Diploma Program
Acupuncture Diploma Curriculum
Enroll our 3-year Acupuncture Diploma program. Doctor of Acupuncture is a designated title for registered acupuncturists.
● Suggested Schedule of Study 3 Years · 6 Semesters 112 Credits 904 Clinical Hours
Please note: This is the suggested full-time schedule of study. Part-time study is permitted with up to 6 years for completion. Course descriptions are listed under Subject Details.
Curriculum
Suggested Schedule of Study
Program Length
3 Years
6 semesters, full-time
Total Credits
112
Across all semesters
Clinical Education
204 hrs
Clinical Education I–IV
Acupuncture Practicum
700 hrs
Practicum I–III
Total Clinical Hours
904 hrs
Supervised clinical training
Prerequisites: The prerequisite for each course is listed in the tables below. The College reserves the right to permit conditional enrollment in courses where prerequisite requirements are substantially met and where student success is reasonably supported.
First Year
Semester 120 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM101 | Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine | None | 15 | 5 |
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy | None | 15 | 5 |
| BIO102 | Human Physiology | BIO101 or concurrent enrollment | 15 | 5 |
| BIO103A | Biochemistry | None | 9 | 3 |
| BIO103B | Microbiology | None | 6 | 2 |
| Semester Total | 20 | |||
Semester 220 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM102 | Diagnostics of TCM | TCM101 | 15 | 5 |
| BIO104A | Pathology | BIO101, BIO102 | 15 | 4 |
| BIO104B | Pharmacology | BIO101, BIO102 | 15 | 1 |
| HRB101 | Herbology I – Materia Medica | TCM101 | 15 | 5 |
| ACU101 | Acupuncture and Moxibustion – Meridian Systems and Points | TCM101 | 15 | 5 |
| CLNA101 | Clinical Education I (18 hours) | TCM101 | — | 0 |
| Semester Total | 20 | |||
Second Year
Semester 121 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM201 | Internal TCM I | TCM102, HRB101 | 15 | 5 |
| ACU201 | Acupuncture Treatment Strategy | TCM102, ACU101 | 15 | 5 |
| HRB201 | Herbology II – Formulas and Prescription Combinations | TCM102, HRB101 | 15 | 5 |
| ACU202 | Tui Na | TCM101 (recommended) | 15 | 5 |
| CLNA201 | Clinical Education II (66 hours) | TCM102, ACU101, CLNA101 | — | 1 |
| Semester Total | 21 | |||
Semester 220 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM202 | Internal TCM II | TCM102, HRB101 | 15 | 5 |
| ACU203 | Acupuncture & Moxibustion – Clinical Case Studies | ACU201, HRB201 | 15 | 4 |
| TCM203 | External TCM | TCM102, HRB101 | 15 | 5 |
| HRB202 | Herbology III – Herbal Pairs | TCM102, HRB101 | 15 | 5 |
| CLNA202 | Clinical Education III (66 hours) | ACU201, ACU202, HRB201, CLNA201 | — | 1 |
| Semester Total | 20 | |||
Third Year
Semester 120 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO301 | Western Medical Science | BIO101, BIO102, BIO103A and BIO103B, BIO104A | 15 | 6 |
| ACU301 | Safe Practice and Legislation + | None | — | 2 |
| TCM301 | Advanced Methods and Techniques | ACU203, TCM102 | 15 | 3 |
| TCM302 | TCM Gynecology & Pediatrics | HRB201, ACU201 | 15 | 4 |
| CLNA301 | Clinical Education IV (54 hours) | ACU203, TCM201 or TCM202, TCM203, HRB201, CLNA202 | — | 1 |
| INTR301 | Acupuncture Practicum I (200 hours) | CLNA301 | — | 4 |
| Semester Total | 20 | |||
+ Offered twice a year before CAA exams.
Semester 211 credits
| Course Code | Course Name | Prerequisite | No. of Weeks | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM303 | Integration of TCM and Western Medicine | BIO301, ACU203, TCM201 or TCM202, TCM203, TCM302 | — | 1 |
| INTR302 | Acupuncture Practicum II (200 hours) | INTR301 | — | 4 |
| INTR401 | Acupuncture Practicum III (300 hours) | INTR302 | — | 6 |
| Semester Total | 11 | |||
Total clinical hours: 904 hours. Clinical Education I–IV (204 hours) plus Acupuncture Practicum I–III (700 hours). Course offerings and sequencing are subject to change; current students should confirm against the Class Schedule and the myACATCM Student Portal.
Ready to Become a Doctor of Acupuncture?
Applications for the Fall/Winter and Winter/Spring intakes are accepted each year. Our admissions team is here to help.