Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is the largest organized herbal system in existence. In China, it is considered a very powerful form of therapy that is used to treat most conditions. Chinese herbs include roots, flowers, seeds, leaves, stems and branches and other substances. Chinese herbs usually are used in combination. Some herbs reinforce each other, and some eliminate adverse effects of other herbs.

The Chinese herbal medicine certificate program is designed for those seeking comprehensive training in the field of Chinese herbal medicine. This program is a postgraduate course for acupuncturists.

The CCHM curriculum enables students to gain skills and knowledge in the principles of Chinese herbology, including materia medica, formulations, prepared medicines, dispensary, herbal therapeutics and clinical training at the Chinese herbal medicine teaching clinic. The CCHM curriculum covers a minimum of 300 herbs and other therapeutic substances and a minimum of 150 herbal formulas. Case studies are presented to enhance the learning process. Students also gain skills in understanding drug/herb interactions — a very relevant topic for today’s practitioners. At the conclusion of the certificate program, graduates have enhanced their academic skills through clinical training and have gained the traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic skills to assess and diagnose syndromes relevant to traditional Chinese medicine. They also are prepared to determine and use appropriate Chinese herbal therapies within the appropriate professional scope of practice.   

Expected Program Outcomes

The Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate trains graduates to be the following:

1. Safe and effective in the care of patients by demonstrating in-depth ability in the following areas:
   1. Knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic strategies and their application to individual cases
   2. Skill in the traditional methods of assessment of patients, including observation and palpation
   3. Competence in selecting the appropriate treatment modalities and plans for a patient utilizing Chinese herbs and lifestyle and dietary counseling
   4. Skill in the application of herbs and Chinese herbal formulas in an appropriate and safe fashion for each patient
   5. Critical thinking using cognitive skills to increase expected patient outcomes and the development of professional judgment
2.  Able to integrate Eastern and Western paradigms of medicine for the purposes of informing the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, communicating with other health care professionals and patients, and making appropriate medical referrals when necessary
3. Qualified to pass national and state herbal exams

Prerequisites

The CCHM is a postgraduate course of study that includes both didactic and clinical training. The minimum requirement for the CCHM is one of the following: a master’s degree in acupuncture from an ACAHM-accredited institution, a certificate in acupuncture with 10 years of documented clinical experience, or a current enrollment in a Master of Acupuncture program from an ACAHM- accredited institution. Applicants need to have completed or be in the process of completing the following coursework:

The following classes are prerequisites and may be completed while taking CCHM classes: Survey of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.

CCHM applicants must have a background in the basic sciences that is comparable to Bastyr University’s master’s curriculum. Upon review of past coursework, applicants may be asked to take a higher-level science course or complete a competency exam.

California Licensure Requirements

The CCHM curriculum is designed to meet the current Chinese herbal medicine requirement portion for California acupuncture licensure. (The California licensing exam requires comprehensive training in acupuncture as well as CHM.) Those interested in California licensure should complete the MAcCHM program or complete the MAc and return to the CCHM program as a postgraduate student.   

Case/Herbal Studies in China

Students in the CHM certificate program may also choose to study in China. (Please see the China Studies section in the MAcCHM master’s program description.) CCHM students may apply for an advanced preceptorship as part of the China study. This externship is approved by the university on a year-by-year basis. Students will be alerted in the fall if it is approved for the following summer.