The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) is a private, independent graduate school founded in 1980 as a nonprofit benefit corporation. ACTCM is governed by a board of directors and is administered by officers appointed by the board. In this same year, the College opened its Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, which provides affordable care using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to the people of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
In our two award-winning community clinics, students, under the supervision of licensed acupuncturists, gain practical experience in the application of acupuncture, tuina and shiatsu, and Chinese herbs for the treatment of various conditions and the promotion of wellness and health. In 1986, ACTCM became the first college in the United States to award a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine degree (MSTCM).
In our two award-winning community clinics, students, under the supervision of licensed acupuncturists, gain practical experience in the application of acupuncture, tuina and shiatsu, and Chinese herbs for the treatment of various conditions and the promotion of wellness and health. In 1986, ACTCM became the first college in the United States to award a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine degree (MSTCM).
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ACTCM graduates are respected clinicians, authors, innovators, and teachers practicing at the top of their field. Many are pioneering new therapies and integrative treatments, founding new professional organizations, and bringing the benefits of TCM into new areas of healthcare and new places around the world.
The Master of Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM) and the Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) - the recognized accrediting agency for programs preparing acupuncture and Chinese medicine practitioners.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) offers and supports a variety of CIIS experiences, including the Bridge Program for incoming first-year students, diversity workshops, extracurricular events and conversations, dialogues on justice, teach-ins, film screenings, and academic program orientations.
Our degrees in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine equip students with critical thinking, rigorous academic learning, hands-on practical training and mentorship essential to providing compassionate, expert, integrative patient care. Our graduates enter the profession as leaders, working in a variety of environments, from private practice to collaborative integrative settings such as hospitals.
Health care is rapidly changing in the face of the global pandemic. Our role as practitioners is expanding and will require us to be equipped with the knowledge, communication, and research skills to effectively work with all health care professionals.
The online Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Completion Program (DACMCP) equips students with a deeper knowledge base so that they can provide the best-quality collaborative care essentials to treat the whole health of their patient.With entry-level practitioners now graduating with doctoral degrees, the DACMCP helps experienced practitioners remain competitive in today's health care environment.
The online Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Completion Program (DACMCP) equips students with a deeper knowledge base so that they can provide the best-quality collaborative care essentials to treat the whole health of their patient.With entry-level practitioners now graduating with doctoral degrees, the DACMCP helps experienced practitioners remain competitive in today's health care environment.
Reviews (23)
Roger Aba
Sep 04, 2021
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I can't believe I forgot to write a review of this place!!!
For a couple years while I was at SFSU (2014-2016), I took classes in holistic health. This eventually became my minor.
While taking Eastern Perspectives class, my teacher said to go to ACTCM and tell them you are a student.
I went here for my a few of my issues, but mainly when I get sick, I'd get tea from here.
TCM is a different approach compared to Allopathic (Western) medicine, which gave me a more indepth approach to a whole body approach to health.
This is a school and also a clinic and from what my teacher mentioned, it is
For a couple years while I was at SFSU (2014-2016), I took classes in holistic health. This eventually became my minor.
While taking Eastern Perspectives class, my teacher said to go to ACTCM and tell them you are a student.
I went here for my a few of my issues, but mainly when I get sick, I'd get tea from here.
TCM is a different approach compared to Allopathic (Western) medicine, which gave me a more indepth approach to a whole body approach to health.
This is a school and also a clinic and from what my teacher mentioned, it is
Toni H.
Jul 31, 2021
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Cody Goodman
May 23, 2020
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Extremely good students and staff. Very quiet and relaxing environment. I enjoy everyone’s professionalism and ability to tell me things in a way that even I can understand. They offer so many services and education opportunities. Accupuncture, shiatsu, herbal medicine and many more. It’s great in conjunction with western medicine too.
Alston L.
Oct 18, 2019
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I.ve been to the school a number of times in the last 10 years with a variety of aches and pains. The care I received was nothing less than excellent. The students as well as the professional staff are amazing. I only had to return for a second treatment ONCE. I recommend ACTCM to every acupuncture believer I know.
Mariam P.
Feb 13, 2019
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Donna De
Nov 23, 2018
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Wendy Quatumtalk
Nov 03, 2018
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Oded Wurman
Aug 21, 2018
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I showed up for a tui-na massage (since they said they had no shiatsu). They kept me waiting past the start of my appointment, and when I asked, they said another patient started late and it would be another few minutes. No problem, but perhaps mention that when I check in? They also didn't offer the new patient paperwork and I had to proactively ask for it.
When I finally started with the therapist, he informed me he was actually a shiatsu therapist as well, so we went with that. He started with almost zero pressure (think light tapping more than massaging). He was also unprofessional, wouldn
When I finally started with the therapist, he informed me he was actually a shiatsu therapist as well, so we went with that. He started with almost zero pressure (think light tapping more than massaging). He was also unprofessional, wouldn
Jiang W.
Feb 17, 2016
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ACTCM community clinic provides an exceptional service on acupuncture and TCM practices. I had a serious backache which lasts for one month. After three times' acupuncture here at ACTCM with Dr. Huang, Dr. Lee and their students. I can feel little pain in the back. Now has been five weeks, the pain has almost gone with nothing left there.
Chinese medicine did well sometime on sports injury, while acupuncture is still hurt a little when the needle inserts on your hand and foot.
Chinese medicine did well sometime on sports injury, while acupuncture is still hurt a little when the needle inserts on your hand and foot.
Kekai A.
Aug 30, 2015
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I scheduled a Tui Na message session on August 21st and was sorely disappointed. The practitioner came in, asked if I had been apprised of her qualifications/experience in the various modalities, suggested a different, passive one (don't know why when I requested Tui Na, quite the opposite of passive) and proceeded with the terrible job. I specifically mentioned to the front desk that I required heavy pressure, which they assured me I could get if I asked...negative! I told the practitioner she could use a lot more pressure, especially because my father did shiatsu and I am very familiar with
Pony M.
May 20, 2015
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This it by far the best acupuncture school I've ever been to, when I first stated coming for my treatments, I had senior level practitioners and that was amazing! Completely cured my carpal tunnel and computer pain issues.
When I had a larger group of students along with a teacher, it was a bit more awkward explaining my issues, but they still made me feel great! I highly recommend their herbs too, which helped me get rid of tendonitis, bursitis and muscle problems.
Easy to book with them, organized charts, warm students...so sad that I moved away from them to LA and cannot find anything
When I had a larger group of students along with a teacher, it was a bit more awkward explaining my issues, but they still made me feel great! I highly recommend their herbs too, which helped me get rid of tendonitis, bursitis and muscle problems.
Easy to book with them, organized charts, warm students...so sad that I moved away from them to LA and cannot find anything
Lux P.
Sep 21, 2014
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As a school they do a good job. Actcm has a very prestigious reputation. If you are considering going to TCM school here are some things I wish I would have known FIRST:
1. This is a VERY expensive program. I still have three years to go and I'm already 100k in debt. Granted I take the max amount of loans allowed just to keep a meager quality of financial life.
2. This is a VERY hard program.
3. This school pretty much will let anyone in so if you are a mediocre student, be prepared to struggle. This would be my scenario. It's taking me twice the amount of time to disseminate and memorize
1. This is a VERY expensive program. I still have three years to go and I'm already 100k in debt. Granted I take the max amount of loans allowed just to keep a meager quality of financial life.
2. This is a VERY hard program.
3. This school pretty much will let anyone in so if you are a mediocre student, be prepared to struggle. This would be my scenario. It's taking me twice the amount of time to disseminate and memorize
Leuwam T.
Apr 24, 2013
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I came in for an acupuncture session with several students and faculty.
At $63 to feel like a guinea pig I did not think it was a good value. I have seen private sessions by long practicing acupuncturists advertised across the city for this price.
The people working at the front desk offered poor customer service and are the main reason for this 2 star review. They were very short with me and very vague about the pricing structure which made me feel cheated. I also think the lady at the front desk was confused as to the difference between gross and net monthly income.
The students and faculty
At $63 to feel like a guinea pig I did not think it was a good value. I have seen private sessions by long practicing acupuncturists advertised across the city for this price.
The people working at the front desk offered poor customer service and are the main reason for this 2 star review. They were very short with me and very vague about the pricing structure which made me feel cheated. I also think the lady at the front desk was confused as to the difference between gross and net monthly income.
The students and faculty
Lisa B.
Feb 07, 2012
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After a friend recommended this place, I was truly excited about going to have accupuncture done to relieve stress. Several things happened to me to give this place a 3 rating.
First, to get there is a complete hassle from downtown, you can pretty much take the 10- if you can find the stop going there or take the bart up to mission and then transfer to another bus. Once you get there, it is highly unlikely you can actually get back home. Limited bus and muni options and I ended up having to take over $30 in cab fees to get to and from this place.
Second, once I finally got there, my internist
First, to get there is a complete hassle from downtown, you can pretty much take the 10- if you can find the stop going there or take the bart up to mission and then transfer to another bus. Once you get there, it is highly unlikely you can actually get back home. Limited bus and muni options and I ended up having to take over $30 in cab fees to get to and from this place.
Second, once I finally got there, my internist
Amber K.
Nov 30, 2011
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If you know me, then you probably remember that I have a slight aversion to hippies. However, being from Santa Cruz makes it impossible for me to rule out alternative health practices, healthy foods, and hippiesque music festivals.
So, after enduring the Worst Breakup Of All Time for awhile with no bandaid, I decided on a whim to walk into the ACTCM to find out how much a treatment might cost. They were willing to take me that night, and had a low income price tag too. (I'm not sure how much the low income price was. I believe a regular treatment is $42 which is what I got charged the first
So, after enduring the Worst Breakup Of All Time for awhile with no bandaid, I decided on a whim to walk into the ACTCM to find out how much a treatment might cost. They were willing to take me that night, and had a low income price tag too. (I'm not sure how much the low income price was. I believe a regular treatment is $42 which is what I got charged the first
Rachel L.
Jun 12, 2011
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This is just a different address, so i already reviewed the school in a different review. I guess i had a little more to say about the school...Excellent quality acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The interns here are skilled, caring, and intelligent. I highly recommend this clinic. I have been going here 2x a week for 4 months and its really helped. I even visit the ear clinic on Monday afternoons, so that gives me 3 treatments a week.
I really like the doctor i see and her team of interns, now thats going to change because of there school system (quarterly program) so i dont know how ill feel
I really like the doctor i see and her team of interns, now thats going to change because of there school system (quarterly program) so i dont know how ill feel
Kim-May A.
Sep 25, 2010
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ALUMNI/STUDENT
I graduated last December 2009 and am now an L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) in California.
Now that school is behind me I can finally look back and say how grateful I am for this education. It is a long and arduous program, I will not lie. It is not for everyone. My "key sentence" that I have used all the way through and still believe is: "if I had any idea how difficult it was going to be, I never would have done it" and that's still 100% true. However, (and I always follow up with this) - I love the medicine, I believe in the medicine and now I can truly
I graduated last December 2009 and am now an L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) in California.
Now that school is behind me I can finally look back and say how grateful I am for this education. It is a long and arduous program, I will not lie. It is not for everyone. My "key sentence" that I have used all the way through and still believe is: "if I had any idea how difficult it was going to be, I never would have done it" and that's still 100% true. However, (and I always follow up with this) - I love the medicine, I believe in the medicine and now I can truly
Ms. W.
Feb 23, 2010
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EDUCATION: BEST Acupuncture School in San Francisco Bay Area. Highest pass rates.
Not saying much though because things are pretty un-evolved for this training. Very competitive academically and socially. Not to get in necessarily - it is private business after all - even they say they are non-profit . Relatively easy to get in. Difficult to transfer credits: note one of the only acu school to do that : WASC school - in SoCal scuhs.edu - I have only visited there. Most of these schools are certified for financial aid but not for transfer of academic work to a regular or public college/university
Not saying much though because things are pretty un-evolved for this training. Very competitive academically and socially. Not to get in necessarily - it is private business after all - even they say they are non-profit . Relatively easy to get in. Difficult to transfer credits: note one of the only acu school to do that : WASC school - in SoCal scuhs.edu - I have only visited there. Most of these schools are certified for financial aid but not for transfer of academic work to a regular or public college/university
Kay By The Bay
Aug 30, 2007
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I went to this school as a last resort. I was suffering from diffuse allopecia (hair thinning) and also from astronomically high stress levels. I was grinding my teeth at night and getting headaches.
The acupuncture helped immediately. I felt the effects during the night and the next morning. I did not grind my teeth that night. As for the hair loss, obviously, that takes longer to see effects.
Here's the deal: You will see either an advanced level intern or a group of students with a professional accupuncturist. if you get the intern, he/she has to run the treatment by the professional
The acupuncture helped immediately. I felt the effects during the night and the next morning. I did not grind my teeth that night. As for the hair loss, obviously, that takes longer to see effects.
Here's the deal: You will see either an advanced level intern or a group of students with a professional accupuncturist. if you get the intern, he/she has to run the treatment by the professional
Tiffinie T.
May 01, 2007
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When I was a kid I wanted to be a witch. You know, magic potions, spells that would shut my brother up and bring me lots of gorgeous things and take me to far away lands. A witch in the vein of Samantha or Endora. Tabitha, even. You can imagine my delight when David, a boy in my 2nd grade class, referred to my beauty mark as a witch mole!
Then there was my discovery of Nancy Drew, girl sleuth in the 3rd grade. Dude! I sooo wanted to be Nancy! I wanted to put clues together and catch the bad guy and solve the caper!
With that said, some years later I discovered Chinese medicine, which for a SoCal
Then there was my discovery of Nancy Drew, girl sleuth in the 3rd grade. Dude! I sooo wanted to be Nancy! I wanted to put clues together and catch the bad guy and solve the caper!
With that said, some years later I discovered Chinese medicine, which for a SoCal
Yelper A.
Feb 08, 2007
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I have been, of course, thinking about what to write on my 400th review and quite a few things came to mind while pondering what would be most beneficial for the diligent readers of this place we know as Yelp.
But, seeing as I have been sick on and off again over the course of the past 3 months, I recently became fed up with it and hopped on yelp on the hunt for an acupuncture clinic.
Thus, the review..and what is the one freakin thing you want when you are sick?!
TO GET WELL!! :) So here is my best attempt to kill two birds with one stone.
Well, when I was 10, 14, and 19 - my immune system
But, seeing as I have been sick on and off again over the course of the past 3 months, I recently became fed up with it and hopped on yelp on the hunt for an acupuncture clinic.
Thus, the review..and what is the one freakin thing you want when you are sick?!
TO GET WELL!! :) So here is my best attempt to kill two birds with one stone.
Well, when I was 10, 14, and 19 - my immune system
Kim G.
Aug 16, 2006
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I guess I'm the first student to write about my daily experience at this fine institution. ACTCM called me to San Francisco two years ago and I'm so happy it did. Picture me growing up in suburbia working at a M.D.'s office in a conservative community and always wanting to help others but simply dispassionate about the 'hard sciences.' There surely must be another way! I got my BS in psychology and decided peace of mind might be something I couldn't afford with such a career. And then the holy [holistic] medicine introduced itself to me sophomore year and I spent my
Marz W.
Jan 18, 2006
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They have never done me wrong. I think that acupuncture is like a miracle. Unless you have broken bones or congential heart failure, or some other thing that needs an x-ray or some kind of western medicine attention, I am all for non-western approaches to medicine.
These people cured my ex's snoring. This was a huge deal as sleeping next to him was like sleeping with an outboard motor. He snored when he was barely awake and managed to sleep through it. Once my downstairs neighbor heard it from his room. Earplugs didn't drown it out. Nothing did, but acupuncture and the herbs they
These people cured my ex's snoring. This was a huge deal as sleeping next to him was like sleeping with an outboard motor. He snored when he was barely awake and managed to sleep through it. Once my downstairs neighbor heard it from his room. Earplugs didn't drown it out. Nothing did, but acupuncture and the herbs they
