Besides a strong interest, basic understanding of the concepts of Chinese medicine is required to ensure one is acceptant to the ancient medicine. Chinese medicine is commonly practiced in Asia and most European countries, and in most cases it has been integrated with the Western medical practices. Courses in basic Western medicine have been incorporated in almost all the Chinese medicine curriculum around the world.
We strongly suggest all of our prospective students to fully investigate the concepts of Chinese medicine , the theories of Western medicine, as well as other medical professions before entering Chinese medicine as a career. We expect all our students to be dedicated and ready to perform their very best.
Information in the 21st century can be overwhelming. Research through creditable material and resources are essential in decision making. A quality programs with proven records in an established institution will ensure students focus on their goals without interruptions, and will directly impact one’s future success.
At ACATCM, our curriculum is based on standards used in China – two semesters per academic year with traditional course names. There are institutions adapting trimester or other systems which may need to split courses into different sections with different course names.
Curriculum, faculty, administration, management, history, experience and credibility, etc. should all be part of the consideration. With perfect licensing exam passing rate over our fourteen-year history, our leadership position in the field is beyond question.
Most of the institutions offering Acupuncture program also have TCM program. Students at our school will also have the opportunity to pursue Graduate programs with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, please refer to the program comparisons below for details.
| Acupuncture | TCMD Program | Graduate Program | |
| Program Focus | Enables graduates to master the full scope of acupuncture as well as incorporate other aspects of TCM into their practice | To prepare students to become high quality TCM practitioners and practice TCM comprehensively | Training advanced professionals at the master level to whom believing in themselves and are passionate in becoming leading practitioners |
| Credentials Upon Graduation | |||
| Licensed Acupuncturist | X | X | X |
| TCM Practitioner | X | X | |
| TCM Doctor / Physician | X | ||
| Program Duration | 3-year full-time study or up to 6 years of part-time study | 4-year full-time study or up to 6 years of part-time study | 3-6 years of part-time study. Based on education background, 1-3 pre-study may apply. |
| Fundamental Courses | |||
| Essentials TCM | X | X | X |
| Essentials of Acupuncture | X | X | X |
| Essentials of Herbal Medicine | X | X | X |
| Essentials of Western Science | X | X | X |
| Introducing TCM Classics | X | X | X |
| Acupuncture | X | X | X |
| Herbal Medicine | X | X | X |
| Western Medicine | |||
| Basic Diagnostics | X | X | X |
| Laboratory Tests & Imaging Diagnostics | X | X | |
| Internal Medicine | X | X | |
| Emergency Medicine | X | X | |
| Advanced Learning | |||
| Acupuncture Techniques | X | X | X |
| Internal TCM | X | X | X |
| Introduction of other TCM modalities | X | X | X |
| Dermatology | X | X | |
| EETN | X | X | |
| Ophthalmology | X | X | |
| Stomatology | X | X | |
| Advanced Pharmacology & Toxicology | X | X | |
| TCM Orthopedics | X | X | |
| Exclusive Studies | |||
| Understanding TCM Classics from experts | X | ||
| Advanced Dialectic Methods of TCM | X | ||
| Medical Statistics | X | ||
| Clinical Pathology & Physiology | X | ||
| Advanced Dialectic Methods of TCM | X | ||
| Advanced & Experimental Acupuncture | X | ||
| Advanced Herbal Prescriptions / Combinations | X | ||
| Advanced TCM Internal Medicine | X | ||
| Advanced TCM Gynecology | X | ||
| Mastering TCM Foundations | X |