First year courses present the fundamentals of Oriental medicine theory and build upon the clinical experiences in preceptorship settings in order to provide an in-depth exposure to the primary diagnostic and treatment approaches used in Oriental medicine today. The fundamentals class provides an introduction to the primary theories and an orientation to the clinical training. The series of theory courses provide systematic training, exploring each therapeutic model's approach to the etiology of disorder, the patterns of symptoms that form the diagnostic frameworks, and the appropriate treatment methods in each system. Because the faculty members teaching the courses are often providing the clinical instruction, there is a direct relationship between the theory and practice for each approach learned.

This course is taught in an intensive format prior to the beginning of the first trimester.  The course provides an introduction to traditional Oriental medicine theory and practice along with an orientation to the clinic.  This prepares students for their experience in the preceptorship clinics. Yin and Yang, Qi, Five Phases, Six Stages, Four Aspects, Zang-fu, and the Eight Principles are all introduced and related to clinical practice.

These courses provide in-depth study in the first year into the major classical texts that are relevant to a modern health care practice.  The course focuses on the Shäng Hán Lùn, the Jïn Guì Yào Lüè, Nàn Jïng, and Nèi Jïng: Sù Wèn and Líng Shü.  The courses are coordinated with the Chinese language series so that the material can be read in both Chinese and English.  Clinical experiences with practitioners trained in these approaches are also provided.

This course presents the zang and fu organs, their functions, and therapeutic strategies for treating their imbalances with herbs, acupuncture and related modalities.  The courses are coordinated with the Chinese language courses that provide more information on this topic available only in Chinese.  Case discussions provide an important part of the learning process.  These are often drawn from experiences assisting clinicians in the concurrent preceptorship training.

Drawing from the five-phase approaches in Japan, this course presents the use of five-phase diagnosis and acupuncture with an emphasis on pulse taking and meridian palpation for confirming a diagnosis and evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment. The course prepares students for work with a five-phase practitioner.

This course covers the dynamics of fluids in the body and the various pathologies that are generated when there are imbalances. Appropriate acupuncture and herbal therapies are discussed.  

These courses provide differential diagnosis and treatment utilizing Chinese herbs and acupuncture for a variety of the most common internal conditions seen in an outpatient acupuncture clinic. Topics include common problems of the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, endocrine and immunological systems.

This series of courses cover the pathologies, signs and symptoms, and treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, chronic musculoskeletal pain and neurological conditions. Training focuses on developing palpation skills, physical assessment, treatment options and recognizing the need for referral or consultation with other health care providers.

An in-depth course in common gynecological concerns and approaches to treatment utilizing the modalities of Chinese medicine.