Five Branches University: Accreditation, Programs, and Outcomes

Five Branches University, founded in 1984, stands as one of the pioneering institutions in the United States dedicated to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This article delves into the university's accreditation status, its diverse academic programs, student demographics, and various aspects related to its operation and outcomes.

Accreditation and Recognition

Five Branches University holds institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions and programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) granted Five Branches University continuing accreditation for a period of seven (7) years, effective August 11th, 2018. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) granted Five Branches University’s Master’s programs in Acupuncture and in Oriental Medicine continuing accreditation for a period of seven (7) years, effective August 11th, 2018. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) granted Five Branches University’s Professional Doctorate programs in Acupuncture and in Oriental Medicine initial accreditation for a period of seven (7) years, effective August 11th, 2018.

Five Branches University is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Academic Programs

Five Branches University offers a range of graduate programs focused on Traditional Chinese Medicine. These programs include:

Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM)
Master of Acupuncture (MAc)
Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM)
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)

These programs provide a strong foundation in TCM diagnosis, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, the latest TCM research, extensive clinical training, and a comprehensive integrative medical education.

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In addition, the university offers continuing education programs with certification in Asian Massage and Bodywork and Medical Qigong. The program(s) listed above may offer courses via distance education. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level. Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.

Licensure and Certification

Five Branches University offers several programs leading to professional licensure or certification within the state of California. Qualified graduates of the acupuncture programs that include a Chinese herbal medicine specialization at both Santa Cruz and San Jose campuses may apply to take the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE). Only graduates from schools approved by the California Acupuncture Board are allowed to sit for this exam.

Eligible Five Branches University DAc, DAcHM, MAc and MAcHM students may apply to take the following exams of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM): Acupuncture with point location, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine. Additionally, DAcHM and MAcHM students are eligible to take the Chinese Herbology section of the NCCAOM exam and are eligible for Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology certification. The NCCAOM acupuncture exam is used by many states outside California, as a part of their licensing requirements.

Licensing and certifying agencies or employers may perform background checks to determine eligibility to become licensed or employed. Applicants who have a conviction should check the regulations of the states in which they want to become licensed to consider their eligibility. Therefore, it is impossible for any institution to guarantee admission to, eligibility for, or passage of any licensing exam required by any state or national licensing or testing board. The date of graduation may affect a student’s eligibility date to sit for required exams.

It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the respective state licensing board(s) for the most recent information, rules, and requirements. Students interested in programs leading to acupuncture and/or Chinese herbology licensure should review the licensure requirements for the state in which they choose to practice.

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Student Demographics

Five Branches University demonstrates diversity within its student body. The gender distribution shows a higher enrollment of women compared to men.Gender:321 women enrolled, 70.86% of the student population132 men enrolled, 29.14% of the student populationEthnicity:2.42% are Hispanic or Latino,0.22% are American Indian or Alaska Native,47.25% are Asian,1.10% are black or African American,0.00% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander,36.65% of our students are white and not multiracial,International student enrollment is now 12.36% of our total enrollment

Campus Environment and Resources

Five Branches University has campuses in Santa Cruz and San Jose, California. Both locations offer spacious classrooms, extensive libraries and herbal pharmacies, thriving health centers and comfortable spaces for rest, nourishment and social activities.

Library Services

The Santa Cruz and San Jose library collections contain a broad selection of over 6,000 publications on traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and related topics. The collection includes texts and journals in Chinese and Korean. The library has a modern web-based site detailing its holdings, offering extensive guidelines for research.

ICT Services

Wireless internet access is available in the library and in many other areas of the school. The library web based online catalog is available from mobile devices. Some of the databases such as PubMed also transmit to handheld devices.

Medical Services

Patients await their treatments in a beautifully designed reception area, while practitioners treat over 160 patients each day in our busy health centers. With a combined 38 treatment rooms, herbal pharmacies containing over 500 medicinal products, and expert patient-care and clinical instruction, our health centers are the ideal place to gain experience in a clinical environment.

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Housing Services

The Five Branches University’s programs are non-residential and student dormitories or other housing is not provided. There are many available housing options in the area, from rooms available in a household to 3 bedroom-plus homes. Rentals costs range from $500 to $4500 per month based on size and location. Five Branches University does not provide housing search assistance to students. If you are in need of housing we recommend you arrive in Santa Cruz or San Jose six weeks before the beginning of the semester. The distance between the two campuses is 37 miles. While it is possible to commute, you may wish to find housing closer to your home campus.

Student Council

The Student Council plays many roles, from sending representatives to the National AAAOM meetings, to inviting eminent TCM lecturers to speak on campus. The Council, made up of representatives from each class, meets regularly with the administration, faculty and the Board, playing a vital role in enhancing the further development and growth of the university and its students.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total amount it will reasonably cost a student to go to school and is usually expressed as a yearly figure. COA includes tuition and fees, housing and food allowance, books and supplies, transportation costs, loan fees, applicable dependent care, costs related to disability, and miscellaneous expenses including a one-time allowance for the purchase of a personal computer. The only costs you are responsible to pay directly to Five Branches are tuition and fees. You are under no obligation to borrow the maximum amount, and we encourage you to budget and borrow only what you need. All other costs not paid to Five Branches are estimates used to establish need.

Here are the estimated costs for the DTCM/MTCM or DAc/MAc programs:CostTuition & Fees: $11,400Direct Loan Fees: $800Room & Board: $17,600Books & Supplies: $1,100Transportation: $2,640Personal Expenses: $1,760TOTAL Two Terms (8 months): $35,300

The following budget reflects reasonable, estimated costs associated with the Postgraduate DAOM Program eight-month academic year (two semesters).CostTuition & Fees: $ 8,394Direct Loan Fees: $740Room & Board: $14,400Books & Supplies: $1,200Transportation: $8,000Personal Expenses: $1,600TOTAL Two Terms (8 months): $34,334

These budgets are for estimating purposes only and do not consider additional expenses such as: child care, other transportation costs, medical expenses, etc. Personal budgets may need to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Aid

Five Branches University participates in federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Federal Higher Education Act, including federal loans and grants. The university also participates in veterans' financial aid education programs and offers Vocational Rehab. Voter registration materials are available at the Financial Aid Office 120 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote.

Program Outcomes and Reporting

The university provides data on program outcomes, including completion rates, licensure exam passage rates, and employment statistics.

Doctor of Acupuncture Program

In 2020, the total charges for this program were $53,832.00.
7% of enrolled students in the reporting year received federal student loans to pay for this program.
33% of graduates in the reporting year who took out federal student loans to pay for this program.
The completion rate was 0%.
The placement rate was 66.67%.
Graduates Employed in the Field Reported receiving the following Salary or Wage: $75,001 - $80,000: 1

Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program

In 2020, the total charges for this program were $69,845.00.
6% of enrolled students in the reporting year received federal student loans to pay for this program.
0% of graduates in the reporting year who took out federal student loans to pay for this program.
The completion rate was 50%.
The placement rate was N/A.
California Acupuncture License Exam Passage Rate: 100%.

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program

In 2020, the total charges for this program were $69,845.00.
32% of enrolled students in the reporting year received federal student loans to pay for this program.
38% of graduates in the reporting year who took out federal student loans to pay for this program.
The completion rate was 21.67%.
The placement rate was 51.06%.
California Acupuncture License Exam Passage Rate: 92.31%.

Additional Information

Five Branches University actively encourages students to register to vote. As a college student you may register in California using your permanent home address. When completing your voter registration form please note that P.O. boxes are not permitted as your residential/home address. The voter registration requirement applies to general and special elections for federal office, including the election for governor, or other chief executive within a state.

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