The Master of Chinese Medicine is a postgraduate qualification designed for Chinese medicine practitioners wishing to strengthen their knowledge and better integrate into the health care system, and for graduates with a Chinese Medicine specialisation seeking a pathway to research. It can be completed in one-and-a-half years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
The program includes two major streams: a clinical stream and research-training pathway. The clinical stream features a substantial clinical placement in a teaching hospital in China affiliated with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BJUCM) in addition to clinical specialisation workshops. An alternative is also available for students who do not wish to complete the clinical placement overseas. The research stream includes a significant research project which is supported by the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM). Students who wish to enter the research steam have to meet entry requirements (GPA of 5); graduates of this stream may be interested in furthering their studies in a higher degree.
The program will be delivered via structured, intensive workshops and online resources with self-directed learning between workshops to allow maximum flexibility for busy practitioners.
Students who complete the Master of Chinese Medicine from Western Sydney University, including the clinical placement at BJUCM, will also be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Medicine from BJUCM. Students may exit the Master of Chinese Medicine after one semester (i.e. after completing 40 credit points) with the Graduate Certificate in Chinese Medicine. Students in the clinical specialisation stream may exit the Master of Chinese Medicine after two semesters (i.e. after completing 80 credit points) with the Graduate Diploma in Chinese Medicine. Students can combine their studies in Chinese Medicine with additional postgraduate subjects in public health and health science. Where approved, completion of four such subjects, in addition to the Master of Chinese Medicine, will result in the award of a Graduate Certificate in Health Science or a Graduate Certificate in Public Health.
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 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
An undergraduate degree in Acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine
Or
A Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture AND five years full-time equivalent clinical work experience in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture
Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application.
Applicants holding registration from the Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Australia (CMBA) or full membership of any of associations in Group 1 will be accepted without additional assessment. Applicants holding any type of membership other than full membership from any associations in Group 1, or applicants holding any type of membership from any association in Group 2 will be further assessed. For each of these applicants, this assessment will be an interview by the Director of Academic Program and a nominee of the Head of School. The interview will assess the applicant’s prior learning, experience in the discipline and understanding of the assumed knowledge appropriate to entry into the program.
Association
Group 1
Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
The Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association Inc (ATCMA)
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Society of Australia (CMASA)
Joint ATCMA & CMASA (established on 3rd July 2010)
Australian Chinese Medical Association (Victoria) (ACMA)
The Australian Medical Acupuncture College
Australian Medical Acupuncture Society (AMAS)
Australian College of Acupuncturist (ACAL)
Australian Natural Therapist Association (ANTA)
Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA)
Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Societies of Australia (FCMA)
NSW Association of Chinese Medicine (NSWACM)
Victorian Traditional Acupuncture Society / Chinese Medicine Association (VTAS/CMA)
Group 2
Acupuncture Association of Victoria Inc (AAV)
Acupuncture Association of Australia (AAA)
Acupuncture Association of Australia, New Zealand and Asia (AAANZA)
Australian Acupuncture Association Ltd / Acupuncture Ethics and Standards Organisation Ltd (AAcA/AESO)
Australian Nurses Acupuncture Association (ANAA)
Australian Physiotherapy Association (Acupuncture Study Group) (APA)
Society of Natural Therapists & Researchers (SNTR)
Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia (STAA)
Traditional Medicine of China Society Australia (TMSC)
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International 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.
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.
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points including the core subjects listed below.
To complete some of the components within the subjects in this program, students may be required to travel to other Western Sydney University campuses.
