PIHMA Degree candidates learn to effectively handle the health issues for which Oriental
Medicine is noted. Both degree programs provide future clinicians with the unique skills of
a comprehensively trained practitioner in Oriental medicine.

PIHMA’s program builds from knowledge to skills to analysis, from one class to the next so a
student feels more confident from the start. Adult learning theory is embedded into our
program to ease the students with memory retention and simplifying the complex. Our
courses are rigorous, demanding and fun.

Students will experience, learn and practice the arts of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology,
Acupressure/TuiNa, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Oriental Nutrition.

Master of Science in Acupuncture
This degree program focuses primarily on the major dimension of Oriental medicine:
Acupuncture.

Students taking this degree program will be prepared to use Acupuncture, Cupping, Moxibustion, TuiNa, and Oriental nutritional counseling in their practice. The foundational theory for Oriental medicine is integral to these skills and students are prepared to achieve competency in all of these areas. The latter half of this program focuses on the clinic experience.  Acupuncture students complete over 900 hours of student clinical internship under the direction of an experienced Professional Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.). The latter half of this program focuses on the clinic experience.  Acupuncture students complete over 900 hours of student clinical internship under the direction of an experienced  Professional Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.). This degree program takes three - four years to complete if attending full-time. At successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam in Acupuncture.

Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
This degree program provides students with courses covering all aspects of the Acupuncture degree along with the study of Chinese herbs. In contrast to other Oriental herbal programs, the PIHMA herbal program is specifically designed for the Western learner. Rather than rote memorization of single herbs, the PIHMA herbal program begins with an overall picture of a syndrome and then addresses the syndrome with herbal formula combinations.

The Chinese Herbology courses for the Oriental Medicine degree cover:
• A review of syndromes and practical diagnosis related to the herbs and formulas presented.
• A thorough discussion of individual herbs and formulas, providing both practical and clinical use
• Major Chinese patent formulas and American–made Chinese herbal products.
• How to modify basic formulas according to differentiation of symptoms and signs.
• Case studies to illustrate and clarify through examples.
• Home review exercises for optimal learning.

Herbal students complete approximately 200 hours of clinical experience in creating customized herbal formulas for patients.

At successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exams in
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. Currently, PIHMA student have a 100% first time pass rate on the Chinese Herbology national exams.