Complementary Studies
Complementary studies enrich and round out the student's professional TCM training. These courses include study of energetics and breathing and Career Development, including Professional Ethics and Business Management. Additionally, Five Branches University offers a wide variety of electives which allow students in-depth study of topics as varied as Feng Shui, I Ching and Medical Qi Gong.
[ Required Courses ]
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| MCD 301 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course provides students with the steps necessary to create a successful practice. Topics covered will include: the legal requirements of starting a practice, setting up a practice space, creating a financial budget, managing an office, medical billing, patient management, and practice marketing. Upon completion of this course, students will have a clearer understanding of what is involved in starting and maintaining a successful practice. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 2nd semester |
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| MCD 420 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course covers the universal medical ethics required of a primary healthcare practitioner, emphasizing professional responsibility and the study of laws which regulate TCM practices in California and the U.S. Upon completion of this course, students will be thoroughly aware of the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities of treating patients. |
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| Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment with MCL 400 Clinical Internship Rounds |
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| MCD 500 0.25 Units 4 Hours |
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| Twice a year, Five Branches University hosts a free health fair for the public. Interns provide mini-acupuncture treatments, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and short Tuina massages. Advanced students are encouraged to give a 15-30 minute lecture on a health topic of their choice, lead a Qigong or Taijiquan class, or create an informative display. The health fair provides interns with the opportunity to promote their practice, giving out cards to patients, and demonstrating their knowledge and mastery of TCM. In this four-hour period, interns are able to see a wide variety of patients in a short period of time, providing excellent clinical experience. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 4th semester; Completion of CPR/First Aid |
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| MCD 701 1.75 Units 28 Hours |
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| This course provides students with the information they need to apply their acupuncture training skills in a business- like manner, in a variety of clinical settings. The emphasis is on the practical application of the business and professional skills necessary to provide acupuncture health care to an ever-growing population of patients. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the synergistic nature of the professional, ethical, financial, and marketing skills necessary to run a primary health care practice in the U.S. in the 21st century. They will know how to setup, run and maintain a viable practice and will understand the inner workings of an acupuncture office. |
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| Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment with MCL 600 Clinical Internship |
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| MEB 100 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Qigong, or vital energy skills are the ancient Chinese methods of cultivating and using the vital energy in the body, representing the Chinese philosophy of the exercise-health connection. Qigong is now successfully used in China for treating chronic diseases. In this practical introductory course, students learn to experience various Qigong exercises in an atmosphere of personal experimentation, with emphasis on the fundaments of “reading” and “feeling” the Qi. This course will enable students to become familiar with the theory, form and potential health benefits of Chinese therapeutic energetics. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 140 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Qigong is a system of exercises that cultivates life force energy and is at least as old as the I Ching (Book of Changes), one of the first Chinese recordings of Qi, dating from 3000 years old. Qigong studies the relationship of the three natural energies of the universe, Tian (Heaven), Di (Earth), and Ren (Man). The practice of Qigong can be classified as martial, medical, or spiritual in nature. TCM Qigong teaches medical aspects of this exercise by integrating physical postures, breathing techniques, and mental intentions. TCM Qigong practice can reduce stress, increase stamina, strengthen and balance internal organ systems, and enhance the immune system. This course will provide students with foundational skills in improving health for both practitioner and patient through TCM Qigong. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 150 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Originating over 1000 years ago from the Daoist Kunlin School, this once secretly passed down, classic set of movements is one of China’s most respected Qigong styles. Dayan (Wild Goose) style imitates the movements of wild geese with dynamic and static postures, combining strength and stretching. This easy to learn yet elegant form opens channels and points, expels toxins from the tissues, and draws in healthy air to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. Upon completion of this course, students will be familiar with the sequence of the first 64 movements and postures of Dayan Qigong. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 160 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Qigong Stretch utilizes the posture, breath, and mental intentions found in the disciplines of Qigong to gently extend the body’s joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles to provide elasticity and fluidity of movement. With proper stretching the body opens up and the vital energy moves freely, alleviating pain caused from stagnation and tonifying the body by allowing energy to properly nourish deficiencies. Qigong Stretch is a great way to relieve stress. This course provides students with the understanding of the fundamentals of Qigong Stretch and its therapeutic application for both practitioner and patient. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 200 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| In this course, students continue to explore the sensation of Qi flowing through their bodies, utilizing exercises to cultivate their Qi and increase their awareness of the dynamic state of their own body, in response to changes in the environment. Completion of this course serves as one of the prerequisites for the Qigong Teacher Training Certificate. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 450 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Taijiquan is recognized as one of the fundamentals of good health. This course is a natural extension of the Qigong courses and introduces students to more advanced exercises and sets for health enhancement. This course is aimed at teaching exercises the student can master, and that are safe for a wide spectrum of conditions. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MEB 550 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course is a continuation of the Taijiquan I course. In this energetic medicine course, the students learn through demonstration and practice of advanced Taijiquan forms to become more aware of energy pathways and flow. The emphasis of this course is on teaching the student exercises they can master, and are safe for a wide spectrum of conditions. |
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| Prerequisite: MEB 450 Taijiquan I |
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* Electives are offered based on faculty availability and student interest.
[ Elective Courses ]
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| MEL 300 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| Feng Shui is the study of how we are affected by our environment and how we can arrange our surroundings to enhance our lives. Students will learn the basics of this ancient art and how it can be applied in their living spaces, and outdoor surroundings. Upon completion of this course, students will have an understanding and the tools to create harmony and balance in their own lives and to promote peace and well-being for their patients by using the laws of Feng Shui. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 100 TCM Foundations |
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| MEL 310 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In Medical Qigong I, students are led through a progressive series of Qigong( Energy Skill) meditations and exercises. Students experience basic applications of Medical Qigong purgation, tonification, and regulation energetic skills. Each class includes lecture and personal application of energetic medicine. Students are taught to recognize specific Medical Qigong prescription exercises and meditations, (purging excess conditions, tonifying deficiencies, dispersing stagnations and regulating Qi, Blood and Body Fluid), and learn how and when to apply them in clinic. Students are introduced to energetic psychology, discharging toxic emotions, and how to handle the emotional discharges and toxic energetic releases coming from their patients. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 100 TCM Foundations; MAC 110 Channel Theory or concurrent enrollment |
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| MEL 320 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In Medical Qigong II, students are led through a progressive series of advanced Shengong (Spirit Skill) meditations and exercises. These exercises and meditations are specifically used for developing advanced intuitive diagnostic skills. Students are taught how to establish proper energetic boundaries, and neutralize specific psycho/emotional interactions such as, projection, transference, and counter-transference. Upon completion of this course, students are prepared to participate in the Medical Qigong clinical training and assist the instructor with performing treatment protocols. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 310 Medical Qigong I |
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| MEL 330 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In Medical Qigong III, students learn an energetic overview of the esoteric principles and foundational structures that govern Traditional Chinese Medical Qigong. Course content includes: the study of the Three Outer Forces and the influences on the human body, energy, food and diet, prenatal and postnatal Jing, Qi and Shen, the body’s energetic internal structures, The Five Spiritual Aspects of the Five Yin Organs, Advanced Shengong Cultivation Methods, The Six Transportations of Shen, The Eight Supernatural Powers, soul projection, spirit projection and energy projection, the energetic principles and functions of Medical Dao Yin Training, and how to rectify Qi deviations. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 320 Medical Qigong II |
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| MEL 340 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In Medical Qigong IV, students are introduced to advanced Medical Qigong theories and clinical application. Topics include: energy purgation, tonification, regulation and cultivation, as well as the exercises and meditations used as homework prescriptions in Medical Qigong clinical training. Other topics are: clinical protocols, combining Medical Qigong with other TCM modalities (acupuncture, massage, cupping, moxa and herbs), clinical ethics, clinical burnout, principles and parameters of Medical Qigong therapy, contraindications, and clinical observations of pathological energetic patterns, internal organ prescriptions, and Healing Sound Therapy. Upon completion of this course, students are ready to begin practicing on their own, utilizing Medical Qigong treatment protocols in combination with other TCM modalities, and empowering their patients by teaching them modified Qigong prescriptions to suit their personal needs. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 330 Medical Qigong III |
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| MEL 411 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course will focus on Qigong basics. This course will combine both lecture and practice. Students will learn the history, principles, theory, and an overview of different styles. As a practice, students will learn Five Element Qigong and movements associated with the Organ Systems. Upon completion of Level I, participants are expected to know the basic Qigong principles and movements. |
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| Prerequisite: One year, or a minimum of 32 hours of Qigong training with a qualified instructor, and an introductory course to TCM like MCT 10 |
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| MEL 412 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course will delve deeper into the theory of Qigong, exploring both spiritual and medical aspects of the practice. Students will learn the Six Healing Sounds, Inner Smile, and the Warm Current Meditation and flowing Qigong forms. Upon completion of Level II, participants are expected to demonstrate competency in Qigong structure and standing postures. Participants are also required to know the Daoist Five Element Flow, a basic Qigong stretch series, and basic Qigong meditation. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 411 Qigong Instructor Training Level I |
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| MEL 413 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course will focus and prepare student to teach on their own. This course will cover practical aspects of teaching Qigong, like marketing your class and finding the right place to teach. This course will also go deeper into the Qigong flowing forms, stretches, and Qigong meditation for health and healing. Participants will also learn how to specifically address health care needs of patients with Qigong exercises. Upon completion of Level III, participants are expected to have the resources and tools for teaching a basic Qigong class. Participants will be able to apply Qigong principles to specific needs and give Qigong prescriptions to their clients. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 412 Qigong Instructor Training Level II |
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| MEL 491 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course explores the methods of TCM diagnosis and treatment using the ancient art of Yin Tuina. Diagnostic methods include the TCM standards of Ba Gong, Six Evils, Zang-Fu, Wen Bing and San Jiao. This course will deepen the student’s understanding and confidence in diagnosis through palpation of energetic patterns, both healthy and aberrant. They will learn how to utilize Yin Tuina as a method of diagnosing and correcting aberrant Qi flow. Additionally, students will gain confidence in their ability to locate and feel meridians and points. The course consists of a combination of lecture and hands-on practice in Yin Tuina. Lectures will frequently allude to the classics and key cornerstone quotes. Hands-on practice will be one-on-one, in a group setting. This course is a prerequisite for Yin Tuina II, Internship Rounds and Clinical Internship, and the Amsterdam Parkinson’s Recovery Project Externship. Class size is limited. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 200, TCM Diagnosis; MAC 220/MAC230, Meridians and Acupuncture I; MAC 320/MAC330, Meridians and Acupuncture II |
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| MEL 500 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In this seminar-class students will learn the natural laws, mathematics, science and philosophy of the ancient Chinese text, the I Ching. In the I Ching, there are 64 patterns of change and direction possible for any given situation in life. A student’s opportunities for choice and action are multiplied when they recognize these patterns and know how to interchange the steps between different patterns. With this knowledge, students can recognize the current patterns in their lives, identify the harmonious responses open to them and choose the best possible direction. Upon completion of this class students will understand how the I Ching can be used for prediction regarding personal relationships, family harmony, economics, diplomacy, creation of personal well-being and personal financial security. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 2nd semester |
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