Accreditations and State Authorization
We offer a full range of certificates, diplomas, and Degree Plans!
Why Choose an Accredited College?
“DEAC accreditation complements and strengthens an institution’s status through its unprecedented understanding of the changing distance education landscape. In receiving renewal of accreditation, ACHS has demonstrated its commitment to distance education standards that ensure excellence in teaching, learning, and student outcomes.” —Dr. Leah K. Matthews, PhD, Executive Director, Distance Education Accrediting Commission
ACHS specializes in online distance education and has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) since June 2003. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
View ACHS’s DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure for the Public online here.
What does accreditation mean?
We asked our staff and faculty here at ACHS to share what accreditation means to them. Here’s a visual of what they said:
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation: Frequently Asked Questions
No. The accreditation and approvals held by an institution and its programs affect how you may be able to use your training, including whether you can use the credential(s) earned on a resume, attain insurance, or qualify for industry approvals or registration examinations. 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. In fact, in Oregon and some other states that enforce education fraud, if you try to use a degree from an unaccredited institution, you can face criminal liability. Some students unwittingly enroll at unaccredited schools and do not discover this until they have wasted their time and money.
In every measurable way and under the U.S. Department of Education, yes!
It is important to note that in 2019, the United States Department of Education eliminated any distinction between “regional” and “national” accreditors. As of July 1, 2020, accreditors are classified as either institutional or programmatic accreditors. The term “regional” is no longer used by the Department of Education.
Visit the DEAC site to learn more about its U.S. Department of Education recognition.
No. Sadly some schools mislead students about the validity of their accreditation. Don’t be misled by claims of “accreditation” by organizations such as the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) or the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB), who are not approved accrediting bodies. Qualifications from a school or college that claim accreditation from these organizations will make it difficult to transfer credits to other USDOE accredited colleges.
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.
No. Don’t be misled by claims of Quality Certification by organizations such as the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA).
It depends. Acceptance of degrees or credits from any institution is always up to the receiving institution. You should always check with the college or university that you wish to transfer your credits to before you enroll. ACHS’s Registrar’s Office is also happy to reach out on your behalf if you have a specific institution in mind. We can sometimes form an articulation agreement to create a formal pathway, for example.
The following is a complete list of the states and territories and the authorization status ACHS currently has with each.
Home State: ACHS is authorized by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Degree Authorization as an Institute of Higher Learning.
State Authorization
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 302000
Montgomery, AL 36104
https://www.ache.edu/wp-content/Sara/StudentComp.pdf
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
https://acpesecure.alaska.gov/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1400 W Washington Street, Room 260
Phoenix, AZ 85007
www.ppse.az.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
http://www.adhe.edu/Pages/home.aspx
ACHS is in compliance with SB 1192 for out-of-state institutions and is a registered out-of-state institution with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
www.bppe.ca.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Colorado Department of Higher Education
1560 Broadway, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/DegreeAuth/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Office of Higher Education
Department of Higher Education
ATTN: Licensure and Accreditation
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105-2326
https://www.ctohe.org/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal Street, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title14/200/292.shtml#TopOfPage
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Commission for Independent Education
325 W Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
http://www.fldoe.org/cie/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
https://gnpec.georgia.gov/
ACHS has received authorization by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP)
Student Complaint Process http://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/student-complaint-process/
Complaint Form http://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/forms/student-forms/
*This school is a business unit of a corporation and is authorized by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to offer and confer the academic degrees and certificates described herein, in compliance with HRS §305J and contingent upon continued DEAC accreditation. Inquiries concerning the standards or school compliance may be directed to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hualalai Center, Room C-309, 75-170 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740.
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Idaho State Board of Education
(Idaho) Office of the State Board of Education (Private Colleges & Proprietary Schools)
650 W State Street, Suite 307
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0037
www.boardofed.idaho.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
431 East Adams, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62701-1404
www.ibhe.org
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education/The Indiana Board for Proprietary Education
101 W Ohio Street, Suite 670
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984
(317) 464-4400 Ext. 138
(317) 464-4400 Ext. 141
www.in.gov/bpe/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
603 E 12th Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
http://educateiowa.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612
www.kansasregents.org/students
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Director of Postsecondary Licensing
Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
www.cpe.ky.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Louisiana Board of Regents
1201 N 3rd Street, Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
www.regents.state.la.us
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Maine Department of Education, Office of Higher Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
www.maine.gov/education/highered/DegGrantAuth.htm
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N Liberty Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-3301
http://mhec.maryland.gov/institutions_training/Pages/career/pcs/complaint.aspx
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
https://www.mass.edu/forstufam/complaints/complaints.asp
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 30714
Lansing, MI 48909
www.michigan.gov/bcs
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
www.mississippi.edu/mcca
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Missouri Department of Higher Education
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102
www.dhe.mo.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Montana Board of Regents
PO Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620-3201
http://mus.edu
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
PO Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509
https://www.education.ne.gov/cc/complaint-form/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
3663 E Sunset Road, Suite 202
Las Vegas, NV 89120
http://www.doe.nv.gov/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Hampshire Department of Education
Post Secondary Education Commission
3 Barell Court, Suite 300
Concord, NH 03301
https://www.education.nh.gov/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625
http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2048 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505
https://hed.state.nm.us/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New York State Education Department
Office of College and University Evaluation
5 North Mezzanine
Albany, NY 12234
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/contact.htm
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
The University Of North Carolina Board Of Governors
910 Raleigh Road
PO Box 2688
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
https://www.northcarolina.edu
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
North Dakota Department Of Career And Technical Education
Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection & Antitrust Division
Gateway Professional Center
1050 E Interstate Avenue, Suite 200
Bismarck, ND 58503-5574
https://www.ndus.edu/system/state-authorization
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Ohio Board Of Regents
25 S Front Street
Columbus, Oh 43215
https://highered.ohio.gov/students
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Oklahoma State Regents For Higher Education
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
http://okhighered.org/state-system
ACHS is authorized by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Degree Authorization and is an approved SARA institution.
Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th Street SE
Salem, OR 97302
503-378-5690
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/complaints.aspx
*This school is a business unit of a corporation and is authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer the academic degrees and certificates 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, 3225 25th Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302.
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126
https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/CollegeCareer/Pages/Students-Complaints.aspx
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Rhode Island Office of Higher Education
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 0293
https://www.riopc.edu/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201
www.che.sc.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
South Dakota Board of Regents
500 E Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
http://www.sdbor.edu
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
4-4 James Robertson Pkwy, Suite 1900
Nashville, TN 37243
http://www.tn.gov/thec/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
https://www.highered.texas.gov/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
PO Box 146704
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
https://dcp.utah.gov/businesses/stateauth.html
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Vermont State Board of Education
120 State Street
Montpellier, VT 05620
http://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-postsecondary-program-complaint-resolution.pdf
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
101 N 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
www.schev.edu
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98504
www.wsac.wa.gov
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard E, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
https://grants.wv.gov/funding-sources-2/Pages/Student-Financial-Aid.aspx
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board (EAB)
201 W Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor
Madison, WI 53703
http://www.heab.state.wi.us/dlab/
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Avenue, 2nd Floor Hathaway
Cheyenne, WY 82002
www.edu.wyoming.gov
US Territories Authorization
ACHS has no physical presence in American Samoa and is not required to seek approval to offer programs to students.
American Samoa Community College
P.O. Box 2609
Pago Pago, AS 96799
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with D.C. regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Education Licensure Commission
810 First Street NE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
https://osse.dc.gov/service/higher-education-licensure-commission-helc-public-complaints
FSM does not have a regulating agency for distance education and ACHS is not required to seek approval to offer programs to students.
College of Micronesia-FSM
PO Box 159
Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941
www.comfsm.fm
ACHS has sent a regulatory compliance inquiry to the territory.
Guam Community College
P.O. Box 23069
GMF, Guam 96921
ACHS has completed online registration.
Accreditation Liaison
Northern Marianas College
[email protected]
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Council on Education/Consejo de Educación de Puerto Rico
Coordinating/Policy
P.O. Box 19900
San Juan, PR 00910-19900
https://agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/Pages/default.aspx
As an approved SARA institution, ACHS is in compliance with regulations to offer programs to residents of the Virgin Islands.
Chief of Staff
Office of the Commissioner
[email protected]
Industry Leaders
ACHS Partnerships & Affiliations
