TCM Practitioner Program for Acupuncturists
Our TCM Practitioner Diploma Program is designed for anyone who wishes to incorporate Chinese medicinal herbs as an additional complimentary modality to their acupuncture training.
The TCM Practitioner Diploma Program combines a curriculum of the Chinese Medicinal Herbs Diploma Program (800 hours) with the complete 2,200 hours Acupuncture Diploma Program. Upon successful completion of all curriculum (Acupuncture and Chinese Medicinal Herbs), students receive a diploma that states the completion of 'the TCM Practitioner 3,000 hours Program'.
Learn More
At AIM Academy we have an open door policy. Which means no question goes unanswered. Here are more details about the TCMP Program.
***Students enrolled in the TCMP Diploma Program may be eligible, if qualified, for loans, grants, or awards granted under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).***
Program
Program Details, Schedule, and Start Dates
Admissions
Application & Admission Requirements
Application
Application Details
Curriculum
Curriculum & Program Overview
Goal of Study
Program Objectives
Tuition
Tuition, Financial Assistance & OSAP
Instructors
Meet your Teachers
Schedules
Full & Part time Schedules
Student Life
What it's like to be an AIM Student & Alumni
Materia Medica
This course presents both an exhibition of Chinese herbal theory as well as identification, application and use of individual Chinese herbs.
LEARN MORECampus Tour
Come see our school virtually and get a feel for what our campus is like.
Contact Admissions
Have some questions about our program? Looking to take the next step? Reach out to our admissions team for more info!
Program Length
800 hours (Chinese Medicinal Herbs Diploma Program with the complete 2,200 hours Acupuncture Diploma Program is 3,000 hours).
Program Structure & Start Date
AIM Academy is currently accepting applications for the following start date:
January 2025
The schedule will be as follows:
January 2025 – December 2025 (one year program at 20 hours per week)
Admissions
Students are eligible for this program if they:
• Are a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or graduate of a 2,200 hour acupuncture program or equivalent
• Have a strong desire to learn and grow
• Have successfully completed an interview with a program administrator
You must understand English to succeed at AIM Academy since our classes and clinics are conducted in English. You must be fluent enough to comprehend your instructors and clinic clients as well as the texts and other written material, and be able to complete written and oral assignments.
If your first language is not English, we will assess your English-language capabilities in the interview process. You may be required to submit a TOEFL exam in which you received a passing grade, and demonstrate satisfactory written/oral comprehension of English.
For further information on the application process, please feel free to contact admissions at (416) 323-1818 ex.202 or call our toll free number, 1-800-263-1703 ex.202.
Applications
Enrolment is limited and applications are processed on an ongoing basis. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
Application Deadline
Due December 31, 2024 to start January 2025
Download the Application here
Download the Medical Form here
Application Documents Required
After Your Application is Submitted
Please present the original following identification documents:
1. Photo identifications (e.g. driver's license, passport, age of majority card)
2. Birth certificate
3. Social Insurance Number card
Notification of Status
You will be notified within 30 days of the interview as to your acceptance into the program. Upon acceptance, you will be required to sign an Application for Enrolment form, to confirm your tuition payment plan, and to submit a $500 non-refundable registration fee, which is part of the student's tuition fee.
Advanced Standing
Depending on your previous education, you may be eligible for advanced standing which could reduce tuition for some programs.
AIM Academy reserves the right to cancel or change start dates of program if there is insufficient enrolment. Should the program be cancelled, the applicant will receive a complete refund for their registration fees and/or tuition.
Curriculum & Program Overview
The 800 hour curriculum is a balance of theory and practice and includes the following courses:
Materia Medica (Pan-Canadian Oriented - Single Herbs List)
- Individual herb nature, meridian tropism, function, indication, dosage, caution and contraindications
- Dui Yao (Herb combinations), Pao Zhi (Herb processing)
- Prohibited, obsolete, environment Canada and FDA regulated herbs
TCM Herbal Formulas (CTCMPAO - Formulas List)
- Classical formulas
- Patent formulas
Chinese Herbal Treatment of Disease (TCMP Scope of practice - TCM diseases)
- Internal Medicine/Nei Ke (5 Zang 6 Fu Diseases)
- External Medicine/Wai Ke (Dermatology, Pain management)
- Gynecology & Pediatrics/Fu Er Ke
Chinese Herbal Dispensary and Preparation
- Herb Clinic Management
Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture Clinic
- Student Clinical practice
- In person, live cases with hands on supervised experience
Traditional Chinese Medicine Review
- Cumulative and PAN-Canadian Exam Prep
Note: Students enrolled in our TCMP Program are welcome to participate in Theory Courses from our Acupuncture Program free of charge! You will have access to a variety of courses, including but not limited to TCM Theory, Anatomy, Diagnosis, Treatment of Disease, Acupuncture Review, Eastern Nutrition, Practice Management, and many more.
A TCM Practitioner can offer acupuncture treatments along with herbal diagnosis in one session. Generally TCM Practitioners have extended clinical practice, theoretical knowledge and advanced training in acupuncture which incorporates Chinese medicinal herbs.
Our TCM Practitioner Diploma Program is designed for anyone who wishes to incorporate Chinese medicinal herbs as an additional complimentary modality to their acupuncture training.
The TCM Practitioner Diploma Program combines a curriculum of the Chinese Medicinal Herbs Diploma Program (800 hours) with the complete 2,200 hours Acupuncture Diploma Program. Thus, upon successful completion of all curriculum (Acupuncture and Chinese Medicinal Herbs), students receive a diploma that states the completion of 'the TCM Practitioner 3,000 hours Program'.
For those who have already completed their acupuncture training, an additional diploma will be granted for the total hours of study in both programs The diploma will be issued stating completion of 'the TCM Practitioner 3,000 hours Program'.
Goal of Study
The program is designed to prepare the student to become a competent Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner working with a variety of modalities including advanced acupuncture clinic in correlation with Chinese medicinal herbs. Why study Chinese Herbs at AIM Academy? Extensive hands on training while working with highly qualified professionals, gives our graduates the edge that is required to become successful acupuncturists within the field of Eastern medicine/Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). For individuals who wish to continue their studies to become a TCM Practitioner, additional courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs are offered over a one year period. Call the Admissions Department directly to discuss all the various schedule options available.
Acupuncture and TCM Practitioners are now regulated in Ontario. This diploma program has been designed to comply with previously regulated provinces (ie. British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador). AIM Academy works very closely with various leaders in the field to ensure the highest quality of regulated training.
Employment Options Upon Completion
Tuition
Students enrolled in the TCMP Diploma Program may be eligible, if qualified, for loans, grants, or awards granted under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). ** No refunds after the half way point in any program**
Tuition Payment Plans
Instructors
Meet our faculty and instructors at AIM Academy.
Schedule - 1 Year
Click here for the entire year's schedule. For more information about these schedule options or tailor made schedules, please contact the Admissions Department at (416) 323-1818 ext. 202 or for those who are outside of Toronto but reside in North America, please call our toll free number at 1-800-263-1703 ext. 202.
All online classes are recorded for students to review. For more details, contact us at info@aim-academy.ca or call 416-323-1818 x202.
Starts: January 2025
Ends: December 2025