PhD in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (PhD)

At Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, tuition is Tuition for the Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine program is $45,000 per year..

The program is grounded in evidence-informed practice and integrates traditional Eastern medicine with modern clinical methods. Students develop advanced diagnostic and treatment skills through structured coursework and supervised clinical training. The curriculum emphasizes logical reasoning in treatment planning based on Oriental Medical principles. Graduates are prepared to deliver patient care using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supplemental modalities.

Focus areas include Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Oriental Medicine Diagnosis, Clinical Practice, Evidence-Based Medicine, Patient Care Systems.

The program requires 2170 didactic and lab hours and 1120 clinical training hours over four academic years. It includes foundational studies from the MAcHM program followed by advanced coursework and clinical training.

Graduates enter roles as licensed acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners in clinical, integrative healthcare, and private practice settings.

Applicants must hold a relevant bachelor's degree and meet minimum GPA and prerequisite course requirements. Required documents include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Applicants must also complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

On-campus, full-time, four-year program. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes.

Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and integrative whole-person care are central to VUIM’s academic work. Its programs connect time-honored traditions of East Asian medicine with modern clinical practice. The catalogue includes a Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Master of Science in Acupuncture, Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Doctor of Acupuncture, and Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. This range allows students to pursue graduate or doctoral study focused on acupuncture, herbal medicine, or both.

VUIM marked its 20th anniversary with a 2024 commencement celebration for its acupuncture students. The MAcHM requires 222 quarter credits and 2,990 hours, including 990 hours of clinical training, and normally takes four years. The MAc requires 159 quarter credits and 2,160 hours, including 690 hours of clinical training, with a typical three-year length. These requirements place supervised clinical experience alongside classroom-based preparation.

Located in Vienna, Virginia, VUIM presents campus life through academic study, hands-on clinical experience, community support, student wellness, and career readiness. Students work with faculty and supervisors while preparing for acupuncture and integrative healthcare practice. International students should note that the program lineup centers on graduate and doctoral professional education, with options in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. VUIM also operates a clinic offering acupuncture and integrative wellness services. Student systems provide access to accounts, email, textbooks, the academic calendar, catalog, and course resources.