MUIH has PERMANENTLY STOPPED accepting applications for admission to its acupuncture and herbal medicine programs. On a permanent basis, individuals are no longer being admitted to MUIH’s acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine programs. Individuals who are interested in enrolling in acupuncture and herbal medicine programs are advised to consider accredited programs at other institutions.
The doctoral completion programs in acupuncture provide a pathway for alumni of MUIH’s Master’s level acupuncture programs to earn the Doctor of Acupuncture or Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization.
MUIH, Tai Sophia, or Traditional Acupuncture Institute alumni who began their Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization, or Master of Oriental Medicine degree in 1985 or later have the necessary preparation to enter MUIH’s Doctor of Acupuncture or Doctor Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization programs. Alumni who began their program earlier than 1985 should contact the Office of Admissions for more information. The doctoral completion programs are not open to individuals who received their master’s degree in acupuncture (with or without Chinese herbs) from an institution other than MUIH, Tai Sophia, or Traditional Acupuncture Institute.
The doctoral completion program consists of two sets of courses:
Acupuncture Courses (22 credits)
The acupuncture set of courses consists of 22 credits of didactic and clinical acupuncture courses above MUIH’s master’s degrees. Didactic courses cover topics that include research literacy, advanced diagnostic skills, working within interdisciplinary teams and settings, collaborative care, and practice management. 3.5 credits are focused on point functions and qi cultivation. Clinical courses provide an opportunity to enhance and deepen clinical skills, especially in an integrative setting.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Courses (41 credits)
The Chinese herbal medicine set of courses consists of 41 credits of didactic and clinical Chinese herbal medicine courses.
There are four doctoral completion pathways:
| Pathway | Degree(s) Already Held by Alumni (*) | Additional New Degree Being Sought | Required Doctoral Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master of Acupuncture | Doctor of Acupuncture |
|
| 2 | Master of Acupuncture | Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization |
|
| 3 | Master of Oriental Medicine OR Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization | Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization |
|
| 4 | Master of Acupuncture AND Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbs | Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization |
|
(*) MUIH’s curriculum changed in 2016. Individuals who entered these programs in 1985-2015 may need to complete additional coursework.
Alumni of the Doctor of Acupuncture program seeking to add Chinese herbal medicine should apply to Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine program and are not eligible to receive the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization.
Alumni of the following MUIH programs are eligible for admission to the doctoral completion programs:
To be eligible for the doctoral completion program, individuals must have had a break in enrollment of at least one trimester between completion of one of these master’s programs and enrollment in the doctoral completion program, and substantial practice experience as a licensed acupuncturist.
Individuals enrolled in MUIH’s entry-level Doctor of Acupuncture or Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization programs are not permitted to enroll in the degree completion doctoral programs. Entry level programs are those in which students do not have a break in enrollment between completion of their master’s degree and starting the doctoral acupuncture program and do not have substantial practice experience as a licensed acupuncturist before starting the doctoral acupuncture program.
Individuals who did not receive their master’s degree in acupuncture from MUIH are not eligible for admission to the doctoral completion programs.
| Trimester of Entry: | Fall, Spring |
| Application Deadlines: | Application deadline by Trimester |
| General Requirements: |
|
| Program Specific Requirements: | Prerequisite Coursework: Students must have completed prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, and psychology; lab courses in these subjects are not required. Students may fulfill this prerequisite coursework through any of the following means:
Complete Essay Questions in application:
Additional English language proficiency requirements apply for international students. |
(*) Accelerated Clinic is available to graduates who have been out of school for more than one year.
(**) Clinical placements with external partners have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and alternate experiences may be required.
| Learning Outcomes | DAC | DACHM |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the tradition of Constitutional Five Element Acupuncture, Eight Principle treatment strategies and its different traditions. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Chinese Herbs from a unique integration of Constitutional Five Element perspectives, classical Chinese medicine, Eight Principle diagnosis, and Zang-Fu differentiation. | ✓ | |
| Develop a collaborative approach to health care. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Be an effective clinician/educator in an integrative care setting. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Be able to communicate effectively with other health care providers regarding the results of diagnostic studies. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Understand research and scholarship in the field of health and wellness. | ✓ | ✓ |
DAC = Doctor of Acupuncture
DACHM = Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization
Program Format
This program is offered in the on-campus format. Click here to view MUIH’s definition of online, hybrid, and on-campus course and program formats. The Doctoral Completion programs are delivered through a mix of on campus and online courses.
For additional details visit the Academic Catalog.
Program Schedule
Didactic courses are primarily online or on weekends if on campus, and the majority are offered every other trimester. There are multiple options for completion of clinical experiences, which may include time on campus, at external partnership sites, or in your private practice.
Chinese Herbal Medicine courses are offered on-campus on weekends, approximately one weekend per month; where a weekend is Friday and Saturday, with some Friday through Sundays. Class times are generally Friday 8:30-4:30 and Saturday, Sunday 8:30-5:30. In the second year, students will begin participating in clinic. Clinic times are available on weekdays and weekends. There are a limited number of online courses.
| Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | Tuition Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOM | $1,039 | 22 | $22,858 |
| Total | 22 | $22,858 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Timeline
| Average Credits per Trimester | Typical Completion Time |
|---|---|
| 3 | 7 Trimesters |
Additional Fees
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
| University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
| Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students |
| Cooking Lab Fee | NUTR 681 – $40/course NUTR 682 – $40/course NUTR 683 – $45/course NUTR 684 – $45/course NUTR 686 – $30/course NUTR 687 – $40/course NUTR 688 – $40/course |
| Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) |
| Herb Kit Fee | Students enrolled in the following herbal medicine courses: HRB 605 $160 HRB 614 $185 HRB 622 $150 HRB 642 $220 HRB 653 $85 HRB 705 $180 Due to international customs requirements, we do not ship herb kits outside of the United States Facilities/Food fee: HRB 636 $175 |
| Credit Card Adjustment Fee | 2.75% of amount paid by credit card |
| Graduation Fee | $75 |
Laws & Licensure
Each state, including Maryland, has specific licensure or registration procedures that must be met. Governmental laws, regulations, legal opinions, and requirements differ from country to country and state to state. MUIH cannot provide assurance that completion of the program will qualify a graduate to be registered or accepted under a state law other than Maryland. Most states require successful completion of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exam. For more information, refer to nccaom.org.
Maryland Acupuncture Licenses
Graduates wishing to practice in Maryland may be licensed by applying to the Maryland Board of Acupuncture. MUIH is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to award a Doctor of Acupuncture Medicine degree, and the program conforms to Maryland laws and regulations regarding the practice of acupuncture. (MUIH has requested approval from Maryland Higher Education Commission to change the title of this existing program to Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization, effective for students entering the program in the fall 2021 trimester and later. This change and approval from MHEC are pending.) For requirements for licensure in Maryland, contact: Maryland Board of Acupuncture, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Room 311 Baltimore, MD 21215; phone 410-764-4766 or 800-530-2481; or online at health.maryland.gov/bacc/.
Requirements of Other States
For eligibility to apply for licensure, other states may stipulate additional requirements, such as completion of a course in Chinese herbs or clinical hours beyond what is required by MUIH. Individuals who wish to practice in a state other than Maryland are advised to check the licensing requirements of that state by contacting the medical or acupuncture regulating agency in each state.
Additional Information
Additional information regarding licensure is available in the State Licensure Determination document on MUIH’s Student Consumer Information webpage and in the Academic Catalog.
The following programs offered by Maryland University of Integrative Health are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):
(2) Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization
(4) Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization
(5) Certificate in Chinese herbal medicine [currently named Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbs]
The programs listed above may offer courses via distance education.
ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level.
Maryland University of Integrative Health has voluntarily ceased enrolling students in all ACAHM-accredited programs and has instituted ACAHM-approved teach-out plans for all currently enrolled students. During the teach-out period, the programs maintain the current accredited status.
Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.
ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, MN 55331; phone 952/212-2434; www.acahm.org.
Public Disclosure Statement Effective as of 4 October 2023.
Graduates of MUIH’s acupuncture and herbal medicine programs are employed in a variety of settings including private practice; integrative group practices; health care systems; hospitals; wellness centers; pain management centers; addiction treatment centers; behavioral and mental health centers; fertility centers; veterans and military organizations and agencies; state and local health departments; and colleges and universities. Many graduates chose to have a portfolio career in which they have multiple positions and employers within one or more professions, rather than one full-time job. A portfolio career provides such individuals with variety in their work life and the opportunity to develop a wide and varied professional network.
The career outlook for acupuncture and herbal medicine (AHM) practitioners is strong, and national statistics indicate that individuals pursuing such careers successfully earn income and either establish a solo practice or are hired into a number of different healthcare settings. The AHM career track has been categorized as a “BrightOutlook” occupation by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicating that this occupation is predicted to experience rapid growth during the years 2018-2028. BLS predicts a much faster than average (11%) employment growth for AHM practitioners during this time period. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) reports that approximately 72% of acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioners are actively working in clinical practice with a majority of those practitioners reporting a solo practice being their primary practice setting. NCCAOM also reports that there has been a significant increase in employment in hospital and integrative care settings; the percentage of acupuncturists employed or contracted in these settings grew from 6% in 2008 to 10% in 2015. NCCAOM job analysis statistics indicate that 36% of AHM practitioners reported a total gross income (before taxes) of $40,000-$100,000 with 11% reporting gross incomes of $100,000 and above; the BLS reports the median average salary for AHM practitioners in 2017 was $73,830
Take a look at what our Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine programs offer and how MUIH is the choice for you!
Janet Padgett, Ph.D., M.Ac.
Director of Acupuncture
Hunter Thompson, D.O.M., L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. (NCCAOM), ADS
Director, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Clinical Experience
Jennifer Schwing, M.A.
Department Manager
Crystal Hoyte, M.S.
Associate Director of Academic Advising & Student Orientation Specialist