April 15, 2026

Calgary, Alberta – The Alberta College of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACATCM) is launching the Bachelor of Acupuncture (B.Ac) September 2026, following approval from the Government of Alberta to grant degrees.

This milestone marks a new stage in the evolution of acupuncture education in the province and introduces a higher level of academic credential within the field in Canada, reflecting the profession’s growing role in modern healthcare.

Founded in Calgary in 1997, ACATCM has spent nearly three decades training practitioners and advancing Traditional Chinese Medicine education. The Bachelor of Acupuncture builds on that foundation and represents a clear step forward in how acupuncture is taught, studied, and practiced.

“This is the realization of a vision we have held since the beginning,” said Dr. Benny Xu, Founder and Executive Director of ACATCM. “We are proud of the dedicated team that made this possible. Acupuncture is playing an increasingly important role in healthcare, and education must evolve alongside it. We look forward to working with partners across the health and post-secondary sectors to strengthen integrated care and expand opportunities for future practitioners.”

The Bachelor of Acupuncture is a four-year program integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, biomedical sciences, and more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training. Graduates earn a bachelor’s-level credential that supports professional practice, further academic study, and broader career pathways within healthcare.

“This program opens up pathways that were previously limited within acupuncture education,” said Dr. Wanda Duong, Dean of Academics at ACATCM. “By establishing a bachelor’s-level credential, we are enabling graduates to pursue further academic opportunities and to participate more fully in the broader healthcare and academic landscape.”

“This milestone creates new opportunities for research collaboration and academic partnership,” said Dr. Yingying Cong, Vice President of Research at ACATCM. “As acupuncture continues to gain recognition within broader healthcare systems, degree-level education allows us to engage more fully in interdisciplinary research and contribute to the evidence base supporting the profession.”

Across Canada, acupuncture education is beginning to move toward degree-level training as the profession continues to evolve. ACATCM’s program enters this moment as a strong example of that shift.

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort will open on April 16, 2026. ACATCM’s diploma programs continue to serve as entry pathways into the profession, alongside the new degree option.

About ACATCM

The Alberta College of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACATCM) was founded in 1997 and is one of Canada’s earliest established institutions for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine education. Based in Calgary, ACATCM operates in affiliation with the Huatuo Clinic, an established acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic that serves as a centre for clinical practice, research, and student training.