Bachelor of Science - Traditional Chinese Medicine and AcupunctureNEW
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (BSc TCMA) is the only Bachelor of Science degree of this kind in Canada. This comprehensive four-year honours program integrates classical and contemporary Chinese medicine with the biomedical sciences and exceeds the entry-to-practice competencies required to become a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) in Ontario.
Rooted in patient-centred care, students develop the clinical judgment, professional competencies and critical thinking skills needed to address the complex and evolving health needs of today’s patients through acupuncture, herbal medicine and other TCM therapeutic modalities.
Students engage deeply with traditional TCM theory while strengthening skills in evidence-informed practice and research. In the final year, they design and conduct a supervised research project, contributing to the growing scholarship of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada.
Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Education (IPE) courses are a key part of your program, offering valuable opportunities to learn with, from and about students across the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. These experiences help you develop the collaborative competencies needed to work effectively in any team. Learn More about IPE and the course(s) you will be taking.
Work-Integrated Learning
Learning extends beyond the classroom through progressive clinical placements in a wide range of settings - from Humber’s fully equipped on-campus clinic to hospitals and community health organizations across the GTA. Under the supervision of experienced TCM clinicians, students build confidence and competence in patient assessment, acupuncture, herbal prescribing, external therapies and inter-professional collaboration.
Learners enrolled in this program will be required to travel off‑campus to complete a portion of the work‑integrated learning. Learners are also required to have up‑to‑date vaccinations and a clear Vulnerable Sector Check prior to beginning any WIL experience. These requirements support the safety of both learners and patients in clinical environments.
Visit Future Students > Work-Integrated Learning > to learn more about your WIL power and other success stories.
Also take time to explore the digital Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness Student Handbook to learn foundational WIL concepts, plus requirements specific to this program.
Professional and Community Partnerships
The Faculty of Health & Life Sciences has a long history of collaboration with our acute, chronic, rehabilitation and community health-care agencies in Ontario. The BSc TCMA learners will complete the practice requirements of the program in clinics and other environments to implement the theoretically acquired skills.
The Humber Advantage
An Ecosystem for Student Success
At Humber, your success is supported by a connected network of innovative spaces, hands‑on learning, and a community that’s ready to help you thrive.
In the BSc TCMA program, you’ll learn in modern TCM and bioscience labs, collaborative classrooms, and Ontario’s only human cadaver lab available to TCM students at an English‑speaking publicly funded college. Access to this lab gives you a unique opportunity to study acupuncture anatomy and develop essential hands‑on skills—strengthening both your competence and confidence.
Beyond the labs, you’ll be supported by dedicated faculty, peer learning opportunities, and a wide range of student services—from academic support to wellness resources. Humber’s environment is designed to help you succeed from your first semester to your first day in practice.
Humber Students Treat the Greater Humber Community
All students will gain hands-on experience at our North Campus clinic. Leveraging the expertise of both faculty and students, the broader Humber community can access a variety of treatments, services, programs, and events. For instance, students in this program offer traditional Chinese medicine assessments and treatments for a variety of health conditions.
This acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine clinic allows BSc TCMA program students to fulfill many of their required clinical hours. Under the supervision of professional, registered practitioners—recognized leaders in TCM in Ontario—students apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. They progress from guided to independent practice of TCM skills, including gathering medical histories, performing tongue and pulse examinations, determining a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan, prescribing herbal formulas, and executing acupuncture procedures. Additionally, students complete hours in the herbal dispensary, where they compound, process, and dispense herbal formulas.
The Humber Experience
The Right Fit
You hold the patient's needs and well-being as a priority. You are a self-motivated individual, with a strong, caring, work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills. You have the confidence to make clinical and business decisions to be successful in this career.
Student Experiences
Your Career
After completing the program, graduates are eligible to write the Pan-Canadian Examinations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist). Upon successfully passing these national exams, they may apply for registration with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) to practice in Ontario.
Ontario has a growing demand for TCM practitioners and acupuncturists, with strong employment and self-employment opportunities. Graduates of the BSc TCMA are prepared to:
- register as an R.TCMP or R.Ac with the CTCMPAO
- join inter-professional and collaborative health-care teams
- establish or enhance a private clinical practice
- contribute to community health programs and hospital-based services
- pursue research roles and graduate-level education
- become leaders and advocates in integrative health care
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
This program includes the entry-to-practice competencies approved by the provincial regulators of TCM Practitioners – the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). The program helps to prepare students to write the pan-Canadian licensing exams.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from Humber. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | North | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | North | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | North | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Humber Bonus Offers
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Ministry Consent
This college has been granted a consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer the applied degree for a term of seven years starting January 8, 2026. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
