Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture Diploma
For up to date information regarding program requirements, please refer to the University Calendar.
KPU is the first public university in British Columbia to offer a Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture program. Combining ancient Chinese philosophy with Western biomedical science, students develop the necessary skills to work in the acupuncture and Chinese medicine industry. The program offers a student teaching clinic on campus, which provides students with hands-on experience and knowledge in patient care in a live clinical setting, all while supervised by instructors who are certified practitioners, acupuncturists or Doctors of TCM.
KPU Health launches new traditional Chinese medicine program
The Faculty of Health will be offering a new undergraduate degree – the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BTCM). The anticipated start date is September 1, 2025, with courses held at KPU Richmond.
Students may complete six semesters of the program to graduate with a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture (a current KPU credential) or complete 10 semesters to graduate with a Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Graduates of the BTCM program will be prepared to diagnose, treat and manage patients with complex care needs, while successfully operating their own practice. The BTCM program curriculum has been approved by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). Graduates of the BTCM program will have met the academic requirements for registration as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P) with the CCHPBC.
This degree program is also equivalent to other leading international BTCM programs:
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia)
- New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China)
- Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine (China)
This allows KPU BTCM graduates to pursue graduate programs at these post-secondary institutions or pursue graduate studies in a related field: health administration, business or health education.
KPU graduates with a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture may use all credits of that credential towards their BTCM degree. Students from CCHPBC-accredited private institutions may be eligible for prior learning recognition credit and advanced standing.
For more information about the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, contact Dr. John Yang, Traditional Chinese Medicine Program Chair, Faculty of Health at 604-599-2286 or john.yang@kpu.ca.
Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture Program Details:
- Accelerated, 2 year, full time program
- 6 semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Intake: Fall (September)
- Available on KPU's Richmond campus
For more details about the course overview and admission requirements, please visit the below links:
Please contact study@kpu.ca for any questions regarding your program or application process.
The diploma includes a variety of courses in theory, as well as diagnosis, treatment and clinical practice. Select courses in Mandarin are also required for the program and gives students an advantage in clinic settings. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to write the national registration exam for acupuncture practitioners in Canada, as well as the Pan-Canadian licensing exam, and become members of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA) .
The Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture program is guided by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists (CTCMA).
Applications may close early due to high demand, so it is important to apply early.
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