Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine

A History of Firsts

Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine is one of the oldest and most distinguished acupuncture colleges in the nation specializing in a broad-based approach to the art and science of Oriental Medicine. Since 1983 Emperor's has led the profession with achievements such as:

• The first acupuncture school whose clinical training included a rotation in a hospital setting
• The first to provide acupuncture in the health center of a major university (UCLA)
• One of the very first to establish the Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, an advanced degree for licensed acupuncturists.

Cultivating Brilliant Healers

Our mission at Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine is to cultivate brilliant healers, teachers, and leaders in Oriental Medicine who create the future of healthcare by word, deed, and through partnerships. We actively collaborate with western medical institutions in training, research and patient care and encourage our students to cultivate self-inquiry and personal exploration through meditation, chi practice and community outreach.

Traditional Oriental Medicine not just TCM

Emperors' masters program is a progressive, sequenced curriculum that specializes in a unique approach to acupuncture and Oriental medicine. We know that the most successful acupuncturists are extremely well-rounded and have a firm grasp of several schools of thought of Oriental medicine as well as western medicine. This is why we aim to expose students to theories beyond just Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). At Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine you will be able to explore your unique interests in:

• Nutrition
• Psycho-emotional disorders
• Sports medicine and pain management
• Exercise therapy such as tai chi and qi gong
• Five element theory
• Korean and Japanese style acupuncture
• And more…

Clinical Training in the Western Medical Setting

At Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, clinical training goes beyond our 18-treatment room acupuncture clinic. Interns complete their clinical rotations at UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Heath Center and the Venice Family Clinic's Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center, where integrative medicine is the focus. Interns work alongside MDs, nurses and chiropractic interns in patient diagnosis, treatment and round-table case presentations.

In our busy on-campus acupuncture clinic, 3rd and 4th year interns are mentored by highly trained faculty, many of whom are Chinese trained acupuncturists and medical doctors. Interns benefit from a large caseload and a one-to-one intern to patient ratio that simulates solo practice in patient consultation and treatment.

Because of the depth and breadth of knowledge of our clinical faculty, interns select their mentors based on medical specialties such as internal medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, mental health, gerontology, women's health, dermatology, pediatrics, gastroenterology and more.

Distinguished Faculty

Dedicated instructors are the foundation of Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, all who are practicing clinicians with decades of experience and thousands of patient cases to illustrate their instruction. A number are trained MDs and PhDs. Several carry on their family legacy. Others are acclaimed department heads from Chinese universities, outstanding research contributors, authors of influential books and papers.

Health-Oriented Santa Monica

Named one of the top ten "greenest" US cities, Santa Monica offers a mild climate, clean air, bike paths and proximity to ocean and mountains. The open courtyard campus is infused with natural light and sea breezes. Santa Monica's forward-thinking and health-conscious residents provide an extensive patient base for Emperor's teaching clinic.

Doctoral Program for Advanced Medical Specialty Training

The Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) program is an advanced clinical degree for licensed acupuncturists. This progressive program reflects the knowledge and clinical capabilities of its graduates and opens the door to opportunities in clinical practice and scientific research that supports the growth and integration of Oriental medicine into mainstream healthcare.

Getting Started is Easy

There are several ways to start a new and fulfilling career in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

• Opening Series for Non-Students is a quarterly offering of introductory level classes for students who wish to explore the curriculum before applying for acceptance into the masters program.
• Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine matriculates new masters students in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall quarters. A minimum of 2 years of undergraduate coursework with a 2.5 GPA is required for admissions. A bachelors degree is preferred.

Accreditation and Financial Aid

Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the agency recognized by the US Department of Education to approve programs for acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The masters program is approved by the California Acupuncture Board, making graduates eligible to sit for the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination and the National Certification Examinations in Oriental Medicine. As licensure requirements vary from state to state, prospective students are advised to contact the appropriate agency in the state in which they intend to practice for information on specific licensure requirements. Masters students who meet qualifications are eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Military service veterans are entitled to GI Bill benefits.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.