Admissions Requirements

The program is open to those who have completed a master’s-level acupuncture/herbal medicine degree program, or those who have completed a master’s-level acupuncture program and a Chinese herbal medicine certificate program, from an ACAHM accredited/pre-accredited program or institution.

Applicants must have fulfilled a minimum of three years (90 semester credits, or 135 quarter credits) of baccalaureate-level education from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or an equivalent international entity. There are no course exemptions or transfer credits available for the DAHM program. Refer to the Application for Admission for a complete list of admissions materials to be submitted.

​

Prerequisites
DAHM professional track applicants must have completed 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: The Little Stuff - Energy, Cells and Genetics (University of Colorado Boulder) OR 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.

 

Transcript Analysis and Assessment

The admissions process includes a comprehensive transcript analysis to ensure that all applicable master’s-level coursework completed is equivalent to the published degree requirements in terms of content knowledge and attainment of professional competencies.

 

Daoist Traditions master’s program alumni: Those who graduated more than 5 years prior to entering the DAHM program must complete a written assessment to demonstrate retention of master’s level content knowledge and professional competencies.

​

Applicants from other master’s level programs must:  1) complete a written assessment to demonstrate attainment and retention of the Daoist Traditions master’s 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:

• four years at a U.S. high school demonstrably delivered in English;

• 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;

• at least two years (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) of undergraduate- or graduate-level education demonstrably delivered in English;

• 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 Micronesia; 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 Evaluators.

​

DAHM Admissions Procedure

Applications are considered on an ongoing basis until the class has reached its maximum capacity. New students are enrolled in the summer/fall each academic year. Interviews with the admissions team are scheduled once completed application materials are received. The interviews are an important part of our admissions procedure because we want to know our students on a more personal level than documentation will provide. On-site interviews are scheduled whenever possible, but video call interviews may be allowed in cases where distance is a factor.

​

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.