COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE: The next enrollment period for this program is the spring 2022 trimester. MUIH is planning for this program to be delivered in its standard format for students entering the program in the spring 2022 trimester. The program will be delivered with a combination of on campus and online courses; students will be required to come to campus for their in-person classes. MUIH’s Health and Safety Plan describes the University’s protocols for ensuring safety on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination for the COVID-19 virus is not required to enter or us MUIH’s facilities.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine is unique in the U.S. for integration of Constitutional Five-Element perspectives, classical Chinese medicine, Eight-Principle diagnosis, and Zang-Fu pattern differentiation. The program provides a deep and thorough understanding of Chinese herbs and formulas and applies them to the practical enhancement of health and wellness. It is rooted in the history of ideas of Chinese herbal medicine from the classics to contemporary practice. Graduates are confident in their ability to be effective and knowledgeable practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine. This program is designed for licensed acupuncturists, and its flexible weekend format is tailored to their needs. This 41-credit program is delivered on-campus and can be completed in 6 trimesters (2 years).
This program is designed for licensed acupuncturists that wish to enhance their practice and ability to support patients through the additional application and integration of Chinese herbal medicine with acupuncture. The program complements acupuncturists’ knowledge and skill set and enhances the treatment of their patients by integrating classical Chinese medicine with a Constitutional Five-Element perspective.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine at MUIH educates effective clinicians with a deep and thorough understanding of Chinese herbs and formulas who apply them to the practical enhancement of health and wellness and integrate their use with acupuncture approaches. The course of study integrates classical Chinese medicine and Constitutional Five-Element constitutional perspectives into the study of herbal medicine, yielding a uniquely deep and broad vision of the Chinese tradition. Graduates possess a well-rounded knowledge of the theory and philosophy of Chinese herbal medicine, its rich history, and contemporary applications. The program provides a deep and thorough understanding of Chinese herbs and formulas in the didactic component. Clinical training includes direct diagnostic calibration with experienced supervisors and practical dispensary training in MUIH’s extensive herbal dispensary. The program provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in prescribing Chinese herbs as well as the management of a Chinese herbal dispensary. It also provides the opportunity to apply the use of Chinese herbs to specialty topics, including gynecology, dermatology, oncology, gastroenterology, and traumatology. Students, taught by some of the brightest clinicians and prominent elders of Chinese herbal medicine in the U.S., receive knowledge and wisdom that carries the Chinese herbal tradition forward into an increasingly prominent place in the current healthcare landscape. Faculty in the program are highly credentialed faculty, and many hold the highest professional credential in acupuncture and herbal medicine in the U.S., issued by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Comparison of Herbal Medicine Approaches: To learn more about various herbal medicine approaches to health and wellness and how they align with MUIH’s programs click here.
Students who complete the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine are able to:
The program consists of 41 credits of required courses:
Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog.
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Chinese Herbal Medicine program of Maryland University of Integrative Health is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone (952) 212-2434; fax (952) 657-7068; acaom.org.
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 profession, 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.
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 Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine is delivered primarily on campus with some online courses.
For trimester start and end dates, see the Academic Calendar.
The program is 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. The program also includes a limited number of online courses.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 4
Trimester 5
Trimester 6
Graduates of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine are eligible to sit for the Chinese Herbology certification exam offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with NCCAOM at nccaom.org.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine program of Maryland University of Integrative Health is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. ACAOM is located at 8941 Aztec Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347; phone (952) 212-2434; fax (952) 657-7068; acaom.org.
Completion of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Chinese Herbal Medicine does not automatically qualify graduates to begin practicing independently. 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. However, the University’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Chinese Herbal Medicine program is designed to provide basic, solid competence in the use of Chinese herbal medicine. There may be a waiting period between the completion of the program and the legal recognition allowing the graduate to begin practice. Until a graduate receives official notification of legal recognition to begin practice, she or he may continue to practice only under faculty supervision. Students who wish to continue to practice in Maryland after graduating, but prior to being licensed, must enroll in MUIH’s Trainee Program. Most states require successful completion of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exam. For more information, refer to nccaom.org.
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 Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine degree, and the program conforms to Maryland laws and regulations regarding the practice of acupuncture. 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/.
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 regarding licensure is available in the Academic Catalog.
Trimester of Entry: | Spring |
Application Priority Deadline: | Application deadline by Trimester |
General Requirements: |
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Program Specific Requirements: | Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Complete Essay Questions in application:
Additional English language proficiency requirements apply for international students. |
Sharon Jennings-Rojas, D.O.M; M.Ac.; L.Ac.; RT (NADA)
Department Chair
Kerri Westhauser, M.Ac., D.A.O.M
Director, Chinese Herb Programs
Jennifer Schwing, M.A.
Department Manager
Chelsey Barrett, M.S., CHES
Student Support Specialist and Academic Advisor
Eric Brand, DAOM, Ph.D.
Anne Jeffres, DAOM
Steve Kaufman, L.Ac
Thomas Kouo, DAOM
Julie Ann Nugent-Head, MD (China)
Brandt Stickley, M.S. (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Sabine Wilms, Ph.D