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Curriculum: Diploma in TCM Practitioner

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Basic Western Diagnosis (60 hours)
This course introduces and practices the physical examination of a person in a Western medical practice and includes history taking, palpation and auscultation techniques of the body. The study of laboratory diagnosis and differential diagnosis of common and critical symptoms and signs is covered for the continuity of care and referral.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Theory (50 hours)
This course begins with the basic theory of the energetic properties, tastes, actions and categories of Chinese medicinal herbs employed therapeutically. The classes of Chinese medicinal herbs and their clinical applications, indications and contraindications will be presented and studied in detail. The eight major therapeutic methods of Chinese Herbal Therapy, auxiliary methods and clinical applications of different herbs as related to therapeutic methodology and effect. Component elements of a compound herbal prescription and methods of preparation will also be included. The concept of standard matching of Chinese medicinal herbs related to both mechanism of mutual interaction as well as from the point of view of established formulas with as emphasis on combination and combining of herbs to achieve clinically effective results.

Microbiology (60 hours)
This course includes basic microbiology pertaining to disease transmission, infection, control, sterilization and disinfection. It also covers basic clinical bacteriology and virology pertinent to a clinical setting.

The Materia Medica (150 hours)
This course of study presents both an exhibition of study of Chinese medicinal herb theory as well as the identification, application and use of individual Chinese medicinal and herbal substances.

Complementing the three main modules of herbal theory covered is a presentation of Chinese herbal and medicinal substances employed clinically in combination with each other. Focus will be on main individual medicinals and additional subsidiary medicinals. This provides a well rounded foundation for the study of herbal formulae as well as a basis for both modified established formulae as well as planning individualized and modified prescriptions.

Medicinal Combining, Preparation and Modification (50 hours)
This course of study presents a systematized follow-up of the aforementioned in order to facilitate the study of formulae and their modification in a therapeutic and clinical application.

Classical Formulae (150 hours)
This course of study presents the major categories of Chinese herbal formulae and modification of the formulae employed clinically.  Differentiation of the types and modifications of formulae adapted clinically and employed clinically in traditional Chinese herbal therapy will be studied in detail.  

The Treatment of Disease  (80 hours)
This course of study will focus on the most commonly seen diseases in internal medicine, including gynecology, dermatology and common complaints seen in clinical practice.  The student will learn how to identify and treat them using the ancient theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Instruction will consist of lectures, case studies and a wealth of knowledge from the instructor's own clinical experience.

Patent/Propriety Medicines and Preparations (100 hours)
The focus of this course of study is to provide an overview, awareness, and a detailed study of the patent medicines that are currently available that are derivatives of classical formulae studied in the previous course.  Emphasis will be in categorizing the patent medicines in terms of TCM therapeutic application, reviewing and analysing the constituents of the formulae in order to understand the energetics and clinical application.  Significance of utilization of the Chinese patent preparations will be based on the point of view of TCM energetics, actions, patho-physiology and the identification and discrimination of TCM patterns to which these may be applied and employed clinically.

Clinic (200 hours)
The emphasis of the final section of this program is in the practical clinical application and prescribing of Chinese medicinals within a clinical setting.  Clinical practicum aims to provide a well-rounded exposure to the range and treatment of a variety of clinical patterns and conditions.