PhD in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (PhD)

Tuition is The programme consists of 294 units or 3480 hours and may be completed in four years..

Students complete 294 units or 3480 hours of training over four years, combining classical Chinese medicine with Western medical knowledge. They engage in clinical practicum, patient consultations, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The programme includes a one-year completion track for master’s graduates from ACAHM-accredited schools. Training emphasizes integration of medical needs and best practices in patient care.

Focus areas include Integrative medicine, Clinical acupuncture, Herbal medicine, Patient-centered care, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Professional practice development.

The programme requires 294 units total, including coursework, clinical training, and a dissertation. The one-year completion track for master’s graduates includes 30 units and focuses on integrating medical needs and best practices.

Graduates work as licensed acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners in clinical settings, private practice, integrative healthcare centers, and collaborative medical teams.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization from an ACAHM-accredited or pre-accredited program. Official transcripts and a credential evaluation are required for foreign degrees. A personal interview is part of the admissions process.

The programme totals about 294 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year duration; one-year completion track available for master’s graduates. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes.

For international applicants, Alhambra Medical University offers a graduate setting in Alhambra, in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Pacific Coast beaches, Century City, and Downtown Los Angeles. AMU is a private institution closely associated with seven area hospitals. Physical and practical training sessions take place on campus, while theoretical classes are offered live through Zoom. Clinical training is conducted onsite at the AMU clinic, giving students a schedule that combines distance education with in-person instruction.

AMU's academic focus is acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, and integrative patient care. The master's program began its first class in Spring 2005, and the university also offers a Doctor in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine program. Graduate programs are designed to prepare healthcare professionals to contribute to integrative care, develop the knowledge and skills needed for practice and research, and serve an aging and growing population. Practical training is central to the school's approach, with clinic experience forming part of the MAHM pathway.

International students should review separate admissions requirements for the MAHM program. Applicants with non-English-based education need qualifying TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo scores, and transcripts from outside the United States require evaluation by a foreign credential evaluation agency. Additional MAHM documents include a financial statement showing at least $22,000 in assets, a passport valid for at least six months after entry, and current immigration documents. The MAHM program is offered in English and Chinese.