China, the birthplace of TCM, with its lush-crested landscapes, vibrant commerce districts and deeply soothing rivers is the ideal setting for you to explore and experience Chinese Medicine at its original source. Accompanied by native Chinese faculty coordinators from Five Branches University, and together with local translators, you can travel to China for an extraordinary experience of training at one of China’s leading hospitals, and sight-seeing at beautiful destinations, such as Yellow Mountain.

Whether you join us in China as a TCM Masters student in our summer, Study in China program or as a Doctoral student interested in earning a PhD, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture and memorable experiences of modern-day China, while studying and practicing Traditional Chinese medicine.

For over 15 years, Five Branches University has offered International study programs in cooperation with the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU), one of the leading Traditional Chinese Medicine colleges in China. The college, including both hospitals and a research center, is located near Shanghai in Hangzhou, capital of the southern Song Dynasty, on the edge of the scenic West Lake. Zhejiang Chinese Medical University is a regionally recognized institute of higher learning in Traditional Chinese medicine and TCM pharmacology.

Study in China Program

As a Masters student, enrolled in the Study in China program you will train between two to six weeks in the Zhejiang University affiliated hospitals and out-patient centers. This training will allow you to experience a hospital environment in China, where TCM and Western medicine are seamlessly interconnected. You may choose to complete up to 25% of your clinical training in this program and can train in specialty departments, such as Internal medicine, Pediatrics or Gynecology. The Study in China program is affordable and satisfies clinical hour requirements approved by the California Acupuncture Board.

Earn a PhD in China

Students of the Doctoral program will have the opportunity to earn a Ph.D. degree in China, as part of a joint program with Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU). Studies completed in the Doctoral program are transferable to the ZCMU Ph.D. program, allowing doctoral students to earn a Ph.D. from a China TCM University with only one additional year of study in China. This Ph.D. degree is recognized by the Chinese government and US credential review agencies as equivalent to a Ph.D. degree in the US. Having Ph.D. credentials will allow doctoral graduates the opportunity to obtain grants and teaching positions in American universities.

Collaborative International Opportunities

Five Branches University’s long-time relationship with Zhejiang Chinese Medical University offers students, graduates, and faculty members the opportunity to collaborate on medical endeavors. In 2004, Five Branches’ leading practitioners were invited to attend and present at the International Integrative Medicine Conference on Difficult Cases. More recently in 2008, Five Branches embarked on a cooperation to establish a sister Diabetes Center in Silicon Valley.