American College of Healthcare Sciences Joins SARA Initiative, Expanding Student Access to Online Education

Portland, OR, March 12, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ACHS is an industry leader in establishing standards in distance education, and is among the first Oregon institutions to participate in the SARA initiative. As a SARA institution, ACHS agrees to follow the Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education Programs (Online Learning) for best practices in postsecondary distance education developed by leading practitioners of distance education.

“ACHS is proud to join the SARA initiative. Our College mission is to provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education, which includes doing everything we can to ensure students can easily access high-quality holistic health programs. We embrace innovative opportunities to further improve access to, and the integrity of ACHS programs,” says ACHS President and Founder Dorene Petersen.

“Joining SARA provides expanded access to higher education for students in member states,” Petersen adds. “SARA membership also streamlines the administration of state authorization requirements for the institution, allowing ACHS staff to focus even more resources on activities that lead to student engagement, retention, and long-term success.”

Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) serves as the state portal agency for SARA. The Commission is responsible for advising the Legislature, the Governor, and the Oregon Education Investment Board on higher education policy.

To request an interview with Dorene Petersen or for additional information about ACHS and SARA, please call (800) 487-8839.

For all other inquiries, contact ACHS Admissions at (800) 487-8839 or visit their website

About ACHS

American College of Healthcare Sciences is an accredited member of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ACHS is one of the only accredited holistic health colleges offering fully online graduate and undergraduate degrees, diplomas, career-training certificates, and continuing education courses in holistic integrative medicine fields, such as aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and wellness coaching. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in innovative and online holistic health education. For more information about accredited ACHS programs visit their website.