Chinese Medicine School in San Francisco

American College Of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco:
The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) is located in San Francisco, California. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient and profound healing art that originated more than 3,000 years ago. It comprises a number of therapeutic practices—among them Chinese herbology, acupuncture, nutrition, Tai Ji Quan and Qigong—that have long-proven efficacy in treating a wide range of disease conditions. Our two degree programs—the Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM) and the Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)—provide a truly exceptional professional education. Additionally, ACTCM’s certificate programs in Tui Na and Shiatsu and its introductory classes for the public offer further opportunities for study to current ACTCM students, healthcare professionals and the general public. ACTCM also offers an optional 4-week study abroad program in Shanghai, China to students of the MSTCM program.

- Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine - 3,065 hours (3 years and 3 months)
- Doctoral in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - 1,284 hours (2 years)
- Basic & Advanced Tui Na Massage Certificates - 2 to 4 quarters
- Basic & Advanced Shiatsu Massage Certificate - 2 to 4 quarters year

The college is aware that many students are balancing their personal lives, work, and school while attending ACTCM. Because of this, tracks have been put in place which enable students to know their yearly schedules in advance. ACTCM also offers flexibility with the choices of day, evening, and weekend classes on a full, ¾, or part time tracks.

Accreditation and Approval:
ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and is approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) as a degree-granting institution. In addition, the program is approved by the California Acupuncture Board, which allows our graduates to sit for the California state exam.

Students in their third level of the program may participate in an optional clinical training program at Yue Yang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. The 4-week study abroad program provides a strong foundation in TCM theory, differential diagnosis and treatment skills. Students work in a hospital in-patient setting and an out-patient clinic, and may concentrate on acupuncture, herbal medicine or tui na.

Students who have completed their first-level comprehensive exams may also participate in a two-week clinical training program at Yue Yang Hospital. Students may concentrate on acupuncture or tui na. Because TCM is practiced in Chinese hospitals as a primary care medical system, students see a large volume of patients and a wide variety of conditions.

Quality
ACTCM’s high admissions standards, challenging curriculum and small class sizes reflect the quality of education we provide, and consistently make our college one of the most well-respected in the country.
Prestige
Founded in 1980, ACTCM is one of the oldest Traditional Chinese Medicine colleges in the country and was the first in the nation to be approved to offer the Master’s of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Experienced Faculty
Our faculty have been carefully selected for their vast clinical experience and knowledge of TCM, as well as for their ability to transfer this information and skill to students. Our faculty consist of both Western- and Chinese-trained practitioners who have experience working in integrative medicine and the understanding necessary for dealing with the health problems of today’s modern society.

Diverse Clinical Training
ACTCM is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and diverse clinical experiences in the country. In addition to an optional clinical internship in China, students at ACTCM have the opportunity to work as interns in multiple specialized clinical sites located throughout San Francisco.

Community Involvement
ACTCM’s on-site community clinic and auricular clinic provide low-cost acupuncture to approximately 17,000 San Francisco Bay Area residents each year. In addition, ACTCM interns participate in multiple off campus externship sites and log hundreds of hours of community service annually.

Financial Aid
ACTCM students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may finance their educational costs using the Federal Stafford Loan Program, the Federal Work Study Program, and Americorps. ACTCM also has scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities available.

A cultural melting pot with populations of every ethnicity imaginable, San Francisco is home to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. ACTCM students have access to traditional Chinese medical practitioners, herbal pharmacies, and Chinese culture unable to be found elsewhere in the United States.

San Francisco, at a population of approximately 800,000, is one of America’s most politically and culturally dynamic cities. From the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Union Square to the Transamerica Building and Nob Hill’s vintage cable cars, the city is one of the most recognizable around the world. San Francisco combines sheer physical beauty, cultural diversity, leisure and recreational offerings, and an ideal climate.

San Francisco is home to a vibrant arts, entertainment and cultural scene. The city’s music and performance venues, art galleries, sports teams and cultural events, make it a city with endless options for exploration and entertainment.