Natural University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)

Institution

Natural University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)

Contact Details

Address:
49 South Porter Street Portland, OR 97201
Main Phone: 503-552-1555
Phone: 503-552-1660 (Office of Admissions)
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: NUNM Office of Admissions
49 S. Porter St. Portland, OR 97201
Fax: 503.499.0027
Website: https://nunm.edu/

Training Therapy

Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), Acupuncture

Level of Training

Postgraduate

Qualification Awarded

Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM)

Duration of Training

4 years

Entry Requirements

Applications for all degree programs require:

• $75 non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all former schools. Applicants should contact the Registrar’s Office at each former college or university, and request that an official transcript be sent to NUNM Admissions electronically to [email protected] or via mail to:
  NUNM Admissions
  49 S. Porter St.
  Portland, OR 97201
• Resume or CV
• One recommendation (optional): The recommendation should be completed by an academic or professional contact who knows the applicant well and can evaluate their skills and abilities. Recommendations from family members, significant others, or personal friends are not acceptable.

For Classical Chinese Medicines Degrees (DAcCHM)

• 90 semester credits (or 135 quarter credits) of undergraduate coursework from a regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
• Program specific prerequisites passed with a grade of C or higher
• Personal Statement:
• Please write a 2-to-3-page (double spaced) personal statement, which should include: the development of your decision to become a naturopathic physician or CCM practitioner; recent steps taken to further explore this career path; qualities and/or attributes you might bring to NUNM that might distinguish you from other applicants.
• CCM Essay:
  Please discuss the specific factors that drew you to apply to the Classical Chinese Medicine program at NUNM.

International Applications:

• Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency
  Minimum required official score, achieved within the last two years, on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, or the Pearson Test of English-Academic (PTE).
  
  If taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). NUNM requires a score of 550 on the written exam, or 213 on the computer exam, and 80 on the internet-based test. NUNM’s institutional TOEFL code is: 4528
  
  If taking the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) exam, NUNM requires a minimum score of 6.0.
  
  If taking the Pearson Test of English-Academic (PTE), NUNM requires a minimum score of 53.
  
• Transcripts
  Please submit all transcripts that are not from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college for a course-by-course evaluation. Transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency (listed below). Transcripts from Canadian colleges do not require a third-party evaluation; however, transcripts in French must be attached with an official translation to English.
• International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
  310.258.9451
• World Education Services, Inc.
  212.966.6311
• Certificate of Finance
  Upon admission, please complete an international student Certificate of Finance. This satisfies visa application requirements by verifying adequate financial resources to cover the anticipated period of study.

Prerequisites for DAcCHM program

• General Chemistry 1 course
• General Biology 1 course
• Psychology 1 course
  Any general psychology course 100-level or higher  
• Humanities 1 course
  Courses in the areas of art, religion, philosophy, literature, music, and other related fields will satisfy this requirement  
• Strongly Recommended Courses
  Anatomy and Physiology
  Chinese Language (old Mandarin; complex characters)
  Systems Science
  Mythology
  Quantum Physics
  Philosophy of Science
  Biochemistry
  Cellular BiologyChinese History/Culture

Enrollment Time

International Applications-Applicable from Summer 2024-Spring 2025

Fall 2025 (All Programs)
February 3, 2025 – Priority Scholarship Deadline
May 30, 2025 – Regular Deadline

Learning Outcome

• Students will comprehensively explore ancient symbol science and macrocosm-microcosm relationships in the context of classical Chinese medicine (CCM).
• You will also learn to integrate evidence-based biomedical analysis into your practice and work collaboratively within the healthcare system. Furthermore, students develop the skills to describe CCM theory and techniques to patients and the public, applying principles from classical texts to clinical scenarios.
• Clinical training is a significant program component, focusing on developing foundational knowledge, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and technical skills. The training progresses from observation to active involvement in patient care, emphasizing individual treatment plans and patient-centered care.

Type of Attendance

Full time

Credit Hour

266.75 total credits, 3930 total hours

Semester

Equivalent to 4 years

Theory/Practical

Theory and clinical training:

• Clinical training consists of two sequential parts: Observation and Internship.
• To begin the first-year observation component, students must successfully complete all first-year courses including the Introduction to Clinic class, in which clinic policies and procedures are reviewed.
• The second year of observation requires successful completion of all prerequisite courses from the second year of study.
• Internship begins after successful completion of all third-year courses, observation shifts, and passing of the clinic entrance exam. An internship orientation is required before beginning the internship rotations.

Learning Module

Year 1, Fall

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM911	Classical Texts I	36	3
CM511	Foundations of CCM I	24	2
CM512	Chinese History and Culture I	18	1.5
CM513	Acu-Moxa Points I	24	2
CM514	Acu-Moxa Techniques I	24	1.5
CM515	Palpation and Perception I	24	1.5
CM819	Taiji I Practicum	18	1
CM699	Immunology	36	3
CM530	Introduction to Clinic	18	1.5
	Shiatsu I	30	1.25
CM551	Business of Chinese Medicine I	18	1.5
	First Year Fall Totals	270	19.75

Year 1, Winter

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM921	Classical Texts II	36	3
CM522	Chinese History and Culture II	18	1.5
CM501	Professional Development	12	1
CM521	Foundations of CCM II	24	2
CM526	Chinese Diagnostic Techniques I	24	1.5
CM523	Acu-Moxa Points II	24	2
CM524	Acu-Moxa Techniques II	24	1.5
	Shiatsu II	30	1.25
CM516	Herbs I	24	2
CM556	Herbs I Practicum	12	1
CM829	Taiji II Practicum	18	1
IM643	Physics of the Human Body	24	2
CM500	*Clinical Observation I Rotation	24	1
	First Year Winter Totals	270	20.75

Year 1, Spring

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM931	Classical Texts III	36	3
CM532	Chinese History and Culture III	18	1.5
CM595	Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries I	18	1.5
CM572	Chinese Diagnostic Techniques II	24	1.5
CM531	Foundations of CCM III	24	2
CM533	Acu-Moxa Points III	24	2
CM534	Acu-Moxa Techniques III	36	2
CM535	Palpation and Perception III	24	1.5
CM526	Herbs II	24	2
CM566	Herbs II Practicum	12	1
CM599	Evidence Informed Practice	24	2
CM839	Taiji III Practicum	18	1
	Shiatsu III	30	1.25
	First Year Spring Totals	312	22.25
	First Year Totals	852	62.75

*6 weeks that may be taken in winter or spring terms

Year 2, Fall

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM971	Text VII – Neijing Seminar I	24	2
CM611	Cosmology and Symbolism I	24	2
CM612	Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine I	24	2
CM613	Acu-Moxa Points IV	24	2
CM614	Acu-Moxa Techniques IV	36	2
CM615	Asian Bodywork	24	1.5
CM536	Herbs III	24	2
CM576	Herbs III Practicum	12	1
CM617	Survey of Western Medicine I	24	2
	Western Pharmacology and Biochemistry	30	2.5
OAC523	Tuina I	24	1.25
CM600	Qigong I Practicum	18	1
	Clinical Observation II Rotation	48	2
	Second Year Fall Total	336	23.25

Year 2, Winter

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM981	Text VIII – Neijing Seminar II	24	2
CM621	Cosmology and Symbolism II	24	2
CM622	Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine II	24	2
CM623	Auricular Points	18	1.25
CM624	Acu-Moxa Points V	24	2
CM616	Acu-Moxa Techniques V	36	2
CM656	Herbs IV	24	2
CM627	Herbs IV Practicum	12	1
CM657	Survey of Western Medicine II	48	4
OAC524	Tuina II	18	1.25
CM529	Qigong II Practicum	24	1.25
CM600	Clinical Observation II Rotation	18	1
	Second Year Winter Total	48	2
		342	23.75

Year 2, Spring

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM991	Text IX – Neijing Seminar III	24	2
CM631	Cosmology and Symbolism III	24	2
CM632	Pathology: Symptom Patterns and Disease Triggers in Chinese Medicine III	24	2
CM633	Acu-Moxa Points VI	24	2
CM634	Acu-Moxa Techniques VI	36	2
CM635	Practitioner Cultivation I	24	1.5
CM626	Herbs V	24	2
CM666	Herbs V Practicum	12	1
CM637	Survey of Western Medicine III	48	4
CM667	Acu-Moxa Anatomy II	18	1.25
OAC525	Tuina III		1.25
CM539	Qigong III Practicum	18	1
CM600	Clinical Observation II Rotation	48	2
CM671	Business of Chinese Medicine II	12	1
	Second Year Spring Total	336	25
	SECOND YEAR TOTALS	1014	72

Year 3, Fall

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM941	Text IV – Shanghan Lun/Jingui Yaolüe I	24	2
CM711	Advanced Cosmology and Symbolism I	24	2
CM712	Clinical Medicine I	48	4
CM714	Adv. Acu-Moxa Techniques I	24	1.5
CM715	Chinese Medical Psychology I	24	2
CM636	Herbs VI	24	2
CM676	Herbs VI Practicum	12	1
CM717	Survey of Western Medicine IV	48	4
CM710	Clinical Case Presentation I	24	1
CM710	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM700	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM751	Business of Chinese Medicine III	18	1.5
	Third Year Fall Totals	366	25

Year 3, Winter

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM951	Text V – Shanghan Lun/Jingui Yaolüe II	24	2
CM721	Advanced Cosmology and Symbolism  II	24	2
CM722	Clinical Medicine II	48	4
CM724	Adv. Acu-Moxa Techniques II	24	1.5
CM725	Chinese Medical Psychology II	24	2
CM727	Survey of Western Medicine V	48	4
CM777	Clinical Physical Diagnosis	24	1.5
OCM644	Integrated Gyn; Acupuncture Chinese Med	24	2
OCM664	Integrated Gyn; Herbal Chinese Med	12	1
CM720	Clinical Case Presentation II	24	1
CM700	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM700	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM994	Clinic Internship Entrance Exam-Practical
	Third Year Winter Totals	372	25

Year 3, Spring

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM961	Text VI – Shanghan Lun/Jingui Yaolüe III	24	2
CM731	Advanced Cosmology and Symbolism  III	24	2
CM795	Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries II	18	1.5
CM732	Clinical Medicine III	48	4
CM735	Applied Palpation and Perception	24	1.5
CM737	Survey of Western Medicine VI	48	4
CM799	Nutrition	24	2
CM889	Race and Disparities in Healthcare	24	2
CM730	Clinical Case Presentation III	24	1
CM700	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM700	Clinical Mentoring Rotation	48	2
CM700	Clinical Pre-Internship Rotation	24	1
CM995	Clinical Internship Entrance Exam -Written
	Third Year Spring Totals	378	25
	THIRD YEAR TOTALS	1116	75

Year 4, Summer

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM805	Ethics and Jurisprudence	12	1
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
	Fourth Year Summer Totals	156	7

Year 4, Fall

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM845	Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries III	18	1.5
CM537	CCM View of Biomedicine	12	1
OCM640	Neuro-Ortho Acupuncture & Pain Mgnt	24	2
OCM660	Neuro-Ortho Herbal Medicine & Pain Mgnt	12	1
CM812	Traditional Mentorship Tutorial I	24	2
CM817	Physiology of Acupuncture	12	1
CM810	Internship Case Presentation I	24	1
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
	Fourth Year Fall Totals	222	13.5

Year 4, Winter

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM855	Imaginal and Experiential Inquiries IV	6	0.5
CM862	Healthcare Landscape	12	1
CM993	Doctoral Capstone Mentorship	24	2
CM822	Traditional Mentorship Tutorial II	24	2
CM826	Herbs Review/Medicinary Practicum	18	1.5
OCM646	Integrated Pediatrics; Acupuncture Therapeutics	12	1
OCM665	Integrated Pediatrics; Herbal Therapeutics	24	2
CM820	Internship Case Presentation II	24	1
CM861	Business of Chinese Medicine IV	18	1.5
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM900	*Collaborative Care Rotation	60	2.5
	Fourth Year Winter Totals	270	17

*Can be taken in summer, fall, winter or spring quarter.

Year 4, Spring

Course	Course Name	Hours	Credits
CM857	Eastern-Western Correspondences	24	2
CM832	Traditional Mentorship Tutorial III	24	2
CM813	Acu-Moxa Review	12	1
CM930	Collaborative Care Case Presentation	24	1
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM800	Clinical  Internship Rotation	48	2
CM996	Clinical  Internship Exit Exam
	Fourth Year Spring Totals	180	10
	FOURTH YEAR TOTALS	828	47.5

Totals	Clinic	Lab	Lecture	Hours	Credits
First year totals	0.00	222.00	630.00	852.00	62.75
Second year totals	144.00	204.00	690.00	1014.00	72.00
Third year totals	384.00	48.00	684.00	1116.00	75.00
Fourth year totals	516.00	0.00	312.00	828.00	47.50
Totals before electives	1044.00	474.00	2316.00	3810.00	257.25
Total credit requirements w/electives*				3930.00	267.25

*CCM Electives: 10 credits required

Teaching Faculty

College of Classical Chinese Medicine

Source of Accreditation

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)

Graduate Pathways

Graduates of the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM, previously DSOM), are eligible to apply for acupuncture licensure in the State of Oregon.

Career Opportunities

Not available

Courses Fees

Estimated costs for first-year students:

Year	Program	Credits	Cost/Credit	Tuition	Fees	Total
Year 1	Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM)	58.1	$522	$30,537	$1,810.00*	$31,617

How to Apply

Preparing for your application

• Select your program of interest and review the application requirements. Dual degrees are allowed with the exception of ND/DAcCHM.
• Contact Admissions for a free transcript review to determine where you stand with the prerequisites for your chosen program.
• Update your resume or curriculum vitae. Remember this is a great way to highlight leadership and service experience as well as activities that demonstrate your affinity for your chosen degree.
• Draft and edit your program-specific essay(s).
• Identify an academic or professional contact to serve as your recommender (recommended).

Submitting your application online

Step one: Start the application online and include:

• your name and contact information
• previously attended schools
• the information for your prerequisite chart
• and the contact information for your recommender.

Step two: After submitting your application, log back in to the application Self Service Center and follow the instructions to upload your essay(s) as well as your resume or CV.

Step Three: contact your past school(s) and request that official transcript(s) be sent to NUNM via email to [email protected] or by mail to:
NUNM Admissions
49 S. Porter St.
Portland, OR 97201

Glossary, Abbreviations and Links

• DAcCHM – Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization
• ND – Naturopathic Medicine
• Online application link: https://nunm.edu/apply/
• Course catalog: https://catalog.nunm.edu/
• Transfer application process: https://nunm.edu/admissions/application-process/transfers/
• International application process: https://nunm.edu/admissions/application-process/international/