Best institutions to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Chinese herbal medicine, a system based on the use of nutrition, natural products, and prescribed medical formulae to treat imbalances in the state of bodily health as defined in the Nei Ching Su Wen and other authorities.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 119 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3302, a specialization of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33), and leads most directly to the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-9099).
About Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology programs
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Chinese herbal medicine, a system based on the use of nutrition, natural products, and prescribed medical formulae to treat imbalances in the state of bodily health as defined in the Nei Ching Su Wen and other authorities. Includes instruction in the basic Western medical sciences, history and theory of Chinese medicine, Chinese medical anatomy and physiology, Chinese herbology, herbal prescription preparation, herbal patent medicine, herbal pharmacology, Chinese internal medicine and gynecology, febrile diseases, food therapy, practice management, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology program prepares individuals for the independent practice of Chinese herbal medicine. This program is ideal for those interested in alternative and complementary medicine, focusing on holistic approaches to health and wellness. Students will explore the principles of Chinese medicine, including nutrition and natural products, to address imbalances in bodily health. This program is part of the broader field of Health Professions and Related Programs. With a curriculum grounded in both traditional practices and basic Western medical sciences, it equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in this growing field, which includes a variety of healthcare roles.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in Chinese medical anatomy and physiology, herbology, herbal prescription preparation, and food therapy. Coursework also covers the history and theory of Chinese medicine, herbal pharmacology, and professional standards and ethics, providing a comprehensive foundation for practice.
Credentials awarded
What Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree48 graduates / yr · 7 institutions40%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years38 graduates / yr · 1 institution32%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate18 graduates / yr · 3 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship9 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.6%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.5%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
Graduates over time
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 338 |
| 2013 | 419 |
| 2014 | 309 |
| 2015 | 229 |
| 2016 | 222 |
| 2017 | 187 |
| 2018 | 211 |
| 2019 | 169 |
| 2020 | 126 |
| 2021 | 152 |
| 2022 | 109 |
| 2023 | 147 |
| 2024 | 165 |
| 2025 | 119 |
Top 13 institutions for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific College of Health and Science San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 77% | $40,515 |
| 2 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Racine Racine, WIPrivate for-profitMaster's | 11 | — | — |
| 3 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Skokie Skokie, ILPrivate for-profitMaster's | 11 | — | — |
| 4 | Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences Oakland, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 9 | — | — |
| 5 | Colorado Chinese Medicine University Denver, COPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 9 | — | — |
| 6 | Academy for Five Element Acupuncture Gainesville, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 9 | — | — |
| 7 | National University of Health Sciences Lombard, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | — | — |
| 8 | Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Tucson, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 8 | — | — |
| 9 | Won Institute of Graduate Studies Warminster, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — |
| 10 | Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 50% | $24,333 |
| 11 | New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Mineola, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 4 | — | — |
| 12 | Bastyr University Kenmore, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — |
| 13 | University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 41% | $25,149 |
Offered in 11 states
Where Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology graduates come from. Each state links to all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 47 | Pacific College of Health and Science38 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 19 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Skokie11 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 11 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Racine11 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 9 | Colorado Chinese Medicine University9 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 9 | Academy for Five Element Acupuncture9 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 8 | Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine8 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 5 | Won Institute of Graduate Studies5 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 4 | Notre Dame of Maryland University4 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine4 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | Bastyr University2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | University of Bridgeport1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-9099, Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology program can pursue careers as healthcare practitioners in various settings. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 3.6% and approximately 2,600 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is around $64,030, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Otherprimary SOC 29-9099 | $65,790 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~2,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Related careers
Other Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33).
- Acupuncture and Oriental MedicineCIP 51.33011,453 graduates / yr45 institutions
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical SystemsCIP 51.3300partial data422 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Holistic/CIP 51.3306
Integrative Health 399 graduates / yr20 institutions - Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical SystemsCIP 51.3399partial data242 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Naturopathic Medicine/CIP 51.3303
Naturopathy partial data201 graduates / yr7 institutions - Ayurvedic Medicine/CIP 51.3305
Ayurveda partial data142 graduates / yr4 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Homeopathic Medicine/
Homeopathy51.3304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 13 colleges offering the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology program in the U.S.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most careers in this field typically require a postsecondary nondegree award.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 119 graduates complete this program each year in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology?+
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology is CIP 51.3302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (CIP 51.33). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of Chinese herbal medicine, a system based on the use of nutrition, natural products, and prescribed medical formulae to treat imbalances in the state of bodily health as defined in the Nei Ching Su Wen and other authorities. Includes instruction in the basic Western medical sciences, history and theory of Chinese medicine, Chinese medical anatomy and physiology, Chinese herbology, herbal prescription preparation, herbal patent medicine, herbal pharmacology, Chinese internal medicine and gynecology, febrile diseases, food therapy, practice management, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 119 credentials in the year. That is 4.0% of all Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates.
How much do Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other occupation, which Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology most directly leads to, pays a median of $65,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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