Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

For Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, tuition fees are 19,360 USD per year.

This is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) program with a modern integrative medical curriculum that bridges Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and biomedicine. It provides advanced clinical TCM training with exposure to family medicine and emphasizes research skills. Students engage in extensive clinical training with TCM and Western medicine experts in various settings.

Focus areas include Chinese Medical Psychology and Trauma, Neuromuscular Medicine and Pain Management, Women’s Health and Endocrinology, Tibetan Medicine, Auricular Medicine.

The program is a 56.8-unit / 1280-hour doctorate requiring an extensive research capstone project in the final phase.

Hospitals, research centers, and universities recognize and seek DAOM graduates, with some institutions requiring the postgraduate DAOM.

Applications for admission are reviewed throughout the year, with new students accepted on a trimester basis. Specific entry requirements are not detailed in the provided text.

The program is delivered in a hybrid modular format with monthly three to four-day weekend intensives, 49% online and in-person meetings every other month. It is designed for working professionals, allowing completion in as little as 24 months. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes.

Five Branches University is a graduate school of Traditional Chinese Medicine with campuses in Santa Cruz and San Jose, California. Its academic offerings include DAcHM and MAcHM programs, DAc and MAc pathways, and doctorate and Ph.D. study. Students can also access clinic internships and preparation for professional practice in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Academic work connects classical Chinese medical thought with clinical assessment and treatment. Areas presented through faculty teaching and workshops include Chinese materia medica, pulse diagnosis, channels, Qi, Blood, Jing, Shen, emotional states, and specialized applications such as eye health. Clinical learning can involve palpation, hands-on assessment, and the movement from foundational theory to practical application.

The Santa Cruz campus is located at 200 7th Ave., Suite 115, and the San Jose campus at 1885 Lundy Ave., Suite 108. Each location has a campus and clinic contact. University activities include graduate degree open houses, continuing education courses in English and Chinese, on-demand learning, interviews, and faculty participation in international conferences and workshops. International applicants should review the documentation required for non-US citizens and residents, along with questions about English fluency, Chinese-language knowledge, tuition, financial aid, academic schedules, and arranging a campus visit.