Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Program Overview

The Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine is 10-semester program that deeply explores areas of Traditional Chinese Medicine such as psychology, oncology, gerontology, acupuncture detox, research and the classic texts that first recorded the principles of this powerful and ancient system of medicine.

New students can apply directly to this program, or can take it as a 1-year post-graduate program upon completion of the Diploma of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or a 2-year post-graduate program upon completion of the Diploma of Acupuncture. The curriculum is the same whether students apply directly into this program or matriculate from the above-mentioned programs.

Length: 10 semesters
Intakes: Winter, Summer, Fall semesters

Clinical Training: 1065 hours
Total Training: 3840 hours

PRC is not just a school, but is a living educational institution in diversity where one can learn true professionalism in TCM. The TCM program in PRC is not simply a study of books or experimental practice in closed clinic rooms. PRC offers its unique Global Outreach Program. Through the volunteer experience of GOP, a student can face various diseases in different environments of China, Nepal, and African countries. It provides a great opportunity for a student to become a TCM practitioner outside the school.

– Tae Byun Hyun, Alumnus

Why Pacific Rim College?

Pacific Rim College has been a recognized leader of Traditional Chinese Medicine education since 2007 and has partnerships for practicum training around the globe.

Through Pacific Rim College’s Student Clinic, students provide more than 7,000 treatments a year. Students typically begin clinical training in their very first semester.

All programs at Pacific Rim College are approved by the Canadian Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training (Private Training Institutions Branch) and Canada Student Loans.

Pacific Rim College is actively engaged in many forms of environmental stewardship including 100% green energy offsets for our campus, the highest eco-certification, and planting of 10 trees in British Columbia for every program graduate.

What You’ll Learn:

Key Learning Outcome #1

The ancient and powerful system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with extensive research into its classical applications and to contemporary applications in modern medicine and research.

Key Learning Outcome #2

Extensive background of biomedical understanding of the human body, its physiology, common pathologies and modern pharmacotherapy.

Key Learning Outcome #3

The application of extensive herbal knowledge to modern research and potential future therapeutic discoveries.

Key Learning Outcome #4

Psychological applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from landmark ancient texts to Five Element theory to the treatment of addictions.

Key Learning Outcome #5

The experience to establish a private clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine or to join an integrative health centre.

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Learning about TCM has changed my reality and the way I perceive the purpose of life forever. Pacific Rim College allowed me to develop my skills and understanding in a supportive, nurturing, and loving environment. I did a portion of my clinical residency in China, which only reinforced my confidence in all we have been taught at PRC. I could follow what the doctors were doing, I could recognized herbal formulas, predict point prescriptions, and work with the doctors in furthering my understanding of the classic texts. Even fellow TCM students in China were impressed at how much we have learned throughout our studies, which is a testament to the quality of education at PRC. Finally, to me, PRC has been more than school, it has felt like family.

– Carmen Bedard-Gautrais, Alumnus

Core Program Instructors

45 hours 45 hrs

Oriental Medicine

OM501

TCM Classics II

6 credits 6 crds

90 hours 90 hrs

OM502

TCM Classics III

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

OM511

Advanced TCM Internal Medicine

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

OM512

TCM Psychology

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

OM513

TCM Gerontology and Pediatrics

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

OM521

Advanced TCM Differentiation and Therapeutics

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

Total

21 credits 21 crds

315 hours 315 hrs

Total Requirements

Acupuncture

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

Biomedical/Biological Sciences

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

Chinese Botanical Medicine

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice

12 credits 12 crds

360 hours 360 hrs

Elective

3 credits 3 crds

45 hours 45 hrs

Oriental Medicine

21 credits 21 crds

315 hours 315 hrs

Grand Total

45 credits 45 crds

855 hours 855 hrs

Total Requirements including Diploma of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture	42 credits	630 hours
Biomedical/Biological Sciences	26 credits	390 hours
Chinese Botanical Medicine	42.5 credits	637.5 hours
Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice	40 credits	1065 hours
Nutrition	3 credits	45 hours
Oriental Medicine	55.5 credits	832.5 hours
Professional Development	13 credits	195 hours
Elective (ACU/CBOT/OM)	3 credits	45 hours
Grand Total	225 credits	3840 hours

Clinical Training

Students in the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program complete 1065 hours of direct clinical practice. Students can complete all clinical training in PRC’s on-campus Student Clinic, or can participate in our Global Outreach Program, Clinical Externship Program, or with our clinical partner in China, Liaoning University of TCM. Full-time students generally begin clinical training via observation during the very first week of studies.

Study Options

The School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine offers year-round educational opportunities with an academic calendar based on 3 semesters per year. New students may enrol every January, May and September and students may either choose to pursue year-round studies or to take a semester or more off at their discretion. By choosing their course load each semester, students may complete any semester on a part-time or a full-time basis.

Students who wish not to enrol in any program are also eligible to take individual courses for personal enrichment provided that applicable course prerequisites have been met. Please see Non-Matriculating Students below for more information.

Students aiming for practitioner registration with the CTCMA of British Columbia must complete the Diploma of Acupuncture program in no less than 2 calendar years and in no more than 5. There are currently no time requirements for the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Program Course Schedule »

Admissions

Admission into the School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Pacific Rim College is on a competitive basis. Entering students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or satisfactory post-secondary education. We will accept mature students on a case by case basis; eligible mature students must demonstrate they have achieved sufficient post-secondary education credits in lieu of high school credits.

All applicants must demonstrate a mastery of written and spoken English. English proficiency is evaluated on a case by case basis, and applicants may be required to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Test System).

Applicants may apply to begin studies in either the Diploma of Acupuncture or Diploma of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and then apply for transfer into the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program. Applicants may also apply for admission directly into the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program, and in the process of completing this program, complete the above two diplomas.

To apply for the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program, please click on the link below. We do not have a set deadline for applications and will continue to accept students up until the start of classes, provided there is space within the program. Typically this program fills prior to the semester start, so we recommend applying 6 months in advance.

Transfer Students
Students who have earned credits in another recognized Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) program in North America (schools from other countries will be evaluated on case-by-case basis) can apply for transfer into the School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine transfer students need to complete the equivalent of one year of coursework (46 credits) at PRC to be eligible to receive a diploma, and all eligible AOM college credits will be transferred for a total transfer fee of $150 for each AOM college attended. Students do not need to submit a Prior Learning Assessment for previous eligible AOM college education but will instead have credits evaluated automatically upon confirmation of acceptance into the School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Contact our Office of Admissions today for more information.
Students who have completed a 4-year Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program can apply for admission directly into our Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program without needing to transfer any credits.

International Students
International students are welcome to attend Pacific Rim College and are encouraged to apply. Canadian law requires foreign students to have a valid study permit to study in Canada. Pacific Rim College provides international students with the necessary documentation to receive a valid study permit. In some cases students can apply for and obtain a permit upon entering Canada.
Via the International Student Program, full-time international students enrolled at designated institutions in certain programs are permitted to work part-time off campus and full-time during scheduled school breaks without a work permit. According to regulations, international students are 1) eligible to work off campus without a work permit; 2) allowed to work off campus for up to 20 hours per week during a regular academic session and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks; and 3) able to work off campus immediately rather than waiting 6 months. Please visit the Government of Canada website for more information.

Non-Matriculating Students
Students who wish to take courses at PRC without enrolling in any particular program are welcome to do so as non-matriculating students. Provided that a student has satisfied course prerequisites, he or she is eligible to enrol in virtually any diploma program course. Enrolment priority is given to program students, and full course tuition is due at time of course registration. Any student who has previously been denied admission into any program at PRC or has had an enrolment position revoked must receive written permission from PRC Administration before enrolling as a non-matriculating student. PRC reserves the right to academically dismiss any non-matriculating student who knowingly or blatantly interferes with the learning of program students. Please visit Continuing Education to see a partial list of available courses.

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Tuition and Fees

Tuition is based on a per credit system. Although the college provides guidance for the order of course completion within each program, ultimately each student determines personal course load and schedule and thus per semester tuition. Audited credits do not apply towards graduation requirements. All prices listed are in Canadian dollars. For each semester, full tuition payment is due on the first day of the semester.

Program Student
Credits: $225/credit

Auditing (General Public)
Auditing: $150/credit plus tax

Auditing (Students and Alumni)
Auditing: $80*/credit
*Discount Audit tuition is available to current program students and diploma alumni. Current program students must maintain the equivalent registration of 9 semester credits to be eligible and pay the regular rate should registration drop below that threshold. Discounted audit rate is not available for courses for which there is a waitlist, weekend workshops, or CPR and First Aid. Diploma alumni no longer enrolled in a program are required to pay all applicable tuition at the time of course registration.

Please click here for a description of Academic Fees in PDF format.

Financial Aid

This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.

For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Post-Graduation

Graduates of the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program who have met the requirements of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CTCMA) of BC, which includes 60 university credits of liberal arts or sciences, will be eligible to sit for the provincial registration exam to become Registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr.TCM) in the province of British Columbia. Based on reciprocity agreements, this distinction permits registrants to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine across Canada.

Students aiming for licensure by the State of Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners are eligible to do so only after completing PRC’s Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program. The DTCM program meets the requirements of R4-8-403 and R4-8-404 (licensure qualifier under Arizona Revised Statutes 32-3924(2)).

Graduates who have completed required electives in appropriate disciplines may also meet the professional standards set by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) in the United States. This has permitted them to sit for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination and thus be licensed in the majority of US states. PRC graduates aiming for licensure in the United States must have their credentials evaluated by ACCRAO.

Licensing Requirements

Practitioner licensing requirements vary based on region of governance. The Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program is approved by the CTCMA of BC and meets the education requirements of many other provinces, states and countries. It is students’ responsibility to ensure they meet eligibility criteria in their chosen region.

FAQs

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), also commonly referred to as Oriental Medicine, is a comprehensive and ancient medical system developed over many centuries in China and regularly employed there as part of the standard medical system. TCM includes many different therapies, including acupuncture, which is an ancient form of medicine that specifically involves the insertion of extremely thin metallic needles into the body at various points – known as acupuncture points or acupoints – of which there are hundreds. The acupuncture needle metaphorically acts as a key to open up a blockage, which may be physical or energetic (e.g. stress, sadness) in nature. Other therapies also comprise the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and these include herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping and Gua Sha (massage-related therapies using implements), nutrition, Tai Qi Chuan and Qi Gong (movement- and energy-based therapies), and moxibustion (the external application of the herb known as mugwort). The primary goal in TCM is to release blockages to help the body restore balance and thus health.

Why study Traditional Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College?
Pacific Rim College is recognized as a leading college of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada. The acupuncture training and Chinese Medicine courses we provide are taught by experienced and qualified acupuncturists and practitioners and doctors of TCM. Many of our lecturers are world-renowned experts and authors in the field of Oriental Medicine. All programs within our School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine meet or exceed acupuncture certification standards and Traditional Chinese Medicine certification standards throughout Canada and in many US states. Having admitted students from more than 35 counties, we truly are an international college of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our students benefit from studying Chinese Medicine at our beautiful and historic campus in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia. Class sizes in all our herbal and acupuncture classes and Chinese Medicine clinics is monitored to maximize students’ learning of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Do I need to be licensed to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine?
In North America there are a number of different Traditional Chinese Medicine certification standards that vary from state to state and province to province. In British Columbia, one must meet the standards of the CTCMA to become a registered acupuncturist and practitioner or doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (these credentials are similar to an acupuncture license or Oriental Medicine license in the United States) and thus to legally practice acupuncture and Oriental Medicine throughout Canada. The CTCMA requires candidates to study acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at a recognized college of Oriental Medicine and to subsequently earn a TCM diploma (an acupuncture degree and a degree in Chinese Medicine are not currently available in Canada).

What is the difference in a Traditional Chinese Medicine diploma and a Traditional Chinese Medicine degree?
There are many schools and colleges that provide the opportunity to study Traditional Chinese Medicine (a system of medicine of which acupuncture is part). A college of Chinese Medicine (also commonly known as a college of Oriental Medicine) in the USA typically awards a Traditional Chinese Medicine degree (Oriental Medicine degree) of some sort, which may be known as a Master’s of Acupuncture or a Master’s of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Currently any school of Chinese Medicine in Canada is only permitted to award diplomas in acupuncture and TCM. A program to program comparison may reveal virtually no differences between a diploma of TCM or program and a Master’s of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree program, but educational regulations vary between countries and thus affect the credentials a college of Chinese Medicine can award.

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