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.
Average completion rate for the top 10 courses by enrollment: 92.8%
2009 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?
2009: 95% YES
- Would you recommend these studies to a friend?
2009: 98% YES
- All things considered, are you satisfied with your studies with us?
2009: 98% YES
In addition, ACHS Aromatherapy graduates have a 100% 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 is the only nationally accredited College offering online certificate, diploma, 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 US 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 wonder - are all holistic health credentials the same? No. For example, if you graduate from a school that is not accredited by a US 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.
Click here to read how Alabama education officials are cracking down on diploma mills.
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 school's 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
This school is a unit of 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, Sallie Mae student loans, and TERI student loans.
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. 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.
Mission & 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.