Accreditation

Accreditation

As an ACHS student, you can expect to be highly satisfied with the support and services you receive. Check out our average graduation rate and satisfaction ratings below.

2011 Average completion rate for the top 10 courses by enrollment: 88.9%

2011 Student Satisfaction Results:

Did you achieve, or will you have achieved upon completing your studies, the goals you had when you started the course or program?
2011: 90.8% YES
Would you recommend these studies to a friend?
2011: 96% YES
All things considered, are you satisfied with your studies with us?
2011: 98.1% YES

In addition, ACHS Aromatherapy graduates have a 98% success rate in passing the Aromatherapy Registration Council National Exam leading to registration as a Registered Aromatherapist.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Since June 2003, ACHS has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) which is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an accrediting body. For more information about the DETC and our accreditation, please visit www.detc.org.

ACHS offers accredited online certificate, diploma, and Degree programs. We are the only nationally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in complementary alternative medicine.

You can feel confident in choosing ACHS for your holistic medicine education. Our programs and administration have been rigorously evaluated and found to both meet and exceed national accreditation standards.

ACHS also is a member of the Higher Education Transfer Alliance (HETA), designed by CHEA. HETA is: "a voluntary group of accredited institutions that are concerned with the importance of student mobility, enhancing success in transfer of credit, and affirming the responsibility and prerogative of individual institutions with respect to acceptance of transfer credits. HETA is a Web-based directory of colleges and universities that is open to all institutions that are accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE).

"An institution's membership in HETA tells you that its transfer decisions are not made solely on the basis of the accredited status of a sending institution and that the institution has agreed at least to consider transfer requests from other institutions. Each HETA member institution has an interest in cooperative efforts to assure and enhance student mobility."

For more information about HETA, click here.

A Few Words About the Importance of Accreditation

Many schools mislead students about the validity of their accreditation. The Oregon Department of Education website provides information on national diploma mills and schools offering unauthorized degrees. We suggest you spend time reading through this information before you invest in your holistic health education. Read online here.

Don't be misled by claims of Quality Certification by organizations such as the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA) or "accreditation" by organizations such as the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) or the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB).

Qualifications from a school or college that claim accreditation from these organizations will make it difficult to transfer credits to other USDOE accredited colleges.

Accreditation is a stringent process of quality control completed by an independent and government recognized accrediting body. The only recognized accreditation in the United States is accreditation granted by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or both. Using credentials issued by a school that is not properly accredited may cause professional and even legal problems. Please check carefully.

To check the validity of an accrediting body, you may want to visit the following websites:

You may also search the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Schools by Institution Name online here. If a school is not listed in this database, it is NOT an accredited institution.

We also recommend you download the Accreditation Brochure published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation online here for important questions you should ask during the admissions process at any institution.

You may wonder - Are all holistic health credentials the same? No. For example, if you graduate from a school that is not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body, the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization would not accept your training, and you could not be hired for a position at ACHS.

Before you choose a school, please check with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's office in the state in which the school is located to see if any investigations or litigation against the school exists, past or pending. You should also contact the state's Department of Education or degree approval office for degree granting schools to confirm state approval.

An Important Note About Transfer Credit

DETC accreditation means ACHS students are enrolled in a nationally recognized post-secondary school. ACHS students enjoy increased credibility and acceptance of coursework among transfer schools and employers. However, please note that credit transfer is largely determined by the policy of the receiving organization, that no accreditation is a guarantee that credit will transfer to any college or university, and that ACHS does not guarantee any transfer of credit.

You may also download the DETC's latest handbook for students regarding transfer of credit online here.

Oregon Approval

ACHS is a business corporation authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer the academic degree described herein, following a determination that state academic standards will be satisfied under OAR 583-030. Inquiries concerning the standards or school compliance may be directed to the Office of Degree Authorization, 1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100, Eugene, Oregon 97401. (Effective December 21, 2007)

http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/authorized.aspx

Ownership

ACHS is a 100% privately held corporation.

Consumer Information Disclosure (General Information)

Name of Institution: American College of Healthcare Sciences (formerly Australasian College of Health Sciences)
Address: 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland, Oregon 97239-3779
Year Founded: 1978
First Accredited: 2003
Next Scheduled Review: 2013
CEO/President: Dorene Petersen B.A., Dip.NT, Dip. Acu., RH (AHG)

Accreditation(s) and Agency Contact Information

The Distance Education and Training Council

1601 18th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 234-510
http://www.detc.org

State Approval and Contact Information

Office of Degree Authorization
1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 687-7452
http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/authorized.aspx

Participation in Funding Programs

As an accredited institution, ACHS offers many funding options, including interest-free payment plans available through convenient monthly payment plans. Students are also eligible to apply for private student loans. ACHS does not participate in Title IV financial aid programs at this time.

Military Funding
American College of Healthcare Sciences accepts several sources of military funding including the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill for selected reserve, the Survivors' and Dependants' educational Assistance program (VEAP) and other VA benefits. ACHS is also a participating member of the Yellow Ribbon program.

Military Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance is available to active duty Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Active Guard Reservists, Army National Guard (military and civilian), U.S. Army Reserves, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard. Contact your Education Officer for information about TA you may be eligible to receive.

DANTES ACHS is affiliated with Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational and ACHS courses are approved for DANTES reimbursement.

Military Scholarship
ACHS offers a Military Scholarship Program for eligible, active duty military, serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves. Military Veterans and spouses of active duty personnel are also eligible for the ACHS Military Scholarship.

The ACHS Military Scholarship awards tuition assistance in the form of a one-time, $1000 scholarship toward tuition, not to exceed 35% of tuition. For more information and scholarship application materials, please click here.

Workforce Training
ACHS is approved as an eligible provider under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). ACHS is an eligible training provider listed with the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. Contact your state employment office for information about WIA funds availability in your state.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Many state vocational rehabilitation offices provide funding. We have worked with Oregon, Idaho, New York, Texas, Michigan, Colorado, Kansas, and other state vocational funding offices.

Corporate Funding
Many corporations and private organizations offer scholarships and funding for education at accredited institutions. We have students funded by Wild Oats, Sprouts, Boeing, Qwest, and Verizon.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Program TAA
ACHS has worked with TAA-eligible students in several states. Contact your Admissions Advisor for assistance with the application process.

Mission and Description

Institution Mission Statement
To provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education and high quality natural products with a commitment to sustainable practices and principles. We achieve this goal by adhering to a set of core values that respect our students, faculty, community, and the environment. We operate with an integrity that is deserving of their trust.

Areas of Special Focus
Holistic health and complementary integrative medicine general interest and career training programs as well as specialized professional continuing education.

Description of Institution
American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), based in Portland, Oregon, is a leader in online holistic health education. ACHS, founded in 1978 in New Zealand, is one of the oldest and most respected distance education holistic health colleges, offering flexible programs, a highly qualified faculty, and a diverse student body.

Student Demographic Profile
Working adult professionals who are interested in the holistic health field.

Programs/Degrees/Courses

Aromatherapy: online continuing education, certificates and Diploma in Clinical Aromatherapy
Herbal Medicine: online continuing education, certificates and Diploma in Herbal Medicine
Dynamic Phytotherapy: online continuing education, certificates and Diploma in Dynamic Phytotherapy
Holistic Medicine: online holistic health modalities continuing education, certificates and Diploma in Holistic Health Practice

Average Program Tuition/Cost per credit hour: $255 for Undergraduate studies; $370 for Graduate studies.