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DAcHM Completion Track

Program Overview

Designed for current Acupuncturists with an MAcHM or equivalent degree who want to achieve a doctoral education and expand their expertise.

Doctor of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Completion Track:

  • Duration: 9 months
  • Curriculum: 300 hours of academic coursework and 40 hours of clinical internship
  • Structure: Advanced Doctorate coursework is offered in a monthly module format
  • Languages: Offered in English
  • Delivery Format: In-Person, Online

To see the list of Advanced Doctoral-level courses, please click here.

Program Catalog & Handbook

Admission Requirements

The following items are required to be considered for admission:

  • Application: Complete the application in English (online or paper) with the non-refundable fee ($100 for U.S. citizens/residents, $200 for international students).
  • Official Transcripts: Submit sealed official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
  • International students: Provide a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member service (see www.naces.org) for degree equivalency.
  • Non-English transcripts: Must be translated into English and evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency for U.S. educational equivalency.
  • Diploma(s): Provide a copy or copies of diplomas from colleges and higher-education institutions.
  • Recommendation Letters: Submit two letters of recommendation (in English or Korean) detailing your strengths and character traits.
  • Personal Essay: Write a one-page typed essay in English addressing:
    • Your motivation to attend Dongguk University Los Angeles.
    • Your interests and/or philosophical views of Oriental medicine.
    • Your strengths and skills that make you a suitable healthcare practitioner.
  • Photo: Provide one recent 2”x 2” color headshot.
  • Proof of Residency: Submit a copy of your passport, birth certificate, permanent residency card, or other documents verifying legal status in the U.S.
  • Interview: Participate in an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee.

REQUEST INFORMATION

By clicking the “SUBMIT” button below, I consent to representatives of Dongguk University Los Angeles reaching out to me regarding advancing my education through email, text messages, and phone calls, as provided below, using automated technology or prerecorded messages. I understand that my consent is not a condition for enrollment, and I have the right to withdraw my consent at any point.

    Entrance Criteria

    All DAcHM applicants must have completed:

    All DAcHM applicants, including Master’s graduates enrolling in the Professional Doctorate Completion program, must meet the admissions requirements at the time of their official matriculation.
    • Education Requirement:
      • Satisfactory completion of at least three years of undergraduate-level education (90-semester credits/135 quarter credits) with a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
      • The undergraduate education must include 3 units each for chemistry, biology, and psychology.
      • The institution where the education was completed must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or an equivalent international entity.
      • Additionally, applicants must hold a Master's degree in a field related to traditional medicine (e.g., MSOM, MAcCHM, MSACCHM, or any other master's degree related to traditional medicine).
    • Course Completion:
      • If the applicant did not take chemistry, biology, and psychology in their undergraduate level of education, they must complete these courses either at DULA or at other approved institutions.
      • These courses must be completed within 12 months from the date of matriculation.
    Three Routes for Completion of the DAcHM Program
    1. Enrolling as a New Student to DAcHM Program:
      1. The institution offers a dual degree, Master’s and DAcHM, upon completing your admission requirements for both programs.
      2. Students may enroll in both programs together, in which case separate enrollment agreements for each program will be signed simultaneously at the date of initial enrollment.
    2. Transferring into the DAcHM Program:
      1. Transfer credits may be approved for individual courses when a student has previously completed academic coursework at an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education that meets the same course outcomes as the equivalent Dongguk University Los Angeles course.
      2. Transfer credit is based on academic equivalency among courses and must be less than five years old.
      3. Students may apply for transfer credit and/or course exemption. The maximum number of credits for course exemptions and transfers granted is 50% of the total credits. Of that 50%, no more than 25% of the program's clinical training requirements may be accepted as transfer or exemption credit. No more than 33% of the total credits in a post-master’s doctoral degree program may be transferred or exempted.
    3. Enrolling as DAcHM Completion Program:
      1. The applicant may complete a MAcHM program and then enroll in a DAcHM Professional Doctorate completion track.
      2. The doctoral completion track requires 340 total hours, consisting of 300 hours or 30 quarter units of didactic instruction plus 40 hours or 2 quarter units of clinic instruction.
      3. This program is designed to be completed by an individual who graduated from an ACAOM accredited/pre-accredited master’s level program and will allow the Master’s graduate to achieve doctorate compet

    This program is designed to be completed by an individual who graduated from an ACAHM accredited/pre-accredited master’s level program and will allow the Master’s graduate to achieve doctorate competencies, earning the DAcHM degree. Students who enter this track complete the doctoral program requirements not included in the Master’s level training. This program is a component of the overall professional doctorate, not a separate, distinct program.

    For more information about the DAcHM Professional Doctorate program at DULA, please read Catalog & Student Handbook  (MAcHM/DAcHM), in the publication page. Or inquire to our admissions office at  (213) 487-0110 or email to [email protected].

    English Language Requirements

    The language requirement for English program is satisfied by;

    • 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; CookIslands; 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; SouthAfrica; South Sudan; St. Helena; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & theGrenadines; Swaziland; Tanzania; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands;United Kingdom; U.S. Virgin Islands; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe.

    In all cases, English must have been both the language of instruction and the language of the curriculum used.

    OR

    The applicant must have completed one of the following assessments at the required level:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) –  Total: 61
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format –  Overall band: 6
    • Duolingo English Test –  90
    • China Standard of English Language (CSE) –  CSE 6
    • Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) –  C
    • Cambridge English Advanced –  C
    • Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) – B2
    • Occupational English Test (OET) – 250, C
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE), Academic – Overall: 45

    International Applicants

    DULA is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to issue an I-20 and enroll non-immigrant international students into both the Master’s program (MAcHM) and the Doctorate degree (DAcHM).

    State Authorization of Distance Education Outside of California

    Due in part to the increased popularity of distance education, many states have prescribed an “authorization” process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to its state residents. States are attempting through these processes to ensure quality post-secondary education, to preserve the integrity of an academic degree and to instill greater consumer protection for their student citizens.

    Because of the compliance burden and cost involved in authorization processing online programs in all 50 states, a Commission on Regulation of Postsecondary Distance Education established the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Under SARA, states agree on uniform standards for state authorization of distance education. When a higher education institution meets the standards in its home state and that state is a member of SARA, it is authorized to offer distance education to residents of other states that are members of SARA without having to undertake burdensome and costly state-by-state registration.

    California is not yet a member of SARA in part because a number of California policymakers do not believe that SARA standards offer sufficient protections for students enrolled in distance education. Thus, California higher education institutions are not yet eligible to take advantage of the SARA reciprocity agreement if they offer distance education or clinical placements in other states.

    DULA has taken steps to protect its students and operations nationwide. The institution is working on obtaining granted authorizations, exemptions and waivers from many states. Currently, we do not yet have a list of approved states.

    If you are currently not residing in California, we suggest that you do not to enroll in distance education classes at DULA.

    For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

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