Won Institute of Graduate Studies, located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, is a regionally accredited graduate school offering programs in Acupuncture Studies, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Won Buddhist Studies.
WON INSTITUTE...
Employs a diverse faculty, many of whom are professional practitioners, business owners, and meditation specialists.
Offers small class sizes allowing faculty members to share their expertise with students in a personalized learning environment.
Has a fully-staffed faculty and student acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine clinic that sees patients throughout the week, a well-established library, and strong student support services.
Focuses on self-cultivation and personal development through meditation and journaling assignments This gives acupuncturists a new tool for treating patients and aids students in developing awareness by becoming more perceptive to the needs of others.
Hosts a variety of guest speakers, sitting and moving meditation classes, and Continuing Education (CE) events.
Minutes to Center City Philadelphia
Warminster, PA, is a suburb of Philadelphia –less than 20 minutes from Doylestown, 15 minutes to Willow Grove and 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia.
The Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine Program (CCHM) offers acupuncturists and acupuncture students education and clinical training in the therapeutic use of Chinese herbal medicinals. The CCHM is designed for students interested in a comprehensive education in Chinese herbal medicine with an emphasis on historical doctors and currents of thought, complex theory, and advanced diagnostic and treatment strategies. The program is suitable for both beginning students of herbology and also for experienced practitioners who want to broaden and update their Chinese medical training. It is also meant for students and practitioners who plan to apply for licensure in a state that requires training in herbal medicine.
2 Years to Complete
720 Total Clock Hours 210
Clinical Intership Hours
The CCHM includes education in the use of over 300 Chinese herbs and more than 100 formulas. Meditation is also incorporated into class time to enhance mindfulness in learning and clinical practice. The curriculum is taught from a historical perspective to ground students in the history and development of ideas and currents of thought throughout Chinese history. Classical and modern approaches to treatment are explored with special emphasis on advanced topics.
210 + Clinical Internship Hours
100 Total Treatments Completed
Starting in the summer term of the first year of the program, students begin their Clinical Internship in our Chinese Herbal Medicine Student Clinic and herbal dispensary. Students develop an understanding of how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used to support one another, and treat patients more effectively. Through treatment, supervision, meditation, and discussion in coursework, clinic, and the herbal dispensary, students develop clinical skills in treating with Chinese herbs, such as diagnosis, formula planning, treatment delivery, and patient management, while learning to create integrated acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments for their patients.
Students will develop a foundation of more than 300 single medicinals and 100 common herbal formulas. The clinical aspect of the program not only solidifies a firm grasp on Chinese medicine, but also provides experience filling and dispensing raw custom herbal formulas.
Applications are accepted throughout the year with new students beginning only in the fall. Completed applications must be submitted by July 1. Priority is given to applications received prior to March 1.
In order to apply to the Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine Program, applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any subject from an accredited school.
Applicants must also meet one of the following conditions:
Graduate of a Master's level ACAHMaccredited Acupuncture program OR
Second or third year student currently enrolled in a Master's level ACAHM-accredited Acupuncture program
Students who are currently enrolled in an ACAHMapproved acupuncture program must have a minimum GPA of 3 0 and provide two letters of recommendation from current faculty members.
3.1 Priority Application Deadline
7.1 Final Application Deadline
Up to 220 hours of Chinese herbal medicine coursework completed at an ACAHM approved program may be transferred with approval of the Program Director. The minimum acceptable grade for class hours transferred is a B (3.0). No clinical hours may be transferred.
For more information on the admissions and transfer process, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@woninstitute.edu.
3.1 4.1 7.1
Priority Application
Deadline Scholarship Application Deadline Final Application Deadline
Veteran's Benefits
Won Institute is approved for veteran's educational benefits To initiate the process, contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at https://www.va.gov/. For more information on this process, please contact the Registrar at registrar@woninstitute. edu.
The Institutional Aid Scholarship is a merit and need-based scholarship awarded to select members of the incoming class of students in all Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine programs.. Individuals interested in applying must submit the Institutional Aid Scholarship Application by April 1.
Won Institute meets the criteria for participation in the Federal Student Financial Aid program. To qualify for assistance, students must meet the following criteria:
Must be enrolled or accepted for admission as a student in an eligible degree or certificate program
Be enrolled on at least a half-time basis
U S Citizen or eligible non-citizen
Not be in default on a previous federal student loan
View the Department of Education’s complete list of eligibility criteria for federal student aid
The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. The school code for the Won Institute is G39493. The FAFSA should be completed online at least one month prior to the start of classes, but may be completed earlier. Won Institute students are eligible for a Direct Loan or a Direct Graduate Plus Loan. More information about financial resources and applying for Federal Financial Aid is available on our Financial Resources page.
ESTIMATED YEAR ONE COSTS..................$10,107
Tuition.............................................................$9,837 Fees................................................................$550
Estimated Textbook Cost................................$500
Herbal ID Kit................................................... $200
Malpractice Insurance*................................... $30
ESTIMATED YEAR TWO COSTS..................$10,557 Tuition............................................................ $9,837 Fees............................................................... $550
Estimated Textbook Cost............................... $150
Malpractice Insurance*.................................. $20
*Does not apply to every student, please contact Registrar for details
TOTAL LICENSURE COST (PENNSYLVANIA)
Chinese Herbology Certication
Application Fee (NCCAOM)............................$525
Chinese Herbology Module Exam Fee.......... $325
Diplomate Conversion Fee............................ $100
PA Conversion Fee....................................... $30
Approximate Total Cost of Licensure.............$980
Won Institute offers federal financial aid and scholarships to those who qualify. Students interested in setting up payment plans are able to do so through the Office of the Registrar.
Estimates above reect prices as of October 2024. Tuition and fees are subject to change. For further information and next steps, please contact the Director of Financial Aid at wendy mclaughlin@woninstitute edu
Q: HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM AND WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?
A: The program is a total of two years in length with fall, spring, and summer terms each year. Classes start in fall term only. Didactic courses are held fully online, while clinical courses and internship are held in person. The clinical internship starts in the third term of the program. Students have a variety of clinical shift options to choose from. Please see the sample schedule for more information about class schedules.
Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?
A: Applications are accepted throughout the year with new students beginning only in the fall. Students who are currently enrolled in an ACAHMapproved acupuncture program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and provide letters of recommendation from current faculty members familiar with the applicant’s work. In order to apply to the Won Institute’s Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine Program, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree. Applicants must also meet ONE of the following conditions:
1.
Graduate of a Master’s level
ACAHM-accredited Acupuncture program
2.
Second or third year student currently enrolled in a Master’s level
ACAHM-accredited Acupuncture program.
To apply, applicants must complete an application form, send two letters of recommendation, a letter of intent and official copies of transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended, and pay the $100 application fee. To apply: www.woninstitute.edu/admissions/apply -now/
Q: WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
A: All applications must be completed by July 1 of the year the applicant is planning to enroll. Priority is given to applications completed before March 1.
Q: CAN I ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM WHILE I’M STILL FINISHING MY ACUPUNCTURE DEGREE?
A: Students currently enrolled in the Acupuncture Studies program may apply for admission for concurrent enrollment in the Chinese Herbal Medicine program starting in the third year of the acupuncture program. All students currently enrolled in any acupuncture program must have their letters of recommendation completed by current faculty at their institution and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Q: WHAT WILL I BE LEARNING?
A: Study includes education in the use of over 300 Chinese herbs and more than 100 formulas. Students not only have extensive classroom learning but also get hands-on experience with more than 210 hours of clinical practice in our Student Clinic and on-site herbal dispensary. The program focuses on both the Chinese medical theory that underlies the practice as well as the practical application of the medicine. Topics include Shang Han Lun, Wen Bing and Jin-Yuan master’s theory, and advanced treatment topics for gynecology, fertility, pediatrics, neurology, and oncology. For the full course schedule and course descriptions, access our Course Catalog online.
Q: HOW MUCH TIME WILL I BE SPENDING IN CLASS AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM?
A: Students can expect to spend approximately 10-17 hours per week studying outside of class.
Q: WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
A: Estimated annual tuition cost for Certificate of Chinese Herbal Medicine program is $9,837.00. Please see the tuition page for more information.
Q: DO YOU OFFER FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS?
A:Yes. Federal financial aid is available to students who qualify. Scholarships are also available based on need and merit, and applications are provided to those accepted into the program.
Q: IS THE WON INSTITUTE AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL?
A: Yes, Won Institute is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The CCHM program is also programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). Graduates from this program will be eligible to sit for the NCCAOM Board Exam in Chinese Herbology.
Q: HOW DO I BECOME LICENSED TO PRACTICE HERBAL MEDICINE WHEN I GRADUATE?
A: If you are a licensed acupuncturist in PA, you will need to fill out the application for registration as a practitioner of oriental medicine at the State Board of Medicine website. If you are a licensed acupuncturist in another state and are interested in increasing
LICENSURE
Won Institute graduates of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Certificate program will be eligible to sit for the NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Certification Examination under Route 5: Conversion from Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology Certification to Oriental Medicine, which is available to a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM) in active status. Students who do not have Diplomate of Acupuncture status must gain this status from NCCAOM prior to completion of the herbal program in order to qualify to sit for the Chinese Herbology board exam.
