ACHS: Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not answered here? To contact ACHS, click here to download a list of faculty and staff.
Are you licensed or accredited?
Yes. In fact, ACHS is the only nationally
accredited College offering distance education programs
in complementary and alternative modalities that include aromatherapy,
iridology, and flower essences.
In addition, ACHS achieved state licensing with the Oregon Department
of Education in 1998, becoming the first state-licensed natural health college
in the US to offer distance education programs.
Effective December 21, 2007, this school is a unit of a business corporation authorized by the State of Oregon to coffer 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.
We are also 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 specific information on our licensing and accreditation, visit
ACHS Accreditation.
A note about accreditation: Please keep in mind that a legitimate
accrediting body must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Some schools claim accreditation by unrecognized bodies, which is
illegal in Oregon, but not in other states.
If you’d like to research a school for proper credentials,
see Checking Credentials.
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What does being accredited mean? How does it benefit me?
ACHS
is the first distance learning natural Health College
granted national accreditation by the distinguished
Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
Download a flyer on accreditation here.
As of June 7, 2003, the Australasian College of Health Sciences Inc (“ACHS”)
has become the first distance learning natural health college to have been
granted national accreditation by the distinguished Distance Education and
Training Council (DETC). This is a tremendous achievement for the natural health
complementary medicine profession. The accreditation was based on state and
federal agency reviews, financial audits, on-site inspections, student and
alumni surveys, and a rigorous process of self-examination.
As defined by the DETC, accreditation "assures students that the institution
operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved program of study, qualified
instructors, adequate facilities and equipment, approved recruitment and
admissions policies, and advertises its courses truthfully." Accreditation means
that an institution merits public confidence. Accredited institutions deliver on
what they promise.
To protect the public, the DETC developed a thorough and careful evaluation
system to ensure that institutions meet standards of academic and administrative
excellence.
ACHS has been examined and has been found to:
- Have clearly defined and well stated learning objectives
- Offer educationally sound and up to date courses of instruction
- Provide satisfactory educational services to students
- Have demonstrated ample student success and satisfaction
- Have a competent and academically qualified faculty
- Carefully screen students for admission
- Promote its courses truthfully
- Be financially and administratively able to deliver quality
educational opportunities
- Have an effective research and self improvement program
Accreditation promises students that the institution they enroll in is a
reputable one that will provide a quality education. Accreditation is the
student’s assurance of the highest quality in education.
ACCREDITATION HAS ITS REWARDS
Accreditation means ACHS students are now enrolled in a nationally recognized
post-secondary school. Students will enjoy increased credibility and acceptance
of coursework among transfer schools and employers. Students can feel confident
when they say with pride that they received their certification from a DETC
nationally accredited school!
Earning your certificate or diploma from an accredited school helps insure
that employers, professional associations, and other colleges and universities
will more readily accept course credits, certificates, and degrees. Also,
enrolling in an accredited institution is important if you want a public record
of your learning that will be widely
accepted by employers, professional
associations, and other colleges and universities. Accreditation opens the door
for students with tuition assistance opportunities from the military, employers
and from other sources, to assist their enrollment.
ABOUT DETC
The Distance Education and Training Council was founded in 1926 as the
National Home Study Council to promote sound educational standards and ethical
business practices. Today, more than 75 years later, DETC is a refined and
federally recognized accreditation program and the leader in global distance
learning with accredited members in Canada, Ireland, South Africa, the United
Kingdom, and the United States.
The DETC is listed by the US Department of Education as a nationally
recognized accrediting agency. It is also recognized by the Council on Post
Secondary Education (COPA). For more information, please visit http://www.detc.org To check whether
an accrediting body is legitimate, visit http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg6.html#nme
Please visit What Does Accreditation Mean for additional information.
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How do I check credentials?
Checking Credentials
When you are choosing a school, it's a good
idea to do some research. We invite you to call the following agencies and ask
about ACHS and our competition.
Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
ACHS is accredited
by the
DETC. The DETC is listed
by the US Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
It is also recognized by the Council on Post Secondary Education (COPA). To
verify accreditation please visit
http://www.detc.org/content/Post_Sec.html
To check whether an accrediting body is legitimate, visit http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg6.html#nme
For an article on how to gain a recognized credential in natural health,
click here.
For a helpful summary of accreditation in the US, visit http://www.degreefinders.com/accreditation.html
Better
Business Bureau (BBB)
Click here to check our status with the BBB online.
Or call 503 226 3981 and:
- Press “1” to obtain a report of the company
- Enter the telephone number: ACHS's telephone is 503 244 0726
- Press "1" to confirm number is correct.
- Press "1" to listen to report.
- Press “1” for immediate assistance
Australasian College of Herbal Studies USA Inc, 5940 SW Hood Avenue,
Portland, Oregon, 97239. Telephone 503 244 0726
ACHS has been a member since 1994 and participates in BBBCare and BBBOnline.
ACHS has been a BBB Honor Roll member since 2000. ACHS has a “Satisfactory”
rating. (There are only two types of ratings: Satisfactory and
Unsatisfactory)
Oregon Department of Education (ODE)
ACHS is a State Licensed Private Career School, license number 1419.
Telephone Diane Baldwin at 503-378-3600 extension 2672 for confirmation. Ask
if the school is licensed and eligible to offer career education in the State of
Oregon.
You can also check online at http://www.ode.state.or.us/pcs/ Click on school directories
under the dropdown menu for Private Career School Links. Then click on the
private career schools directory, which is a downloadable PDF
document.
Other States
For schools located in other States, check with the appropriate state
official. You can find out who this is at the National Association of State
Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools at http://www.nasasps.com/ - click
on contacts, then on the state in which the school is located. The contact
person will either be able to help with information on the school or give you
the contact details of someone else who has information or can verify the
schools credentials.
Attorney General
We also recommend you check with the Attorney General's office in the state
where a school is located to verify whether any investigations are pending.
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What does this mean to you?
It means ACHS is an institution that
merits public confidence. Accredited institutions like
ACHS deliver what we promise.
Accreditation means you will be enrolled in a nationally recognized
post-secondary school. You’ll enjoy increased credibility and
acceptance of coursework among schools and employers.
Earning your certificate or diploma from an accredited school also
helps insure that employers, professional associations, and other
educational institutions will accept your course credits,
certificates, and degrees.
Finally, you can feel confident and say it with pride when you’ve
received your certification from a DETC nationally accredited school!
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What additional benefits can I expect as a student of ACHS?
There
are a number of ways in which ACHS can further benefit
your needs. A few of these examples include:
- Continuing
Education credits for many of our programs
- A lifetime
subscription to the “ACHS Reporter” which
keeps you in touch with fellow students and updates
you on the latest in natural healing education
- An opportunity
to join the ACHS contact list allowing you to correspond
or meet with other students/graduates in your area
- Student
discounts! We’re always searching for great values
to help you research and thrive in your new career.
- Visit
discounts to see our latest offerings
- Easy access
to our online campus offering live tutorials, student
email discussion lists, a virtual library, and more
- Networking
opportunities with students and graduates
- A free listing
of your business or practice in our Natural Health
Directory
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What types of career opportunities are available to me?
Employment
opportunities for trained health professionals continue
to grow. The Natural Business Journal estimates the natural
health industry is easily a $25 billion industry. This creates a
wealth of opportunities once you graduate.
ACHS graduates have gained
either full-time employment or become self-employed
in a variety of areas. Here are a few of the positions/careers:
- Aromatherapist
- Master Herbalist
- Wellness Consultant
- Natural Health Consultant
- Natural Products Retailer
- Herbal Store: Owner, Manager, or Employee
- Holistic Health Clinic
or Natural Health Clinics
- Herbal Production
- Fitness Industry: clubs, health spas, resorts,
and cruise ships are looking for trained consultants
to provide Aromatherapy and herbal services
Finally, many of our graduates choose
to join professional health/natural health organizations.
These organizations include the American Herbalists Guild
(herbal programs), the Homeobotanical Institute, and the Aromatherapy
Registration Council (aromatherapy programs).
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What is an herbalist
or aromatherapist legally able to do?
At the time of this
writing, there was no licensing for aromatherapists or
herbalists in the United States.
Minnesota does regulate complementary and alternative
practitioners. The diplomas and certificates offered
by ACHS are not naturopathic degrees. Please understand
that a diploma or certificate does not constitute a license
to practice medicine. Unless you are already a licensed health care
practitioner, it’s important
not to present yourself as a physician in any manner.
Many of our programs at ACHS cover legal issues. We also
offer a continuing education program: Nat 306 Natural
Health Consulting, which addresses these very issues.
Students should investigate the laws within the state
where they reside.
Visit our Virtual Library for further information and
links.
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What do you mean by “consulting”?
We cover the parameters
of consulting in many of our programs—specifically
in our natural health consultant program. However, in
general, a consultant works with a client to empower
that client’s
patient to improve his or her general health and wellness.
When
a client approaches a consultant for health support,
they will have already received a diagnosis. The consultant
can educate the client on natural health techniques, which can complement
a treatment prescribed by the primary physician.
The focus of a natural
health consultant is not on disease or illness, but on
wellness and remedying any imbalances in the body—allowing
the body to heal itself. Primary physicians will work
with complementary health consultants to achieve the best overall
plan for the patient.
If you become a health care practitioner, you can conjoin
your new training to your existing practice. Many RN’s,
MD’s,
Therapists, and Pharmacists take the programs for this
purpose.
We have information available on setting up your own
business available at our career center.
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Are continuing
education credits available with your programs?
Please refer to our Continuing Education Section for
the latest information.
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How do your programs differ in terms
of academics and marketability?
First, we are an accredited
and state-licensed school—one of a select few in
the country. Accreditation and state licensing protect
you and ensure credibility of your education. We have
many industry approvals that greatly enhance the credibility
of your credentials. View our complete list of ACHS credentials.
Our
programs are comprehensive and updated with the latest
research and information. They are written and updated by Dorene
Petersen, Principal, in conjunction with the ACHS faculty, staff,
and leading experts in the field and under the guidance of our Advisory
Board. We commit extensive time to the continual research and development
of our program materials.
The ACHS faculty consists of professionals working in the
industry, so you get relevant, instruction throughout
your program—visit our faculty now.
Finally, we take pride in our
high level of student service. You are welcome to call
your instructor or student services with questions on
our student 800 number. You can also email or write your instructor.
We provide extensive student services. These include:
virtual online classrooms (eCompanions), virtual library,
student and graduate networking page, career advice, and more.
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Do
I need to complete all sections of the course? What if
I’ve
already completed anatomy & physiology?
Each program is completed
in modules containing a combination of subjects. The
lesson modules interact in a way that requires you to
work with each component of that module. Studies have
shown this is the most effective way to learn, rather than attempting
to remember isolated information in the abstract.
The good news is
your previous knowledge will provide you with invaluable
background for completing your course.
Also, our anatomy
and physiology programs have a different focus on physiology,
holistic principles, and interaction of the systems.
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If
I have a question as I’m completing my assignment, am
I allowed to call the College for assistance?
Absolutely!
We invite you to call us on the student toll-free number:
1.800.487.8839. We are here from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Pacific Standard
Time. If you call after hours, please leave us a detailed message
and we’ll
get back to you. Another suggestion is to call or email your instructor.
All instructors have office hours in which you can reach him or her
directly.
Another option is to post your question to the student
email discussion list or at your virtual online classroom
and seek assistance from your fellow students.
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Can I complete a program more quickly than the time indicated?
There
is no minimum time required to complete a program.
You set your own pace guided by your instructor. However, we recommend
that you allow 3 to 4 weeks to complete each module to fully participate
in the practical work. This ensures your comprehension and retention.
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What kind of people enroll at ACHS?
Our student body consists of
an exciting group of people with a diverse range in
educational background, age and work history.
ACHS courses suit busy people who have the motivation
and dedication to study on their own schedule. Our
students range from homemakers to physicians and nurses, from pharmacists,
massage therapists, and teachers, to business people.
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Can I contact any of your current students to find out more?
Yes…of
course! Many students and graduates have given their permission for
prospective students to contact them for information. For privacy
reasons, we will call and check with each student before you contact
them. Please call or email the College and we’ll
provide you with the necessary information.
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Can I complete more than one program at a time?
Many students complete
two or three programs simultaneously. Whether this
will suit you depends on how much time you have available
and your personal background.
Your admissions advisor can assist you
with this question during your admissions interview.
As
with all educational endeavors, your rewards depend
on the time you devote to your studies, so we recommend that you
do not over extend yourself. We suggest that you begin your studies
with one or two programs, then add additional programs as time allows.
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Can I call myself an aromatherapist after completing Aroma 201:
Certificate in Aromatherapy?
At this time there are no
educational requirements for an aromatherapist. Suggested
educational standards are released by the National Association
of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA).
The courses at ACHS
meet the education standards set out by NAHA.
The Aromatherapy
Registration Council provides an independent national
examination in aromatherapy and administers a register
of successful examinees. Many graduates of Aroma 201 Certificate
in Aromatherapy have successfully passed this examination.
Our aromatherapy
programs have achieved a high level of recognition,
both nationally and internationally.
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What do Australasian
College graduates do with their qualifications? What
is the most common and what is the most unusual career
path you’ve heard
of?
Graduates use their training to become self-employed
herbalists, natural health consultants, or natural health
counselors. Many open health food or natural health stores.
Some become soap makers. Others produce aromatherapy
products such as massage oil, bath balls, etc.
There is
a huge spectrum of opportunity in which trained people
can forge a career.
Many students also adjunct their
knowledge to an existing career—we have a prison warden
using aromatherapy in her jail. Among traditional doctors
studying herbalism we’ve seen psychologists
use homeobotanicals. We’ve also seen pharmacists, registered
nurses, and licensed massage therapists study everything
from iridology and aromatherapy to herbalism.
We’re sure there
are some rather unique endeavors taken on by our graduates.
Visit the Natural Health Directory to see what some of those paths
might be.
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How should I choose a School? How can I make sure I gain
a legitimate credential?
First, read “How to gain a recognized
credential in natural health.”
We do recommend that you research
each school thoroughly. Obtain detailed information on
qualifications and approvals, not just vague assertions.
We’re happy to provide
you with detailed information on ACHS.
We advise students
to get as much information as possible before making
their decision. And take your time. You’re making
a major commitment!
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How do graduates find work? Do they tend to work for others, or
do they open their own shop or practice?
These are both
viable options. A lot of what you can achieve depends
on your personal experience, your motivation, and the
capital you have available.
We have accountants who open herb and
aromatherapy stores. And people with little business
background who start out working in a health food store
then move on to opening their own business.
ACHS offers a continuing
education program for graduates thinking of establishing
a consulting practice: Nat 306 Natural Health Consulting.
We
have positions available on our Employment Bulletin
Board, along with information on seeking a position, and setting
up your own business. We also notify students of new positions in
the Student News, which is emailed to all ACHS students and graduates.
We list opportunities in our Student News, and encourage you to seek
options in your area.
Finally, we are more than happy to provide you with
transcripts and letters of recommendation upon your
request.
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How much can graduates expect to earn (from
the low end to the higher end)?
This varies dramatically. Some
graduates work only part-time and make $1,000 a year
from a small herb business; others make $40–50,000
and up.
As of March 2000, our graduates report salaries
ranging from $10,000 to $61,000 with an average of
$27,000. Note that 64% decline to state their salary.
As
with any training, what you can make depends a lot on
the time, money and energy you have to devote to your
business. Your personal background and skill also plays
a significant role - you can make a great product, but if you don’t
know how to market it, you won’t
make money. However, that said, there are some great
PR and marketing people out there who can assist you.
We
have positions available on our Employment Bulletin
Board, along with information on seeking a position, and setting
up your own business.
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I want to get a Naturopathic Degree (ND). Do you offer such a program?
We
do not offer an ND program. We offer diploma and certificate
programs including the Diploma in Herbal Studies, Homeobotanical
Therapy and the Certificate in Aromatherapy, which provides
professional in-depth training.
We are aware that there
are distance learning institutions claiming to offer
ND’s by distance learning. We have been informed by the
Oregon Department of Education that these schools are not accredited
by any recognized body and their degrees are not accepted in states
that license Naturopaths. The only federally approved naturopathic
accrediting agency is the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
(CNME).
There are only five Colleges that offer a Naturopathic Degree
in North America:
- Bastyr University in Washington;
phone: 425.602.3100.
- The University of Bridgeport
in Connecticut; phone: 203.576.4109.
- Canadian College
of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Canada; phone:
416.486.8584.
- National College of Naturopathic medicine
in Portland, Oregon; phone: 503.499.4343.
- Southwest
College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences,
Tempe, Arizona; phone: 602.858.9100.
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What about overseas? Can you tell me something about practicing
in New Zealand?
A good place to start is the New Zealand
Charter of Health Practitioners Inc. The address: P.O.
Box 36 - 588 Northcote, Auckland. Phone: +649. 443. 6255
and fax: +649. 443. 2336.
Robin Lewis, HbT, is the Secretary of the
New Zealand Homeobotanical Institute. The address:
P. O. Box 104-111 Lincoln North, AUCKLAND, New Zealand.
Her phone: +649. 833. 8134 and fax: +649. 833. 8888.
Finally, ACHS
students can contact Dr. Brian Murray in his Auckland
office if desired. The address: P. O. Box 33 - 1657 Takapuna,
New Zealand. His phone: +649. 4800. 886 and fax: +649.
4800. 746.
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What is product liability insurance?
Unigard Insurance Co. is a
national company that oversees this type of Insurance.
Inquirers
need to ask for an application form entitled: Limited
Liability Insurance Coverage from the Secretary of State’s
in your state. Every state has a different phone number
so you must call information within the state you reside.
In
Oregon, the Sec. of State number is 503. 986. 2200.
Additionally,
you must check within your state and with the small business
office to find out about your state’s specific
guidelines regarding the selling of products and follow
all "truth
in labeling" laws. Fees range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year
and coverage varies.
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