Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a nonprofit graduate school in West Los Angeles focused on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and integrative care. Students combine classroom study with supervised clinical practice at the university’s community clinic and externship sites. This is a professional health-care pathway: applicants should compare program length and total tuition, verify licensing rules in the state where they plan to practice, and ask how much clinical training is completed before graduation.

Programs and clinical preparation

The main entry-level choices are a four-year Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM), estimated at 181 units and 3,225 hours, and a four-year Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM), which includes additional training in integrative care, research literacy and evidence-informed practice. The published curriculum includes acupuncture techniques, Chinese herbal medicine, diagnosis, biomedical sciences, nutrition, clinical casework and supervised patient care. A doctoral degree-completion option is available for qualifying master’s graduates. Practicing acupuncturists with an appropriate prior degree can also consider the two-year Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM), which includes clinical specialization and research.

The MAcCHM, DAcCHM and DAOM programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM); check the current program-specific status and scope directly with the accreditor. Yo San is approved by California’s Acupuncture Board to prepare students for the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination, and its programs are approved to operate by California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. In California, licensure requires at least 3,000 hours in an approved program and passing the state exam; requirements vary elsewhere. A doctoral title by itself does not grant an acupuncture license. See the university’s accreditation and licensure information before deciding which route fits your goals.

Tuition, scholarships and financial aid

Yo San’s current program pages estimate total tuition and standard fees at $64,255 for the MAcCHM and $69,155 for the entry-level DAcCHM for students who do not transfer credits. The two-year DAOM estimate is $33,735. These estimates assume the published completion timelines, include typical fees and annual increases where stated, and exclude variable charges; taking longer or transferring credits changes the total. Ask the financial office for a written, individualized estimate and confirm that the posted amounts remain current.

Support may include university scholarships, federal financial aid, veteran benefits, work-study and installment payments; the advanced DAOM page also lists corporate scholarships. Eligibility and award amounts depend on the student and program. Start with the university’s financial-aid information and compare aid with the full cost of attendance, including housing, supplies and living expenses.

Campus, clinic and visiting

Westside Los Angeles campus: 13315 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066. The university lists (310) 577-3000 as its main number; the clinic can be reached at (310) 577-3006 and admissions at (424) 410-3450. The university’s published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Clinic appointments follow a separate schedule, so call or book online before visiting. The campus has on-site parking and bus stops nearby, according to the university’s location information.

Prospective students can submit the university’s application and admissions inquiry to connect with an admissions manager, arrange a campus tour or ask about sitting in on a class. The on-site teaching clinic also accepts appointments; use its clinic information and booking page for consultation options and current treatment fees.

How to read public feedback

Recent public comments about the Washington Boulevard location often describe attentive clinic staff, welcoming service and positive treatment experiences. Those comments largely come from patients using the teaching clinic, rather than students evaluating coursework, faculty advising or graduation outcomes. Treat them as a useful impression of the patient-facing clinic, not a substitute for asking current students and alumni about class size, clinical supervision, licensure-exam preparation, financial aid and the time required to complete the degree.