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Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) Program
Program Description
The Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) requires 222 quarter credits (2,990 hours) including 990 hours of clinical training to complete the program. The normal program length of MAcHM is 4 years.
MAcHM program was founded to train students in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine while providing the greater Northern Virginia area with the best alternative medicine treatments available today. Students are provided a solid foundation in the principles of Oriental Medicine as well as Western Allopathic Medicine. The MAcHM program includes an extensive study of diagnostics, methods of treatment, acupuncture, and Chinese Herbology.
The program is specifically designed to prepare students to sit for the NCCAOM licensure examination in Oriental Medicine Certification and teach the necessary skills to practice safely and skillfully.
MAcHM program is offered in three different languages: English, Korean and Chinese. For the courses in different languages, only the teaching method is different: the course objective, learning outcome, study outline, and course evaluation are the same as courses in English.
Program Objective
The Objective of the Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) Program is to create leading practitioners of Oriental Medicine through student-centered educational structures and experiences that will produce the following competencies:
Program Outcomes
Formulate disease prevention strategies utilizing a proven etiology of disease from an Oriental Medicine perspective.
Develop Oriental Medicine 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 and herbal treatment prescriptions along with supplemental modality treatment plans that are logically supported by Oriental Medicine treatment principles.
Administer a treatment plan during the clinical encounter.
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.
Unlike other traditional master’s programs, where the normal time to earn the degree is 2 years, the MAcHM, has unique characteristics that require 4 years of program study: 2 years of upper-level courses (also called major courses) in undergraduate and 2 years of graduate-level courses and is accredited by ACAHM.
Welcome to the Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) Program Program
Advance your mastery of Traditional Chinese Herbology with the MACHM program. This comprehensive master’s curriculum blends in-depth clinical training with advanced herbal theory, empowering students to refine their expertise and confidently apply herbal medicine in diverse healthcare settings
Graduation Requirements
General graduation requirements are as follows:
Satisfactory completion of all required coursework and clinical hours in accordance with the Residency Requiremen.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Satisfactory passing of the Graduation Examination.
Passing of Phase Exams ( performed 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 times the program length.
Meet all financial obligations to the University.
A student will complete degree requirements, as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of enrollment at the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine as a degree program student unless the student interrupts his/her program. It may be necessary to satisfy the program requirements as outlined in the catalog 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 states and locales are advised to review the licensure requirements for those areas 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 approved by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and have passed exams needed by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
To sit for the NCCAOM exams, students must complete a course of study that includes graduation 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.
Passing 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.
