2-Year Graduate Mentorship Training Program
Curriculum & Training Schedule
Explore the Curriculum and Training Schedule. The program takes two years to complete, with coursework spread across four academic semesters.
Study Block | Course Content |
|---|---|
AUTUMN 2026 SEMESTER | |
| Study Block #1 Introduction to Neijing Nature-Based Medicine | Begins the study of the Huangdi Neijing and Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| Study Block #2 History of Early China/Chinese Language | Introduces the history of Ancient China and the Ancient Chinese language. |
| Study Block #3 Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship (CTA) | Discusses the principles of Classical Text Archeology (CTA) and classical text scholarship. |
| Study Block #4 A History of the Neijing Text | Reviews of the history and development of the Neijing text. |
| Study Block #5 Introduction to Neijing Classical Space-Time Theory | Discusses the basic theories and principles of Neijing space–time theory—the theoretical basis of Chinese medicine. |
| Study Block #6 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part A | Discusses the basic patterns of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part A) |
| Study Block #7 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part B) |
| Study Block #8 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part A | Discusses the patterns of the natural world and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part A) |
| Study Block #9 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part B) |
| Study Block #10 Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns | Discusses Nature’s axial and radial weaving patterns, the basic pattern design for nature and the human body. |
SPRING 2027 SEMESTER | |
| Study Block #11 Introduction to the Human Body | Introduces the human body by describing its basic features and processes. |
| Study Block #12 Architecture of the Human Body | Discusses the architecture of the human body as it is formed by the patterns of nature’s design. |
| Study Block #13 Rivers and Watersheds | Discusses the basic features of the primary watersheds and rivers. |
| Study Block #14 Watershed Topography: Part A | Discusses the topographical features and course of the upper and lower taiyin and yangming watersheds. |
| Study Block #15 Watershed Topography: Part B | Discusses the topographical features and course of the upper and lower shaoyin and taiyang watersheds. |
| Study Block #16 Watershed Topography: Part C | Discusses the topographical features and course of the upper and lower jueyin and shaoyang watersheds. |
| Study Block #17 The Collateral Rivers | Discusses the collateral rivers and reviews the unique role they play in human health and illness. |
| Study Block #18 The Zang Organs | Discusses the five directional Zang organs and explores the central role they play in human health and illness. |
| Study Block #19 The Nourishing Vessel | Discusses the six Fu organs and examines the central role they play in human digestion and nutrition. |
| Study Block #20 Roots, Crowns, and Thatching Regions | Discusses the role of the primary and secondary roots, the upper crown and thatching regions of the body. |
| Study Block #21 Surface Caverns | Discusses the role of surface caverns in the body, the basis for the development of acupuncture points. |
| Study Block #22 Sinews and Membranes | Discusses the role of the musculoskeletal) body by examining its unique features in human health and illness. |
AUTUMN 2027 SEMESTER | |
| Study Block #23 Shen | Introduces the essential concept of Shen, the initiating and sustaining principle of life . |
| Study Block #24 Introduction to Directional Medicine | Discusses the features of directional medicine, the theoretical and practical basis of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| Study Block #25 The Primary Causes of Human Illness | Discusses the primary causes of human illness according to the principles of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| Study Block #26 Disease Pathology: Obstruction Patterns | Discusses the basic pathological processes involved in the creation and maintenance of fixed–pattern (chronic) illnesses. |
| Study Block #27 Introduction to Physical Diagnosis | Discusses the fundamental techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine physical diagnosis. |
| Study Block #28 Assessment of the Channel Rivers: Part A | Discusses traditional Neijing pulse diagnosis by introducing their basic techniques and seasonal assessments. |
| Study Block #29 Assessment of the Channel Rivers: Part B | Continues the discussion of Neijing pulse diagnosis by discussing the principles of Renying/Cunkou and Sanbu/Jiuhou pulse diagnosis. |
| Study Block #30 Facial Diagnosis and the Assessment of Directional Colors | Continues the study of physical diagnosis by discussing the examination of the directional colors and facial diagnosis. |
| Study Block #31 The Neijing Nine Ancient Needles | Discusses the history, principles, and uses of the Neijing Nine Ancient Needles. |
| Study Block #32 Neijing Traditional Surgical Techniques | Discusses Neijing the use and indications of Neijing traditional needle techniques. |
SPRING 2028 SEMESTER | |
| Study Block #33 The Physician–Patient Relationship | Discusses the special properties of the physician/patient relationship and the unique role it plays in Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| Study Block #34 The Medical Interview | Discusses the Neijing Nature–Based Medicine comprehensive medical history. |
| Study Block #35 NNBM Clinical Decision Making | Discusses the use of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine clinical decision to treat complicated presentations. |
| Study Block #36 Treatment of Guest–Host Diseases | Discusses the treatment of Guest–Host Illnesses, including the nature of infectious diseases and environmental pathogens. |
| Study Block #37 Treatment of Emotional Diseases | Discusses the treatment of emotional illness according to the principles of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| Study Block #38 Neijing Ancillary Therapies | Reviews ancillary Neijing clinical techniques, including moxa therapy, medical ironing, external poultices, and daoyin. |
| Study Block #39 The Medical Bazi | Discusses the use of Medical Bazi forecasting in clinical medicine. |
| Study Block #40 Heaven and Earth Interactions | Discusses the nature of Heaven and Earth interactions (i.e., the Wuyun Liuqi as described in the Neijing). |
| Study Block #41 Climate Change Medicine | Discusses special aspects of practicing Neijing Nature–Based Medicine in the current times of climate change and environmental instability. |
| Study Block #42 NNBM Clinic Management | Discusses the principles of establishing a clinical practice using Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
Study Block | Date |
|---|---|
Autumn 2026 Semester | |
Autumn 2026 Semester Begins (NNBM 101) | 8/8/2026 |
| Welcome Weekend Class | 8/8/2026 |
| Study Topic #1 Intro to Neijing Medicine Weekend Class | 8/15/2026 |
| Study Topic #2 History of Early China Weekend Class | 8/22/2026 |
| Study Topic #3 Classical Text Scholarship (Weekend Class A) | 8/29/2026 |
| Study Topic #3 Classical Text Scholarship (Weekend Class B) | 9/5/2026 |
| Study Topic #4 History of the Neijing Text (Weekend Class A) | 9/12/2026 |
| Study Topic #4 History of the Neijing Text (Weekend Class B) | 9/19/2026 |
| Study Topic #5 Introduction to Neijing Space-time Theory (Weekend Class A) | 9/26/2026 |
| US Clinical Practicum A (NNBM 107) | 9/30/2026-10/06/2026 |
| Study Topic #5 Intro to Neijing Space-Time Theory (Weekend Class B) | 10/10/2026 |
| Study Topic #6 Celestial Base Patterns - Part A (Weekend Class A) | 10/17/2026 |
| Study Topic #6 Celestial Base Patterns - Part A (Weekend Class B) | 10/24/2026 |
| Study Topic #7 Celestial Base Patterns - Part B (Weekend Class A) | 10/31/2026 |
| Study Topic #7 Celestial Base Patterns - Part B (Weekend Class B) | 11/7/2026 |
| Study Topic #8 Terrsetrial Base Patterns - Part A (Weekend Class A) | 11/14/2026 |
| Study Topic #8 Terrsetrial Base Patterns - Part A (Weekend Class B) | 11/21/2026 |
| Study Topic #9 Terrsetrial Base Patterns - Part B (Weekend Class A) | 11/28/2026 |
| Study Topic #9 Terrsetrial Base Patterns - Part B (Weekend Class B) | 12/5/2026 |
| Study Topic #10 Nature's Loom (Weekend Class A) | 12/12/2026 |
| Study Topic #10 Nature's Loom (Weekend Class B) | 12/19/2026 |
| Winter Break | 12/19/2026-1/9/2027 |
Spring 2027 Semester | |
Spring 2027 Semester Begins (NNBM 102) | 1/9/2027 |
| Study Topic #11 Intro to the Human Body (Weekend Class A) | 1/16/2027 |
| Study Topic #11 Intro to the Human Body (Weekend Class B) | 1/23/2027 |
| Study Topic #12 Architecture of the Human Body (Weekend Class A) | 1/30/2027 |
| Study Topic #12 Architecture of the Human Body (Weekend Class B) | 2/6/2027 |
| Study Topic #13 Rivers and Watersheds (Weekend Class A) | 2/13/2027 |
| Study Topic #13 Rivers and Watersheds (Weekend Class B) | 2/20/2027 |
| Study Topic #14 Watershed Courses Part A (Weekend Class A) | 2/27/2027 |
| Study Topic #14 Watershed Courses Part A (Weekend Class B) | 3/6/2027 |
| Study Topic #15 Watershed Courses Part B (Weekend Class A) | 3/13/2027 |
| Study Topic #15 Watershed Courses Part B (Weekend Class B) | 3/20/2027 |
| US Clinical Practicum B (NNBM 108) | 3/25/2027-3/31/2027 |
| Study Topic #16 Watershed Courses Part C (Weekend Class A) | 4/3/2027 |
| Study Topic #16 Watershed Courses Part C (Weekend Class B) | 4/10/2027 |
| Study Topic #17 The Collateral Rivers (Weekend Class A) | 4/17/2027 |
| Study Topic #17 The Collateral Rivers (Weekend Class B) | 4/24/2027 |
| Study Topic #18 The Zang Organs (Weekend Class A) | 5/1/2027 |
| Study Topic #18 The Zang Organs (Weekend Class B) | 5/8/2027 |
| Study Topic #19 The Nourishing Vessel (Weekend Class A) | 5/15/2027 |
| Study Topic #19 The Nourishing Vessel (Weekend Class B) | 5/22/2027 |
| Study Topic #20 The Plant Body (Weekend Class A) | 5/29/2027 |
| Study Topic #20 The Plant Body (Weekend Class B) | 6/5/2027 |
| Study Topic #21 Surface Caverns - Part A (Weekend Class A) | 6/12/2027 |
| Study Topic #21 Surface Caverns - Part B (Weekend Class B) | 6/19/2027 |
| Study Topic #22 Surface Caverns - Part A (Weekend Class A) | 6/26/2027 |
| Study Topic #22 Surface Caverns - Part B (Weekend Class B) | 7/3/2027 |
| Study Topic #23 The Sinew Body - Part A (Weekend Class A) | 7/10/2027 |
| Study Topic #23 The Sinew Body - Part A (Weekend Class B) | 7/17/2027 |
| Summer Break | 7/17/2027-8/21/2027 |
Autumn 2027 Semester | |
Autumn 2027 Semester Begins (NNBM 103) | 8/21/2027 |
| Study Topic #24 Transcendent Illumination (Shen) (Weekend Class A) | 8/28/2027 |
| Study Topic #24 Transcendent Illumination (Shen) (Weekend Class B) | 9/4/2027 |
| Study Topic #25 Intro to Directional Medicine(Weekend Class A) | 9/11/2027 |
| Study Topic #25 Intro to Directional Medicine(Weekend Class B) | 9/18/2027 |
| Study Topic #26 Obstruction Pathologies (Weekend Class A) | 9/22/2027 |
| US Clinical Practicum C (NNBM 109) | 9/22/2027-9/28/2027 |
| Study Topic #26 Obstruction Pathologies (Weekend Class B) | 10/2/2027 |
| Study Topic #27 Primary Causes of Human Illness(Weekend Class A) | 10/9/2027 |
| Study Topic #27 Primary Causes of Human Illness(Weekend Class B) | 10/16/2027 |
| Study Topic #28 Intro to Physical Diagnosis(Weekend Class A) | 10/23/2027 |
| Study Topic #28 Intro to Physical Diagnosis(Weekend Class B) | 10/30/2027 |
| Study Topic #29 Assessment of the Channel Rivers Part A (Weekend Class A) | 11/6/2027 |
| Study Topic #29 Assessment of the Channel Rivers Part A (Weekend Class B) | 11/13/2027 |
| Study Topic #30 Assessment of the Channel Rivers Part B (Weekend Class A) | 11/20/2027 |
| Study Topic #30 Assessment of the Channel Rivers Part B (Weekend Class B) | 11/27/2027 |
| Study Topic #31 Directional Colors and Facial Diagnosis (Weekend Class A) | 12/4/2027 |
| Study Topic #31 Directional Colors and Facial Diagnosis (Weekend Class A) | 12/11/2027 |
| Study Topic #32 The Nine Ancient Needles (Weekend Class A) | 12/18/2027 |
| Study Topic #32 The Nine Ancient Needles (Weekend Class B) | 1/8/2028 |
| Study Topic #33 Neijing Surgical Techniques (Weekend Class A) | 1/15/2028 |
| Study Topic #33 Neijing Surgical Techniques (Weekend Class B) | 1/22/2028 |
| Winter Break | 1/22/2028-2/5/2028 |
Spring 2028 Semester | |
Spring 2028 Semester Begins (NNBM 104) | 2/5/2028 |
| Study Topic #34 The Physician/Patient Relationship (Weekend Class A) | 2/12/2028 |
| Study Topic #34 The Physician/Patient Relationship (Weekend Class B) | 2/19/2028 |
| Study Topic #35 The Medical Interview (Weekend Class A) | 2/26/2028 |
| Study Topic #35 The Medical Interview (Weekend Class B) | 3/4/2028 |
| Study Topic #36 NNBM Clinical Decision Making (Weekend Class A) | 3/11/2028 |
| Study Topic #36 NNBM Clinical Decision Making (Weekend Class B) | 3/18/2028 |
| Study Topic #37 Guest-host Illnesses (Weekend Class A) | 3/25/2028 |
| Study Topic #37 Guest-host Illnesses (Weekend Class B) | 4/1/2028 |
| Study Topic #38 Emotional Diseases (Weekend Class A) | 4/8/2028 |
| Study Topic #38 Emotional Diseases (Weekend Class B) | 4/15/2028 |
| Study Topic #39 Ancillary Techniques (Weekend Class A) | 4/22/2028 |
| Study Topic #39 Ancillary Techniques (Weekend Class B) | 4/29/2028 |
| Study Topic #40 Bazi Medical Chart Forecasting (Weekend Class A) | 5/6/2028 |
| Study Topic #40 Bazi Medical Chart Forecasting (Weekend Class B) | 5/13/2028 |
| Study Topic #41 Heaven and Earth Interactions (Weekend Class A) | 5/20/2028 |
| Study Topic #41 Heaven and Earth Interactions (Weekend Class B) | 5/27/2028 |
| Study Topic #42 Climate Change Medicine (Weekend Class A) | 6/3/2028 |
| Study Topic #42 Climate Change Medicine (Weekend Class B) | 6/10/2028 |
| Study Topic #43 Clinic Management (Weekend Class A) | 6/17/2028 |
| Study Topic #43 Clinic Management (Weekend Class B) | 6/24/2028 |
2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Program Ends | 6/24/2028 |
Studying the Neijing with Dr. Neal has been like peeling back a curtain. His translation of the Neijing is remarkably straightforward, yet shines a new, modern light on what I’ve come to realize is a rich and still-relevant classic text. I came away from the course with a deeper understanding of the very basic principles of Chinese medicine and also its vast complexity. I think this richness and beauty of our medicine can too easily be undervalued or even dismissed altogether in any modern practice–no matter how successful—and what I once viewed as somewhat archaic and cryptic has instead become an inspiration and axis around which my work now revolves.
A.G.
Acupuncturist; Member, Oregon State Medical Board
