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 at least 300 herbs and other therapeutic substances and at least 150 herbal formulas. Case studies are presented to enhance the learning process. Students also gain skills in understanding drug/herb interactions — a 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:
a. Knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic strategies and their application to individual cases
b. Skill in the traditional methods of assessment of patients, including observation and palpation
c. Competence in selecting the appropriate treatment modalities and plans for a patient utilizing Chinese herbs and lifestyle and dietary counseling
d. Skill in the application of herbs and Chinese herbal formulas in an appropriate and safe fashion for each patient
e. Critical thinking and other skills to continually improve patient outcomes and professional judgment
2. Able to integrate traditional Asian medicine and biomedicine 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:
| Intermediate Algebra |
1 course |
| General Psychology |
1 course |
| General Chemistry (allied-health level with lab) |
1 course
|
|
General Biology (allied-health level with lab)
|
1 course
|
| General Physics (allied-health level) |
1 course |
The following classes are prerequisites and may be completed while taking CCHM classes: Microbiology and Survey of Organic and Biochemistry.
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.
Academic Status and Graduation Requirements
The CCHM program is 62 credits total. To earn the certificate, 41.5 credits, including all clinical credits, must be completed in residence. Students in the CCHM program are required to have at least 100 patient contacts to fulfill the clinical training requirements.
The CCHM is a graduate course of study and, as such, follows the grading policies of the department of AEAM degree programs.
Students entering the certificate in Chinese herbal medicine (CCHM) must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be in good academic standing. 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, or clinic shift must repeat that course, lab, or clinic. Academic sanctions occur when the quarterly or cumulative GPA drops below the minimum level or when a student receives PC or F grades. Students with a quarterly GPA below the minimum will be placed on academic warning status. Students who receive a PC or F in any one quarter, regardless of GPA, may be placed on probation status. Academic tutoring and support are available to assist students to return to good academic standing.
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
CCHM YEAR I
Summer
| CH5100 | Introduction to Chinese Herbs 1 | 1.5 |
| CH5101 | Introduction to Chinese Herbs 2 | 1.5 |
| CH5401 | Chinese Materia Medica 1 | 3 |
| CH6100 | CHM Dispensary 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8.0 |
Fall
| AM6102 | Pharmacology Overview for AOM | 4 |
| CH6400 | Chinese Materia Medica 2 | 3 |
| CH7100 | CHM Dispensary 2 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Winter
| AM7125 | TCM Medical Classics | 2 |
| CH6401 | Chinese Materia Medica 3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5 |
Spring
| AM6408 | TCM Whole Foods Nutrition | 1 |
| CH6101 | Chinese Herbal Preparations | 1 |
| CH6402 | CHM Formulations 1 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Summer
| CH6403 | CHM Formulations 2 | 4 |
| CH7800 | CHM Clinic 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
CCHM Year II
Fall
| CH7101 | Jia Jian/Formula Families | 2 |
| CH7104 | Pharmacology of AOM and Drug Interactions | 2 |
| CH7401 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 1 | 2 |
| CH7801 | CHM Clinic 2 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Winter
| CH7402 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 2 | 2 |
| CH7403 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 3 | 2 |
| CH7802 | CHM Clinic 3 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Spring
| CH7404 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 4 | 2 |
| CH7405 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 5 | 2 |
| CH7803 | CHM Clinic 4 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Summer
| CH7406 | Chinese Herbal Therapeutics 6 | 2 |
| CH7407 | Chinese Herbal Review | 2 |
| CH7804 | CHM Clinic 5 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Total Requirements
| |
Total Credits |
Total Clock Hours |
| Total Core Course Credits |
50 |
605 |
| Electives |
2 |
22 |
| Total Clinic Credits |
10 |
220 |
| Total Requirements |
62 |
847 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2024-2025 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.