Program Goals & Outcomes

Statement of Purpose

To prepare students for entry-level professional practice as licensed acupuncturists with integrated training in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The program provides comprehensive education in both disciplines, including clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Graduates demonstrate ethical practice, effective communication, critical thinking, and a commitment to equitable, patient-centered care.

Program Goals

1. Graduates demonstrate integrity, compassion, legal compliance, and equitable and culturally responsive care for all patients.
2. Graduates perform comprehensive AHM and biomedical assessment, formulate diagnoses, develop evidence-informed treatment plans integrating acupuncture and herbal medicine, administer CNT-safe care, and facilitate appropriate referrals.
3. Graduates integrate AHM theory and biomedical science in clinical reasoning, critically appraise classical and contemporary sources, and demonstrate herbal materia medica and herb-drug interaction competency.
4. Graduates communicate effectively across modalities, translate AHM reasoning into biomedical terminology, and employ trauma-informed and culturally intelligent strategies.
5. Graduates engage in self-reflection, incorporate feedback and scholarly inquiry, and cultivate resilience for sustainable professional practice.
6. Graduates analyze social determinants of health, demonstrate knowledge of healthcare law and billing, and contribute to reducing health disparities for underserved populations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program, graduates will:

1. Demonstrate ethical practice, legal compliance, and equitable and culturally responsive care.
2. Perform comprehensive AHM and biomedical patient assessment; formulate diagnoses; identify patients requiring urgent referral.
3. Develop evidence-informed, individualized treatment plans; administer CNT-compliant acupuncture care; integrate herbal medicine treatment planning and administration; and provide patient education.
4. Integrate AHM theory and biomedical science in clinical reasoning; critically appraise AHM and biomedical literature; and apply knowledge of social determinants of health to patient care.
5. Demonstrate comprehensive herbal materia medica knowledge, formulation theory, herb-drug interactions, and dispensary practice consistent with safe Chinese herbal medicine clinical care.
6. Engage in self-reflection and critical appraisal of clinical practice; incorporate feedback and scholarly inquiry; leverage digital clinical tools; and cultivate resilience for sustainable professional practice.
7. Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and healthcare teams; employ trauma-informed and culturally intelligent communication; and translate AHM reasoning into biomedical vocabulary.
8. Analyze social determinants of health; demonstrate knowledge of healthcare law, billing, and documentation systems; and develop a professional practice plan for entry into independent practice.
9. Identify barriers to equitable healthcare access; critically evaluate healthcare technology; and apply patient safety and quality improvement frameworks in clinical practice.
10. Fulfill interprofessional collaborative roles; manage patient referrals and care coordination; maintain accurate clinical records; and demonstrate EHR competency.