Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MSAHM)
Earn your MSAHM acupuncture master degree in California at Whitewater University — a CAB-approved, three-year program with 100% California Acupuncture Board license pass rate (2022 & 2023), $225 per theory unit, and Bay Area job placement.
MSAHM Program Achievements
100%
License Pass Rate
California Acupuncture Board exam · 2022 & 2023
$225
Per Theory Unit
Affordable tuition · Bay Area & nationwide
5 ★
School Reviews
Google reviews for faculty & student services
5 ★
Clinic Reviews
Yelp & Google for our TCM Medical Center
About the MSAHM Program
Whitewater’s Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MSAHM) is a three-year immersion in the classical foundations of acupuncture and Chinese medicine — a sophisticated, effective form of medicine. The curriculum transmits the art, science, and spirit of Chinese medicine, developing clinical practitioners in the tradition of the medical scholar.
Students develop a deep understanding of the wisdom of the ancient healers alongside a holistic education in Western medical sciences. Training covers the clinical application of major modalities: herbal formulation, acupuncture, moxibustion, Asian bodywork, qigong, and nutrition.
The MSAHM degree is approved by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) and qualifies graduates to sit the California acupuncture license examination — and practice as licensed acupuncture & herbal medicine practitioners.
Our program’s mission: educate and train physicians, practitioners, and pre-professionals in the art, science, and research of traditional Chinese medicine.
Quick Facts
- Length: 3 years (3,450 program hours · 195 semester credits)
- Tuition: US $51,525 total
- Per unit: $225 theory · $450 clinic
- Approval: California Acupuncture Board (CAB)
- Format: Bilingual — English & Mandarin
- Online: Many courses available online
Questions? (408) 913-9393 · admin@wuc.edu
Why Choose MSAHM at Whitewater University?
Free TCM Clinic Training
Earn varied clinical hours at the WUC TCM Medical Center, which offers free acupuncture & TCM treatments to Bay Area residents — real patients, real cases, real responsibility.
100% License Pass Rate
WUC graduates have a 100% pass rate on the California acupuncture license exam (2022 and 2023). Our curriculum is built to prepare you for the test.
Affordable Tuition
At $225 per theory unit, MSAHM is one of the most affordable acupuncture master degrees in the Bay Area and nationwide. Total program: $51,525.
Bay Area Job Placement
WUC partners with TCM clinics across the Bay Area to place new licensed acupuncturists. We help alumni launch their careers without the burden of building a clinic from scratch.
No TOEFL Required
Non-native English speakers can enroll without TOEFL — WUC’s ESL & language school provides tutorial courses to bring you to the proficiency level required by regulators.
Bilingual & Flexible
Courses run in both English and Mandarin. Many MSAHM classes are available online — designed for working professionals.
MSAHM Admission Requirements
Education Background: All applicants must hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or foreign equivalent). Minimum overall GPA 2.75.
Credit by Examination: Up to 30 semester credits may be earned through recognized testing programs (College Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program, American College Testing Proficiency Examination Program, or United States Armed Forces Institute courses). Some state licensing boards may not accept credits from non-regionally accredited sources.
General Education (18 total credits — required if no associate degree or higher):
- English Composition with Critical Thinking — 3 credits
- Two courses from different Arts & Humanities departments — 6 credits
- College Algebra or higher — 3 credits
- General Psychology — 3 credits
- One Social Sciences course — 3 credits
Pre-qualification counseling: If you’d like to know whether you meet the educational requirements before applying, contact the admissions department — we’ll guide you through the steps to become eligible.
Tuition & Length of Program
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total tuition | US $51,525 |
| Theory units | $225 per unit |
| Clinic units | $450 per unit |
| Semester average | about $3,000 |
| Length of study | about 3 years (full-time) |
| Program scope | 3,450 program hours · 195 semester credit hours |
| Application fee | $165 (non-refundable) |
Application Documentation
- Application Form for Admission — apply online or download the PDF
- Recent photograph
- Statement of Purpose — one-page typed essay describing your background, how you became interested in TCM, and your plans beyond graduation
- Resume — up-to-date, listing previous education, work experience, accomplishments, and volunteer work
- Application fee — $165 (non-refundable)
- Two Letters of Recommendation — provide the form to teachers, employers, colleagues, and/or healthcare professionals
- Official transcripts from all college / institute coursework
- Proof of U.S. legal presence — green card, U.S. passport, or other supporting documents
Need to talk first? Admission Office: (408) 913-9393 · admin@wuc.edu · or visit Admission Guide.
What Our Students Say
“The school is a non-profit organization that prioritizes the needs of its students. It hires top-notch instructors and carefully designs its courses with great attention to detail. The attached clinic is also dedicated to serving the community — offering affordable services with thorough examinations. I wholeheartedly recommend it.”
— Kate Lin
Google Review
“It’s very rare to find an organization as devoted to students and the community as Whitewater. Setup as a non-profit, Whitewater has recruited qualified teachers in the Bay Area to teach its students in a small classroom setting. For someone without a background in TCM and a beginner in Chinese, I can’t imagine a more supportive environment than Whitewater.”
— Ruiping Zhao
MSAHM Student
“I took Dr. Huang’s class (traditional Chinese medicine related class). I’m so impressed by his teaching approaches — simple, easy-to-understand, even for complicated content. Most of all, Dr. Huang believes it’s more important to be a moral doctor, considering from patients’ side. He is the role model of both moral doctor and knowledgeable instructor.”
— Mina Kang
MSAHM Student
Apply for MSAHM Today
Start your MSAHM acupuncture master degree in California. Submit the admissions form online — about 10 minutes.
Talk to Us
Admission Office
(408) 913-9393
admin@wuc.edu
TCM Medical Center
(408) 822-9355
clinic@wuc.edu
Campus Address
3150 Almaden Expy., Suite 111
San Jose, CA 95118
Related: Admission · MSCSE · ESL · Academic Overview · TCM Medical Center · CEU