The University, founded in 1950 as Changchun Municipal School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and grew out of Changchun College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was renamed as Changchun University of Chinese Medicine in 1958. (referred as to CCUCM). CCUCM is one of the provincial key universities of Jilin Province, University of the National Basic Ability Construction Project of Western and Central China and one of the Characteristic High-level Universities of Jilin Province. It is co-built by the People's Government of Jilin Province and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The University focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine, with coordinated development of its five discipline categories — medicine, engineering, management, law and liberal arts.The University has formed a multi-level and multi-type personnel training pattern from undergraduate education to master's and doctor's education, as well as higher vocational education, continuing education and international education. CCUCM has trained more than 100,000 talents of all levels and types for the country, and its alumni are all over the world.

At present, the University has a total enrollment of 14,515 full-time students. The University has double hired Academician, TCM Masters, National Famous TCM Teachers, Chief Scientist of National 973 Project, recipients of the State Council Special Allowance, Changbai Mountain Scholars, Changbai Mountain Skill Masters.

CCUCM has strong scientific research strength, it has undertaken 62 major key science and technology projects, and it has achieved 512 high-level scientific research achievements. CCUCM has 93 TCM-oriented scientific research platforms at national and provincial levels. CCUCM was selected as one of the first five Multi-Disciplinary Cross-Innovation Teams of TCM in China.

As for the international cooperation perspective, CCUCM is one of the first universities approved by the Ministry of Education to receive and cultivate international students, students from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, and Chinese Government Scholarship students. CCUCM adheres to the international development concept of combining “Going Global” and “Bringing in” and it has carried out extensive academic exchanges and cooperation with universities from 21 countries and regions, including Japan, South Korea, United States, Russia, Holland, Hungary, etc.

 CCUCM has always been adhering to the school motto of “Inheriting Ancient TCM Essence and Adopting Modern Medical Science, Enriching Morality and Perfecting Skills”, and focusing on the fundamental task of cultivating talents through virtue. The University has formed a multi-level and multi-type personnel training pattern from undergraduate education to master's and doctor's education, as well as higher vocational education, continuing education and international education. The University highlights the characteristics and advantages of Traditional Chinese medicine and combines production, education and research to continuously increase its contribution to regional economic and social development.