Founded in 1980 in San Francisco, The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) is one of the oldest acupuncture and Chinese medicine colleges in the country.  Distinguished faculty and a rigorous curriculum have established ACTCM as a truly exceptional program that brings in students from all over the world. ACTCM offers master’s and doctorate degrees in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine as well as a broad selection of certificate programs, public classes, and continuing education courses.

Recognized as “Best of the Bay”, the ACTCM Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic, and off-site clinics serve as a training ground for students while providing affordable health care services to the community. The college has also been honored for its strong leadership role in promoting sustainable health care, particularly through protecting endangered species with WWF, AAF, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Save the Tiger Fund.

History

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.

The historical development of the College started in January 1981 when it enrolled its first class of students. 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 greater Bay Area. In the Clinic, students, under the supervision of licensed acupuncturists (LAc), gain practical experience in the application of acupuncture, Tui Na or Shiatsu and Chinese herbs for the treatment of various conditions and to promote wellness and health.

In 1986, ACTCM became the first college in the country to award a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM). In 1991, the College was granted accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), and re-approved in 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2013.

In 1987, the College acquired its present campus at 455 Arkansas Street in the Potrero Hill district of San Francisco. In 2004, ACTCM acquired additional space at Pioneer Square, 555 De Haro Street, to expand its number of classrooms and provide a larger library for both master and doctoral students.

The ACTCM clinical doctoral program, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) started the 1st cohort in 2006. The DAOM program received a candidate for accreditation with ACAOM in 2010 and a full accreditation in 2012. The doctoral program provides advanced education in TCM with an emphasis on integrative medicine, and offers specialty training in women’s health and pain management.

ACTCM also offers innovative massage certificate programs in Tui Na and Shiatsu, which can be completed by students concurrently enrolled in the MSTCM program.

Today, ACTCM is actively developing a new degree program, the First Professional Doctorate.