Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (4710)
- Approved Abbreviation: BTCM
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 4710
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 089195D
This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Commencement year 2015 to 2021 - 4710.1 Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Handbook Summary 2022
This program prepares graduates for careers as practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are usually either self-employed in private practice or work as a member of a team in a clinic that offers a range of therapies. They practice as acupuncturists and treating clients using Chinese herbal medications. There are also opportunities in medical research, product development, management and sales roles in pharmaceutical and herbal companies.
The program in Traditional Chinese Medicine is offered as a 4-year Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The first three years of the program combine studies in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final year focuses predominately on practical experience and specialised areas. Part of the clinical experience can be taken through an intensive clinical placement in China. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.
Handbook Summary 2023
This program prepares graduates with award of Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine for careers as practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, qualified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and herbal medicine dispensing in Australia. Eligible graduates will also be awarded with Bachelor of Medicine by the Ministry of Education, China through Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (NUCM).
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are usually either self-employed in private practice or work as a member of a team in a clinic that offers a range of therapies. They practice as acupuncturists and treating clients using Chinese herbal medications. There are also career opportunities in medical research, product development, management and sales roles in pharmaceutical and complementary medicine companies and the opportunity to complete a minor is available to support these diverse career opportunities.
The course in Traditional Chinese Medicine is offered as a 4-year Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The first three years of the program combine studies in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high-quality care and the skills for clinical decision-making and interprofessional communication. The final year focuses predominately on practical clinical experience and specialised areas of Chinese medicine. Part of the clinical experience can be taken through an intensive clinical placement in China. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.
Early Exit
Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 4789 Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences)
Study Mode
Four years full-time
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbelltown Campus | Full Time | Internal | See above |
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been approved as meeting the accreditation requirements of the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia to qualify graduates for general registration in the three divisions of Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner and Chinese Herbal Dispenser.
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission
- Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English.
- Recommended studies: Biology
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/apply/admissions/entry_requirements
For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers, students are required to have a minimum entry IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.0 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.
Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Autumn subjects, all students must have: National Police Certificate and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have a First Aid Certificate (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation). To be eligible to undertake clinical placements in public hospitals, students must comply with vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. NSW Health can provide details of necessary vaccinations. To meet NSW health requirements for clinical placements, second year students will be required to attend a ‘bulk compliance’ appointment to have their special requirements verified by NSW Health staff. To be eligible to undertake field/work/practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration.
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| CMPL 1001 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 1 | 10 |
| NATS 1009 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 10 |
| PUBH 2005 | Culture, Diversity and Health | 10 |
| HLTH 1013 | Professional Competencies in Health | 10 |
| Note: Subject HLTH 1013 Professional Competencies in Health replaces HLTH 1010 Professional Health Competencies from Autumn 2021 | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 1002 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 2 | 10 |
| NATS 1010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 10 |
| COMM 1007 | Communication in Health | 10 |
| BIOS 1012 | Cell Biology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 2006 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 3 | 10 |
| CMPL 2002 | Channels and Points 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 2004 | Chinese Materia Medica 1 | 10 |
| NATS 2038 | Pathophysiology 1 | 10 |
| Note: Subject NATS 2038 Pathophysiology replaces BIOS 2029 Pathophysiology from Autumn 2020. | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 2003 | Channels and Points 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 2005 | Chinese Materia Medica 2 | 10 |
| HLTH 1012 | Evidence in Health | 10 |
| Note: Subject HLTH 1012 Evidence in Health replaces HLTH 1001 Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice from Spring 2021. | ||
| NATS 2039 | Pathophysiology 2 | 10 |
| Note: Subject NATS 2039 Pathophysiology replaces BIOS 2030 Pathophysiology 2 from Autumn 2020 | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 3002 | Chinese Medicinal Formulas | 10 |
| CMPL 3003 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 3001 | Acupuncture Techniques | 10 |
| HLTH 2024 | Research Methods in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| NATS 2008 | Clinical Pharmacology | 10 |
| MEDI 3002 | Clinical Assessment Methods | 10 |
| HLTH 3005 | Evidence-Based Practice | 10 |
| Note: From 2023 subject HLTH 3005 Evidence-Based Practiceis replaced by PUBH 3023 Evidence in Professional Reasoning | ||
| Evidence in Professional Reasoning | ||
| CMPL 3004 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 2 | 10 |
| At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 4002 | Chinese Internal Medicine 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 4005 | Specialities in Traditional Chinese Medicine 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 4004 | Classical Texts in Chinese Medicine | 10 |
| CMPL 4007 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 3 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 4003 | Chinese Internal Medicine 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 4006 | Specialities in Traditional Chinese Medicine 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 4001 | Block Clinical Practicum | 10 |
| CMPL 4008 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 4 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Early Exit
Students may exit this program on completion of 240 cps with 4789 - Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)
4789 - Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science) (exit only)
Recommended Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| CMPL 1001 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 1 | 10 |
| NATS 1009 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 10 |
| PUBH 2005 | Culture, Diversity and Health | 10 |
| HLTH 1013 | Professional Competencies in Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 1002 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 2 | 10 |
| NATS 1010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 10 |
| BIOS 1012 | Cell Biology | 10 |
| Choose one elective subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 2006 | Traditional Chinese Medicine 3 | 10 |
| CMPL 2002 | Channels and Points 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 2004 | Chinese Materia Medica 1 | 10 |
| NATS 2038 | Pathophysiology 1 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 2003 | Channels and Points 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 2005 | Chinese Materia Medica 2 | 10 |
| HLTH 1012 | Evidence in Health | 10 |
| NATS 2039 | Pathophysiology 2 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 3002 | Chinese Medicinal Formulas | 10 |
| CMPL 3003 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 3001 | Acupuncture Techniques | 10 |
| HLTH 2021 | Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| NATS 2008 | Clinical Pharmacology | 10 |
| CMPL 3004 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 4004 | Classical Texts in Chinese Medicine | 10 |
| Choose one elective subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CMPL 4002 | Chinese Internal Medicine 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 4005 | Specialities in Traditional Chinese Medicine 1 | 10 |
| CMPL 4007 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 3 | 10 |
| Choose one elective subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CMPL 4003 | Chinese Internal Medicine 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 4006 | Specialities in Traditional Chinese Medicine 2 | 10 |
| CMPL 4001 | Block Clinical Practicum | 10 |
| Choose one elective subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
Suggested Minors
0240 Health Practice management
0253 Leisure for Diverse Groups
0264 Culture and Society, Minor
0252 Disability Studies, Minor
0015 Indigenous Australian Studies, Minor