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Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)
Program Description
The Doctor of Acupuncture program is four (4) academic years in length. The program consists of three (3) years of foundational studies in the MAc program and additional advanced courses. The DAc program is composed of 1,640 didactic/lab hours and 820 clinical training hours.
Program Objective
The Objective of the Doctor of Acupuncture program is to create leading practitioners of Acupuncture through student-centered educational structures and experiences that will produce the following competencies:
Program Outcomes
Formulate prevention strategies utilizing a justified etiology of disease from an Oriental Medicine perspective.
Develop Acupuncture treatment principles and strategies that are logically supported by an Oriental Medical diagnosis and actionable through Oriental Medical modalities.
Formulate patient diagnoses and develop treatment plans based on the Four Pillars of Diagnosis.
Create acupuncture treatment prescriptions along with supplemental modality treatment plans that are logically supported by Oriental Medicine principles.
Administer a treatment plan during the clinical appointment.
Recognize situations and symptoms which necessitate the need for referral to an appropriate health care professional and perform needed actions in such contexts.
Communicate in a professional manner with patients, teachers, and other qualified complementary healthcare professionals.
Maintain and exhibit the highest personal and professional ethical standards.
Demonstrate advanced clinical skills, specialization, and collaboration competence.
Demonstrate advanced diagnostic skills.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the contemporary patient care system.
Demonstrate the ability to formulate and implement plans for individual professional development.
Demonstrate the ability to incorporate scholarship, research, and evidence-based medicine/evidence-informed practice into patient care.
Welcome to the Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) Program
Advance your career with the DAc program, designed for those seeking comprehensive training in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. This clinically focused doctorate blends advanced coursework with hands-on experience, equipping graduates to provide exceptional patient care and thrive as leaders in integrative healthcare environments.
Graduation Requirements
General graduation requirements are as follows:
Satisfactory completion of all required course work and clinical hours in accordance with the residency requirement.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Satisfactory passing of the Graduation Examination.
Passing of Phase Exams (each before entry of observation, intern level 1, 2, 3), among other requirements including First aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Annual training of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Complete the program within one and one-half time of the program length.
Meet all financial obligations to the University.
A student must satisfy degree requirements at the time of enrollment at the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine as a student unless his/her program is interrupted. It may become necessary to satisfy the program requirements as outlined in the catalogue at the time the student re-enters as a student.
License Requirements
The design and structure of the programs offered by the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine are in accordance with guidelines and requirements established by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV), and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The requirements to be licensed may vary in each state. Students with plans to practice Acupuncture in other locales are advised to review the licensure requirements for those states to determine if appropriate academic qualifications are being met for professional practice.
To be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Acupuncturist in Virginia, an acupuncture practitioner must have graduated from a school-sanctioned by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and have passed exams required by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
To sit for the NCCAOM exams, students must graduate from an ACAHM accredited school. VUIM (accredited by ACAHM) requires all students to pass a Comprehensive Graduation Examination during the final stage of their studies, which includes questions from four modules: Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory, Acupuncture, Herbology, and Western Medicine.
The requirements to be licensed may vary in each state. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Graduation Exams, in addition to successful completion of coursework at VUIM, allows the student to graduate, sit for NCCAOM exams, and apply for licensure in Virginia.
We're empowering the next generation of integrative healthcare practitioners. Our mission: to advance expertise in acupuncture, natural medicine, and integrative care—bridging the time-honored traditions of East Asian medicine with the precision of modern clinical practice.
What You’ll Experience
Study at VUIM is serious training for a serious career. Here, you’ll build a deep foundation in integrative medicine, mastering traditional Eastern practices while applying them through hands-on clinical training. Guided by expert faculty, you’ll gain the knowledge, confidence, and real-world experience to shape the future of holistic healthcare.
Career-Ready Training
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We don’t just prepare you to graduate—we prepare you to lead. With hands-on training, expert guidance, and a focus on real-world application, you’ll be ready to bring herbal medicine into clinical practice from day one.
Supportive Community
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You’re not just a student—you’re part of something bigger. From faculty to classmates, our tight-knit community offers the support, mentorship, and collaboration to help you thrive in your studies and career.
Holistic Healing Approach
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Health isn’t just about symptoms—it’s about the whole person. We teach you how to approach treatment with a balanced, integrative mindset, blending traditional techniques with modern clinical strategies.
Expert Faculty & Mentorship
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Learn from leaders in the field. Our faculty brings decades of clinical experience and academic expertise, guiding you through the complexities of herbal medicine with real-world insight and personalized mentorship.
Evidence-Based Learning
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Ancient medicine meets modern science. We bridge traditional Chinese herbology with the latest research, ensuring your knowledge is rooted in both time-tested wisdom and clinical validation.
Hands-On Clinical Training
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Theory is important, but real learning happens in practice. You’ll work with patients under expert supervision, refining your skills and building the experience you need to step into clinical care with ease.
Comprehensive Curriculum
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We don’t just skim the surface—we dive deep. Our curriculum covers everything from classical herbal formulas to modern applications, giving you the expertise to diagnose, prescribe, and treat with confidence.
From Classroom to Clinic
New Changes to Medicare Now Cover Acupuncture
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Episode 1: Jeff Millison and His Journey in Teachi...
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Episode 2: Life at VUIM and Studying for a Career ...
This week we were joined by 3 current students, Renee Lee, Colleen Rossier, and Jacob Rosenbaum to d...
Episode 3: A conversation with Dr. Lixing Lao abou...
This week, we have a lecture by the President of VUIM, Dr. Lixing Lao, Ph.D. Dr. Lao discusses the h...
Episode 4: Fall in Love With Yogapuncture
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