Five Branches University

Programs

Five Branches is a fully accredited University that has been fostering the academic and professional growth of TCM practitioners for over 24 years. Our family of doctors, faculty and staff are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality education possible in the art and science of Traditional Chinese medicine. Our programs are taught by knowledgeable and highly skilled faculty from China and the U.S. who bring a strong foundation of both Chinese and Western medicine into the classroom, and are genuinely interested in supporting your growth and success.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Master’s degree program

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Master’s degree program is the foundation for your understanding of the “five branches” of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Herbology, Tuina (Chinese medical massage), Energetics (Qigong and Tajiquan) and Dietetics (Nutritional medicine). Western medical studies are an integral part of the curriculum and provide you with an understanding of Western diagnosis and pharmaceuticals, essential for the appropriate diagnosis of your patients. The Masters program also includes in-depth clinical practice, comprising one-third of the curriculum, which will allow you to work closely with highly skilled faculty in a clinical environment. This comprehensive program will immerse you in the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine and will prepare you for the national and state examinations required to become a Licensed Acupuncturist.

Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)

For licensed acupuncturists wishing to further their studies, the doctoral program at the San Jose campus of Five Branches offers an in-depth curriculum to help bring your practice of Chinese medicine to the next level. This 1280 hour program has a flexible modular structure created specifically for two year completion by acupuncturists in private practice. Renowned senior TCM practitioners and biomedicine experts from China and the U.S. will share their invaluable experience and knowledge of TCM and Western medicine, through didactic and clinical sessions. Through our partnerships with Stanford University and Zhejiang Medical University in China, and our modern integrative curriculum, our students can glean the best from the East and West.

Massage certification programs

The Five Branches massage certification programs are available to bodywork practitioners interested in learning Asian styles of massage, high school graduates or other career professionals who are interested in becoming a licensed massage therapist and individuals who want to enhance their health and well-being. Taught by renowned Asian bodywork teachers, the Asian Bodywork certification program offers three levels of certification focusing on Chinese, Japanese and Thai styles of massage. Students may enroll in a certificate program or take courses on an individual basis.

International Studies

All of our educational programs are enhanced by our relationship with our sister schools in China, where many students elect to travel and learn from highly knowledgeable doctors and teachers in a hospital setting. The opportunity to travel abroad will show you how Chinese Medicine is practiced at its root, and how ancient techniques and western medical technology are harmonized in modern treatment.

Continuing Education