Essential Information
Doctoral degrees may be found in areas such as acupuncture, Ayurveda, herbalism, homeopathy, naturopathy and Oriental medicine. Students of Oriental medicine learn to understand the relationships between body organs and use acupuncture and traditional herbs as the primary tools to adjust balance. A Ph.D. program in Oriental medicine applies a mix of classroom study and clinical practice to teach this approach to treatment and patient care, with an emphasis on clinical experience. Programs also aim to reconcile Oriental medicine with Western medicine so degree holders can work with conventional practitioners and in U.S. hospitals and clinics. To begin a doctorate level program, a master's degree in the same subject or a related one is typically required.
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine aims to restore and maintain balance within the body to promote health. Many of the classes in an Oriental medicine Ph.D. program have multiple units at different levels of complexity. For example, one might take acupuncture I, II and III. Courses include:
- Chinese herbs and pharmaceuticals
- Acupuncture and pain treatment
- Anatomy
- Gynecology
- Oncology
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted little to no change in job growth in the health diagnosing and treating professions for the years 2019-2029. The BLS predicted the best career prospects for health diagnosing and treating practitioners who specialize in disorders common among the Baby Boom generation and for those practitioners willing to work in rural and low-income areas. The BLS does not keep statistics specifically on acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners. The Bureau reported the median salary for health diagnosing and treating practitioners not listed elsewhere was $82,420 as of May 2020.
While doctorate level programs are not available for alternative medicine in general, students may pursue a Ph.D. in an area such as oriental medicine, which involves the study of subjects like acupuncture and herbalism through a mixture of classroom learning and clinical practice.
