Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) Degree Completion Track Admissions

DACM Application Checklist

Applicants must submit the following application materials:

1. Application for admission with $100.00 non-refundable application fee
2. 700-1000 word essay. Daoist Traditions is committed to providing the community with Chinese medical care and to graduating practitioners to be the next generation of leaders in the profession. Please tell us about your current
   practice of Chinese medicine. How do you see a doctoral education in Chinese Medicine impacting your individual practice, your collaboration with other Chinese medicine and Biomedicine practitioners, and your role in advancing the overall profession? Essays evaluated based on content and standard writing conventions. Essays evaluated based on content and standard writing conventions.
3. Copy of valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification
4. Current 2×2 passport photo (please do not use a photo of your actual passport)
5. Official college transcripts showing a minimum of three years and 90-semester credits (135 quarter units) of general education at the baccalaureate level from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or an equivalent International entity. Sent directly to Daoist Traditions from the institution.
6. Education must include undergraduate or professional level courses in chemistry, biology, and psychology to ensure readiness for doctoral level coursework. This requirement may be met by one of the following means:
   •  Completion of courses in previous undergraduate education. Transcripts must be sent directly to Daoist Traditions from the institution;
   • Completion of College level Examination Placement (CLEP) or American Council on Education (ACE) credit courses with the minimum credit-granting scores achieved. Scores must be sent directly to Daoist Traditions from the College Board; or
   • Completion of the following professional level certificate courses, via Coursera.org, a massive open online course (MOOC) provider: Introduction to Systems Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai); Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios (Duke University); and Introduction to Psychology (Yale University). Certificate of completion must be forwarded to Daoist Traditions.
7. Current curriculum vitae (CV)
8. Certification in CPR (adult/child/infant) and First Aid by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
9. Letter of reference from a person with whom you have a professional relationship, i.e. employer/teacher addressing your ability to be effective in a professional setting, commitment to personal endeavors, integrity, maturity level, and healing presence. Sent directly to Daoist Traditions from the reference.
10. Photocopy of current acupuncture license or NCCAOM certification (if completed)
11. Graduates from other master’s level programs: Official transcripts(s) showing satisfactory completion of a masters level program in Oriental medicine, [or masters level acupuncture program and Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate program], from an ACAHM accredited /pre-accredited program or institution. Refer to our website for information on transcripts from foreign institutions.

Please note:  The admissions process includes a comprehensive analysis of master’s level transcripts to ensure that applicable coursework is equivalent to the published Daoist Traditions MAOM content knowledge and professional competencies.

Daoist Traditions MAOM Alumni: Those who graduated more than 5 years prior to entering the DACM program must complete a written assessment to demonstrate retention of the content knowledge and professional competencies of the MAOM program.

Applicants from other masters level programs must:  1) complete a written assessment to demonstrate attainment and retention of the Daoist Traditions masters level content knowledge and professional competencies; 2) review a series of videos and complete online assessments on the acupuncture channel systems of Sinew Meridians, Eight Extraordinary Vessels, Luo Vessels, and Divergent Meridians; and 3) review a video and complete an online assessment on research basics, if a college-level research class was not previously completed. These are not courses, rather you will complete an online assessment.

English Language Competency

Academic success is dependent upon the student’s ability to understand, speak, read, and write in English. The level of proficiency needed for a graduate-level academic program is greater than that required for daily living. English language competency is required of all students seeking admission to the program. This must be demonstrated by one of the following means:

1. The applicant must have completed one of the following with English having been the language of instruction AND the language of the curriculum used:

a) four years at a U.S. high school demonstrably delivered in English;
b) at least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education in an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education;
c) at least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education demonstrably delivered in English;
d) high school or two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate level education in an institution in one of the following countries or territories: American Samoa; Anguilla; Antigua & Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Botswana; British Virgin Islands; Cameroon; Canada (except Quebec); Cayman Islands; Christmas Island; Cook Islands; Dominica; Federated States of Micro nesia; Fiji; The Gambia; Ghana; Gibraltar; Grenada; Guam; Guyana; Ireland; Isle of Man; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Malawi; Montserrat; Namibia; New Zealand; Nigeria; Norfolk Island; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Pitcairn Islands; Sierra Leone; Singapore; South Africa; South Sudan; St. Helena; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Swaziland; Tanzania; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands; United Kingdom; U.S. Virgin Islands; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe.

OR

2. The applicant must have completed an English language competency assessment at the required level. Applicants must score at least 80 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based exam (iBT) or achieve an overall band score of 6.5 (Academic Format) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Equivalent levels of other English language assessment tools are also accepted. Contact the admissions office for minimum required scores. Other assessments include Duolingo English Test, China Standard of English Language (CSE), Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), Common European Framework Reference (CEFR), Occupational English Test (OET), Pearson Test of English (PTE).

Transcripts from other countries must be translated into English and evaluated by a credential evaluation service, such as World Education Services, or Educational Credential Evaluations.

Download the Application for Admission | Apply Online

If you have specific questions regarding your eligibility, please contact our Admissions Director by email, or call 828.225.3993.