The amount of coursework and clinical practice required to take Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M., O.M.D.) makes online courses impractical for beginners in the field. If you have a master’s degree, however, a 100% online and hybrid format curriculum is available.
Due to recent developments in the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine community, looking for a graduate school that offers D.O.M. is challenging. Most of the institutions nowadays offer D.A.O.M. instead of D.O.M., but still the same training, more or less.
Have you been sick but can’t afford the hefty price tag of medicinal drugs? You want to resort to herbal medicine, but you have trust issues with quack doctors? In this situation, a person specially trained in Oriental Medicine might save your life. And you can be that person too.
What schools offer Doctor of Oriental Medicine degrees?
There is an extremely limited number of online doctoral degrees in oriental medicine. In fact, the researchers at Online-PhD-Degrees.com were only able to locate a few programs offering this type of curriculum at a distance, three of which are hybrid-style formats.
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, is the only school with 100% online Doctor of Oriental Medicine degrees. Of course, there are numerous on-campus doctorates in Oriental and Chinese Medicine. The most renowned of the physical degrees is located at the Emperor’s College School of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, California.
Online schools offering hybrid DOM degrees or their equivalents include: American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California; Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon; and the Won Institute of Graduate Studies in Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Are you interested in learning effective medicine that does not break the bank? Enroll in D.O.M. now and be proud of the “Dr.” name on your future business card!
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The 5 Best Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M., O.M.D.) Degree Programs
PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE
100% ONLINE TRANSITIONAL DOCTORATE FOR ACUPUNCTURE GRADUATES
School Highlights: The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine offers what is almost undoubtedly the best online doctorate within the field of Oriental Medicine. At this distance education institution, doctoral students earn either a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine or just a Doctor of Acupuncture. The former requires applicants to hold a Master in Oriental Medicine and the latter a Master in Acupuncture.
Despite the applicant’s credentials, the ultimate goal of the curriculum is to enhance all students’ understanding of biomedicine, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and integrative healthcare practices. Individuals work one-on-one with online mentors and instructors who impart a lifetime of guidance and wisdom.
Coursework Sample:
- Healthcare Systems
- Integrative Pain Management
- Preventive Medicine and Public
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 95% Retention Rate: 100% Graduation Rate: 41%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE’S ONLINE TRANSITIONAL DOCTORATE FOR ACUPUNCTURE GRADUATES
EMPEROR’S COLLEGE OF TRADITIONAL ORIENTAL MEDICINE
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE (DAOM) PROGRAM
School Highlights: This college is one of the top two most elite in acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the entire nation. Students at this outstanding institution receive the very best training available and exit the program as some of the world’s best Doctors of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
There are three specialization opportunities, two of which can be taken as a dual concentration—Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine. The dual specialty focuses on critical areas of the current healthcare system while utilizing the highest quality traditional practices.
Concentration Options:
- Internal Medicine
- Physical Medicine
- Personalized Clinical Training
Campus Location: Santa Monica, CA
Accreditation:
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 95% Retention Rate: –% Graduation Rate: 50%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EMPEROR’S COLLEGE OF TRADITIONAL ORIENTAL MEDICINE’S DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE (DAOM)
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AT CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF INTEGRAL STUDIES
ONLINE DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE COMPLETION PROGRAM (DACMCP)
School Highlights: A highly professional online program, the Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Online is a degree completion program that requires students to transfer a certain number of credits from a previous institution in order to be accepted. The curriculum emphasizes principles of balance and harmony and draws upon the wu xing, yin and yang, and numerous other religious and philosophical traditions.
Graduates demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of patient-centered, integrative care and use evidence-based informed practice in wide-ranging healthcare contexts. ACTCM utilizes a high-tech virtual platform and innovative instructional methods in the delivery of its distance education doctoral degree completion program.
Coursework Sample:
- Laboratory Diagnosis and Medical Imaging
- TCM Oncology
- Advanced Case Analysis and Clinical Research I & II
Campus Location: San Francisco, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 90% Retention Rate: 83% Graduation Rate: 76%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA INSTITUE OF INTEGRAL STUDIES’ ONLINE DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE COMPLETION PROGRAM (DACMCP)
OREGON COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE (DACM) DEGREE COMPLETION TRACK
School Highlights: The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine’s online doctoral degree completion program in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine gives master’s graduates with the entry-level DACM the opportunity to earn the necessary credits for the DACM. The curriculum emphasizes five critical competencies:
- Patient Care Domain,
- Systems-based Medicine,
- Collaborative Care,
- Formulating and Implementing Individual Professional Development Plans,
- and Evidence-Informed Practice in Patience Care.
These areas are designed to drastically enhance the skills of master’s-level practitioners holistically to become leaders in the fields of acupuncture and Chinese medicine upon completion of the online program.
Coursework Sample:
- Applied Integrated Western Medicine I, II, III, IV & V
- Advanced Case Analysis I, II, III, & IV
- Collaborative Health Care
Campus Location: Portland, OR
Accreditation:
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 73% Retention Rate: –% Graduation Rate: 71%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OREGON COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE (DACM)
WON INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM COMPLETION TRACK
School Highlights: There are numerous points upon which the Won Institute of Integrative Studies prides itself, such as its regional accreditation, flexibility, and accelerated time frame for graduation. Students in the Online Doctor of Acupuncture Program Completion Track participate in coursework that is 99% asynchronous, giving them complete control over their learning pace.
The outstandingly broad yet highly focused curriculum can be completed in as little as one year. The Won Institute is also the only school among these five with credentialing from a regional accrediting commission, which, alone, sets it far apart from the other four.
Coursework Sample:
- Nourishing Life: Integrative Medicine for Community Health and Wellness
- East meets West: Clinical Collaboration and Cooperation
- Leadership in Integrative Medicine
Campus Location: Glenside, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 90% Retention Rate: 71% Graduation Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WON INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES’ ONLINE DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAM COMPLETION TRACK
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental medicine refers to the medical practices in East Asia, particularly in China, where treatment methods date back to 2,000 years ago. Ancient healing techniques in the Far East include acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy. In Western countries, acupuncture and oriental medicine gained prominence in the 1950s. Now, all states except three in the US have an Acupuncture Practice Act.
In a nutshell, Oriental Medicine involves alternative medicinal methods that stimulate the body to health itself. Through the use of herbs and the insertion of needles to qi points, the nervous system will release hormones that bolster the person’s natural regenerative abilities.
In the contemporary world, Oriental Medicine practitioners engage in research on the restorative properties of herbs, and through that data, they may create new and cheaper remedies than Western drugs.
What sort of accreditation should I look for in a school?
In the United States, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) administers the accreditation of acupuncture institutions. For now, there are approximately 50 schools are accredited or in candidacy status by ACAOM.
How do I earn my D.O.M. degree?
To become an acupuncturist, one needs to acquire a master’s degree and pass the licensure exam. The acupuncturist may then proceed in advancing his/her career by undergoing any of the following doctorate programs:
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M., O.M.D.),
- Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac, D.Acu),
- and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.A.O.M).
While these academic titles mentioned sound almost the same, their training varies regarding scope and focus. D.O.M. emphasizes the utilization of Chinese herbs to make remedies, and D.Acu focuses on various techniques in acupuncture, such as needles, cuppings, and other technologies. Lastly, D.A.O.M is more concerned with the integration of both D.O.M and D.Acu courses. Nevertheless, any of these three degrees offer valuable credentials in the field of alternative medicine.
Specifically, acupuncturists with a D.O.M. degree are expected to be capable of diagnosing illnesses and prescribing Chinese herbs that cure them. Moreover, the basic principles of oriental medicine, such as the flow of “qi” (chi) in the body and the balance of yin-yang elements are fundamental to promoting health and preventing diseases naturally.
If you have a master’s degree, you may finish your D.O.M. degree within three years. Expect the duration to be delayed or shortened because your current credentials determine the length of your doctorate study. For example, if you already have a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, you need not take the pre-requisite subjects that should be made in the undergrad training. Thus, training in both basic acupuncture science and clinical practice is longer for newcomers in the field.
Distinct coursework for D.O.M. graduate students highlights the task of prescribing Chinese herbs and the management of Chinese herbal dispensaries. This means D.O.M. students are expected to seek ways to integrate Chinese herbs into current acupuncture and medicinal practices.
The unique perspective of D.O.M. looks at the overall health of a person to develop an effective treatment for physical, mental, and psychological stress. This includes utilizing herbs as important components in addressing corporal and spiritual issues.
What type of degree do I need to pursue research or educate others in Oriental Medicine?
Like in any other academic institution, a Ph.D. degree in Oriental Medicine is preferred for teaching in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine schools. The academic background of a Ph.D. professor should foster research literacy and scholarly output from students.
However, any competent individual in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine may teach in colleges, given that they teach individuals who have lower degrees than them – i.e., a professor with only a master’s degree cannot teach a doctorate student.
Aside from Ph.D. dissertations and Acupuncture books, the community of Oriental Medicine is actively publishing in scholarly journals in the U.S. namely:
- The American Journal of Chinese Medicine,
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,
- Acupuncture in Medicine,
- Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research,
- and Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies.
How do I earn a transitional or bridge DOM degree?
If you are a neophyte in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, studying remotely is not conducive to quality training. However, if you already have a master’s degree and want to continue your practice while pursuing a D.O.M degree, you can enroll in accredited acupuncture schools offering 100% online education. Hybrid curriculum formats are mostly available for currently practicing acupuncturists who can afford to pursue D.O.M. in a modular schedule.
How long does it typically take to earn a Doctor of Oriental Medicine degree?
The time required to complete a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (OMD) degree varies depending on factors such as the type of program and other personal requirements. Typically, it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 years to complete the necessary coursework. After completing the academic requirements, students may require 1 to 2 years of additional clinical internship or residency to complete their degree.
What kind of career and salary can I expect with my D.O.M. degree?
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a growing profession in the US. Most acupuncturists are self-employed, but the increasing acceptance of alternative healing methods allows them to work in clinical settings. They toil hand in hand with chiropractors, reflexologists, naturopathic practitioners, and physical therapists. They can also work in Chinese stores and districts featuring herbal products.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median annual of acupuncturists and other diagnostic and treating practitioners ranges from $83,786 to $97,872. The salary rate varies depending on the location and experience of the acupuncturist.
Do I need a license to be an Oriental Medicine practitioner?
One needs at least a master’s degree in either Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine to take the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) examinations. Afterward, you may enjoy the “LAc” title, which means “licensed acupuncturist.” It is also important to note that California implements its license examination for acupuncture practices in its jurisdiction.
