Curriculum 2026
A comprehensive, four-year degree program integrating classical Traditional Chinese Medicine with contemporary biomedical science, advanced clinical training, and professional practice readiness.
01. Program Overview
The Bachelor of Acupuncture at ACATCM
The Bachelor of Acupuncture (B.Ac) at the Alberta College of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACATCM) is a rigorous four-year undergraduate degree designed to produce entry-to-practice acupuncturists who are theoretically grounded, clinically competent, and professionally prepared for independent practice in the Canadian healthcare landscape.
The curriculum draws on the full depth of classical Chinese medical tradition — encompassing acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na therapeutic massage, moxibustion, and dietary therapy — while integrating a strong biomedical science foundation that enables graduates to collaborate across healthcare disciplines, interpret medical diagnostics, and navigate the complex presentations encountered in contemporary clinical settings.
ACATCM’s Bachelor of Acupuncture (B.Ac) is a recognized undergraduate degree program offered under Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act.
02. Course of Study
Four-Year Course Structure
The B.Ac curriculum is organized across eight semesters and totals 149 credits. Courses are listed below exactly according to the curriculum spreadsheet by year, semester, code, title, description, credit, and area, with the prerequisite for each course shown alongside.
Year One · Foundations
Year One establishes core foundations in Traditional Chinese Medicine, biomedical sciences, acupuncture channels and points, herbology, research, and introductory clinical education.
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM101 | Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine | None | Introduces the core theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Qi, Blood, and organ systems. Students learn how these concepts explain health, balance, and disease from a holistic perspective. | 5 | TCM |
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy | None | Provides a detailed study of the structure of the human body. Students explore major body systems, preparing them to understand how acupuncture interacts with physical anatomy. | 5 | BIOMED |
| BIO102 | Human Physiology | BIO101 or concurrent enrollment | Focuses on how the human body functions. Students learn how different systems work together to maintain health, forming a scientific foundation for clinical practice. | 5 | BIOMED |
| BIO105 | Research Methodology | None | Introduces basic research principles and critical thinking skills. Students learn how to evaluate scientific studies and apply evidence-informed approaches in healthcare. | 2 | BIOMED |
| – | English / Writing Elective | None | Develops communication, writing, and analytical skills essential for academic and professional success. | 3 | GEN ED |
| Semester 1 Total: | 20 | ||||
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM102 | Diagnostics of TCM | TCM101 | Teaches the four key diagnostic methods in TCM: observation, listening/smelling, questioning, and palpation. Students learn how to identify patterns of imbalance and form accurate diagnoses. | 5 | TCM |
| BIO104 | Pathology & Pharmacology | BIO101, BIO102 | Covers common diseases and how medications affect the body. Students learn to recognize medical conditions and understand potential interactions with acupuncture treatment. | 5 | BIOMED |
| HRB101 | Materia Medica | TCM101 | Introduces commonly used Chinese herbs, their properties, and therapeutic functions. Students learn how herbs are selected to restore balance in the body. | 5 | TCM |
| ACU101 | Meridian Systems and Points | TCM101 | Explores the acupuncture channel system and major acupuncture points. Students learn point locations, functions, and how they relate to organ systems. | 5 | ACU |
| BIO103 | Biochemistry & Microbiology | None | Introduces the biochemical processes of the body and basic microbiology. Students learn how microorganisms and cellular processes impact health and disease. | 5 | BIOMED |
| CLN101 | Clinical Education I | TCM101 | Provides an introduction to the clinical environment. Students observe treatments and begin developing professional behavior and patient interaction skills. | 0 | WIL |
| Semester 2 Total: | 25 | ||||
Year 1 Total: 45 credits
Year Two · Application & Integration
Year Two develops applied clinical knowledge through TCM pathology, acupuncture treatment strategy, herbal formulas, Tui Na, case application, and supervised clinical education.
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM201 | Internal Pathologies in TCM I | TCM102, HRB101 | Focuses on common internal health conditions from a TCM perspective. Students learn how imbalances affect organ systems and how to identify treatment strategies. | 5 | TCM |
| ACU201 | Acupuncture Treatments and Strategies | TCM102, ACU101 | Builds clinical reasoning skills by teaching how to design effective acupuncture treatments, including point selection and strategy, based on diagnosis and patient needs. | 5 | ACU |
| HRB201 | Herbal Formulas & Strategies | TCM102, HRB101 | Introduces classical herbal formulas and how they are modified for individual patients. Students learn principles behind combining herbs effectively. | 5 | TCM |
| ACU202 | Chinese Medicine Therapeutic Massage | TCM101 (recommended) | Teaches foundational techniques in Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage), used to support musculoskeletal and internal conditions. | 5 | ACU |
| CLN201 | Clinical Education II | TCM102, ACU101, CLN101 | Students begin supervised participation in clinical settings, applying foundational knowledge while interacting with patients. | 1 | WIL |
| Semester 3 Total: | 21 | ||||
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM202 | Internal Pathologies in TCM II | TCM102, HRB101 | Continues the study of internal diseases, with emphasis on differential diagnosis and treatment strategies for more complex conditions. | 5 | TCM |
| ACU203 | Clinical Case Study Application | ACU201, HRB201 | Uses case-based learning to strengthen diagnosis and treatment planning skills through real-world scenarios. | 4 | ACU |
| TCM203 | External Pathologies in TCM | TCM102, HRB101 | Covers external conditions such as injuries, dermatological issues, and acute illnesses from a TCM perspective. | 5 | TCM |
| HRB202 | Herbal Combinations and Modifications | TCM102, HRB101 | Focuses on modifying herbal formulas to meet individual patient needs and changing conditions. | 5 | TCM |
| CLN202 | Clinical Education III | ACU201, ACU202, HRB201, CLN201 | Provides supervised clinical experience with increasing responsibility in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. | 1 | WIL |
| Semester 4 Total: | 20 | ||||
Year 2 Total: 41 credits
Year Three · Advanced Clinical Practice
Year Three advances diagnostic integration, specialty TCM areas, professional regulation, and supervised acupuncture practicum experience.
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO301 | Medical Diagnostics and Imaging | BIO101, BIO102, BIO103, BIO104 | Introduces modern diagnostic tools such as lab tests and imaging. Students learn how to interpret results and integrate them into patient care. | 6 | BIOMED |
| TCM301 | Advanced Clinical Case Studies | ACU203, TCM102 | Uses real-world cases to strengthen diagnostic and treatment planning skills. Students integrate theory into practical decision-making. | 3 | TCM |
| TCM302 | TCM Gynecology & Pediatrics | HRB201, ACU201 | Covers women’s health and pediatric conditions in TCM, including menstrual disorders, fertility, and childhood illnesses. | 4 | TCM |
| – | Business & Administration Elective | None | Introduces foundational business concepts relevant to healthcare practice and clinic operations. | 3 | GEN ED |
| CLN301 | Clinical Education IV | ACU203, TCM201 or TCM202, TCM203, HRB201, CLN202 | Students take on increased responsibility in clinical care, refining diagnostic and treatment skills under supervision. | 1 | WIL |
| INTR301 | Acupuncture Practicum I | CLN301 | Intensive hands-on clinical practice where students begin treating patients with supervision, building confidence and competence. | 4 | WIL |
| Semester 5 Total: | 21 | ||||
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCM303 | TCM Dermatology | ACU201, HRB101, TCM102 (HRB201 recommended) | Focuses on skin conditions and their treatment using TCM principles and therapies. | 3 | TCM |
| TCM304 | Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat Specialty Diseases in TCM | TCM102, HRB201, ACU201 | Covers disorders of the ears, eyes, nose, and throat and their treatment within TCM frameworks. | 3 | TCM |
| BUS301 | Professional Regulation | None | Introduces regulatory standards, ethics, and professional responsibilities required for practice. | 3 | PROFESSIONAL |
| BIO302 | Integration of TCM & Biomedical Science | BIO105, BIO301, ACU203, HRB201 | Examines the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and biomedical science, focusing on how both perspectives can be understood and applied together in clinical decision-making. | 2 | BIOMED |
| INTR302 | Acupuncture Practicum II | INTR301 | Continued clinical training with increased independence in treatment planning and delivery. | 4 | WIL |
| Semester 6 Total: | 15 | ||||
Year 3 Total: 36 credits
Year Four · Capstone Practice
Year Four completes advanced therapeutic coursework, business preparation, interdisciplinary elective study, and final practicum training.
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACU401 | Clinical Moxibustion | TCM102, ACU203 | Teaches the therapeutic use of heat (moxibustion) in clinical practice to support healing and improve circulation. | 3 | ACU |
| TCM401 | Diet Therapy in TCM | TCM101, HRB101 | Explores how food and nutrition are used therapeutically in TCM to maintain balance and treat disease. | 3 | TCM |
| INTR401 | Acupuncture Practicum III | INTR302 | Advanced clinical practice focusing on refining treatment skills and patient management. | 6 | WIL |
| – | Social Sciences and Science Elective | None | Broadens knowledge through interdisciplinary learning relevant to healthcare and patient care. | 3 | GEN ED |
| Semester 7 Total: | 15 | ||||
| CODE | COURSE TITLE | PREREQUISITE | DESCRIPTION | CR | AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS401 | Business Practices & Management | None | Prepares students for professional practice, including clinic management, ethics, marketing, and financial operations. | 3 | PROFESSIONAL |
| – | Arts & Humanities Elective | None | Enhances critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness. | 3 | GEN ED |
| INTR402 | Acupuncture Practicum IV | INTR401 | Final clinical practicum where students demonstrate readiness for independent practice through advanced patient care. | 6 | WIL |
| Semester 8 Total: | 12 | ||||
Year 4 Total: 27 credits
03. Clinical Training & Work-Integrated Learning
1,200+ Hours of Supervised Practice
A defining feature of the Bachelor of Acupuncture program is its commitment to substantive, sequenced clinical training. Over 1,200 hours of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) are woven throughout all four years, ensuring that professional competencies are developed not merely in the classroom, but in authentic patient care environments.
Clinical training progresses through four phases: supervised observation, skills development under close guidance, emerging autonomy, and — in the final year — full entry-to-practice independence. The capstone practicum placements (INTR 401 and INTR 402) each comprise 300 hours and integrate all seven Program Learning Outcomes at the mastery level.
| Year | Phase | Hours | Course(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundation & Observation | 18 hrs | CLN 101 |
| Year 2 | Skills Development | 132 hrs | CLN201 (66 hrs), CLN202 (66 hrs) |
| Year 3 | Emerging Autonomy | 454 hrs | CLN301 (54 hrs), INTR301 (200 hrs), INTR302 (200 hrs), |
| Year 4 | Entry-to-Practice Mastery | 600 hrs | INTR401 (300 hrs), INTR402 (300 hrs) |
| Total Clinical Hours | 1,200+ hours | ||
04. Program Composition
How the 149 Credits Break Down
05. General Education
Four Clusters of Liberal Education
The B.Ac program includes 12 credits of general education drawn from four thematic clusters. Courses are completed online via Athabasca University, integrated into the program schedule at designated points across four years.
Cluster 1 — English, Language & Writing
Academic communication skills essential to professional healthcare practice — writing, rhetoric, and critical reading in clinical and research contexts.
Cluster 2 — Business & Administration
Foundational principles of management, communication, economics, and personal finance — knowledge directly applicable to running an ethical, sustainable acupuncture practice.
Cluster 3 — Social Sciences & Global Perspectives
Understanding society, health determinants, and global healthcare contexts — preparing graduates to practise with social awareness and cross-cultural competence.
Cluster 4 — Humanities & Cultural Studies
Historical and philosophical perspectives that deepen cultural understanding — essential to culturally safe, patient-centred care.
06. Program Learning Outcomes
Seven Competency Outcomes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Acupuncture program will demonstrate the following seven competency outcomes, developed progressively across four years of integrated study and clinical training.
07. Career Pathways
A Degree Opens Doors
As Alberta’s only institution offering an accredited Bachelor of Acupuncture, ACATCM graduates enter the workforce with a depth of knowledge, a breadth of education, and a level of clinical preparation that extends well beyond traditional acupuncture training — positioning them for a wide range of meaningful career directions in health, research, education, and beyond.
THE RIGOUR OF A DEGREE. THE WISDOM OF A TRADITION.
The Bachelor of Acupuncture is not a certificate repackaged as a degree — it is a genuinely undergraduate education built from the ground up. Students complete 149 credits across eight semesters, including 30 credits of foundational biomedical science, more than 1,200 supervised clinical hours, a structured progression in evidence-informed practice, and a breadth of general education drawn from the humanities, social sciences, and business. The result is a practitioner who thinks critically, communicates confidently, and practises safely across complex clinical contexts.
Private Practice
Establish an independent acupuncture clinic as a Registered Acupuncturist (Dr. Ac.) — the most common pathway for B.Ac graduates.
Collaborative Healthcare
Work within integrative healthcare teams, physiotherapy clinics, wellness centres, and multidisciplinary settings across Canada.
Research & Education
Contribute to evidence-informed TCM research, teach at post-secondary institutions, or pursue graduate study in health sciences.
Ready to Begin?
ACATCM is accepting applications for Fall 2026. Join a community of passionate educators and future leaders of integrative healthcare in Canada.