Traditional Chinese Medicine

A superior doctor is able to gather all techniques and use them either together or separately”
-The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

The Master’s Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MS-TCM) offers comprehensive training in Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture to prepare graduates to provide their patients the full range of the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The program expands upon the curriculum offered in the Masters in Acupuncture by adding training in herb theory, dispensary practice and clinical herbal training.

Program Details

The Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MS-TCM) is a 4 year, 145.5 credit, 3395 hour program. Initially you will study basic theory, acupuncture concepts and biomedicine.

In the second year you will gradually begin your herbal studies. We use a unique approach which utilizes common illnesses that you will see in the student clinic and as a practitioner as the basis for the early herb classes. This allows the student to see clinical applications immediately to see the practical applications possible for the TCM practitioner.

This herbal training continues alongside your acupuncture training and acupuncture clinical internship in your third year. In this phase you will explore well over 300 individual herbs and 150 formulas.

You will finish your education with classes in clinical applications of herbal formulae and a herbal clinic concentration in the fourth and final year.

Individual and Flexible

We pride ourselves on a proven track record of working closely with students in a flexible manner. We are committed to creating individual academic plans that accommodate personal needs and goals.

Unique University Environment

Our program provides a unique opportunity to study Chinese Medicine in a multi-purpose University, alongside students pursuing other health profession degrees. You will work closely with naturopathic, chiropractic and other students and practitioners in a supportive, integrative environment. This experience will be of lasting value in your future professional lives as healthcare providers and healers.

The Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine degree program is four years in length (45 months) and is scheduled on a semester basis. The curriculum of this major consists of eight (8) distinct areas:

Acupuncture Practice and Techniques (APT):

The nine (9) acupuncture courses introduce students to the theoretical and practical information of acupuncture therapy. The student becomes proficient in the clinical applications of acupuncture, moxabustion, cupping, electrical stimulation, and bleeding techniques. The student learns to identify acupuncture points by anatomical location, palpation, and proportional measurement. The classification, function and indications for each acupuncture point are discussed and demonstrated. In addition to the twelve bilateral channels, two midline vessels and six other extra meridians, forbidden and contraindication of points are discussed. In addition, extra points, auricular points and other categories of acupuncture points are demonstrated and treatment techniques based on these extra meridians and points are discussed and practiced.

Asian Medicine Theory, Diagnosis and Application (ATD):

The twelve (12) oriental medicine theory and diagnosis courses are designed to provide the student with an understanding of the scope, philosophy, theory and conceptual frame work of oriental medicine and how acupuncture specifically affects the body within the Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment paradigms. Emphasis is placed on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnoses and effective treatment strategies.

Western Biomedicine (AWB):

The twelve (12) western biomedical courses are designed to train the student fully about western medical terms, history taking, physical exam and diagnostic skills. The student learns how to make the appropriate referral and consultation, as well as the clinical relevance of laboratory and diagnostic tests and procedures.

Herbal Medicine Survey (AHM):

The five (5) courses in herbal medicine and dietetics give the student a basic introduction to Chinese pharmacy and dispensary practices, common OTC North American botanicals, the ethical consideration of utilizing sparse resources, and TCM clinical diet therapies. Information in the western botanical and pharmacy classes provides clear information regarding indications, contraindications and drug-herb interactions. The ethical and ecological impacts of TCM materia medica on the health of the individual and the world are explored. In addition, the two courses in dietetics and nutrition help the student understand the role of nutrition in patients' health. (Note that the course in western nutrition is listed under Western Biomedicine: ANT 521 Nutrition.)

Asian/Chinese Herbology (ACH):

The ten (10) courses in Chinese Herbology offer the student a thorough understanding of Chinese Materia Medica, Classical and Patent formulas and modifications, and the clinical application of Chinese herbs and formulae. The student becomes proficient in the theories pertinent to Chinese Herbal Medicine and the clinical applications of Chinese materia medica for a wide variety of clinical situations and patient populations. At the completion of the 10 course survey, students will have learned over 300 individual herbs and over 150 different classical and patent formulae.

Movement and Respiration Studies (AMR):

The seven (7) movement and respiration courses are designed to enhance the student’s personal and energetic development. The student will be exposed to a wide variety of Asian movement practices that can be used to maintain their own and their patients’ health care needs. In addition to the movement studies, three courses in soft tissue treatment techniques are offered.

Counseling, communications and practice management:

The two (2) specific courses in this area enhance the students’ clinical skills, both in terms of diagnosing addressing patients’ psychological health and in the area of best business practices. In addition, the courses of AWB 621 Medical Ethics, ACS 511 Evidence informed Clinical Practices, and ATD 618 Seminar 3 (cross listed in the ATD section) help students learn the fundamental skills needed for private practice, ethical and legal considerations in health care and special considerations for practice in integrated care settings.

Clinical Services:

The five (5) acupuncture clinical services courses and four (4) Chinese Herbology clinical services (for a total of nine – 9 – clinical experience courses) are designed to allow the student to develop clinical, interpersonal communication and decision-making skills. In addition, students learn professional conduct, efficiency and confidence in dealing with patients on a regular basis. From inception through the end of clinical training, the student has the opportunity to observe and work with advanced TCM practitioners as well as other health care professionals. This allows the student to understand how and when to make appropriate referrals. Clinical service rotations are available in the UBAI on-campus clinic as well as in community and hospital outreach clinical sites. By the end of clinical training, each student will have seen a minimum of 575 patient visits and will have completed 1190 hours of clinical training (830 hours in the acupuncture/general clinical care; 360 in the herbology clinic).

The admissions requirements for the University of Bridgeport MS-Traditional Chinese Medicine program are as follows:Students applying to the Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine degree program should submit a completed application, an application fee, and official transcripts for undergraduate course work to the Office of Acupuncture Admissions. Admission requirements for the MS-TCM program include a bachelor's degree or its equivalent (such as 120 completed semester credits). The following courses must be included: 6 hours of English skills, 3 hours psychology, 3 hours of social science, 6 hours of biology and 6 hours of chemistry. Biology and chemistry courses must include a laboratory, must be passed with a grade of C or better, and must be a course offered for science majors. A minimum grade point average of 2.25 is required in the science prerequisites.