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Doctor of Acupuncture Co-Enrolled with the Master in Acupuncture

The purpose of the first professional doctorate, Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc), is to train future traditional Asian medicine professionals with the ability to practice as independent health care providers in a variety of settings. This is accomplished through rigorous education and clinical training in traditional Chinese medicine and biomedical concepts. The program’s rigor builds on the student’s knowledge and understanding by improving their ability to think critically and creatively, synthesize knowledge, and use research findings and the scientific and scholarly literature to support the professional practice. The program fosters collaborative interactions between traditional Asian medicine practitioners and other health care practitioners. The program is designed to train acupuncturists to the highest level of competency in an entry-level degree. 

Students enrolled in this entry-level professional doctoral program will be co-enrolled in the master’s program, MAc. Thus, graduates of this program will have achieved all of the master competencies and doctoral-level competencies set out for this program.

Expected Program Outcomes

The DAc graduates are trained 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 assessing patients, including interviewing, palpation, and observation
    3. Competence in selecting the appropriate treatment modalities and plans for a patient utilizing acupuncture, tui na, Chinese herbs (relevant to the MAcCHM), lifestyle and dietary counseling, and other modalities within the scope of practice
    4. Skill in the application of acupuncture techniques in an appropriate and safe fashion for each patient
    5. Competence in physical examination, orthopedic and neurological assessment, and pain management
    6. Critical thinking using cognitive skills to increase the expected patient outcomes and the development of professional judgment
    7. Ability to incorporate findings from imaging, laboratory, and diagnostic studies in patient care

  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. Proficient in their approach in setting up and maintaining a private practice, collaborating with other health care professionals, working in an integrated health care setting, and providing leadership within the Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine field
  4. Capable of accessing research information and critically assessing the value of published clinical research in the field
  5. Able to provide health promotion and disease prevention measures based on traditional Chinese medicine theory (such as tai chi, qigong, and therapeutic nutrition) to support the well-being of their patients and themselves
  6. Qualified to pass national and state acupuncture and/or herbal exams
  7. Able to assess personal and professional strengths and weaknesses, and implement a professional development plan
  8. Able to practice a collaborative model in an interdisciplinary setting

Admissions

For general information on the admissions process, please refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. The information below refers only to the DAc program.

 

Students may enter with a completed bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisite coursework (minimum GPA 2.75). Students may also enter the program without a bachelor’s degree, but must complete the required prerequisite coursework in addition to specific general education requirements, which total a minimum of 135 quarter credits.

Prerequisites: 

Intermediate Algebra 1 course
General Chemistry (allied-health-level with lab)1,2 1 course
General Biology (allied-health-level with lab)2 1 course
General Psychology 1 course
General Physics 1 course
Note: All students must complete a CPR Basic Life Support course or equivalent prior to entering clinic.
1Survey-level class that covers inorganic chemistry and includes a lab component. Intended for students in allied-health majors.
2Science classes must have been taken within seven years of entering the program. If not, additional coursework may be required after the Admissions Committee review.

Age of Course

Required chemistry and biology courses not taken within seven years of matriculation into the program are subject to review by the Admissions Committee. Additional coursework may be required.

Transfers

Students who wish to transfer from other accredited acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine programs are accepted on a space-available basis and must meet the same entrance requirements at the class level they seek to enter. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis following completion of the application process. Transfer applicants must submit a $100 transfer evaluation fee.
Applicants must provide an official transcript from the college or program from which the transfer is being requested, demonstrating that they are leaving in good academic standing. 
Applicants must submit syllabi for the courses they completed in their acupuncture program and should be prepared to submit additional documentation to support a thorough evaluation. If a transfer student is found to be deficient in some area(s) of study, they may be required to complete additional courses at Bastyr University. For more information on the transfer admission policies and procedures, contact the admissions office.

 

Academic Status and Graduation Requirements

Students in the DAc-MAc program must complete their degree requirements within seven years.  Students must complete at least two-thirds of their credits, 129.5 quarter credits (DAc + MAc) in residence at Bastyr University including all clinical credits.

Students in the professional doctoral program must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be in good academic standing.  For more information on academic status, see Academic Status--Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal in the Academic Policy and Procedure Manual.

In the AEAM department, grades below a 72.9 percent indicate failure to meet the minimum level of competency for learning objectives or core competencies.  A student who receives a failure in a required course, lab, clinic shift, or internship must repeat that course, lab, clinic, or internship.

In order to receive a license to practice acupuncture in the majority of states, a student must earn either a MAc or MAcCHM degree, pass the NCCAOM licensing exam, and meet any additional state requirements.  Several states require Chinese herbal medicine training for licensure (e.g. California, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas). 

Electives/Special Topics: The DAc requires an additional 4 elective/special topic credits to the master's requirements.  These credits may be any general electives/special topics as long as the prerequisites for each course are met.

Degree Requirements

DAc-MAc Year I

Fall

AM4100Survey of Organic and Biochemistry

4
AM4104Medical Chinese 1

1
AM4108History of Medicine

2
AM4401Qi Gong 1

1
AM4801AOM Clinic Entry

2
AM5100Meridian and Points 1 Lecture/Lab

3
AM5101TCM Fundamentals

4
AM5109Case Discussions 1

1
BC4102Living Anatomy for AEAM

4
BC4107Medical Terminology

1
Total Credit Hours:23

Winter

AM4301TCM Bodywork: Tui Na

1
AM5104Meridians and Points 2 Lecture/Lab

3
AM5201TCM Diagnosis 1

3
AM5203TCM Pathology 1

3
AM5401TCM Techniques 1

2
BC4104Microbiology

3
BC4123Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture/Lab (AEAM)

5
CH5100Introduction to Chinese Herbs 1

1.5
Total Credit Hours:21.5

Spring

AM5106Meridians and Points 3 Lecture/Lab

3
AM5202TCM Diagnosis 2

3
AM5204TCM Pathology 2

3
AM5403TCM Techniques 2

2
AM5801Clinical Observation 1

2
BC4105Introduction to Western Pathology for AEAM

3
BC4124Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lecture/Lab (AEAM)

4
CH5101Introduction to Chinese Herbs 2

1.5
Total Credit Hours:21.5

Summer

AM5300Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 1 Lecture/Lab

3
AM5308Clinical Theater - Acupuncture Lab

1
AM5802Clinical Observation 2

2
PS5205Patient Communications

3
Total Credit Hours:9

DAc-MAc Year II

Fall

AM6102Pharmacology Overview for AOM

4
AM6109Case Discussions 2

1
AM6301Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 2 Lecture/Lab

3
AM6400TCM Techniques 3

2
AM6411Acupuncture Point Selection Strategies

2
AM6412Acupuncture Therapeutics 1

2
AM6800Clinical Observation Theater

2
Total Credit Hours:16
*AM6800 may be taken in WI or year one or FA of year two.

Winter

AM6201Clinical Case Preparation Lab

1
AM6302Survey of Western Clinical Sciences 3

3
AM6307Auricular and Scalp Therapy

2
AM6402TCM Advanced Techniques Lab

1
AM6413Acupuncture Therapeutics 2

2
AM6414Acupuncture Therapeutics 3

2
AM6801Clinical Observation Preceptorship

2
PS6100Motivational Interviewing

2
Total Credit Hours:15
*AM6801 may be taken any time after completion of AM5801 or AM6800.

Spring

AM6401TCM Techniques 4

2
AM6408TCM Whole Foods Nutrition

1
AM6415Acupuncture Therapeutics 4

2
AM6416Acupuncture Therapeutics 5

2
AM6802AOM Clinic 1

2
AM6803AOM Clinic 2

2
AM6804AOM Clinic 3

2
TR6104Nutrition and Dietary Systems

2
Total Credit Hours:15

Summer

AM6311Public Health Issues in AOM

3
AM6805AOM Clinic 4

2
AM6806AOM Clinic 5

2
AM6807AOM Clinic 6

2
Total Credit Hours:9

DAc-MAc Year III

Fall

AM7101Business Fundamentals 1 - Finance and Accounting

1
AM7109Case Discussions 3

1
AM7400Acupuncture Review

2
AM7804AOM Clinic 7

2
AM7805AOM Clinic 8

2
AM7806AOM Clinic 9

2
Total Credit Hours:10

Winter

AM7104Business Fundamentals 2 - Marketing and Advertising

1
AM7110Overview of Pain Management Therapies

2
AM7125TCM Medical Classics

2
AM7320Clinical Theater Lab

1
AM7808AOM Clinic 10

2
AM7840AOM Clinic 11

2
AM7841AOM Clinic 12

2
Total Credit Hours:12

Spring

AM7106Business Fundamentals 3 - Practice Management and Leadership

1
AM7126Jurisprudence and Ethics

1
AM7202Clinical Diagnosis 1 - Imaging

2
AM7301Trigger/Motor Point Therapy Lecture/Lab

1
AM7842AOM Clinic 13

2
AM7843AOM Clinic 14

2
AM7850Interim Clinic

1.5
BC5140Research Methods in AEAM

3
Total Credit Hours:13.5

DAc-MAc Year IV

Fall

AM8103Survey of Integrative Medicine

3
AM8112Case Analysis and Clinical Research

2
AM8200Clinical Diagnosis 2 Lab

1.5
AM8806Specialty Clinic 1

2
AM8807Specialty Clinic 2

2
Total Credit Hours:10.5

Winter

AM8113Acupuncture Medical Classics

2
AM8115Professional Development

2
AM8116Integrated Case Discussions

2
AM8808Specialty Clinic 3

2
AM8809Specialty Clinic 4

2
Total Credit Hours:10

Total Requirements

  Total Credits Total Clock Hours
Total Core Course Credits 139.5 1669.5
Total Elective Credits 8.0 88.0
Total Clinic Credits 46.5 1004.0
Total Requirements 194 2761.5

Curriculum and course changes in the 2022-2023 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2022-2023 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.