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Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CAGS)

Location: Worcester
Start Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

NESA’s ACAOM accredited Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CAGS CHM) program is designed for those currently enrolled in or who have completed an ACAOM-accredited/pre-accredited entry level program (master’s level or professional doctoral) in acupuncture.

This program encompasses the comprehensive study of Chinese herbal medicine and its clinical application. In addition to extensive coursework, students complete over 200 hours of clinical training. In the NESA Treatment Center interns treat patients with a variety of conditions under the direct supervision of clinical faculty highly experienced in Chinese herbal medicine.

Students assist in NESA’s herbal dispensary, which is stocked with an extensive selection of high-quality herbal products. Students learn to compound concentrated granule and raw herbal formulas in a safe and accurate manner. They also gain experience in operating a successful herbal dispensary.

Graduates will be prepared to effectively utilize Chinese herbal medicine in clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCCAOM board examination in Chinese Herbal Medicine. This program meets the standard required by most states to dispense Chinese herbs.

For admission consideration, the following application materials must be submitted:

  • Completed MCPHS Application
  • Official college transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended demonstrating enrollment in, or satisfactory completion of, an ACAOM-accredited/pre-accredited entry-level master’s-level or professional doctoral program in acupuncture.
  • Applicants who earned credits at a foreign educational institution must have their transcripts validated and submitted by a recognized educational credentialing evaluation service.
  • A formal statement of purpose indicating your desire to study acupuncture at MCPHS University.

Additionally, students will be required to successfully complete a faculty interview (by invitation only) to be considered for admission.

English Language Competency

English language competency must be demonstrated via one of the following:

  1. The student must have completed a two-year (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) undergraduate- or graduate-level, English-based education in an institution:
    1. accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or
    2. in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, or Ireland.

In all cases, English must have been both the language of instruction and the language of the curriculum used;

  1. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) - Acceptable score: TOEFL iBT total score – 80; or
  2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format - Acceptable score: IELTS overall band score – 6.5.

All official college transcripts and supporting materials can be sent to:

Worcester Admission Office
19 Foster Street
Worcester, MA 01608
admissions.worcester@mcphs.edu
508.373.5607 or 800.225.5506

 

Course TITLE SEMESTER HOURS

Year I—Spring
SACHM 100 Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine 2
Biomedical Clinical Sciences* 2

Year I—Summer
SACHM 111 CHM: Pharmacopoeia I 4
SACLC DA15 CHM Dispensary Assistantship at NESA 0

Biomedical Clinical Sciences*  4
TOTAL   8

Year I—Fall
SACHM 112 CHM: Pharmacopoeia II 4
TOTAL   4

Year II—Spring
SACHM 121 CHM: Formulas I 4
TOTAL    4

Year II—Summer
SACHM 122 CHM: Formulas II 4
SACHM 130 CHM: Patent Herbal Medicine 2
TOTAL   6

Year II—Fall
SACHM 141 CHM: Internal Medicine I 4
SACHM 150 CHM: Formula Writing 2
SAEXMCHM CHM Comprehensive Examination 0
TOTAL   6

YEAR III: SPRING

SACHM 142 CHM: Internal Medicine II 4
SACHM 160 CHM: Clinical Pharmacology 2
TOTAL    6

YEAR III: SUMMER

SACLC OM CHM **CHM: Clinical Internship I, II & III 6
TOTAL   6

YEAR III :FALL

  
SACLC OM CHM **CHM: Clinical Internship IV 1

Total semester hours: 43

*If an applicant has not completed the required 60 clock hours in biomedical clinical sciences.

**CPR/First Aid certification must be current throughout all Clinical Internships.

 

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