CCMU Admissions Overview
This page provides an overview of admission requirements, including prerequisite academic requirements and qualifications for admission to Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU).
While CCMU is interested in applicants from all walks of life, accreditation standards require us to enforce specific academic requirements and admission qualifications for our various programs. If you are unsure of which program you want to apply for, we recommend reading our overview of CCMU’s degree programs first. We have structured the information below as a frequently-asked questions list.
CCMU provides a graduate-level education focused on preparing students to become professional TCM practitioners and improving the clinical outcomes of students who already have that skillset. We is looking for students who have a realistic view of education and show the desire, motivation, and firm commitment to become dedicated, compassionate, and skilled TCM practitioners. The admissions committee assesses applicants throughout the application process from numerous perspectives, including academic achievement, professional and life experiences, communication skills, and motivation. The programs at CCMU require a strong commitment to learning multiple difficult skills.
If any question you have is not covered here or if you require more information, please get in touch with our Admissions Director at admissions@ccmu.edu or at 303-329-6355 ext 21.
Common Applicant Questions
We have attempted to cover the most common questions asked by applicants during our admissions process below.
What are the academic requirements for the Masters of Acupuncture (MAc) and Masters of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) program at CCMU?
CCMU requires that students entering the MAc and MAcCHM programs must have completed 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits; approximately two years of college) of education at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
What are the academic requirements for the Doctor of Acupuncture (MAc/DAc) and Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM/DAcCHM) dual-degree program at CCMU?
CCMU requires that students entering the MAc/DAc and MAcCHM/DAcCHM dual-degree programs must have completed 90 semester credits (or 135 quarter credits; approximately three years of college) of education at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. CCMU prefers that students enrolling in its doctoral programs have Bachelor’s degrees.
What are the academic requirements for the professional doctoral (PD) completer (DAc or DAcCHM) track at CCMU?
The PD completer track is for students who have already completed a master’s level program in acupuncture or acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine at an accredited institution. CCMU requires that students entering the DAc and DAcCHM completer track must have completed 90 semester credits (or 135 quarter credits; approximately three years of college) of education at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. These credits must include courses in chemistry, biology, and psychology.
What are the academic requirements for the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) advanced doctoral program at CCMU?
Applicants to CCMU’s DAOM program must have a license to practice acupuncture and active malpractice insurance. It is strongly preferred that applicants have completed an entry-level (Master’s or Doctoral) program in Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture with at least 45 hours of herbal medicine courses. Students without these degrees may be asked to provide proof of professional competencies and take supplementary courses.
What are the English language proficiency requirements to attend CCMU?
CCMU’s programs are taught in English; accordingly, we require English language competency for all students seeking admission. If you are not a native English speaker and did not complete a high school education or 60 semester credits of college taught fully in English, we require proof of proficiency through one of the following assessments:
| Assessment Tool | Acceptable Score |
|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) | Total: 61 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Format | Overall band: 6 |
| Duolingo English Test | 90 |
| China Standard of English Language (CSE) | CSE 6 |
| Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) | C |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | C |
| Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) | B2 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 250, C |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE), Academic | Overall: 45 |
What should international students to CCMU know?
CCMU is able to give I-20 certificates for F-1 student visas to international students. All students on an F-1 visa must maintain a full-time program of study, participate in classes regularly, and maintain satisfactory progress. International students must also send an affidavit of financial support from the student’s sponsor or bank to show proof of sufficient funds to meet their tuition and living expenses for at least one year.
How do I send a transcript to CCMU?
Transcripts must be sent directly from institutions or affiliated websites (Parchment, Student Clearing House, et cetera) to CCMU. International students must have their transcript validated by a NACES member agency at their own expense. Admitted students have frequently worked with International Consultants of Delaware for this purpose.
Does CCMU accept prior learning assessments to fulfill admission requirements?
CCMU may accept up to 30 semester credits towards any semester credit requirements via prior learning assessment at our discretion. If you believe you may qualify, please reach out to our Admissions Director.
What courses can I transfer to CCMU?
CCMU commonly accepts transfer credits for our western science requirements (Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Nutrition). For students transferring from other oriental medicine/acupuncture programs, we assess transferrable course credit based on the origin school’s catalog and our credit hour requirements on an individual basis.
Students may transfer up to 75% of the total credit hour requirement for graduation at CCMU, but transferred courses do not count towards the minimum semester credits required for admission.
Does CCMU provide benefits for veterans?
CCMU is approved to receive veterans benefits programs and various Colorado State Vocational Rehab programs. For information, please talk to our Financial Aid Administrator.
How do I apply to CCMU?
We provide a dedicated page on the application process, including required materials and fees.
When should I apply to CCMU?
CCMU accepts applications on a year-round basis. However, CCMU students may only commence the program in January, May, or September.
Do I need a specific degree or major to apply to CCMU?
As long as an applicant meets the credit and accreditation qualification in their previous schooling, there is no specific requirement for any degree or field of study. The only impact this will have is potential transfer credits.
Do I need to have taken any college courses as prerequisites for CCMU?
CCMU does not require any prerequisite courses be taken before enrollment. We are able to provide all required western science credits within our school and handle transfers from other ACAHM-accredited schools on a case-by-case basis to ensure you receive a full education.
Does CCMU have an undergraduate program?
CCMU is not able to offer an undergraduate program due to accreditation requirements.
Does CCMU offer online courses?
All CCMU master’s level courses (including as part of the dual-degree program) are either taught in a hybrid or fully in-person format. Students will at bare minimum attend midterms and finals at our campus for all courses.
CCMU’s doctoral-only courses (PD completer/DAOM), which require a completed MAc/MAcCHM or acupuncture license, are primarily online and can be completed remotely. Our DAc/DAcCHM completer program requires an in-person clinical observation arranged by the practitioner, and our DAOM program requires approximately one week of in-person learning per trimester.
Important Disclosure
Career outcomes, including employment, patient volume, and income levels, vary widely based on individual effort, geographic location, and market conditions. CCMU does not guarantee employment, income, or business success.
