American College of Healthcare Sciences

What American College of Healthcare Sciences does

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is a privately held, accredited online educational institution specializing in integrative health and holistic wellness education. Founded in New Zealand in 1978 and expanded to the United States in 1989, ACHS is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and serves individual learners globally through a direct-to-consumer enrollment model. The institution offers certificates, diplomas, and degree programs ranging from associate to Doctor of Science across five core disciplines: aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, integrative health sciences, and sustainable business, supplemented by general education courses, micro-credentials, and continuing education for working professionals. ACHS also operates The Apothecary Shoppe, an Oregon Tilth Certified Organic retail facility selling essential oils, botanicals, and wellness supplies to the public.

The institution's core technology stack is built on the Canvas LMS (Instructure), delivered through an "Experiential Online Learning" platform that provides weekly live lectures, peer tutoring, and an interactive library. ACHS holds DEAC accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA, has been a Certified B Corporation since August 2016, and maintains active affiliations with IFEAT and the Sustainable Herbs Initiative. Student support services are integrated through partnerships, including Handshake for career placement and TimelyCare for virtual wellness coaching.

ACHS generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees for its degree and certificate programs, with a recurring per-program pricing model and a $50 non-refundable graduation application fee per credential. Secondary revenue comes from The Apothecary Shoppe's retail sales. GTM is direct-to-consumer via the ACHS website, supported by admissions advisors, SEO-optimized content marketing, social media presence across six platforms, webinars, and referral partnerships with wellness industry organizations. Customer segments include individual career changers, military servicemembers using VA benefits, employer-funded students, and graduate/doctoral practitioners seeking advanced credentials.

Name

American College of Healthcare Sciences

Legal name

American College of Healthcare Sciences

Website

https://achs.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACHS is a privately held, DEAC-accredited online college founded in 1978 that offers certificates through doctoral degrees in aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and integrative health to individual learners globally, supported by a Canvas-based virtual campus and a Certified B Corp operating model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Holistic Health Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Holistic & Integrative Wellness Education (Ayurveda, Traditional Practices) (EDAAAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAH), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Nutrition & Diet Education (Meal Planning, Macros, Healthy Cooking) (EDAAAHAA)

Keywords

• Online holistic health education
• Integrative health degrees
• Aromatherapy certification programs
• Herbal medicine training
• Holistic nutrition education

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Degree and Certificate Program Tuition: ACHS generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged for its online degree, diploma, and certificate programs including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in integrative health, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and wellness coaching. The graduation application fee is $50 per credential.
2. Apothecary Shoppe Retail Sales: The Apothecary Shoppe is an Oregon Tilth Certified Organic facility open to the public, selling certified organic essential oils, botanicals, and wellness supplies. It donates 2% of all sales to sustainable soil-to-oil aromatherapy education initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACHS delivers fully online accredited education in holistic and integrative health disciplines, offering certificates, diplomas, and degrees (Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Science) in aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, integrative health sciences, sustainable business, and general education. Courses are delivered via the Canvas LMS with live lectures, peer tutoring, and experiential learning, supplemented by micro-credentials and continuing education. The college also operates the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic Apothecary Shoppe retail facility as a student learning lab and public-facing storefront.

Product overview

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is an accredited online educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of holistic health programs. The institution provides certificates, diplomas, and degree programs (Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Science) across five core disciplines: Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, Holistic Nutrition, Integrative Health, and General Education, along with Sustainable Business programs and Micro-Credentials. Programs are delivered through the Canvas-based Student Portal, which provides online learning with weekly live lectures, peer tutoring, and an interactive library. Supporting services include the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe (Oregon Tilth Certified Organic retail facility), TimelyCare student wellness services, and Handshake career platform. ACHS partners with marketplace providers (AzureWell, Wellness Vault, MaxGen Labs) to offer students discounts and resources. The institution also offers continuing education courses for professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Apothecary Shoppe: The ACHS Apothecary Shoppe is an Oregon Tilth Certified Organic facility that integrates sustainability into both academic and public-facing operations. Open to the public and staffed by knowledgeable practitioners, the Shoppe specializes in certified organic essential oils, botanicals, and wellness supplies.

Products and services

• Aromatherapy Programs Accredited online degree and certificate programs in aromatherapy, offering certificates, diplomas, and graduate-level credentials for individuals pursuing aromatherapy careers.
• Herbal Medicine Programs Comprehensive online programs in herbal medicine, including certificates, diplomas, and Master of Science degrees in Herbal Medicine for adult learners pursuing herbalist careers.
• Holistic Nutrition Programs Research-based online programs in holistic nutrition, offering Bachelor of Science degrees and graduate certificates for nutrition consultants.
• Integrative Health Programs Online undergraduate and graduate programs in integrative health sciences, including Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Science degrees for integrative health practitioners.
• General Education Programs Online general education courses and degree programs supporting the holistic health curriculum.
• Sustainable Business Programs Programs focused on sustainable business practices within the health and wellness industry.
• Micro-Credentials

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs designed and delivered since 1978, spanning over four decades of expertise.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AzureWellminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026New marketplace partnership with AzureWell, a wellness-focused platform offering practitioner-grade dietary supplements and health products developed by Azure Standard. The partnership expands marketplace access, educational webinars, workshops, and career opportunities for ACHS students and alumni in the wellness and integrative health sector.
• Ology Essentials LabsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Strategic marketplace partnership with Ology Essentials Labs, a bespoke formulation and manufacturing lab specializing in skincare, haircare, and wellness products. The collaboration provides ACHS students and alumni with access to custom formulation services, bulk manufacturing capabilities, internships, job placements, mentorships, and professional development opportunities.
• Winderlea Vineyard & WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Marketplace partnership with Winderlea Vineyard & Winery, an Oregon-based Certified B Corporation. Collaboration provides mutual benefits including exclusive discounts and curated experiences for ACHS students, alumni, and staff on Winderlea offerings, while Winderlea employees gain access to tuition discounts on ACHS degree, certificate, and professional development programs.
• MaxGen LabsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Partnership with MaxGen Labs to provide students and alumni with discounted access to CLIA-certified genetic wellness testing focused on methylation, detoxification, nutrition, and brain health, used by over 800 practitioners nationwide.
• Wellness VaultminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Partnership with Wellness Vault to provide students, alumni, and staff with access to wellness practice resources and discounts. Wellness Vault offers customizable digital content supportive of health and wellness professionals, enabling graduates to enhance their practices.
• Berry StreetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Community partnership with Berry Street to support wellness practitioners in launching and managing insured private practices. The partnership provides licensing support, AI-powered tools, insurance administration, and professional community access to ACHS staff, students, and alumni.
• Herbalists Without BorderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025Collaborative student mentorship program between ACHS and Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) offering experiential learning in herbal medicine and community health. The program provides students with hands-on experience and supports underserved communities through collaborative projects.
• TimelyCareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTimelyCare is integrated as part of ACHS student support services, providing virtual health and wellness coaching to students. Students can access TimelyCare through the student portal.
• HandshakeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandshake career platform is provided to ACHS students and alumni for job board and internship access as part of the Career Center services.
• International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACHS holds longstanding membership in IFEAT and actively participates in sustainability initiatives including the Sustainable Herbs Initiative, positioning ACHS graduates at the forefront of traceability, ethical sourcing, and environmental accountability in the industry.
• Sustainable Herbs InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACHS participates in the Sustainable Herbs Initiative, an industry-wide effort to increase transparency and sustainability across the botanical supply chain from cultivation and wildcrafting to processing and retail.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bastyr University: Accredited natural health sciences university offering degrees in naturopathic medicine, herbal sciences, and nutrition - a leading direct peer in the holistic health education category.
• Maharishi International University (MIU): Accredited university offering online degrees in Maharishi Ayurveda, integrative health, and holistic wellness - directly comparable in niche integrative-medicine credentialing.
• Pacific College of Health and Sciences: Accredited institution offering online and onsite degrees in acupuncture, holistic nursing, and integrative health, directly competing for the same online holistic-health learner.
• Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH): Accredited university offering online and hybrid degrees in integrative health, herbal medicine, and wellness coaching - the closest US comparable to ACHS in mission, modality, and program structure.
• National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM): Portland-based accredited natural medicine university offering degrees in naturopathy, classical Chinese medicine, and integrative nutrition; directly competes for the same Pacific Northwest holistic-medicine student base.

Broad incumbents

• Western Governors University (WGU): Major accredited competency-based online university with health and nursing programs - a broad online incumbent that overlaps in learner category but does not specialize in integrative modalities.
• Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Large accredited online university offering health-related degrees at scale - serves the same online adult learner via a broader portfolio and competes primarily on price and brand recognition.
• MUIH (Correction: Coursera / wellness MOOC partnerships): Large MOOC platform increasingly featuring wellness and integrative health certificates from universities, representing the structural threat of low-cost, brand-validated alternatives for the same learner.

Emerging players

• American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA): Provides online certification programs in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and wellness - a partial-overlap competitor in the same low-credit continuing-education niche.
• Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN): Large-scale, primarily online health coaching school competing for the wellness coaching and holistic nutrition student segment - overlapping audience but more coach-focused than degree-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/achsedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUZX9SpSKoZrJFAlggksITQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACHSedu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-college-of-healthcare-sciences
• Instagraminstagram.com/achsedu
• TikToktiktok.com/@achsedu
• Pinterestpinterest.com/achsedu/_created

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American College of Healthcare Sciences