Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs
Designed for Licensed Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Students

The current class is in session. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or call 410-888-9048 ext. 6647 for details on the next program. 

Program Highlights

Tai Sophia Institute is pleased to announce its newly redesigned, 25-month, stand-alone Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs. The program integrates Five Element constitutional diagnosis into a deep understanding of Classical Chinese Medical perspectives. The program traces the history of ideas in Chinese Herbal Medicine from the classics to contemporary use, and includes a comprehensive didactic component as well as an expanded clinical rotation.

Tai Sophia’s Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs is:

• Designed for working practitioners as well as current acupuncture students in a 25-month, executive weekend format with a distance learning component
• Unique in the country for its integration of Five Element constitutional perspectives, Classical Chinese Medicine, Eight-Principle diagnosis, and Zang-Fu pattern differentiation
• Led by new program manager, Evan Rabinowitz, M.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
• Features experienced faculty and prominent guest lecturers including Ann Cecil-Sterman, Stephen Cowan, Thea Elijah, Cara Frank, Ann Jeffres, and Jeffrey Yuen
• Enhanced specialty focus in second year includes pediatrics, oncology, gynecology, gastroenterology, ENT, dermatology, neurology, and rheumatology
• Provides eligibility to sit for the Chinese Herbology certification exam offered by the NCCAOM
• Eligible for federal financial aid

Program Purpose and Goals

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Chinese Herbs at the Tai Sophia Institute is to train well-educated and effective clinicians. The course presents a unique integration of Five Element constitutional dynamics, Classical Chinese Medicine, Eight-Principle diagnosis, and Zang-Fu pattern discrimination. Students who have completed the program will possess a broad knowledge of the theory and philosophy of Chinese Herbal medicine, its rich history, and contemporary applications. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Chinese Herbology certification exam offered by the NCCAOM and practice confidently, safely, and with compassion.

Program Goals

• Attain a working knowledge of the Chinese herbal materia medica and the most commonly used formulas.
• Apply a theoretical framework to analyze medicinal substances(herbal, mineral, animal product).
• Analyze any medical condition and provide a differential diagnosis using theoretical frameworks presented in the program.
• Demonstrate knowledge of various specialties of Chinese medicine, theories, and contributions.
• Demonstrate broad-based knowledge of the history of Chinese Medicine.
• Gain an understanding of Chinese dietary theory.
• Obtain the clinical skills and training (diagnosis, formula planning, treatment delivery, and patient management) necessary to become a practicing Chinese herbalist.

Program Dates

The 37-credit, 25-month Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs meets as follows:

Distance Learning Component
A portion of the program (84 hours) will be offered in a distance learning format that students can fulfill in a self-paced fashion over the course of study.

Faculty

Program Manager and Core Faculty

Evan Rabinowitz, M.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (Program Manager)

Associate Faculty, Assistant Faculty, and Guest Lecturers

Mary Beth Burke, M.Ac.
Ann Cecil-Sterman, M.S., L.Ac.
Jie Chen, M.S., O.M.D., L.Ac.
Stephen Cowan, M.D., FAAP
Thea Elijah, M.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
Cara O. Frank, Dipl.Ac., Dipl.C.H., R.Ac.
Anne Jeffres, D.A.O.M., M.S., L.Ac.
Dan Parrish, M.Ac, Dipl. Ac.
Lucía G. Perillán, M.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Hee Seung, L.Ac.
Jeffrey Yuen, B.S., Dipl. C.H.

Financial Aid

Federal financial aid is available for this program. To apply for federal financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Tai Sophia Institute’s school code for completing the FAFSA is G25784. A limited number of scholarships are also available. For additional funding options, such as private or alternative education loans, please contact Director of Financial Aid John Gay, Jr., at 410-888-9048 ext. 6628 or jgay@tai.edu.

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee: $75
Tuition Deposit: $500
Tuition: Total program cost for the 37-credit, 25-month Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs is $15,000, paid on the following schedule:

April 1, 2011 — $5,000
December 1, 2011 — $5,000
August 1, 2012 — $5,000

Additional Fees: The cost of materials may be approximately $700 and includes several required and recommended books. Students also may be required to purchase sample herbs for their learning.

Program Eligibility

In order to enroll this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Graduate of Tai Sophia Institute’s Master of Acupuncture program.
• Current student in Tai Sophia’s Master of Acupuncture program.*
• Graduate or current student** of an Acupuncture or Oriental medicine program that is accredited by, or in candidacy, with the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
• Currently licensed acupuncturist in the U.S. who does not fall into any of the above categories.
• Professional healthcare provider currently licensed in the U.S. to practice acupuncture within the scope of a medical practice.

* Tai Sophia Institute Acupuncture students who have not completed Trimester 6 by April 2011 may now enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs. They must also register for and complete the Chinese Herb Prep Course which will be offered January-March 2011, before the Chinese Herb program begins.

** Students currently enrolled in Acupuncture programs other than Tai Sophia Institute’s must submit transcripts to verify completion of basic Zang-Fu and Patterns of Disharmony, or complete the Chinese Herb Prep Course which will be offered January-March 2011.

Chinese Herb Prep Course - Introduction to Chinese Medical Physiology

This course introduces students to the Chinese concepts of human physiology, which encompass both the physical body and energetic movements that support and maintain optimum health and vitality. The course explores how classical Chinese Medicine was the world’s first ‘holistic’ medical system, one that views all levels of living – body, mind, emotions, spirit – as being continuously interdependent and interactive. The course includes lectures and skill exercises to teach students how to diagnose energetic and physiological imbalances, and to recognize signs and symptoms in each of the major Chinese Herbal Medicine categories.

Course Schedule - Classes are held 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• January 15-16, 2011
• February 12-13, 2011
• March 26-27, 2011

Faculty: David Blaiwas, M.A., M.Ac., Dipl.Ac.

Course fee: $500

Registration: To register for the Chinese Herb Prep Course contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or call ext. 6647. All current Tai Sophia students should register through Student Services by contacting Reginald Garcon at ext. 6620, or rgarcon@tai.edu.

Note: Tai Sophia Institute Acupuncture students who will have not completed Trimester 6 by April 2011 must also register for and complete the Chinese Herb Prep Course before the Chinese Herb program begins. Students currently enrolled in Acupuncture programs other than Tai Sophia Institute’s must submit transcripts to verify completion of basic Zang-Fu and Patterns of Disharmony, or complete the Chinese Herb Prep Course.

Health Requirements

• Current, documented tuberculosis skin test (PPD). If PPD is positive, a completed TB screening form is required.
• A completed “Hepatitis B Vaccination Form for Students” stating prior vaccination, declining vaccination, or indicating plan to receive vaccination. This form and a Hepatitis B information packet will be provided to students prior to the start of the program.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Chinese Herbs , contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or call 410-888-9048 ext. 6647.