Academic Catalog
BACM’s comprehensive program includes coursework in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, biomedical sciences, nutrition, and mind-body exercise, as well as an extensive clinical internship. The curriculum was designed by faculty members and is reviewed on a regular basis to maintain relevance.
The following pages contain comprehensive listings of the Master’s and Doctor’s courses offered within the BACM curriculum. Within different departments, the courses are listed according to the divisions of specialty of practice, inquiry, professionalism and leadership, and clinical practice. For each course, the course number and name are listed, along with all co- and prerequisite courses. A key to the number of didactic, practical, and clinical hours, and semester credits for each course is listed below the course number.
Keys can be read in the following manner:
Didactic hours/practical hours/clinical hours/semester credits.
Each didactic semester credit is equivalent to 15 hours of in-class instruction. Each clinical internship semester credit is equivalent to 50 hours of instruction. Certain didactic courses may be taken by directed study, provided all the criteria outlined in the Student & Clinic Manual have been met. No more than nine semester credits may be earned by directed study in the Master’s program. In the Doctor program, 12 credits may be earned by directed study under the doctoral honors concentration elective track.
For every hour of in-class time, master’s students are expected to spend at least two hours outside of class on assignments, readings, practicing techniques, reviewing notes, studying for exams, and other activities to enhance and deepen learning.
The terms in which a course is typically offered are listed in each course description. It is important to note that the course offerings may vary from term to term and may not necessarily adhere to the schedules listed below. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor each term, prior to registration.
Master students applying for the Doctor program must have official undergraduate transcripts detailing credit for biology, chemistry, and psychology. These courses may be completed at BACM while doing degree coursework, provided the courses prerequisite courses may be taken for credit at regionally accredited or ACAOM accredited institutions and proof provided on official transcripts.
The courses below are organized within each departments:
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The fundamentals and diagnostic skills of traditional Chinese Medicine are the cornerstones of Chinese Medical Science. This theoretical system forms the basis for clinical practice. The well-rounded and comprehensive acupuncture curriculum builds on these fundamentals, creating a strong foundation for other didactic instruction and for clinical internship/externship.
TM111 Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req/Co-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This is the first course of the two-part series courses covering the basic principles and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These courses serve as the theoretical foundation for the departments of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This course covers Relations of Yin-Yang; Five elements; Eight Principles; the formation and function of Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and Essence; the anatomy and physiological functions of the viscera and bowels (Zang Fu Organs) with reference to the Nei Jing and other classics and the nature of the human being.
TM121 Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: TM111
Terms Offered: Spring
This is the second course of the two-part series courses covering the basic principles and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These courses serve as the theoretical foundation for the departments of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This course covers the traditional pathological concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Students learn how the six external pathogens; the seven emotions and miscellaneous factors can lead to disharmony in the body and result in pathology. Students also come to understand the effects of over-tonifying or sedating a patient, Yin/Yang imbalance, and the dysfunctions of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids. This course also introduces basic principles of disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
TM112 Medical History & Traditional Chinese Medicine Literature
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This course introduces students to the history and development of Eastern and Western Medicine with reference to Traditional Chinese Literary classics. Students will discuss early theories and philosophies from ancient Oriental medical texts and will compare the basic factors that contributed to advancements in both Eastern and Western Medicine. In addition, students will examine how cultural factors and changes in ruling bodies formed and altered “Traditional” Chinese Medicine
TM113 Traditional Chinese Medicine Anatomy & Physiology I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
Traditional Chinese Medicine Anatomy & Physiology includes the anatomy part and physiology part, two parts. The anatomy study of Acupuncture focuses on the 14 meridians, including names and anatomical locations, 15 collateral points, 8 extra channels, and non-channel points. This part of course provides students with a detailed study of point locations and primary channel pathways in relation to anatomical regions, nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and vessels, with an emphasis on channel and collateral theory. Acupuncture Anatomy covers the meridians and associated acupuncture points on Hand and Foot Taiyin, Hand and Foot Yangming, Hand and Foot Taiyang, and Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Hand and Foot Jueyin, Hand and Foot Shaoyang.
Acupuncture Physiology covers special categories of points (Five Shu points, Xi Cleft, etc.) and go over the functions of the points in the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, and Urinary Bladder channels, channels such as the Kidney, Pericardium, Gallbladder, and Liver are covered, as well as the Eight Extra Meridians, Extra Points, and 15 Luo channels.
TM211 Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None. Recommended: TM111-TM112
Terms Offered: Fall
This course surveys the OM Diagnosis by detailing the methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis covers four Examination methods: Observation, Auscultation (Listening), Inquiry and Palpation. As a hands-on class, Diagnosis students learn to observe the tongue body and coating and to palpate the radial pulse in order to form a more thorough diagnosis. Students also practice patient interviews, learning to collect pertinent diagnostic information from the patient. The course also explores different theories of disease differentiation. As such, students learn the concepts and theory behind Eight Principles diagnosis. This course additionally covers Qi, Blood and Body Fluids diagnosis. In preparation for upcoming courses, students will briefly be introduced to Wen Bing (4 levels), Shang Han (6 channels), and San Jiao diagnostics, as well as Earth School theories. Internal Organs (Zang Fu) pattern differentiation and correlation between Western diagnosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes are provided. Treatment plans involving acupuncture and herbs are also discussed. At the end of this class, students will be able to describe each organ’s associated patterns and will know the key signs and symptoms of each pattern to allow for rapid differentiation in diagnosis. Students will understand the similarities and differences between patterns affecting the Zang and the Fu organs and will be able to combine Eight Principles Differentiation with Zang-Fu Differentiation. Treatment methods are introduced through the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic philosophies including Channel & Collateral Theory, Conformations according to the Three Warmers, and Progression of Infections Fever Diseases and Six Channel Differentiation.
TM212 Acupuncture Therapeutics
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This is a course detailing the etiology and treatment of diseases utilizing common acupoint prescriptions. Students begin to analyze and differentiate between pathological conditions, applying principles of point prescription in deciding upon a treatment plan, and modifying them as necessary to the patient’s symptom presentation. Acupuncture Therapeutics covers Four Needle Technique, exogenous diseases, and a variety of Zang Fu syndromes, as well as disease of the head, trunk, and 20 lumbar regions; gynecologic, pregnancy, and postpartum disorders; infantile diseases; diseases of the skin; abnormal growths; and eye, ear, nose, and throat disorders.
TM122 Traditional Chinese Medicine Etiology & Pathology I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This is a 2-part series covering the etiology and pathogenesis of illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By learning the signs and symptoms, treatment principles, and herbal and acupuncture prescriptions of various disorders, students reinforce their understanding of basic diagnostic and treatment theories. Traditional Chinese Medicine Etiology & Pathology I focus on common respiratory illnesses, and additionally covers some cardiovascular disorders, hemorrhagic syndromes, and night sweating, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Gallbladder.
TM133 Traditional Chinese Medicine Etiology & Pathology II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: TM122
Terms Offered: Fall
This is a 2-part series covering the etiology and pathogenesis of illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By learning the signs and symptoms, treatment principles, and herbal and acupuncture prescriptions of various disorders, students reinforce their understanding of basic diagnostic and treatment theories. Traditional Chinese Medicine Etiology & Pathology II focuses on diseases of the Kidney, lower burner & fluid metabolism, systemic, miscellaneous, multi-system & channel disorders.
TM114: Meridian Theory
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
Introduction to the basic theory of meridians, classification of acupuncture points and systems of nomenclature. Detailed presentation of the major meridians, distribution of channels, branches and collaterals and the relationship with the internal organs.
TM132: Acupuncture Location
0/60/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
Acupuncture Location course is a practical lab to let the students get familiar with all the classic acupuncture points and mark the points on living anatomy. It covers 12 classic meridians, including hand shao yang, hand yang ming, hand tai yang, hand shao yin, hand tai yin, hand jue yin, foot shao yang, foot yang ming, foot tai yang, foot shao yin, foot tai yin, foot jue yin.
TM233 Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This is a 2-part series covering the treatment of illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By examining the signs and symptoms, the students learn the treatment principles, and herbal and acupuncture prescriptions of various disorders, students reinforce their understanding of basic diagnostic and treatment theories. Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine I focus upon the treatment of diseases by acupuncture and complemental methods like cupping, moxa.
TM131 Yellow Emperor’s Classics
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course is designed as an introduction to eastern philosophy and a discussion of its impact upon Chinese Medical Theory. Topics covered include Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Students will learn the history of the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) and will discuss its tenets in class. In addition, students will explore the impact of the Yellow Emperor on medical concepts, treatment principles, and applications to clinical practice.
TM136 The Classic of Difficulty Issues
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Term Offered: Summer
This course is designed as an introduction to the book “The Classic of Difficult Issues”. It asked and answered issues related to human anatomy and physiology in Traditional Chinese Medicine contents.
TM331 TCM Gynecology
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Term Offered: Summer
This course examines the anatomy, physiology, and pathologies of gynecological diseases and their diagnoses and treatments according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Students will learn to apply TCM diagnostic skills in differentiating and diagnosing symptoms of the female reproductive cycle and construct treatment plans appropriate to the presenting pattern of symptoms. Finally, students will learn classical applications and modern clinical modifications of acupuncture and herbal treatments for gynecological disorders
TM434 Tui Na & Orthopedics
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Term Offered: Summer
This course introduces Traditional Chinese massage therapy as a form of Chinese physical medicine to treat disease and traumatic injuries. It covers the theory (Yin, Yang, Qi, Blood and Zang Fu), history, application, and specific tuina techniques. It addresses a variety of specific complaints and examination and diagnosis of common musculoskeletal trauma cases such as neck and back pain and the management of these pain using specific tuina treatment protocols. The role of proper breathing and movement as well as stretching exercises for both practitioner and clients is emphasized. Theory, history and specific tuina techniques are introduced include rolling, gliding, kneading, vibration, tapping, friction, pulling, pressing and shaking.
Department of Herbal Medicine
HB111 Chinese Herbology I
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This two-part class teaches students about the most used herbs in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Students will learn the properties, taste, functions, dosages, and contra-indications of each herb covered. Chinese Herbology I covers herbs that release the exterior, clear heat and relieve toxicity, drain downward, drain dampness, transform and dispel wind dampness, warm the interior, expelling cold, regulate qi, relieve food stagnation and expel parasites.
HB121 Chinese Herbology II
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This two-part class teaches students about the most used herbs in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Students will learn the properties, taste, functions, dosages, and contra-indications of each herb covered. Chinese Herbology II covers herbs that regulate blood, transform phlegm and relieve coughing, calm the spirit, as well as aromatic herbs that open the orifices, tonify Qi, warms the Yang, nourish the Yin, nourish Blood, astringent herbs, extinguish wind and stop tremors, emetics and herbs for external application.
HB131 Chinese Herbal Formula I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course is a comprehensive introduction to Chinese Herbal Formulas for various clinical applications. Students will learn the herbal components of each formula and the role that each herb plays within the formula. In addition, students will learn modifications, clinical applications, and contra-indications of the formulas. The entire course consists of two parts. Formula 1 covers the formulas used for diaphoretic, purgative, harmonizing, antipyretics and summer heat clearing, warming, exterior releasing, tonifying, sedation, resuscitation, and astringents.
HB211 Chinese Herbal Formula II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This course is a comprehensive introduction to Chinese Herbal Formulas for various clinical applications. Students will learn the herbal components of each formula and the role that each herb plays within the formula. In addition, students will learn modifications, clinical applications, and contra-indications of the formulas. The entire course consists of two parts. Formula II covers formulas with carminative, blood regulating, anticonvulsant, and moisturizing characteristics, diuretic, phlegm expelling, anti-parasitic, and anti-abscess qualities.
HB311: Formula Writing
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
Practical training of constructing herbal formulas based on the principles of classical herbal formulation and therapeutic functions is covered. Major formulas currently used in Chinese medicine will be analyzed according to the classical hierarchy of its ingredients and students will learn to modify the herbs and dosages to suite the patient’s constitutional needs. Students will also learn the therapeutic actions and clinical indications of the written formula including prohibitions and contraindications.
HB321 Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: TM233
Terms Offered: Spring
This is a 2-part series covering the treatment of illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By examing the signs and symptoms, the students learn the treatment principles, and herbal and acupuncture prescriptions of various disorders, students reinforce their understanding of basic diagnostic and treatment theories. Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine II focuses upon the treatment of diseases by herbal prescriptions.
HB221 Advanced Formula: Shang Han Lun
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Students will learn the Six Channel diagnosis (Taiyang, yangming, shaoyang, shaoyin, taiyin, and jueyin), Zang-fu diagnosis, and the therapeutic process and prognosis for cold-induced disorders and internal diseases from the ancient Chinese medical classics Shang Han Lun, known in English as the Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders or the Treatise on Cold Injury. This is a Chinese medical treatise compiled by Zhang Zhongjing during the Eastern Han dynasty.
HB231 Advanced Formula: Jin Kui Yao Lue
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Students will learn the formulas presented in the Han Dynasty classic Jin Kui Yao Lue, which is known in English as the Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet. The differential diagnosis and the therapeutic process and prognosis of miscellaneous diseases will be covered along with the formulas. It is a Chinese medical treatise compiled by Zhang Zhongjing during the Eastern Han dynasty.
HB414 Herbal Pairs / Dui Yao
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Term Offered: Fall
Class describes Chinese herbs in context of comparative functions and herb combination, emphasizing on the pairing of certain herbs in various formula writing to enhance synergistic effects and how to prepare small dosage of herbal formulas in clinical practice. This course enhances the student’s knowledge of materia medica and herbal formulary in the context of zang fu organ pattern differentiation.
HB424 Advanced Formula: Wen Bing
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Term Offered: Spring
Students will learn the basic concepts of the Wen Bing School of Chinese medicine and the differential diagnosis and treatment of febrile disease based on the systems of the Four Level Theory (Wei, Qi Ying, Xue) and Three Jiao Theory in the TCM Febrile Diseases (Wen Bing) Classics. The seven types of warm pathogen disease are discussed, including wind-warmth (feng wen), spring warmth (Chuan wen), autumn dryness (qiu zao), warm toxin (wen du), summer heat warmth (shu wen), damp warmth (Shi wen) and lurking summer heat (fu shu)
Department of Science, Technology and Western Medicine
ST110 Biology
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This course provides students with a general study of human biology and is designed as an introduction to the health care sciences, explaining biological concepts and processes and emphasizing the classification of living things, their unit structures, metabolism, response and reproduction systems. Topics covered include cellular structure and function, human organization, homeostasis, mitosis and meiosis, evolution, and the classification of organisms.
ST120 Chemistry & Biochemistry
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
The first half of the course covers the principles of inorganic chemistry and application to various facets of life with emphasis on chemical properties of elements. The second half of the course introduces organic chemistry along with structure and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and their relationship to nutritional science as well as their clinical aspects as essential nutrients to preserve health.
ST130 Physics
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
Basic introduction to the principles of general physics. Principles of classical and quantum physics are introduced. This course examines general mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, relativity and various technical concepts.
BM221 Psychology
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The course covers various psychopathological conditions, basic techniques of assessment and treatment methods focusing on their clinical implications and applications for the Licensed Acupuncturist. In addition, this class will emphasize patient-practitioner relationship and counseling skills so students can examine themselves and their biases in order to gain a greater understanding of who we are as healthcare providers in relation to our patients.
BM321 Western Medicine Nutrition
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This course is an introduction to the study of nutrients and vitamins essential to human life and well-being. Topics will focus on the essential elements of nutritional physiology, the roles of vitamins and minerals in health maintenance and as therapeutic supplements, and the use of food as medicine. Students will learn to identify the functions, properties, human requirements, and food sources of essential nutrients and examine the ethics involved in making nutrition recommendations that affect the welfare of individuals, family, and society as a whole. Additionally, the course will explore tools such as the RDA, Food Pyramid and Exchange lists and their role in selecting a nutritionally adequate diet.
BM323 Dietetics
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This course exposes students to the background of the nutrition profession, the meaning of professionalism, the Code of Ethics for the profession, certification requirements within the dietetic field, governance of the dietetics field and the relationship of dietetic technicians to the health care team. In addition, students are introduced to the scope of practice within the dietetic technician career and given opportunities to explore potential career choices.
PD433 Health Informatics
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course provides an introduction to health informatics, the field devoted to the optimal use of data, information, and knowledge to advance individual health, health care, public health, and health-related research. Students will learn the application of informatics skills and knowledge to health-related problems. Application activities will include simple data analysis and visualization of clinical data, answering clinical questions using information retrieval methods, and doing simple association analysis of gene variants and disease.
ST221 Anatomy & Physiology I
45/15/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The two-part Anatomy & Physiology series provides a survey of the normal structure and functions of the human body. Part I covers the introduction to body organization, anatomical terminology, basic chemistry and biochemistry, basic cytology and cellular metabolism, as well as embryology and an in-depth study of the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal and integumentary systems, the cardiovascular system, respiratory, and digestive systems. Students will be able to identify the anatomical structures of each system and how the system overall works.
ST222 Anatomy & Physiology II
45/15/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The two-part Anatomy & Physiology series provides a survey of the normal structure and functions of the human body. Part II covers the anatomical structures and physiological functions of the sensory organs, circulatory systems, blood and lymph, genitourinary and reproductive systems, the nervous system and endocrine system. Students will be able to identify structures of the nervous system and how the system overall works.
BM222 Western Medicine Pathology I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This two-part course will explore the pathogenesis of diseases from a microscopic and macroscopic level. Major consideration is given to systemic pathology, surveying the principal disorders of each organ system. Part I. Introduction to the study of general pathology including cellular dynamics, inflammation and repair, environmental and genetic disorders, hemodynamic and hematological disorders, immunopathology and neoplasia. This course also covers microbiology including communicable and infectious diseases such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.
BM232 Western Medicine Pathology II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This two-part course will explore the pathogenesis of diseases from a microscopic and macroscopic level. Major consideration is given to systemic pathology, surveying the principal disorders of each organ system. Part II. Continuation of BM222 with emphasis on systematic pathology including respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, genitourinary, endocrine and reproductive systems, musculoskeletal, integumentary, nervous hematopoietic and lymphatic systems. Disorders of the sensory organs.
BM121 Western Medical Terminology
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
Study of Western Medical terms used for various diseases, medical/surgical procedures and body parts. Introduction on how medical terminology is formed using Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes and abbreviations
CT231 Physical Examination
0/120/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course will provide an introduction to Western Medical Diagnostic examinations. Students will learn to collect a complete health history and vital signs and will learn physical examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal and neurological systems. In addition, students will learn to understand key signs and symptoms requiring referral to other healthcare providers and will learn to demonstrate professionalism in interacting with patients during the Physical Exam setting.
BM212 Laboratory & Imaging
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The course is designed to teach students the interpretation and integration of hematology, clinical chemistry, and urology within the historical physical examination. In addition, students will learn and review the specifics of universal (standard) precautions. At the end of the course, students will understand over 400 lab tests and their reference ranges and will be able to order lab tests when and as appropriate, interpret the findings, and apply the interpretation of lab results to integrated differential diagnostic procedures. Finally, students will learn to perform basic readings of imaging studies.
BM211 Western Medicine Pharmacology
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This course is an introduction to Western Pharmacology, focusing on mechanisms of action of common pharmacological categories. Students taking this class will be able to understand how various classes of drugs are absorbed, distributed and eliminated by the human body. Additionally, students will become familiar with generally applied pharmacological interventions for common western diagnoses, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and thyroid disorders.
BM122 Western Medicine I
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
Western Internal Medicine is a vast subject, laying the foundation for integrated clinical practice. This two-part course will explore the most common western diseases practitioners may encounter in clinic, following their diagnostic and treatment protocols as well as potential side-effects of treatment. A strong understanding of basic sciences, particularly pathophysiology, will greatly facilitate student learning. Western Medicine I covers ambulatory medicine, nutritional, hormonal disorders, errors of metabolism and biological agents, diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal and genitourinary system.
BM131 Western Medicine II
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
Western Internal Medicine is a vast subject, laying the foundation for integrated clinical practice. This two-part course will explore the most common western diseases practitioners may encounter in the clinic, following their diagnostic and treatment protocols as well as potential side-effects of treatment. A strong understanding of basic sciences, particularly pathophysiology, will greatly facilitate student learning. Western Medicine II covers examination of hepatobiliary and nervous systems, the pancreas, hematopoiesis, and neoplasia, the series with specialized areas of obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and geriatrics medicine. Common neurological and psychiatric disorders, immunological disorders are also discussed.
CC221 Medical Ethics
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This course focuses on the ethical considerations of practice management, including lectures and discussions on ethics, jurisprudence, and current issues affecting the modern health care practitioner. Topics as informed consent, patient referral, legal requirements of record keeping, office liability, insurance laws, and malpractice are covered. The laws and regulations of the California Acupuncture Board and other government agencies will be thoroughly reviewed. Students will gain familiarity with ethical issues facing modern integrated health care practitioners and an understanding of the legal responsibilities of private practitioners. Additionally, students will be taught the ethics of business management, including marketing strategies and insurance billing, and the laws and regulations of local and federal governments as regards Medical Ethics.
CC331 Public Health
45/0/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
In this course, students will become familiar with the basic principles of public health. Topics covered include: public and community health, disease prevention, public health education, treatment of chemical dependency, communicable disease, public alerts, biostatistics, and epidemiology.
PD413 Research of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This course will prepare the students with the skills to continue to expand their knowledge, via research and evidence-based medicine, knowledge of academic peer review process, and medical statistics. Introduction of the research methods, the process of generating hypotheses and questions, and understanding their relationship to research designs. Usage of medical statistics, double-blind studies will be presented. The modern research of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine will be also discussed.
Clinical Practice
CT221 Acupuncture Techniques
0/120/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course provides students with an introduction to the techniques of acupuncture, including the insertion and removal of needles, and needle manipulation for both the tonification and sedation of points and stimulation of Qi. Students will learn to incorporate CNT protocols for safe and responsible needling and how to manage emergency situations arising from improper needling or weak patient condition (ex: hematoma, pneumothorax, fainting). Acupuncture Techniques will allow the students to practice needling major points of the 14 main channels and will gain an understanding of the historical types of needles and their traditional functions, will learn auricular and scalp acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping.
CT322 : Clinical Internship 1: Clinic Orientation & Preparation
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: Passing grade on Clinic Internship Entrance exam, current CPR card
Terms Offered: Spring
An orientation to the acupuncture clinic for entering interns. All aspects of clinic procedures including professional dress code, equipment safety code, patient-practitioner relationship, proper medical charting format, traditional Chinese medical therapies, clean needle technique protocol, and prevention of infection from bloodborne pathogens are presented. Students will practice and role-play intake of patient proper handling of equipment and treatment of patients.
CT332 Clinical Internship II: Clinic Observation
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: Passing grade on Clinic Internship Entrance exam, current CPR card
Terms Offered: Summer
Interns at this level are assistants who observe treatment procedures, discuss the reasoning and begin to formulate their own opinions, in writing, assistants describe and evaluate treatment rationales and do a medical literature search. First Level Interns are expected to assist upper-level interns chart acupuncture points, perform moxibustion, cupping, massage and all non-invasive therapies within the scope of practice.
CT312 Introduction to Clinical Internship
0/120/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
Introduction to Clinical Internship is a capstone course and work-based learning experience designed to provide students with real-world application of skills and knowledge obtained in a pre-requisite Health Science course. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to pursue certification in the pre-requisite course of Cardiovascular Services, Exercise Physiology, Medical Therapeutics or Pharmacological Science. Prior to beginning work at a clinical site, students must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and deemed competent in basic first aid, body mechanics, Standard Precaution guidelines, and confidentiality.
CT313 Clinical Internship I
0/0/150/3 Pre-req: CT312
This course provides students with the information they need to apply their acupuncture training skills in a business-like manner in a variety of clinical settings. The emphasis is on a practical application of business and professional skills and information necessary to provide acupuncture health care to an ever-growing population of patients. This course will teach students to understand the synergistic nature of the professional, ethical, financial and marketing skills necessary to run a primary health care practice in the USA in the 21st century and will prepare students to set up, run and/or maintain a viable practice. The course will cover insurance billing, maintenance and release of records, personal injury and Workman’s Compensation procedures. Other topics include patient communication skills, counseling, confidentiality, and public service.
CT323 Clinical Internship II
0/0/150/3 Pre-req: CT312
Terms Offered: Summer
This course provides students with the information they need to apply their acupuncture training skills in a business-like manner in a variety of clinical settings. The emphasis is on a practical application of business and professional skills and information necessary to provide acupuncture health care to an ever-growing population of patients. This course will teach students to understand the synergistic nature of the professional, ethical, financial and marketing skills necessary to run a primary health care practice in the USA in the 21st century and will prepare students to set up, run and/or maintain a viable practice. The course will cover insurance billing, maintenance and release of records, personal injury and Workman’s Compensation procedures. Other topics include patient communication skills, counseling, confidentiality, and public service.
CT333 Clinical Internship III
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Spring
This course provides students with the information they need to apply their acupuncture training skills in a business-like manner in a variety of clinical settings. The emphasis is on a practical application of business and professional skills and information necessary to provide acupuncture health care to an ever-growing population of patients. This course will teach students to understand the synergistic nature of the professional, ethical, financial and marketing skills necessary to run a primary health care practice in the USA in the 21st century and will prepare students to set up, run and/or maintain a viable practice. The course will cover insurance billing, maintenance and release of records, personal injury and Workman’s Compensation procedures. Other topics include patient communication skills, counseling, confidentiality, and public service.
CT232 Clinical Assistantship
0/120/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course provides the medical assistant student with the knowledge and foundational skill practice necessary to begin to function in a medical office under the supervision of a healthcare provider and healthcare team. Students are introduced to basic concepts of professional practice, law and ethics in health care, medical officer records and procedures, medical terminology, and medical office finances. Students will be introduced to working with the healthcare team and patients in a healthcare setting while participating in the administrative functions of the medical office.
CT411 Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Practice
0/120/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
This course is designed to prepare the students for the clinical internship. The students will be given various cases to analyze and prescribe herbs. The course will also go over some classic books, like Shang Han Lun and Jin Kui Yao Lue.
CT431 Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern technology
0/90/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
The course is designed to introduce modern technologies to the students. The technologies can be used to help the Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and treatment. Examples of modern technology includes: ECG, Skin Impedance, PPG, Pulse Oximeter, Thermometry, etc.
CT311 Case Management I
0/90/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The two Case Management courses are designed to prepare the students to manage patient care as primary health care professionals. Students are required to develop case reports and presentations as well as participate in discussions about clinical cases in groups. Instructors will evaluate the presentation based on procedures, case analysis, research techniques, and conclusions. Case Management I is designed as an overview of the responsibilities of a primary care provider. By the end of this course, students will be able to perform a thorough intake according to the diagnostic principles of Oriental Medical theory, including western vital signs and other information relevant to integrated practice. Students will also review on how to chart accurately and concisely, following S.O.A.P. notes procedure and patient report-of-findings, and write a detailed case study presentation utilizing S.O.A.P. format. One case presentation is required from each student. It will also prepare the students with the knowledge and skills of treatment planning, continuity of care, referral, and collaboration, follow-up care, final review, and functional outcome. Interns will present clinical case studies and receive a more rigorous analysis of their diagnostic tactics and case management.
CT321 Case Management II
0/90/0/3 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Fall
The two Case Management courses are designed to prepare the students to manage patient care as primary health care professionals. Students are required to develop case reports and presentations as well as participate in discussions about clinical cases in groups. Instructors will evaluate the presentation based on procedures, case analysis, research techniques and conclusions. Case Management II will prepare the students with the knowledge and skills of case management for workers’ compensation/labor codes and procedures and qualified evaluations, coding procedures for current procedure codes, including CPT and ICD-10 diagnosis. Interns are required to demonstrate their skills and present clinical case studies. Interns must research on a comprehensive treatment program covering both eastern and western perspectives, including thorough documentation of patient charting; physical examination with prior medical history; possible diagnosis and recommended treatment; and provide competent and efficient application of acupuncture and herbal therapies and prescription. Interns will be expected to present and defend their professional decisions and techniques before their peers and licensed supervisor. This course will teach students to understand the synergistic nature of the professional, ethical, financial and marketing skills necessary to run a primary health care practice in the USA in the 21st century and will prepare students to set up, run and/or maintain a viable practice. The course will cover insurance billing, maintenance and release of records, personal injury and Workman’s Compensation procedures. Other topics include patient communication skills, counseling, confidentiality, and public service
CT412 : Clinical Internship III: Herbal Dispensary
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: Passing grade on Clinic Internship Entrance exam, current CPR card
Terms Offered: Fall
Supervised training in the herbal pharmacy where interns prepare herbal prescriptions for patients. Various forms of herbal medication including raw herb decoction, capsule/pill formulations as well as powder extracts are used and interns will learn to select, weigh, and compound herbal prescriptions.
CT422: Clinical Level IV: Supervised Assisted Practice
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: Passing grade on Clinic Internship Entrance exam, current CPR card
Terms Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall
Interns are expected to practice acupuncture and Chinese Herbology, along with other healing therapies within the scope of the acupuncture license. The internship is done under close guidance and supervision. Students are regularly evaluated as to their abilities to treat patients. Toward the end of this level, emphasis is shifted toward the intern’s defense of their independently derived treatment decisions.
CT432: Clinic Level V: Supervised Solo Practice
0/0/200/4 Pre-req: Passing grade on Clinic Internship Entrance exam, current CPR card
Terms Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall
This is the last level of internship before graduation where Senior interns demonstrate a thorough understanding of clinical diagnosis and treatment skills and are expected to perform “solo practice” and assume primary responsibility for treating patients. Interns at this level have less supervision of their activities but must obtain the supervisor’s approval of all treatment decisions. By the end of this course, an intern must have performed at least 350 treatments in order to graduate.
PD333 Introduction to Doctoral Studies
60/0/0/4 Pre-req: None
Terms Offered: Summer
This course introduces new doctoral students in the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program to the working of the scientific enterprise, scholarly research, ethics, and the current state-of-the-art research in Oriental Medicine. The participants of this course are first-year doctoral students. Others can take the course or audit it with the permission of the instructor. As you might have already experienced as aspiring scientists, being a researcher requires intelligence, independence, creative thinking, and most of all commitment to hard-working. This course reinforces this. The course includes a fair number of readings. The readings were selected by faculty in such a way that they are fun to read. In addition to reading, the course features several assignments and projects, which focus on specific important skills such as paper analysis and presentation and peer-reviewing. As in the past years, you will be expected to prepare a draft of a research problem, work it out over the course of the semester, and present it to the class at the conclusion of the course.
PD423 Evidence-based Health Capstone: Dissertation
60/0/0/4 pre-req: last year status
Terms Offered: Spring
This is an independent instruction for individual students to finish their dissertation in order to get the Doctor Degree. The students can choose the field of their interest to do a systematic review or apply to conduct clinical trials for acupuncture or herbal research. Prior to the course, the students need to discuss with their advisor.