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Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) Program
Program Description
The DAOM program of VUIM is a postgraduate, competency-based clinical program. As a clinically-focused professional graduate program, it provides advanced didactic studies and clinical experiences in core experiential specialties.
DAOM students will complete a total of 1260 hours, which includes 600 hours of didactic training and 660 hours of clinical training in 8 quarters or in 2 years.
The didactic training consists of core classes and special clinical-medicine courses. The core classes include: Chinese medical classics, professional advancement, clinical advancement and research. The special clinical medicine courses contain cancer care, circulatory-digestive, immune system, mental health, orthopedics, rehabilitation and the reproductive system.
The 660 hours of clinical training includes project paper writing, mentorship and advising training. Project paper writing and supervising can be completed through an externship.
Biomedical and TCM experts will lecture in specialty training courses providing DAOM Students advanced knowledge and skill in assessment and disease etiology. DAOM Students are expected to gain consultation and collaboration skills and to build professional relationships with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Students' progress through the program in a modular cycle of coursework. Progression in the doctoral program distributes academic and clinical coursework uniformly over two years. The program allocates adequate time to complete the requirements of the program while supporting the purpose and educational objectives of the program.
Program Objective
The DAOM program purpose and educational objectives are as follows:
Develop advanced knowledge and skills in Oriental medicine that integrate with relevant biomedical concepts.
Develop ability to collaborate and integrate with other healthcare professionals to support patient outcomes.
Apply clinical specialization knowledge and skills to AOM practice.
Access and critically evaluate research and apply that information to strengthen clinical practice.
Develop scientific writing skills that enable the graduate to make contributions to the field.
Program Outcomes
Welcome to the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) Program Program
Achieve the highest level of expertise in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with the DAOM program. Designed for experienced practitioners, this flexible doctoral program blends advanced clinical training, research, and leadership development to prepare graduates to drive innovation and excellence in integrative healthcare.
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 Capstone.
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 Virginia University of Integrative Medicine unless the student interrupts his/her program. 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
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.
