Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine ACAHM

Overview

The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) is a national, U.S.‑based, specialized accreditor for advanced professional education in acupuncture and East Asian (Herbal) Medicine. ACAHM is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and operates as a 501(c)(3) non‑profit corporation. Formerly known as the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the agency registers its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and maintains its primary office in Minnesota. According to uniRank research, ACAHM was founded in 1982 and has accredited over 50 post‑secondary institutions offering more than 120 professional and graduate‑level programs throughout the United States.

1 Historical and Legal Framework

Modern accreditation in U.S. higher education originated in the late 19th century as a decentralized system of quality assurance. In that context, ACAHM was established in 1982 to fill the need for peer‑reviewed educational standards in the field of acupuncture and herbal medicine. The U.S. federal government’s recognition of specialized accreditors is governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, with agencies such as ACAHM reviewed for compliance with criteria set by Congress and enacted through Department of Education regulations. ACAHM’s recognition covers the full accreditation lifecycle—including candidacy (pre‑accreditation), site visits and decision‑making. In 2021 the commission formally changed its name to reflect the growing emphasis on herbal medicine within its scope.

2 Mission, Vision and Objectives

ACAHM's mission is to promote quality and continuous improvement in programs educating professionals in acupuncture and herbal medicine. Its vision (styled as the “2025 Vision”) positions ACAHM as the premier global accreditor in the field, dedicated to fostering consistently high educational outcomes and evolving healthcare needs.

• Mission: Ensure that graduates of accredited programs deliver safe, ethical and effective care.
• Vision: Be recognized globally as the leading authority in acupuncture and herbal medicine education.
• Objectives: Publish rigorous accreditation standards, facilitate peer review, support faculty development and promote institutional accountability.

3 Governance, Structure and Independence

ACAHM is governed by a volunteer Commission of voting members drawn from various stakeholder groups—qualified educators, clinicians and at‑large public representatives. As a 501(c)(3) non‑profit, it is not part of any institution and maintains operational independence from both accredited institutions and federal authorities.

• Affiliate status: ACAHM is not recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), but it is an active member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).
• Board oversight: A board of directors stewards the Commission’s bylaws, policies and fiscal affairs, subject to conflict‑of‑interest rules and regular performance reviews.
• Policy framework: All major policies (e.g., appeals, conflict of interest, distance education) are publicly posted and updated on a regular revision cycle.

4 Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

ACAHM's accreditation process adheres to a rigorous multi‑stage model:

1. Eligibility review based on a subset of standards (“Eligibility Requirements”) for candidacy.
2. Self‑study report by the institution, demonstrating compliance with its Comprehensive Standards and Criteria (which are publicly available and were last revised February 2024).
3. Site visit by qualified peer reviewers evaluating facilities, curriculum, faculty, student services and outcomes data.
4. Commission decision at one of two annual meetings (typically February and August), granting pre‑accreditation or full accreditation.
5. Reporting and reaffirmation cycle: Annual data submissions maintain transparency; accreditation is reaffirmed every 3 to 7 years.

ACAHM’s scope extends to:

• Professional non‑degree education (e.g. certificate, diploma programs)
• Graduate level training including Master’s, dual Master’s/Doctorate and post‑professional Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM or PhD‑equivalent clinical doctorate).
• Institutions that are freestanding, as well as those offering acupuncture & herbal programs within multi‑purpose colleges.
• Distance education and substantive change processes—each 100 % online or hybrid offering must undergo approved accreditation review under ACAHM’s new Distance Education/S.CT. 1.15 policy.

5 International Cooperation and Network Memberships

Although ACAHM does not accredit programs outside the United States, it actively participates in professional accreditation circles:

• Full membership in the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), which includes over 60 U.S. specialized accreditors in allied health, therapy and trades.
• Engagement with the Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative—a forum that connects health accreditors on interprofessional and public protection issues.
• Indirect connection with international accreditation forums (e.g. CHEA’s international quality network) through joint practice and research, though ACAHM itself is not CHEA‑recognized.

6 Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

ACAHM plays a pivotal role in shaping professional training programs that qualify graduates for state licensure and national certification (e.g. NCCAOM). Its influence continues to evolve in response to:

• Growth in doctoral education: The increasing availability of DAOM programs aligns with ACAHM’s updated Standards (2024‑2025) emphasizing research literacy and clinical outcomes.
• Distance learning integration: The formal distance education policy enables programs to expand online offerings while maintaining quality assurance.
• Public health integration: ACAHM‑accredited programs are increasingly referenced by hospital systems, health educators and malpractice insurers for standard training requirements.
• Educational innovation: ACAHM’s 2025 Vision encourages faculty collaboration, new certificate models (e.g. herbal medicine, East Asian medical bodywork) and cross‑disciplinary preparedness.

7 Summary

In essence, ACAHM is the primary nationally recognized specialized accreditor for acupuncture and herbal (East Asian) medicine education in the United States. Since its founding in 1982, ACAHM has maintained rigorous standards and procedures that ensure consistent educational quality, legal recognition for licensure and public accountability. While not CHEA‑recognized, the agency’s USDE recognition and involvement in professional accreditation networks underscore its legitimacy and influence. ACAHM is poised to continue guiding the evolution of acupuncture and herbal medicine training through its focus on doctoral-level programs, distance education and innovation in healthcare education.

8 Frequently Asked Questions

• What does ACAHM stand for?
  The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.
• Is ACAHM recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
  Yes—ACAHM has been recognized by USDE since 1988 as the sole specialized accreditor of acupuncture and herbal medicine programs in the U.S.
• How many institutions hold ACAHM accreditation?
  According to uniRank, ACAHM has accredited over 50 higher-education institutions offering more than 120 professional and graduate programs nationwide.
• How long is the accreditation cycle?
  Initial candidacy typically lasts 3 years; subsequent accreditation is granted for up to 7 years, with annual reporting requirements in between.
• Does ACAHM accredit international programs?
  No. ACAHM’s USDE recognition exclusively covers programs delivered within the United States.
• What is involved in the ACAHM accreditation process?
  The process includes eligibility review, self‑study reporting, peer site visit, presentation to the Commission and biennial (February/August) decision‑making.
• Why is ACAHM accreditation important?
  Licensure in most U.S. states requires graduation from an ACAHM‑accredited program; accreditation also assures employers, insurers and public agencies of the quality and credibility of the training.

Organization Name

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Acronym

ACAHM

Year of Establishment

1/01/1982

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

U.S. Department of Education

Affiliations or Memberships

Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

53

Address

500 Lake Street, Suite 204
Excelsior
55331 Minnesota United States

Phone

+1 (952) 212 2434

Fax

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

1) Academy for Five Element Acupuncture
2) Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
3) Acupuncture and Massage College
4) Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley
5) Alhambra Medical University
6) American Academy of Health & Wellness
7) American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
8) American Institute of Alternative Medicine
9) AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
10) Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
11) Atlanta University of Health Science
12) Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine
13) Bastyr University
14) California Institute of Integral Studies
15) California University - Silicon Valley
16) Chicago College of Oriental Medicine
17) Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
18) Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts
19) Dongguk University Los Angeles
20) Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine
21) Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine
22) East West College of Natural Medicine
23) Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine
24) Five Branches University
25) Florida College of Integrative Medicine
26) Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
27) Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture
28) Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
29) Lotus Professional College
30) Maryland University of Integrative Health
31) MCPHS University
32) Middle Way Acupuncture Institute
33) Midwest College of Oriental Medicine
34) National University of Health Sciences
35) National University of Natural Medicine
36) New York College of Health Professions
37) New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
38) Northwestern Health Sciences University
39) Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
40) Pacific College of Health and Science
41) Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture
42) POCA Technical Institute
43) Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine
44) South Baylo University
45) Southern California University of Health Sciences
46) Southwest Acupuncture College
47) Texas Health and Science University
48) University of Bridgeport
49) University of East-West Medicine
50) Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
51) Wongu University of Oriental Medicine
52) Won Institute of Graduate Studies
53) Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Wikipedia Article

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine's Wikipedia article

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