Transitional Doctorate for Acupuncture Graduates
Acupuncture Doctorate Completion Program with Integrative Medicine Focus
Join the original transitional doctorate program created for acupuncture graduates. Over the years, Pacific College has grown the largest network of acupuncture doctorate graduates in the nation! Pacific College’s transitional Doctorate of Acupuncture is the next step in education for those with a master’s in acupuncture or equivalent: students with a master’s in acupuncture or the equivalent will earn the Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc), and students that also have herbal studies will earn a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM).
Designed for working practitioners, this online program can be completed by taking one course per semester, or by enrolling full time and completing the program in as few as two semesters.
The main objective of Pacific College’s curriculum is to deepen students’ understanding of biomedicine, Chinese medicine, acupuncture and of their role in integrative health care practice. Through a one-on-one online mentorship, students will receive guidance over the course of their professional development of ethics and communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Students will study evidence-informed practice, healthcare systems, and integrative case management.
Unite with a community of other pioneers in our profession – and enjoy sharing best practices, collaborating, and acquiring new insights and knowledge to prepare you join the ranks of doctors in the holistic healthcare movement.
Next term starts on September 2nd, 2025!
Real stories on how this program
impacted our alumni’s careers.
Program Highlights
Pacific College is accredited by WSCUC
Pacific College’s acupuncture and
Chinese medicine programs are
accredited by ACAHM
Financial Aid is Available to Those who Qualify
How does it work?
The program is open to alumni from all acupuncture colleges and universities.
The online acupuncture degree program is typically completed in 2 to 4 semesters. The classes are online and in real-time. You can see and hear your teacher and fellow doctoral candidates. A true sense of camaraderie is developed, and with no travel to San Diego required.
Because the 28 doctoral competencies are the same for all students, candidates who enter with a master’s in Chinese herbal medicine or the equivalent will earn the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (DAcCHM), while those entering with a master’s in acupuncture or the equivalent will earn the Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc).
Following application, non-Pacific College graduates will start the admissions process with a comparison of their master’s curriculum to Pacific College’s. All applicants will evidence the following:
- Pre-Requisites: 90 semester units of undergraduate coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.0 within your acupuncture education
- Co-Requisites: Upon evaluation of your transcripts, additional co-requisites may be required. Please note that if co-requisite requirements are identified, you may begin your program and have until graduation to complete these.
Contact a Doctoral Admissions Representative for the wide variety of ways to meet the pre- or co-requisites.
A note about degree title: The term “Transitional” or “T” is used in advertising and catalogs to distinguish between this course of study taken by practicing acupuncturists and the one taken by new, entry-level students. However, because the goal of the program is to achieve degree parity, a “T” is not and should not be placed on the degree, consistent with the practice of the physical therapy profession and Pacific College’s approval by WSCUC. Graduates of these Pacific College programs will have an earned doctorate from a regionally accredited college.
The transitional doctorate curriculum was developed by doctoral educators, subject matter experts, and experienced distance education designers.
It is based on the 28 entry-level doctoral competencies. The online delivery method has been developed and refined since 2012 in our undergraduate degrees and post-graduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) program. It has been tremendously well received and embraced by students at all levels of computer literacy. The curriculum has been vetted by Pacific College alumni since fall 2015.
Model Curriculum
| Term 1 | Units | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice | 3 | 45 |
| Inter-Professional Communication | 1 | 15 |
| Healthcare Systems | 3 | 45 |
| Preventive Medicine and Public Health | 2 | 30 |
| Advanced Integrative Diagnostics | 3 | 45 |
| Term 2 | ||
| Integrative Pain Management | 2 | 30 |
| Integrative Case Management | 3 | 45 |
| Practice-Based Learning | 3 | 45 |
| Applications for Inter-Professional Communication | 2 | 60 |
| Program Total: | 22 | 360 |
In this program, you will find an emphasis on advancing your knowledge and skills to work effectively in a variety of integrative healthcare systems. In so doing, you will expand the opportunities for yourself and future generations of acupuncturists by being an active part of the integrative healthcare movement. Most importantly, you will be expanding the primary care and wellness options of your patients. Pacific College is proud to be at the forefront of entry-level doctoral education for new students. With this post-graduate program, it provides the same opportunity for the pioneers and experienced practitioners. Contact a Doctoral Admissions Representative for a complimentary assessment of the 90 undergraduate credit requirement. There may be credits found within your acupuncture education that we can count toward your undergraduate credit requirement!
“The fact that I am legally a doctor of my craft and can have “Dr.” on my business card speaks volumes. It brings a level of legitimacy and confidence to the patient that I don’t think was noticed before. Because of the title, I was able to raise my prices without any hesitation. I am forever grateful to Pacific College for helping me help people as part of a very rewarding lifestyle. When I graduated, I thought the tuition for acupuncture school was too expensive, but now I see that even if the tuition had been $50k or $75k more, it still would have been worth it!“
-Dr. Alex Ezzati, Transitional Doctorate Graduate,
www.balancewithinyou.com
Meet Your Faculty
Dr. Leena S. Guptha, ND, DO, MBA, MS, PhD
Dr. Soneil Guptha, MD, FACC, FESC, FCCP, AFPM
Dr. David Hashemipour, PHD, LAc, MD
Dr. Lamya Kamel, DAOM, LAc
Dr. Juli Olson, DC, LAc
Dr. Miles Thomas, DACM, MS, LAc
Contact a Doctoral Admissions Representative for a complimentary assessment of the 90 undergraduate credit requirement. There may be credits found within your acupuncture education that we can count toward your undergraduate credit requirement!
Transitional Doctorate FAQs
Are alumni from all acupuncture colleges and universities eligible for this program?
What is the degree that will be awarded upon successful completion of the program?
Are the online classes synchronous or asynchronous? In other words, are they in “real time?”
What will the schedule be like?
Will transfer credit be available for any of these courses?
Is there a capstone project or dissertation?
What is the attendance policy?
Will the lectures be made available for missed classes?
What are my funding options?
Is this program accredited by ACAHM?
Will there be CEUs/PDA available?
- Health Care Systems
- Advanced Integrative Diagnostics
- Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice
Federal Consumer Disclosure Information About This Program
For important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc., please see the program disclosure document