Program Goals & Outcomes
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CAGS CHM) program is to prepare licensed acupuncturists and other qualified healthcare practitioners for advanced clinical practice in Chinese herbal medicine. The program provides comprehensive, practice-oriented training in herbal theory, formula composition, modification, and safe prescribing and dispensing. Graduates are prepared to integrate Chinese herbal medicine into clinical practice, demonstrating clinical competence, critical thinking, and a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care.
Program Goals
Professionalism and Ethical Practice in Herbal Medicine
Graduates demonstrate integrity, compassion, and ethical reasoning in all professional conduct related to Chinese herbal medicine practice. They uphold legal and regulatory standards governing herbal medicine administration, including informed consent, documentation of herbal prescriptions, and transparent communication of risks and contraindications—safeguard patient privacy and autonomy, and contribute to a culture of safety, honesty, and continuous quality improvement. They provide equitable, culturally responsive herbal medicine care that respects the full diversity of human experience and intersectional identity.
Patient-Centered Herbal Medicine Clinical Practice
Graduates perform clinical assessments that integrate Chinese herbal medicine theory with biomedical knowledge, and develop individualized, evidence-informed herbal medicine treatment plans for patients with diverse presentations. They administer herbal medicine—including raw herbs, prepared formulas, and dietary supplements—safely and effectively, with comprehensive appraisal of toxicity, contraindications, herb-drug interactions, and pharmaceutical considerations. They apply dispensary practices that ensure patient safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, and facilitate timely, appropriate referrals to other healthcare providers.
Foundational and Applied Chinese Herbal Medicine Knowledge
Graduates demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Chinese herbal materia medica, including herb properties, functions, classical formulation theory, herb-drug interactions, and the chemical constituents of herbs and natural products and recognize obsolete, restricted, and toxic substances, identifying clinically appropriate alternatives. They integrate classical herbal theory with contemporary biomedical science, critically appraise current research on the efficacy and safety of herbal treatments, and apply state and federal regulations governing herbal medicine practice.
Interprofessional and Patient Communication in Herbal Medicine
Graduates communicate clearly, compassionately, and accurately with patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team regarding the clinical rationale, expected outcomes, risks, and regulatory status of Chinese herbal medicine treatments. They translate herbal medicine clinical reasoning into biomedical vocabulary to support informed decision-making, safe co-management, and appropriate referral, and employ trauma-informed and culturally intelligent communication strategies.
Practice-Based Learning and Professional Development in Herbal Medicine
Graduates engage in ongoing self-reflection and critical appraisal of their herbal medicine practice, incorporating feedback, performance data, and scholarly inquiry to improve clinical effectiveness. They locate, critically appraise, and integrate current research and classical herbal medicine literature into clinical decision-making, utilize digital tools and clinical databases to support evidence-informed prescribing, and cultivate the professional resilience and self-care practices necessary for sustained contribution to the field of Chinese herbal medicine.
Systems-Based Practice and Health Equity in Herbal Medicine
Graduates demonstrate knowledge of the legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks governing Chinese herbal medicine practice, including state and federal scope-of-practice regulations, dispensary compliance requirements, and manufacturing standards and apply this knowledge to maintain safe, compliant, and professionally managed herbal medicine practice settings. They analyze barriers to equitable access to herbal medicine care and contribute to efforts to reduce health disparities, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Chinese Herbal Medicine program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical, compassionate, and professional conduct in all aspects of Chinese herbal medicine practice, including honest documentation, culturally responsive care, adherence to professional boundaries, and transparent communication of risks, contraindications, and regulatory constraints to patients and colleagues.
- Conduct comprehensive herbal medicine patient assessments, integrating AHM diagnostic frameworks and biomedical information to formulate individualized herbal treatment strategies; and identify clinical presentations requiring urgent care or referral to other healthcare providers.
- Compose, administer, and evaluate individualized Chinese herbal formulations—including raw herbs, prepared formulas, and dietary supplements—adjusting treatment plans based on patient response, evidence-informed practice, comprehensive appraisal of toxicity, contraindications, and herb-drug interactions, and applicable safety standards.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of herbal materia medica, formulation theory, botanical identification, and chemical constituents; recognize restricted, toxic, and obsolete substances and identify clinically appropriate alternatives; critically appraise classical and contemporary sources on herbal efficacy and safety; and integrate this knowledge into clinical reasoning and treatment planning.
- Apply knowledge of state and federal regulations governing Chinese herbal medicine practice—including scope of practice, vendor compliance with manufacturing standards, and reporting obligations for serious adverse events—implement dispensary practices that support quality assurance, including product storage, facility management, preparation, product tracking, and record-keeping; and recognize and evaluate ethical issues specific to herbal medicine administration.
- Actively seek and incorporate formative feedback and performance data to improve herbal medicine clinical reasoning and patient care; locate, critically appraise, and integrate relevant information from classical herbal texts, contemporary research, and clinical databases to improve evidence-informed prescribing; and cultivate the self-reflection, resilience, and professional development practices necessary for sustained contribution to Chinese herbal medicine.
- Communicate clearly, compassionately, and accurately with patients, caregivers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals about the clinical rationale, expected outcomes, risks, and regulatory status of Chinese herbal medicine treatments, using terminology appropriate to each audience; employ trauma-informed, culturally intelligent communication strategies; and translate herbal medicine clinical reasoning into biomedical vocabulary to support interdisciplinary collaboration and timely referral.
- Analyze social, economic, and environmental determinants of health and apply this analysis to improve patient outcomes and reduce health disparities in the context of herbal medicine care; demonstrate knowledge of healthcare law, AHM regulatory frameworks, and the legal and professional standards governing Chinese herbal medicine practice; and apply herbal medicine competencies within existing professional practice settings.
- Identify barriers to patient access to Chinese herbal medicine care and apply strategies for inclusive, culturally responsive, and affordable herbal medicine delivery for underserved populations; evaluate the benefits and limitations of current and emerging healthcare technologies as they apply to herbal medicine practice; and contribute to patient safety reporting, quality improvement efforts, and the evidence base supporting the safe and effective use of Chinese herbal medicine.
- Articulate the clinical rationale and evidence base for Chinese herbal medicine to other healthcare disciplines to foster effective interprofessional collaboration; facilitate timely, patient-centered referrals using appropriate biomedical terminology; maintain complete and accurate clinical records for all herbal medicine patients; and demonstrate competency in EHR and practice management documentation to support safe and efficient herbal medicine care.