Why did ACAOM create a clinical doctorate in Oriental medicine?
For many years, ACAOM worked in partnership with acupuncture and Oriental medicine professional and educational communities, and others to develop a set of educational standards for a professionally-oriented, clinical doctoral program in Oriental medicine. There were several reasons for this effort: the field of Oriental medicine, as it exists in the U.S., had matured to the point where it was feasible to develop credible, accreditable clinical doctoral programs; practitioners, educators and the field as a whole had a strong aspiration to develop training programs at the highest degree level; and the existence of clinical doctoral programs would further enhance the credibility of our emerging profession and create new professional opportunities.
