About Colorado Chinese Medicine University · Denver
Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) is an accredited graduate-level Chinese medicine school located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1989 as the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CSTCM) and renamed CCMU in 2023, it is the oldest Chinese medicine school in Colorado, offering master's, professional doctorate, and post-professional doctorate degrees in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. CCMU operates a public teaching clinic, an on-site Chinese herbal store (Yan Jing Supply), and emphasizes integrating classical Chinese medical wisdom with modern clinical practice.
Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU), originally founded in 1989 as the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CSTCM), is the oldest Chinese medicine school in Colorado. After more than three decades of institutional development, the Board of Directors authorized a name change to Colorado Chinese Medicine University® in 2023, reflecting its evolution from a single-focus college into a multi-degree, accredited institution. CCMU is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and approved by the Colorado Department of Education, NC-SARA, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, and the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). The university offers five professional degree programs: the Master of Acupuncture (MAc), Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM), Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc), Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM), and the post-professional Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM). The MAc program is a 2,400-hour, 28-month graduate degree, while dual-degree and full doctoral pathways run 32–40 months. CCMU also operates an Institutional Review Board (IRB), six specialized academic departments, and a robust continuing education program offering NCCAOM CEU credits. The campus spans over 12,600 square feet in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood and includes classrooms, an extensive herbal pharmacy, a comprehensive library, and a public teaching clinic that offers low-cost acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments under licensed faculty supervision. The Yan Jing Supply, an on-site Chinese herbal store, serves both the campus and the broader Denver community.
- In business
- Founded 1989 (operating as CCMU since 2023; previously CSTCM)
- Owner
- Founded by a group of dedicated Chinese medicine practitioners in 1989; long-time CEO and co-founder Mark H. Manton, LAc, Dipl. TCM (co-founded with George Kitchie and Shi Cheng). Current CEO: Songtao Zhou. Board Chair & COO: Yanyun Wang.
- Serves
- Denver, Colorado and the surrounding Front Range region; serves students and patients nationally through on-site and approved distance education programs.
About Colorado Chinese Medicine University
Colorado Chinese Medicine University® (CCMU) is a nationally accredited institution dedicated to excellence in education, clinical training, research, and community service in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The school was originally founded in 1989 as the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CSTCM) by a group of dedicated Chinese medicine practitioners. In 2023, after more than three decades of institutional development, the Board of Directors authorized a name change to Colorado Chinese Medicine University® to reflect its evolution from a single-focus college into a multi-degree, accredited institution. CCMU is the oldest Chinese medicine school in Colorado and remains focused on cultivating highly skilled healthcare professionals who integrate classical Chinese medical wisdom with modern scientific understanding.
- Founded in 1989 as the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CSTCM)
- Renamed Colorado Chinese Medicine University® (CCMU) in 2023
- Oldest Chinese medicine school in Colorado
- Nationally accredited by ACAHM, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Academic Degree Programs
CCMU offers five professional degree programs across three degree levels: master's, professional doctorate, and post-professional doctorate. The MAc (Master of Acupuncture) is a 2,400-hour, 28-month foundational program; the MAcCHM adds Chinese herbal medicine in a 3,075-hour, 36-month format. The DAc and DAcCHM professional doctorates (and dual-degree tracks) prepare students at the doctoral standard. The DAOM is the highest-level accredited advanced practice degree in the U.S., limited to licensed acupuncturists and emphasizing clinical mastery, classical theory, and scholarly inquiry.
- Master of Acupuncture (MAc) — 2,400 hours, 28 months
- Master of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) — 3,075 hours, 36 months
- Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) — professional doctorate
- Doctor of Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) — professional doctorate
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) — post-professional doctorate, 1,215 hours
- MAc/DAc Dual-Degree and MAcCHM/DAcCHM Dual-Degree options
- DAc/DAcCHM Completer Track for master's-level graduates
Program Structure and Academic Calendar
CCMU operates on a trimester system with three 15-week terms each year, beginning in January, May, and late August/early September. Students receive a total of seven weeks off annually. Programs are offered in Accelerated, Full-Time, Half-Time, and Part-Time enrollment formats, with the DAOM delivered online with 7–10 days on campus per trimester. New students are accepted three times per year, allowing flexible entry and pacing. Credit is calculated per U.S. Department of Education and ACAHM standards.
- Three 15-week trimesters per year (January, May, late August/early September)
- Accelerated (16+ credits), Full-Time (12–15), Half-Time (6–11), and Part-Time (≤5 credits) options
- DAOM online with 7–10 days on campus per trimester
- Continuing Education Units (CEU) for NCCAOM credit available
Accreditation and Academic Recognition
CCMU holds multiple accreditations and approvals at the national and international level. The institution is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and approved by the Colorado Department of Education. It is also approved by NC-SARA for distance education, by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), and accredited by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). CCMU is a member of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies and the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.
- ACAHM accreditation (recognized by U.S. Department of Education)
- Colorado Department of Education approved
- NC-SARA approved for distance education
- California BPPE approved for distance education
- CSCSE accredited
- Member: World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
- Member: Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Institutional Infrastructure and Departments
CCMU maintains institutional infrastructure to support its educational mission, including six specialized educational departments, clinical training facilities, and an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to oversee research activities. The campus spans over 12,600 square feet in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood and includes classrooms, an extensive herbal pharmacy, and a comprehensive library.
- Foundations of Acupuncture Medicine Department
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Department
- AHM Clinical Medicine Department
- AHM Biomedicine Department
- AHM Research Department
- AHM Advanced Practice Degree Department (DAOM)
- Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- 12,600+ sq. ft. campus in Capitol Hill, Denver
Public Teaching Clinics
CCMU operates multiple public teaching clinics that provide affordable Chinese medicine care to the Denver community while training the next generation of practitioners. The Advanced Student Acupuncture Clinic offers low-cost treatments by senior student interns under direct supervision of Colorado state-licensed acupuncturists. The Grad Care Clinic features CCMU graduates who are licensed through NCCAOM/NCBAHM. The Doctorate Clinic is staffed by current licensed doctorate students, and the Professor-Practitioner Clinic provides care from senior faculty who teach the doctoral program. All clinics are located at the CCMU campus on York Street.
- Advanced Student Acupuncture Clinic — $35/session (credit card)
- Grad Care Clinic — $30/session (cash or check)
- Doctorate Clinic — $65/session
- Professor-Practitioner Clinic — $150 first visit, $85 follow-up (acupuncture); $200/$100 for herbal consultation
- Internal Medicine Herbal Clinic — Thursdays 1:00–7:00pm
- Treatment modalities: moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha, E-Stim, herbal therapy
Yan Jing Supply / Chinese Herbal Store
The Yan Jing Supply is CCMU's on-site Chinese herbal store, providing raw herbs, formulas, and supplies to students, faculty, and the broader Denver community. It is a key teaching resource for the herbal medicine programs and supports the Internal Medicine Herbal Clinic treatment plans.
- Phone: 303-329-6135 or 1-866-837-1346
- Email: [email protected]
- Tuesday–Friday 9:30am–5:30pm; Thursday until 7:00pm; Saturday 1:00pm–6:00pm
- Closed Sunday and Monday
- Herbal treatment plans in Internal Medicine Clinic average $8–$16 per week
Tuition and Fees
Tuition at CCMU is calculated on a per-hour basis. Estimated total program costs include tuition, standard institutional fees, textbooks, materials, and required supplies. A 5% tuition discount is available when the entire program tuition is paid in advance, and monthly payment plans are offered. Faculty, alumni, and staff receive additional tuition discounts.
- MAc: ~$61,425 total ($23/hr × 2,400 hours)
- MAcCHM: ~$78,840 total ($23/hr × 3,075 hours)
- MAc/DAc Dual-Degree: ~$70,685 total (2,730 hours)
- MAcCHM/DAcCHM Dual-Degree: ~$88,280 total (3,405 hours)
- DAc/DAcCHM Completer Track: ~$9,440 total (330 hours)
- DAOM: ~$47,483 total ($37/hr × 1,215 hours for 2026 cohort)
- 5% discount for pay-in-full; monthly payment plans available
Faculty and Leadership
CCMU's faculty includes experienced clinicians from leading U.S. and mainland China universities, with both Chinese and Western instructors providing multiple perspectives on Chinese medicine. The institution is led by a Board of Directors and an administrative team. Co-founder Mark H. Manton, LAc, Dipl. TCM, served as CEO and President for 35 years before retiring in July 2024. Songtao Zhou succeeded him as CEO, with Yanyun Wang serving as Board Chair and COO. Key academic and administrative leaders include Academic Dean/Dean of Students Chris Schultze, Assistant Academic Dean Christopher Shiflett, Clinic Director Melissa Durgin, Assistant Clinic Director Kevin Bloomfield, Registrar Elizabeth Conrod, and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Andrew Barili.
- Co-founder & CEO Emeritus: Mark H. Manton, LAc, Dipl. TCM (1989–2024)
- Current CEO: Songtao Zhou, MS
- Board Chair & COO: Yanyan Wang, BM (CHM Pharmacology - China)
- Academic Dean / Dean of Students: Chris Schultze
- Clinic Director: Melissa Durgin
- Registrar: Elizabeth Conrod
- Admissions & Financial Aid: Andrew Barili
Campus, Location, and Directions
CCMU is located at 1441 York Street in Denver's historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, just east of downtown, close to major cultural, educational, and healthcare institutions. The three-story sand-colored building with burgundy awnings is easily accessible from I-25, I-225, and Colfax Avenue. Free street parking is available on York Street and Gaylord (one block west); a pay lot is also available on the south side of the building at $1/hour, $3 for 5 hours, or $6 for 10 hours.
- Address: 1441 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
- Capitol Hill neighborhood, east of downtown
- Free street parking on York Street and Gaylord
- Pay lot: $1/hr, $3/5 hrs, $6/10 hrs
- Accessible via I-25 (Broadway/Colfax) and I-225 (Colorado Blvd/Colfax)
- Street sweeping enforced April–November
Mission and Statement of Integrity
CCMU's mission is to graduate effective Chinese Medicine practitioners who work to attain the best patient care outcomes, using the skilled application of Chinese Medicine in clinical, educational, and collaborative settings. The institution affirms a nondiscrimination policy, considers qualified applicants based on individual merit without regard to disability, gender, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin, and emphasizes integrity, classical scholarship, and service to the community — including free or low-cost care to underserved populations.
- Mission: graduate effective Chinese Medicine practitioners
- Nondiscrimination policy in admissions and operations
- Statement of Integrity: honesty, moral and ethical values
- Service mission: free/low-cost care for underserved populations
- Belief in classical Chinese medicine roots and the unified theory of Qi