American College of Healthcare Sciences

American College of Healthcare Sciences

Former names	Australasian College of Herbal Studies, Australasian College of Health Sciences
Type	Private College
Established	1978
President	Dorene Petersen
Vice-president	Erika Yigzaw
Academic staff	34
Students	741
Undergraduates	470
Location	Portland, Oregon, USA Kealakekua (Kona), Hawaii, USA
Colors	Blue and Gold
Website	www.achs.edu

The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), based in Portland, Oregon, United States, specializes in online holistic health distance education. Founded in 1978, ACHS is 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).

ACHS is also approved as a degree-granting Institute of Higher Learning by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. In 2017, ACHS launched a satellite campus in Kealakekua (Kona), Hawaii, focused on on-site wellness workshops and classes. This site is approved by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

History

ACHS evolved from the distance education department of the South Pacific College of Natural Therapeutics (SPCNT), an on-campus naturopathic college in Auckland, New Zealand. Dorene Petersen, a graduate of SPCNT, was selected to develop and head this department in 1976. In 1978, SPCNT closed the department due to an internal change in direction. To provide a teach-out opportunity to the SPCNT distance-learning students, Petersen founded ACHS (called Australasian College of Herbal Studies at the time).

The USA office opened in 1991 and became owned and operated independently from the New Zealand school. Australasian College of Herbal Studies USA Inc. was duly incorporated in Oregon in July 1993. It has grown each year. In 1997, ACHS became state licensed by the Oregon Department of Education. The Oregon Department of Education noted that it was the first state-licensed college in the U.S. offering distance education programs in complementary alternative medicine including aromatherapy, herbal medicine, and holistic nutrition.

In 1999, ACHS became the first state-licensed college offering aromatherapy travel education programs and the first state-licensed college to offer continuing education credits for pharmacists and veterinarians in integrative health.

ACHS moved from Lake Oswego to its Southwest (SW) Portland campus in 2003. As of 2015, ACHS’s moved its primary SW campus to a new administrative building, which also houses the Apothecary Shoppe College Bookstore (5005 SW Macadam Avenue); the original SW campus serves as the college’s shipping and production facility and houses a sustainable botanical teaching garden open to the public.

In 2003, ACHS became accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Also in 2003, the college name was changed from the Australasian College of Herbal Studies to the Australasian College of Health Sciences to reflect the expanded curricula of holistic medicine education programs available at ACHS.

In 2003, ACHS also became approved by the Oregon State Approving Agency to certify Veterans Education benefits for our veteran student as a correspondence school. ACHS became the only correspondence institution approved in Oregon and one of only 17 approved correspondence institutions in the U.S.

In 2007, ACHS transitioned to an Institute of Higher Learning and was approved by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization to offer a Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine. In 2008, ACHS was approved by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

In 2008, ACHS received its five-year re-accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission along with accreditation for the Associate of Applied Science in Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine.

Also in 2008, ACHS became approved as an Institute of Higher Learning by the Oregon State Approving Agency to certify Veterans Education benefits, making the full range of veteran’s benefits available to ACHS students, including military spouses and dependents.

In 2009, ACHS changed its name from the "Australasian College of Health Sciences" to the "American College of Healthcare Sciences".

In 2010, the Apothecary Shoppe College Bookstore achieved Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) certification.

In 2011, ACHS transitioned to a traditional semester system with three cohort starts per year: spring (January), summer (May), and fall (September). Students can continue to select full-time, half-time, or quarter-time studies. Also in 2011, ACHS became an approved member of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) approved the ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy as a Professional Level Program (formerly called a Level II approved aromatherapy program) and the ACHS Diploma in Aromatherapy as an Advanced Practitioner Level Program (formerly called a Level III Clinical Aromatherapy program). The Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine with specialization in Aromatherapy and Master of Science in Aromatherapy have since been added as Advanced Practitioner Level Programs.

In October 2012, ACHS was approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer Title IV federal financial aid to qualified students in ACHS’s online Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine degree program. Several additional programs—including undergraduate and graduate certificates, bachelors degrees, and masters degrees—are now Title IV eligible as of 2018. A full list of Title IV-eligible programs is available on the college website.

In 2013, ACHS received its five-year re-accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and was approved to offer five new degree programs and one new graduate certificate program: Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness, Graduate Certificate in Wellness Coaching, Master of Science in Aromatherapy, Master of Science in Health and Wellness, Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, and Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition.

In September 2016, ACHS became a Certified B Corporation^®. Certified B Corps meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and operate with a clear mission to benefit the communities they serve. To become a Certified B Corp™, ACHS completed a rigorous review process that analyzed the college’s practices such as purchasing, customer service, student success, and sustainability practices. The performance standards Certified B Corps meet are comprehensive, transparent, and verified.

In 2017, ACHS opened a new administrative site in Kealakekua (Kona), Hawaii. Also, in 2017, ACHS was approved by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization to offer a Certificate in Holistic Spa Management and a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition and Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health Sciences.

Academics

Photo of ACHS during the summer.

Alumni

Program completion and graduate success information is available in ACHS’s Consumer Disclosures.

Academic programs

The American College of Healthcare Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, undergraduate diploma programs, an Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine, an Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness, a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition, a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health Sciences, a Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine, a Master of Science in Aromatherapy, a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition, a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, and a Master of Science in Health and Wellness, as well as several continuing education courses, webinars, community wellness workshops, and study-abroad programs.

Students choose to focus their studies in one of several key areas: Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, Holistic Nutrition, Spa Management, Health & Wellness, or Complementary Alternative Medicine.

In 2008, ACHS launched seven professional certificate programs, including: Certificate in Natural Products Manufacturing, Certificate in Herbal Retail Management, Certificate in Dynamic Phytotherapy Consulting, Certificate in Wellness Consulting, Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting, Certificate in Iridology Consulting, and Certificate in Homeopathy Consulting. Later that year it launched six graduate-level certificate programs, including: Graduate Certificate in Holistic Nutrition, Graduate Certificate in Anatomy & Physiology, Graduate Certificate in Complementary Alternative Medicine, Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy, Graduate Certificate in Botanical Safety, and Graduate Certificate in Wellness Coaching.

In May 2013, ACHS launched five new accredited programs, including the Master of Science in Health and Wellness, Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition, Master of Science in Aromatherapy, Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, and Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness.

In 2017, ACHS was approved by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization to offer a Certificate in Holistic Spa Management. The certificate was developed in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Students who complete the program earn a Certificate of Specialization in Spa Management from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, an International Spa Association (ISPA)-recognized professional credential. These holistic spa management courses are also part of the first Spa Management Specialty Certificate Program developed in partnership with ACHS and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Massage therapists who complete ACHS’s spa management courses and pass the NCBTMB Specialty Exam can earn their Spa Management Specialty Certificate Program.  

In 2017, ACHS launched two bachelors degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition and Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health Sciences.

Accreditation

ACHS is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). 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).

ACHS is one of the few accredited colleges offering online certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs in integrative health and wellness.

Campus

In February 2003, the American College of Healthcare Sciences opened its first campus in Southwest Portland, Oregon.

In 2015, ACHS moved its primary location and administrative offices to a larger campus in Southwest Portland. The current campus is located in the John’s Landing area, at 5005 SW Macadam Avenue. John’s Landing is next to the Willamette River in a blended retail, residential, and commercial neighborhood, and is about a five-minute drive from downtown Portland.

The previous campus remains the college’s shipping and production facility and houses the college’s sustainable botanical teaching garden, a demonstration garden open to the public which incorporates native and non-native herbs. The garden has its own website including photographs of all stages of the year and features a small lavender field planted alongside its footpath.

The college’s Apothecary Shoppe is currently located at the primary 5005 SW Macadam Avenue campus, where the college hosts community wellness events and the public can purchase organic certified and sustainably wildcrafted essential oils and herbs.

In 2017, ACHS launched a second, satellite campus in Kealakekua (Kona), Hawaii, focused on on-site wellness workshops and classes. This campus is approved by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and located at 81-958 Halekii St., Suite 5C, Kealakekua, HI 96750.

Organizations and publications

ACHS publishes a monthly eNewsletter. Featured articles include: College news, upcoming wellness events and conferences, featured articles from the ACHS Health and Wellness Blog, industry updates, alumni profiles, health freedom updates, and natural health research.

ACHS also publishes eBooks and white papers available to the public on topics like nutrition law and regulations, aromatherapy basics, herbal medicine, green cleaning, juicing, and U.S. trends in aromatherapy essential oils. 

Military funding

ACHS is a military friendly institution and offers several services and benefits including a Military Resource Center with staff to counsel and support military students throughout their education, as well as community and career resources for veterans and dependents.

ACHS also participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and has been named a Military Friendly^® School by G.I. Jobs magazine for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Select ACHS programs are approved to use Veteran's benefits by the Oregon Department of Education, the State Approving Agency.

Continuing eudcation and community wellness

The ACHS Department of Continuing Education (CE) offers an on-demand library of courses that are approved for CE credits for massage therapists, registered nurses, pharmacists, naturopaths, and veterinarians.

ACHS hosts community wellness classes and workshops on the John’s Landing campus, which provide year-round opportunities for the community to learn about holistic health and wellness protocols. Many of these workshops are available via live-stream and/or are recorded as well. A selection of previously recorded events are available on the college’s YouTube station, ACHStv.

ACHS also hosts a Master Lecture webinar series featuring an expert in the holistic health field from the ACHS faculty or larger community and offers several on-demand continuing education courses.

Awards and recognitions

• Named #2 of 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon in 2017 by Oregon Business magazine
• Named 2017 When Work Works Award winner
• Received Gold Level Certification with the City of Portland Sustainability at Work Program
• #6 of 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon 2017 by Oregon Business magazine
•  ACHS President Dorene Petersen awarded President’s Volunteer Service Award
• Awarded a 2016 Top Workplaces honor in the small business category by The Oregonian and OregonLive
• Selected as Finalist for the 2016 BBB Torch Awards for Ethic
• September 2016 ACHS became the first accredited higher education institution specializing in holistic and integrative health and wellness to become a Certified B Corporation^®
• Named #6 out of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon by Oregon Business magazine
• Named 2016 When Work Works Award winner
• 2015 Business of the Year Finalist for the 2015 BBB Torch Awards
• First named a Military Friendly^® School by G.I. Jobs magazine in 2009 (then consecutively in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017)

Sustainability

ACHS’s many classes focus on a holistic approach to healthcare and to the environment. All classes promote sustainability: for example, ACHS gardening classes explore composting and nutrition classes talk about the benefits of buying organic foods.

As of September 2008, ACHS pledged their participation to PGE’s Save More, Matter More campaign. In place of traditional power, ACHS has pledged to use renewable power, which makes use of clean wind to save energy, cut costs, and help the environment.

In 2009, ACHS formed the Sustainability Committee. Started by Chief Strategy Officer Erika Yigzaw, the Sustainability Committee works to promote sustainable practices on the ACHS campus and within the larger global community. For example, the Sustainability Committee had a tree planting initiative for 2010, which planted 10 trees for every 2010 Summer School in Greece participant. Current Committee members include: Chief Strategy Officer Erika Yigzaw, President Dorene Petersen, Chief Operating Officer Tracey Abell, Assistant Director of Financial Aid Stephanie North, Business Office Coordinator Erika Baltazar, and Records and Registration Assistant Madilyn Bourdon. Ongoing conservation and sustainability efforts include: an oxygen-producing herb garden, recycling office paper and kitchen trash, composting food scraps, and increased use of skylights for improved work conditions.

In 2009 ACHS received the Gold Seal of Approval from Green America’s Green Business Network, and have done so every year since. Green America’s Green Business Network is the nation’s only directory of screened and approved green businesses. Green America is a not-for-profit membership organization that was founded in 1982. Their mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

In December 2010, the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe became Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO). OTCO is the certifying agent for the National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In June 2013, ACHS and the Apothecary Shoppe was re-certified as a Green America Gold Certified Business.

In January 2016 the Apothecary Shoppe, ACHS's college store, announced it will donate 2% of all essential oil sales to directly support global sustainability education initiatives in botanical production for the essential oil industry.

In June 2016, ACHS was named #6 of 100 Best Green Workplaces by Oregon Business magazine.

In March 2017, ACHS received Gold Level Certification with the City of Portland Sustainability at Work program.

In June 2017, ACHS was named #2 of 100 Best Green Workplaces by Oregon Business magazine.

References

• The SHRM Blog: When Work Works for America’s Veterans: Workflex Practices Support Former Military and their Families in a Civilian Workplace, 11/10/17
• The SHRM Blog: National Work and Family Month Prompts HR Experts To Help Employees Achieve Work-Life Fit, 10/2/17
• NCBTMB & ACHS Launch Spa Management Specialty Certificate Program, Massage Magazine, 8/10/17
• The Best Holistic Health Blogs of the Year, Healthline, 6/13/17
• How Blogging Plays an Important Role in Education: An Interview with Dorene Petersen, FirstSiteGuide.com, 6/6/17
• Winrock International Honors Dorene Petersen with President's Volunteer Service Award, Massage Magazine, 5/20/17
• Meet Oregon's 39 newest B Corps, Portland Business Journal, 5/24/17
• Stress Less Tuesday: Aromatherapy at Home, KGW – Portland Today, 3/21/17
• Holistic Healthcare College Opens in Kona, Big Island Now, 3/14/17
• Alternative medicine grows in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Community Impact Newspaper, 3/6/17
• Back to Basics with Dorene Petersen, President & CEO of American College of Healthcare Sciences, Face the Current, January, 2017
• Essential Oils Are All You Need To Make The Nontoxic Perfume You've Been Looking For, MindBodyGreen.com, 10/27/16
• Local Love: Portland, OR Vs. Seattle, WA, Trulia's Blog, 6/22/16
• 5 Essential Oils to Help Your Highly Sensitive Clients, Massage Magazine, 6/10/16
• 11 Habits That Can Fight Off Anxiety To Do Every Day, Bustle, 5/27/16
• "Products to help you sleep," WINK News, Interview, 5/10/16
• "Products to help you sleep better and sounder," ABC News, Interview, 4/7/16
• Empowerment Through Education. Natural Practitioner, 1/18/16
• 10 Ways to Make Labor Less Painful. Cosmo.com, 11/12/15
• Scents and Sensitivities: Why Your Nose Says "No" to Some Perfumes. InStyle, 11/1/15
• Heavenly Scents: How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances. Natural Awakenings. 2015
• What to Do When Your Child Has a Fever, Katie McIntyre, Parenting.com, 4/20/15
• Holistic Healthcare College Offers Advantage for Certified Case Managers, The Lund Report, 8/26/15
• Ask Herbal Health Expert Susun Weed & Aromatherapy with Dorene Petersen, 6/24/2014
• The Aroma of Choice: Health Freedom and Aromatherapy, Dorene Petersen, NAHA, 06/06/14
• Essential Oil Expert Dorene Petersen to Present U.S. Aromatherapy Trends Research at AAIC2014 in China, Massage Magazine, 5/27/14
• Portland to Host Holistic Nurses' (AHNA) Annual Leadership Conference, Massage Magazine, 5/23/14
• The Changing Face of the CIO, Thomas W. Durso, University Business, 08/27/2012

External links

• Official website