MAHM/DAHM Admissions

If you are considering applying to Daoist Traditions, call to speak to our Admissions Director to review the application process and to clarify any questions you may have. Before applying, we strongly encourage you to visit our campus, observe class sessions, and meet the staff to determine if Daoist Traditions is the right environment for you. Applicants interested in transferring course work from another college of acupuncture or Chinese medicine, please see our MAHM Admissions page for details.

Daoist Traditions is dedicated to upholding a high standard of education to ensure that the public is served by caring, competent, and knowledgeable practitioners. The program requires a high level of commitment to learning a number of difficult skills. We seek applicants who can demonstrate that they have the motivation for the rigors of this type of program and learning process.

The Daoist Traditions community strives to cultivate a healing presence and convey that healing presence in all we do. Accordingly, we seek students who recognize that all life experiences provide opportunities for growth and change. Applicants must demonstrate the maturity, emotional stability, and good judgment essential to become effective practitioners. The College attracts a student population who share a deep commitment to the study and practice of Chinese medicine and an interest in their personal growth. Our most successful students have strong study and time management skills, the support of their family and friends, and a solid financial plan to support their studies.

We take into consideration your previous academic record and professional experience as well as your desire to help others through a healing profession. Applicants are considered on the basis of individual merit without regard to gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, veteran status, national or ethnic origin.

MAHM/DAHM Admissions Requirements

Applicants who meet the admissions requirements for the Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DAHM) program are encouraged to dually enroll in the MAHM/DAHM. Applicants who do not qualify for the DAHM or who choose not to dually enroll may enroll in the Master of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAHM) program only.

MAHM students have a limited time to apply to the DAHM and must apply in specified admissions cycles before beginning the second year of the MAHM program. After that time, students must graduate from the MAHM program before applying to the DAHM completion track. Academic standing, disciplinary actions, and professionalism issues will be considered for applicants who do not enroll in the DAHM from the beginning of their MAHM studies. See Catalog for details.

Your application packet must include all required documents. Our Admissions Director will contact you to schedule interviews with members of the Admissions Committee once the following application materials have been received:

Official college transcripts: minimum of three years and 90-semester credits or 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

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 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.

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:

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.

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.

If you have specific questions regarding your eligibility, please contact our Admissions Director by email, or call 828-225-3993.