Master of Chinese Medicine (4716)

  • Approved Abbreviation: MChinMed
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 4716
  • AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 085664A

This program applies to students who commenced between 2018 and  Autumn 2022. 

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For commencement year Spring 2022- please refer to 4795 Master of Chinese Medicine

For commencement year 2015-2017- please refer to 4716.1 Master of Chinese Medicine

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.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with a 4718 Graduate Certificate in Chinese Medicine (exit only) or on completion of 80 credit points with a 4717 Graduate Diploma in Chinese Medicine (exit only)

Study Mode

One and a half years full-time.

Three years part-time

Program Advice

HealthSciences@westernsydney.edu.au

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
Campbelltown Campus Part Time Internal See above

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 '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).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Applicants must have either:

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.

Statement of Service

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.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

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.

Core Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
CMPL 7008Clinical Applications of Classical Acupuncture10
CMPL 7007Clinical Application of Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine10
CMPL 7010Clinical Placement20
CMPL 7012Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine10
HLTH 7015Qualitative Research Methodology in Health10
AGEN 7005Research Protocol Design and Practice10
CMPL 7025Women's Health in Chinese Medicine10
Select one of the following: 10
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Total Credit Points90

Replaced Core Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier. 

HLTH 7014 - Professional Topic

Specialist Subjects

Students must complete 30 credit points of elective subjects, either from the following list or other postgraduate subjects with DAP approval.

Subject Title Credit Points
Select 30 credit points of elective subjects from the following:30
Chronic and Complex Disorders in Chinese Medicine
Clinical Oncology and Chinese Medicine
Mental and Neurological Disorders and Chinese Medicine
Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Medicine
Or other postgraduate subjects with DAP approval
Total Credit Points30

Master of Chinese Medicine (Research Pathway)

Note: Students require a GPA over 5.0 in order to take up the research stream option.

Subject Title Credit Points
Core Subjects
CMPL 7012Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine10
CMPL 7008Clinical Applications of Classical Acupuncture10
CMPL 7007Clinical Application of Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine10
CMPL 7020Research Project and Thesis30
AGEN 7005Research Protocol Design and Practice10
CMPL 7025Women's Health in Chinese Medicine10
Select one of the following:10
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Total Credit Points90

Graduate Diploma of Chinese Medicine (exit only)

Subject Title Credit Points
Core Subjects
CMPL 7008Clinical Applications of Classical Acupuncture10
CMPL 7007Clinical Application of Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine10
CMPL 7012Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine10
AGEN 7005Research Protocol Design and Practice10
CMPL 7025Women's Health in Chinese Medicine10
Select one of the following:10
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Select two electives at postgraduate level20
Total Credit Points80

Graduate Certificate of Chinese Medicine (exit only)

Subject Title Credit Points
CMPL 7007Clinical Application of Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine10
CMPL 7008Clinical Applications of Classical Acupuncture10
CMPL 7012Evidence Based Practice in Chinese Medicine10
Select one of the following:10
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Total Credit Points40