On Campus
Located in sunny California, our Santa Cruz and San Jose campuses offer students the best of both worlds: the relaxing atmosphere of beautiful beaches and redwood forests and the high energy excitement of a city filled with culture, entertainment and high technology.
The Five Branches Santa Cruz campus is located in a neighborhood setting on 7 th Avenue, one block from the beach and close to the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. At the heart of the campus, is the medical center which has been providing exceptional healthcare to patients for over 24 years.
The San Jose campus resides in a modern hi-rise office building on Tisch Way, near the major junctions of Winchester Blvd. and Highway 280. From the ample parking lot you enter a welcoming courtyard which leads you to the entrance of both the medical center and the university. Home to the English and Chinese Masters program, as well as the Doctoral program; the San Jose campus was chosen by Five Branches as a location in which we could continue to grow.
Medical Center
Patients await their treatments in a beautifully designed reception area, while practitioners treat over 100 patients each day in our busy medical centers. With a combined 29 treatment rooms, herbal pharmacies containing over 500 medicinal products, and expert patient-care and clinical instruction, our medical centers are the ideal place to gain experience in a clinical environment and to learn how to provide exceptional healthcare to your patients.
Herb room
The herb room is a fragrant experience. Walls lined with wooden drawers, full of Chinese herbs, emanate earthy aromas, as practitioners blend herbal remedies for their patients. Students meet with practitioners in the herb room to learn first-hand how to use herbal medicines to effectively treat patients.
Classrooms
Our spacious classrooms and small class sizes provides a conducive environment for dynamic discussion, meaningful interaction and a mentoring relationship with faculty.
Student lounge
A place to rest, nourish yourself and socialize, the student lounge is fitted with comfortable sitting areas, tables for study, a kitchen to prepare meals, a wireless connection for internet surfing, and a bulletin board to check out the latest campus events.
Library
For students working on patient cases or preparing for exams, our libraries are quiet havens for research and study. Our libraries are the information conduits of our campuses with over (5,000) books and journals about TCM and Western medicine, computers with wireless internet, study aid programs, and a helpful staff.
Administrative offices
The open, friendly and accessible administrative team, consider students their top priority. Whether you need assistance to plan your class schedule, secure financial aid, or to voice your concerns, administrative staff is available to assist you.
Conference rooms
For confidential consultations, students, faculty and administrators may use the meeting room, one of the conference rooms or private staff offices.
Special Events
Classrooms and meeting rooms are used for Continuing Education seminars, workshops, and special presentations in fields related to Traditional Chinese medicine.
Parking
Both of our campuses have free, ample parking to accommodate the needs of students that commute.
Lunchtime
At the Santa Cruz campus, one block from the beach, lunch breaks on the ocean are a favorite pastime. Enjoy the fabulous Palomar Mexican Restaurant, the Kind Grind Coffee Shop, and the Crow’s Nest, a restaurant with wonderful happy hour specials, and a dining room perfect for watching the sunset. Also within walking distance are Deke’s Deli and the Harbor Café, as well as a wonderful park with tennis courts and a picnic area.
The San Jose campus has a bountiful supply of restaurant choices. Located within walking distance, the Santana Row shopping area, offers food from around the globe to suit your latest cravings. Designed after the gracious shopping experiences in Europe, Santana Row offers students outdoor cafes,tree-lined walks and great people- watching.
Transportation
Transporting yourself to the Santa Cruz campus is easy with two designated free parking areas, numerous bike racks, and a bus stop directly in front of the student lounge. To obtain information on the bus routes in the Santa Cruz area go to http://www.scmtd.com
The San Jose campus is conveniently located at the major freeway intersections of Highway 280 and Highway 880, making your travel to and from school a breeze. To obtain information on public transportation in the San Jose area, go to www.511.org
Housing
Students who need housing should arrive in Santa Cruz or San Jose six weeks before the beginning of the semester. The distance between the two campuses is 35 miles. While it is possible to commute, students may wish to find housing closer to their home campus. Go to Student Life/On Campus/Housing to find a list of resources to aide you in your housing search.