DAIM COMPLETION CURRICULUM

AIMC Berkeley’s Professional Doctoral Completion Program for Acupuncturists offers a rigorous, advanced education in East Asian & Integrative Medicine. Students receive specialized training on the utilization of traditional, classical, and contemporary medicine in our Doctoral Level courses.

HERBOLOGY – DOCTORAL LEVEL / COMPLETION TRACK

Advanced Integrative Herbs: EAH 410
2.0 units – 30 lecture hours This course explores classical references for classic herbal formulas and ties them to Japanese-style abdominal & pulse diagnosis. Proper diagnosis is critical for positive patient outcomes and is paramount to our success as practitioners. Students will learn to determine the primary deficiency in any given case by abdominal and pulse diagnosis, modify formulas by progression of disease given the patient’s constitution, and use effective counseling techniques to increase patient compliance, safety, and efficacy of herbal prescribing.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE – DOCTORAL LEVEL/ COMPLETION TRACK

Diagnostic Studies in Clinical Practice: IM 470
1.0 unit – 15 lecture hours
This course provides a comprehensive overview and application of the role of labs in the practice of integrative medicine. Students will understand the use of lab tests and imaging in clinical practice, be able to interpret lab findings and identify needed tests, read imaging reports and work as part of an integrative care team. Students will be able to identify allopathic, functional and naturopathic perspectives on the interpretation of lab findings, as well as describe a number of options for patients to obtain lab testing.

Nutritional Strategies in Integrative Medicine: IM 410
1.0 unit – 15 lecture hours
Functional medicine is a perspective that integrates the most useful tools and techniques of Bio medicine with the systems based approaches of traditional medicine to improve the diagnosis and treatment of modern and functional disorders, including impaired detoxification, autoimmune disorders, food allergies, immune dysfunction, chronic viral infection, endocrine imbalances and more. This class provides an overview of the systems‐based approach with a focus on whole foods‐based nutritional therapy.

Integrative Medicine Practice: IM 510
1.0 unit – 15 lecture hours– pre: IM 410
This class concentrates on the advanced application of research, herbal medicine, nutrition counseling and diet and lifestyle advice along with acupuncture to treat complex internal disorders in the context of collaborative care. The integrative treatment of infertility, mental disorders and addiction, autoimmune disorders, endocrine disorders and pediatric disorders will be discussed.

Advanced Orthopedics and Pain Management: IM 571
2.5 units – 37.5 lecture hours
This class develops the application of acupuncture for orthopedic problems and pain with the application of integrative and advanced needling techniques including trigger point acupuncture, Dr. Tan’s and Master Tung’s needling systems, dry needling, auricular therapy, scalp acupuncture, electro stimulation and more. The student will be able to incorporate the tools and techniques of allopathic neurologic and orthopedic testing to enhance patient diagnosis, treatment and case management, as well as prescribe appropriate therapeutic exercises for rehabilitation and pain management. In addition, students will be able to appropriately manage patient care within the worker’s compensation system as well as modify treatment protocols and plans based on current research.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE – DOCTORAL LEVEL / COMPLETION TRACK

Integrative Practice Building: PE 521
1.5 units – 22.5 lecture hours
This course exposes students to the broad scope of career and practice options in integrative medicine, and prepares them to successfully manage patient care in a variety of settings. Students will identify areas of professional weakness and explore ways to re-mediate them, as well as develop plans for lifelong learning. The course explores the
challenges and opportunities the integrative practitioner faces in delivering and coordinating healthcare within various systems, providing collaborative care and communicating effectively with other health care practitioners. Students will practice an array of skills important to patient education, community outreach, career development and collaborative care, such as public speaking, case presentations, report writing, creating and maintaining a referral network and inter-professional communication.

RESEARCH – DOCTORAL LEVEL / COMPLETION TRACK

Doctoral Research Project: IM 450
1.5 unit – 22.5 lecture hours
This course initiates the doctoral research project, in which students make a substantial contribution to clinical research and/ or scholarship in integrative medicine. The student will be able to describe a range of options for the doctoral project, including case study review, meta‐analysis, clinical research study, literature review and more. Students will identify and assemble a doctoral advisory committee, submit and revise their thesis project proposal and commence their research.

Doctoral Research Project Presentation: IM 550
1.0 unit – 15 lecture hours – pre: IM 450
Students make an original contribution to scholarship and research in the field of integrative medicine. Students carry out the doctoral project initiated in IM 550 and prepare, present and defend it to the members of their doctoral committee. They document their research in a final paper suitable for publication.

ADVANCED CLINICAL SKILLS – DOCTORAL LEVEL / COMPLETION TRACK

Internship IV: CP 411
2.23 units ‐ 67 clinic hours
This course series builds on the skills attained in the previous levels of clinical internship, incorporating the additional doctoral level competencies which enable the integrative practitioner to utilize the full scope of practice of the licensed acupuncturist, including ordering and interpreting lab work and diagnostic imaging, giving effective nutrition advice and exercise counseling, collaborating with various types of practitioners in patient care and incorporating scholarship, research, evidence‐based and functional medicine into practice.

Internship V: CP 511
2.23 units ‐ 67 clinic hours – pre-requisite: CP 411
This course series builds on the skills attained in the previous levels of clinical internship, incorporating the additional doctoral level competencies which enable the integrative practitioner to utilize the full scope of practice of the licensed acupuncturist, including ordering and interpreting lab work and diagnostic imaging, giving effective nutrition advice and exercise counseling, collaborating with various types of practitioners in patient care and incorporating scholarship, research, evidence‐based and functional medicine into practice.