Points of Excellence
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 the highest quality education possible in the art and science of Traditional Chinese medicine.
Practicing Faculty
TCM academic and clinical programs are taught mostly by practicing specialists, trained in China and the U.S., with extensive clinical and hospital experience. Seasoned MDs teach academic and clinical Western medicine classes. Five Branches students receive a comprehensive education from our faculty/ practitioners, who are among the best in their fields.
Comprehensive Program
The Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM) program educates students in the TCM of modern-day China. In addition, Western medicine course work prepares Five Branches’ students to work cooperatively with Western doctors. Integrating these East-West skills, our graduates report that they significantly help more than 90% of their patients.
High State and National Exam Scores
Five Branches University graduates consistently achieve high passing scores in both the California State Licensing exam and the National Certification exam.
Herbology Department
The world’s most sophisticated, extensive medical herbal system is Chinese herbology. In the United States, Five Branches University is respected among TCM colleges for its outstanding Herbology department. Among the instructors are descendants of famous Chinese herbalists, such as Dr. Jun Kam Pang. The herb pharmacy contains more than 400 raw herbs, catalogued and stored in traditional wooden drawers, and 350 patent formulas. From their first semester, students assist faculty in herbal preparation.
Successful Modern Clinic
As primary healthcare professionals in our modern clinics in Santa Cruz and San Jose, Five Branches faculty and interns provide TCM treatments to more than 100 patients daily. Clinical Training which starts in the first semester, is supervised by expert faculty practitioners with clinical and hospital experience, ranging from 10 to 40 years. This helps to reinforce theoretical knowledge as students see TCM in practice.
Specialty Training
Five Branches University offers advanced specialty courses in Medical Qigong, Sports Medicine, Five Element Acupuncture, TCM Gynecology, TCM Pediatrics, TCM Oncology, National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), Orthopedic Shiatsu, Tuina Massage, and other TCM specialties.
Financial Aid
Five Branches University offers students federal financial aid. Our Financial Aid Director assists eligible students to move smoothly through the application process.
Quality Environments
One block from Twin Lakes Beach, the Five Branches Santa Cruz campus offers the perfect setting for a balanced lifestyle of learning. Our Santana Row campus in the heart of San Jose provides close proximity to the best of the Bay Area, providing a perfect environment for students looking for community within the big city. On campus, Five Branches students meet the challenges of learning TCM within a supportive, respectful environment. Faculty, staff and students share mentoring and camaraderie, as all work together toward success.