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 Chinese 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
Format: Blended online and on campus, with on campus requirements for program specific courses.  

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.
200x200-1-Opacity
200x200-1-Opacity
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.
This program is approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training (Private Training Institutions Branch) and Canada Student Loans.
200x200-1-Opacity
Ravenhill Herb Farm campus
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.

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

 

Study Options

The School of Acupuncture and Chinese 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.

 

Curriculum

Below is a list of all courses that must be completed to be eligible for graduation with a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma provided that a student has first fulfilled graduation requirements for the Diploma of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Some course prerequisites do exist, and it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are eligible to enrol in any particular course. Please click on course links below to see more course information including descriptions and prerequisites.

Acupuncture

ACU521
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Total
 
3 credits 3 crds
45 hours 45 hrs

Biomedical/Biological Sciences

BMS431
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Total
 
3 credits 3 crds
45 hours 45 hrs

Chinese Botanical Medicine

CBOT501
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Total
 
3 credits 3 crds
45 hours 45 hrs

Chinese Medicine

OM501
6 credits 6
90 hours 90
OM502
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
OM511
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
OM512
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
OM513
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
OM521
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Total
 
21 credits 21 crds
315 hours 315 hrs

Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice

CMCP500
12 credits 12
360 hours 360
Total
 
12 credits 12 crds
360 hours 360 hrs

Elective

Elective
ACU/CBOT/OM Elective
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Total
 
3 credits 3 crds
45 hours 45 hrs

Total Requirements

Acupuncture
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Biomedical/Biological Sciences
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Chinese Botanical Medicine
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Chinese Medicine
21 credits 21
315 hours 315
Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice
12 credits 12
360 hours 360
Elective
3 credits 3
45 hours 45
Grand Total
 
45 credits 45 crds
855 hours 855 hrs

Total Requirements including Diploma of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture42 credits630 hours
Biomedical/Biological Sciences26 credits390 hours
Chinese Botanical Medicine42.5 credits637.5 hours
Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice40 credits1065 hours
Nutrition3 credits45 hours
Chinese Medicine55.5 credits832.5 hours
Professional Development13 credits195 hours
Elective (ACU/CBOT/OM)3 credits45 hours
Grand Total225 credits3840 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.

Admissions

Pacific Rim College is committed to educating the highest quality industry professionals, and we offer priority acceptance to applicants who demonstrate the highest potential for success. Admission into the School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College is on a competitive basis, and applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, humanitarian activities, community involvement, program-related experience, communication skills, professionalism, emotional maturity, independence, ambition, and passion.

Admission requires successfully meeting the following minimum criteria:

  • A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED. Applicants without a high school diploma or equivalent are welcome to apply and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for mature student status.
  • A minimum grade of 70% in previous coursework. All grades will be taken into consideration with emphasis on related language and science-based courses, such as but not limited to general English, general science, creative and professional writing, biology, and chemistry.
  • Written and spoken English language competency. Applicants may be required to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL or iELTS upon request.

To apply, please click on the link below.

Application Deadline

We offer three semesters of study per year for our diploma programs – Fall (September – December), Winter (January – April), and Summer (May – August). Diploma students are welcome to apply to begin in any semester. 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, however, programs do fill prior to the semester start, so we recommend applying 6 months to one year in advance.

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.

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

Ready to start your journey?
Share this:

Copyright ©2019 Pacific Rim College. All Rights Reserved. Site by EmpressAve | Legal