Menu
- SITCM Overview
- Prospective Students
- Current Students
- Alumni
- Teaching Clinic
The Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BTCM) is a four-year undergraduate degree in the discipline of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese herbal dispensing, biomedical sciences, and the role of a professional Chinese medicine practitioner in the Australian healthcare system.
The broad educational base of the degree, strong clinical practice focus and the development of analytical skills offered within it will equip graduates to be life-long learners and will encourage them to develop a wider professional role in healthcare.
To practise as a Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Australia, you must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA). Our degree is fully accredited by the CMBA in all three divisions of registration: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Chinese Herbal Dispensing.
The duration of the Bachelor of TCM is 4 years full-time. Students may choose to complete the course on a part-time basis for a maximum duration of 10 years (part-time study is not available to international students). Part-time students should consult with the Registrar by emailing administration@sitcm.edu.au.
The coursework component is undertaken at our campus in Haymarket (please refer to the Our Campus page for details on campus facilities). Students must also complete a total of 900 hours of extensive supervised clinical practice training during the degree (please refer to the Clinical Component page for details on this clinic requirement).
The course is broken into eight semesters, with each semester including four units of study if competed full-time. Please refer to the Units page for a breakdown of the units that comprise the BTCM.
The Bachelor of TCM consists of six subject areas that are described below:
This area provides students with education in the theoretical paradigms of traditional Chinese medicine including its terminology, history, theoretical orientation, principles and diagnosis. These studies will provide a firm understanding of the theory of Chinese medicine as well as develop practical skills in collecting and interpreting information in a clinical setting.
Students will study the full range of modalities of Chinese medicine which provide an understanding of the theoretical aspects specific to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine/dispensing, as well as practical training in
the application of these therapeutic methods. Students will study classical Chinese medicine literature to provide an understanding and appreciation of the sources of many of the concepts and therapeutic approaches used in contemporary Chinese medicine.
Students will study basic and biomedical sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, Histology, physiology, Pathophysiology, microbiology, pathology, Clinical Diagnosis, and pharmacology in western medicine. These studies aim to provide an understanding and appreciation of the theoretical background of modern biomedicine in order to establish common ground for communication with the established healthcare system in
Australia, to enable practitioners to interpret the biomedical viewpoint, and to encourage the application of scientific knowledge in clinical practice.
Clinical Chinese medicine studies will provide a foundation in TCM internal medicine, TCM traumatology, TCM gynaecology, TCM paediatrics and dermatology. This will provide students with theoretical and practical skills in the diagnosis, differentiation and clinical management of a wide range of health disorders using acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine.
Students will undertake practical clinical training throughout the course . These studies aim to allow for the application of the theories of Chinese medicine and biomedicine in the management of a wide range of health disorders. For details, please see the Clinical Component page.
In an integrated manner and throughout the duration of the course, students will study professional and practice issues that include ethics, counselling and communication, the legislative framework and legal responsibilities, practice management, small business management, first aid, and research methods. This will assist students in a range of areas needed for the effective operation of an independent practice in Chinese medicine and in their ongoing professional development undertakings. This aspect of the course is integrated systematically throughout the teaching and learning process to assist in the development of appropriate interpersonal, communication and management skills to enable graduates to operate a successful private practice.
Graduates will be expected to demonstrate humane and ethical behaviour in their professional life as well as respect for diversity within the wider Australian community. Graduates will be aware of the need for ongoing professional development and possess critical literature appraisal kills to enable them to undertake ongoing post-graduate education.
The HE Fee Information Page provides an overview of fees associated with the Bachelor of TCM course. Tuition fees are of particular importance; for current tuition fees, please refer to the Student Prospectus.
The course has been aligned to the characteristics of learning outcomes at Australian Qualification Framework Level 7 and to the professional capabilities of Chinese medicine accreditation standards. Accordingly, at the conclusion of the Bachelor of TCM, graduates will be able to:
Graduates of the course will generally enter private practice as primary practitioners and will possess knowledge and understanding of a range of modalities of Chinese medicine including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
The Institute expects that some graduates will become TCM practitioners either self-employed in private practice or as a member of a team in a clinic that offers a range of therapies, some may undertake Chinese medicine research, become involved in education, product development, management and sales roles in pharmaceutical and herbal companies, provide healthcare advice and consultancy online, and some may practice in hospitals, community health centres, and other healthcare agencies.
As primary healthcare practitioners, graduates will be competent in the practice of Chinese medicine and conversant with the legal responsibilities, ethics, and standards of Australian health professions generally. Graduates will be familiar with the Australian healthcare system in order to make appropriate referrals and to use that system in the interests of their patients.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies may request consideration for advanced standing towards the Bachelor of TCM. Applications for credit should include full documentation of previous studies, including unit descriptions. Granting advanced standing for previous study ensures that students commence study at a level that appropriately recognises their prior learning experiences, and are not required to repeat equivalent learning successfully undertaken in another context. For more information and/or an application form for advanced standing, please email administration@sitcm.edu.au.
ABN 30 100 578 836
CRICOS provider number 01768K
TEQSA provider number PRV12177
RTO Code: 5143