Welcome to Dongguk University Los Angeles!

A Letter from the President

It is an immense honor to join DULA, one of the nation’s most historic institutions of AHM education, and I am even more deeply moved by what lies ahead. I am grateful to the board of directors for their confidence and to all those who have welcomed me and shared their profound dedication to the institution. It is clear to me that DULA’s tight-knit learning community, together with excellence in education, is an enormously powerful vehicle for the creation of outstanding ideas with real impact.

First, I want to be clear: DULA’s fundamental commitment is to build a diverse and welcoming community of faculty, students, and staff, as articulated in our institutional values. Diversity, including racial diversity, is vital to our mission of knowledge creation in service to society. This common foundation of a diversity of experiences and perspectives will continue to make DULA stronger.

Second, People with passion, purpose, and an infectious optimism would energize the entire campus opening unlimited possibilities for the future. “Research shows that when you get great people who feel like they belong with different lived experiences at the table, that’s when creativity happens. That’s when knowledge is sparked. That’s when you have impact”. DULA promotes the individuality of each faculty, student and staff, provides grounds for improvement & creativity, and recognizes talents and hard work.

Third, DULA is committed to academic excellence and to a culture that encourages collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Since its founding in 1979, DULA has provided an intimate and inspirational setting for distinguished faculty and talented students to come together in one of the finest AHM academic communities in the USA. With more than 1800 alumni worldwide, DULA continues to strive to become a global hub for acupuncture and herbal medicine education.

Lastly, I would like to invite you to join us on our journey, whether as a student, a faculty member, a staff, or as a part of extended community. Together, we will continue to elevate the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine, making a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals around the world.

Jooyong Andrew Pak
CEO/President

Mission Statement

  • To explore and embody the principles and practices of traditional East Asian medicine.
  • To develop a community of skilled medical practitioners.
  • To provide accessible health care services to the local community.

The purpose and goal of Dongguk University Los Angeles

MSOM’s Purpose & Goals

  • To develop competent traditional medicine practitioners through academic and clinical programs.
  • To develop healthcare professionals with clinical competencies, including collaborative care.
  • To develop healthcare professionals with skills and competencies to contribute to the community and to the field.

DATM’s Purpose & Goals

  • To develop competent traditional medicine practitioners through academic and clinical programs.
  • To develop healthcare professionals with clinical competencies, including collaborative care.
  • To develop healthcare professionals with skills and competencies to contribute to the community and to the field.
  • To train leading scholars through advanced research.
  • To develop specialized practitioners with training in the application of traditional medicine clinical modalities.

The educational objectives of Dongguk University Los Angeles

MSOM’s Educational Objectives

To train healers who are able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and historical contexts of oriental medicine.
  • Apply this understanding to accurately diagnose patients.
  • Utilize bio-medical diagnostic methods and refer to other practitioners as appropriate.
  • Competently plan, perform, assess, and adjust acupuncture treatments for common conditions and patterns.
  • Competently prescribe and modify herbal formulas for common conditions and patterns.
  • Embody and advise on healthy lifestyle choices, and
  • Identify, define, and model best practices for professional success.

DATM’s Educational Objectives

To train healers who are able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and historical contexts of oriental medicine.
  • Apply this understanding to accurately diagnose patients.
  • Utilize biomedical diagnostic methods and refer to other practitioners as appropriate.
  • Competently plan, perform, assess, and adjust acupuncture treatments for common conditions and patterns.
  • Competently prescribe and modify herbal formulas for common conditions and patterns.
  • Embody and advise on healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Identify, define, and model best practices for professional success.
  • Apply integrative diagnostic skills to provide effective patient care.
  • Obtain familiarity with contemporary community healthcare systems.
  • Conduct collaborative care with other healthcare professionals.
  • Develop and implement systems and plans for professional development.
  • Assess and integrate scholarship, research, and evidence-based medicine, or evidence-informed practice to enhance patient care