinking and a synthesis of the skill and knowledge learned in the program. The course provides support for clinical case selection, review and critical appraisal of relevant literature, and case analysis writing. The clinical case analysis paper will be of a quality to meet academic form and style standards suitable for peer-reviewed professional publications.