Chiang Mai University (CMU) was the first university established in a regional area of Thailand, under government policy and the aspirations of the northern population to expand higher education opportunities across local regions. It was approved in 1960 and began offering courses in June 1964. To meet the need for skilled health science personnel capable of providing health science services to the local community, CMU, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, initiated the establishment of a Department of Medical Technology in 1966, officially recognized as a department in 1967. In 1969, the Faculty of Medicine supported a proposal to establish a Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, aiming to produce graduates in health science fields to serve the northern region. This was approved, and in 1976, it became the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences.
Key milestones in the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences’s history are as follows:
- 1964: Chiang Mai University was established.
- 1966: The Medical Technology Department project was launched under CMU’s Faculty of Medicine.
- 1967: The Medical Technology Department was formally recognized within CMU’s Faculty of Medicine.
- 1969: A project to establish the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences under the Faculty of Medicine was initiated.
- 1976: The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences was established at CMU, with administrative divisions including the Faculty Secretariat, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Immunology, and Department of Clinical Microscopy (later renamed to the Department of Clinical Microscopy and Microbiology). In 1978, the University Affairs Bureau approved the establishment of the Department of Radiologic Technology, followed by the Department of Occupational Therapy in 1980 and the Department of Physical Therapy in 1989.
- 2003: The university’s council developed a management framework for departments, supporting restructuring for administrative flexibility, organizational quality, and academic excellence. Following CMU's announcement on the desired duties and management of departments, issued on October 14, 2002, the Faculty conducted a study on the appropriate structure for the departments. Based on input from faculty members, a structure with one department per field of study was deemed most appropriate. Consequently, the departments of Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Microscopy and Microbiology, and Clinical Immunology were consolidated into a single Department of Medical Technology.
Currently, the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences is organized into the following administrative divisions: the Faculty Secretariat, Department of Medical Technology, Department of Radiologic Technology, Department of Occupational Therapy, and Department of Physical Therapy. The Faculty offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, detailed as follows:
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor of Science)
- Medical Technology
- Radiologic Technology (Plan 1 and Plan 2, a continuous curriculum)
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
Graduate Programs
6 programs are offered at the graduate level:
- Master of Science in Medical Technology
- Master of Science in Movement and Exercise Sciences
- Master of Science in Radiologic and Medical Imaging Science
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Master of Science in Communication Disorders
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
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“Vision: The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University is a leading institution for knowledge and health innovations for social sustainability”
