The SIOM program is three years (36 months) in length, with classes and clinics scheduled 45 weeks out of the year in three 15-week trimesters. Students spend approximately 24 hours per week in clinical training and didactic courses. The courses and clinic are designed to be taken as one cohesive unit; therefore all students are expected to enroll on a full-time basis.

In their first year, students work with experienced practitioners to gain academic and clinical experience with the classical traditions of Chinese medicine. The course work supports the clinical training by focusing on the skills important for the treatment and understanding of the patient's condition. By the end of the first year, students acquire basic competence in diagnosis and assessment skills regarding these ancient approaches to Chinese medicine. Most importantly, students experience how the theories and modalities of Oriental medicine are integrated and put to use in the clinical setting by experienced practitioners.

In the second year, students are responsible for providing care to patients as well as continuing their preceptorship training.  In clinic, they treat patients utilizing their knowledge learned in the first year.  Concurrently they begin the study of more modern approaches to Asian medicine and observe and assist faculty experienced in these arenas. Instruction supplements the clinical education by providing the theoretical and technical support necessary for in-depth understanding of the therapy provided.

In the third year, students work in a variety of internship and externship clinics to experience a wide range of patient conditions and to hone their skills at utilizing the different approaches to practice that they have learned in the program.  Academic coursework emphasizes the skills they will need to work in the health care profession and in private practice.  Students also prepare several presentations on topics they have special interest in.