The Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced the first dual Master's degree program in Traditional Chinese Medicine this month. Students can earn the Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree awarded by the school and also the Master of Acupuncture and Tui Na degree from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou, China, the college sister school.
"I want to help my students to make a good living in the global economy," says Lisa P. H. Lin, EMBA, Lic.Ac., Founder and President of Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. "More and more, U.S. companies are moving to China. Their employees are moving there too. And yes, these young American employees in China are open to acupuncture, but they prefer to be treated by someone who speaks English and understands their culture. Plus, U.S. insurance companies will pay their health care providers."
After completion of both degree programs, graduates must become a licensed acupuncturist in the U.S.; then, the practitioner has the opportunity to practice acupuncture in China with a licensed endorsement. Dual degree graduates are allowed to practice in China without the need for additional exams or training.
Students must enroll in and complete the 3.3 - year Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree program at Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, students enrolled in the dual degree program must start the dual degree program in September. During the first year of enrollment, students visit Zhejiang Chinese Medical University for two weeks of orientation, instruction, and observation at the University's hospital. In the second year, Zhejiang University sends faculty members to Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine to guide students in the preparation of a graduate research thesis. In the third and last year of the program, students spend one month in China as an intern in the Zhejiang University hospital, and must defend their research thesis in order to earn their degree.
The pilot cohort will initiate their studies in the fall starting this month. Registration is only offered once per year, in September. Enrollment in the dual degree program is open to new and transfer students who are Non-Chinese citizens. Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified candidates. Candidates for admission must submit an application available on the school's website. Application requirements and procedures are also available for review online.
"I have just returned to the College to assume new responsibilities at a unique time in its history and in the history of US/China relationships," said Joseph T. McMillan, Jr., Ed.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, Assessment, and Research at Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. "I am especially proud that the curriculum at Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine is carefully matched with the curriculum at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, so that our students learn the Chinese classics in both cultures. I am confident that our dual degree program will become a precedent for partnerships between American and international institutions in a variety of health professions, as citizens of the world embrace high quality complementary health care as an integral part of the modern healthcare networks of the global community."
Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine was founded in 1990, and celebrates 20 years of continuous operation in Austin, Texas. The Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree program at Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). ACAOM is the recognized accrediting agency for the approval of programs preparing acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine for students who have not completed the bachelor's degree.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted a Certificate of Authority to Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine to award the degree of Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with major in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the degree of Bachelor of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The College also offers a 70-Hour Acudetox Training Program for licensed health care professionals approved by the Texas Medical Board.
For more information, visit www.texastcm.edu.
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