I already have a US master's — can I still do another degree at the same level?
⚠️ Current status (updated 2026-09-16): this rule is on hold — a federal court has blocked it. On 2026-09-14 a nationwide preliminary injunction stopped the rule from taking effect on its scheduled 2026-09-15 date, so Duration of Status (D/S) still applies and no immediate action is required for now. The government may appeal and this can change, so confirm the current status with USCIS and a university international-student office such as Yale OISS. (What follows describes what the rule would do if it ever takes effect — none of it is in force today.)
Whether "starting over at the same level" makes sense — or is even allowed — really splits into two different questions, and it's worth separating them cleanly.
If you're a domestic (U.S.) student: there's no rule against enrolling in a second master's-level program. But for someone who already holds a TCM-related or health-science master's, Five Branches offers two paths that build on that credential rather than repeating it — which is usually the better fit than a second same-level degree:
| Path | What it does | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge / Completion Program | Upgrades an existing field master's (MAcHM / MTCM / MAc) to the DAcHM/DAc doctorate | 100% online |
| DAOM (針灸及東方醫學博士) | A separate advanced doctorate a master's-holder can apply to directly — no bridge/entry doctorate needed first | Hybrid (~49% online per the DAOM Catalog, checked 07/2026, rest on-campus) |
Both let your existing degree count for something, rather than treating you as a first-time student.
If you're on (or planning) an F-1 visa, this question has real legal weight and deserves a direct answer: the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, effective September 15, 2026, establishing that after completion of a program of study, F students are prohibited from changing to a program at a lower educational level, or to a program at the same educational level (Department of Homeland Security, Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/final-rule-establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-quick) — a second master's falls squarely into that prohibition, and the framework expects progression to a higher level instead, which is exactly what the Bridge and DAOM above are built for. Students at the graduate level or above also cannot change educational level, change major, or transfer schools during their program. The same rule replaces "duration of status" with a fixed period of admission capped at four years, so anyone needing longer must request an extension of stay through their DSO and file Form I-539 with USCIS. For how this applies to your own situation, contact your school's International Student DSO and USCIS directly.
So — are you asking this as a domestic student weighing your options, or are you currently on an F-1 visa?
Sources
- Five Branches University — Applying To Five Branches checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — published materials checked 2026-07
- Five Branches University — Guidance For Future Students checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — Programs Degrees checked 2026-08
- The school's own published catalog and website checked 2026-07
Last reviewed: