Texas Health and Science University, or THSU, is a private for-profit university with its main campus in Austin, Texas. The university offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture. This is the first college in Texas that provides a course in acupuncture. In this article, we will learn more about Texas Health and Science University, the first acupuncture college in Texas.
History
Lisa Ping-Hui Tsao Lin and her husband Paul Lin founded Texas Health and Science University was founded Texas Health and Science University as the Texas Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1990. The institution became the first acupuncture college in the State of Texas. In 1994, it eventually became a candidate for accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its accreditation and has remained continuously accredited since 1996. In 1993, Lisa Ping-Hui Tsao became the first Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners’ Education Committee. That same year, her husband Paul Lin published an English translation of the ancient text entitled: The Essentials by Zhang Zhongjing: Professional Guide to Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine.
Expansion of the University
The Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners awarded the school the authority to offer a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree in 1997. Along with this, the institution changed its name to Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 2000, the school’s program was reaccredited. Five years later, it was granted a Certificate of Authority by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree and a major in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In 2011, the institution was granted a Certificate of Authority to offer a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree with a major in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Aside from all these programs, the institution also formed a sister-school relationship with the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. That is why they became the first institution in the United States to offer a Dual Degree program. THSU also formed sister-school relationships with eight schools in Taiwan and China, namely Xinjiang Medical University in China since 2007, Xinjiang Medical University in China since 2007, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in China (since 2010), Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan since 2010, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine International Education College since 2011, TransWorld University in Taiwan since 2011, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China since 2012, National Penghu University of Science and Technology since 2013, and the Meiho Institute of Technology (renamed Meiho University in 2010) in Taiwan since 2003.
In 2000 and 2002, THSU, then known as TCTCM was won “Best of the West” prizes by the TCM World Foundation.
TCTCM received an accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and became the first acupuncture school to be accredited by this accreditor. In 2015, ACICS renewed the institution’s accreditation in 2015.
In January 2013, Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine was renamed to Texas Health and Science University or THSU.
