Advancing Holistic Health Through Science & Tradition
ACHS blends evidence-based research with time-honored wellness practices, giving students the academic foundation to lead in holistic health
Applications for Spring 2027 are now open.
Explore flexible programs designed to help you build a meaningful career in holistic health.
How is ACHS Different?
ACHS combines accredited online education, expert faculty, and a supportive community to make holistic health education flexible, credible, and deeply connected to your goals.
Rooted in Purpose Since 1978
ACHS has designed and taught holistic health programs for nearly 50 years, building a curriculum shaped by decades of expertise.
Study Online, From Anywhere
ACHS programs are fully online, giving you the flexibility to build your education around your life, wherever you are in the world.
Accredited & Respected
ACHS is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
A Real-Time Learning Community
Connect with faculty and peers through live lectures, peer tutoring, and experiential classes designed to keep you engaged and supported.
Programs for Every Stage
From micro-credentials to doctorate-level degrees, ACHS offers a path for wherever you are in your wellness journey.
Find Your Path
Explore Programs by Department
Aromatherapy
Study the therapeutic use of essential oils and build expertise in one of the founding disciplines of holistic health.
Herbal Medicine
Explore the science and tradition of plant-based wellness through ACHS’s herbal medicine programs.
Holistic Nutrition
Learn to guide clients toward whole-body wellness through evidence-informed nutrition education.
Integrative Health
Build a foundation in integrative and functional approaches to health and wellness coaching.
Start Your Journey with ACHS
Explore ACHS
Current Student Resources
Career & Professional Support
Success Stories
“ACHS has been a strength and a guiding light in my life and I am deeply grateful that I could use the courses as an escape from my grief.”
“ACHS has been instrumental in my development and has given me the motivation and confidence to give back to my community and educate others on the importance of plant medicine and psychedelics, especially in underserved communities and people of color who are often underrepresented in empirical research.”
“Getting my Diploma in Aromatherapy at ACHS gave me the exact knowledge and skills required to launch my new career as an aromatherapist, natural perfumer, and natural skincare formulator.”
“My education deepened my commitment to evidence-based nutrition while honoring the body’s innate wisdom, a balance that continues to guide both my life and my work.”
“ACHS helped transform my practice from a single-modality approach to a multifaceted wellness mission that considers the whole person within the context of their environment.”
“ACHS gave me the knowledge and confidence to turn my passion for herbal medicine into meaningful, community-centered care. My education here strengthened both my purpose and my practice.”
“By attending ACHS, I was able to make my dream of getting a holistic health degree come true, even while living in my small Kansas town. My business can now evolve and grow because of the education I received.”
What Could Your Future in Holistic Health Look Like?
See real student stories, explore the impact graduates are making across the wellness field, and get a detailed look at what each pathway actually involves, so you can find the one that fits.
A Message from ACHS Founder Dorene Petersen
Watch ACHS Founder Dorene Petersen as she shares the inspiring story behind founding American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) and our mission and vision to make holistic health and wellness education accessible worldwide.
News, Events, and Ideas
Discover ACHS news, upcoming events, thought leadership, and practical resources – all in one place.
