Dr. Chang Ki Kim began teaching the fundamentals of acupuncture and Oriental medicine at his Sei Shin Acupuncture Clinic in 1976.  Encouraged by his patients request to learn more, he combined his research, educational, and charitable health services to start Royal University of America in 1979.

In January of 1997, Dongguk (translates as East Country) University, one of South Korea’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning, known for its outstanding College of Oriental Medicine, affiliated with Royal University and became Dongguk Royal University. On March 5, 2009, Dongguk Royal University was rededicated as Dongguk University Los Angeles during its 30th anniversary celebration.  Dongguk University Los Angeles is operated by a Board of Directors independent of Dongguk University Korea, although the Boards of both schools have some common members. 

The mission of Dongguk University Los Angeles is to promote and provide excellence in education and training in Oriental medicine with respect to disease prevention, life-long health and wellness using the body’s natural healing mechanisms in both Eastern and Western medical paradigms in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and conducive to attaining an advanced level of academic achievement.  The program educational objectives are that Graduates of the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine will be able to:

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of traditional Oriental medicine and competently apply the knowledge in a clinical practice.
   

• Effectively conduct a comprehensive patient interview to obtain the relevant information necessary to formulate a diagnosis and effective treatment plan for patients presenting with a diverse range of medical conditions.

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  Apply Western biomedical knowledge of the human body in health and disease to better evaluate, understand, and treat patients.

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  Understand the significance of qi in Oriental medicine, the role it plays in patient treatment outcomes, and how the practitioners own qi affects their clinical practice and patient outcomes.

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  Competently apply appropriate modalities of treatment including acupuncture, moxibustion, traditional herbal formulae and their modifications as needed, as well as, but not limited to, tuina, nutritional counseling, heat and cold, and lifestyle changes to promote, maintain, and restore health.

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  Treat and interact with a wide range of patients and health concerns while being cognoscente of the myriad of issues that influence an individual’s health, including, but not limited to, socio-economics, culture and ethnicity and the health issues of a global community.

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  Fulfill the pursuit of life-long learning through the use of resources such as research data, texts, professional journals, other available and relevant Eastern and Western medical resources, attend continuing education seminars and being actively involved in the profession and the community at large.

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  Practice within established ethical, legal and professional guidelines.