Accreditation and Approval

The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM or Commission) is the national specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for “the accreditation and pre-accreditation (“candidacy”) throughout the United States of professional nondegree and graduate degree programs, including professional doctoral programs, in the field of acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine that offer such programs.”

Accreditation Procedures

Initial Accreditation

ACAHM's initial accreditation process includes three distinct phases:eligibility, pre-accreditation, and accreditation. The processes are similiar for each phase however timelines may vary. All phases are subject to timely payment of associated fees.

Eligibility Phase: Preparing for pre-accreditation

Step 1- Submit an initial inquiry to ACAHM’s office and provide any additional information requested by ACAHM

Step 2- Pay the required fees/expenses and host a one-day “Orientation Visit”

Step 3- Submit a Letter of Intent with required additional information officially notifying the Commission of the institution/program’s commitment to pursue accreditation

Step 4- Complete ACAHM’s mandatory Self-Study training

Step 5- Complete a self-study,submit a Self-Study Report in accordance with ACAHM’s current Self-Study Guide and associated policies, and pay the required Self-Study Report Review Fee

Step 6- Pay for and host a comprehensive site visit

Step 7- Submit a Formal Institutional Response (FIR) to the Site Visit Report - Pre-accreditation

Step 8- Undergo Commission review

Pre-Accreditation Phase: Preparing for accredittion

Step 1- Complete a self-study;submit a Self-Study Report in accordance with ACAHM’s current Self-Study Guide and associated policies; and pay the required Self-Study Report Review Fee

Step 2- Pay for and host a comprehensive site visit

Step 3- Submit a Formal Institutional Response (FIR) to the Site Visit Report – Initial Accreditation

Step 4- Undergo Commission review

Accreditation Phase: Preparing for renewal of accreditation

Step 1- Complete a self-study;submit a Self-Study Report in accordance with ACAHM’s current Self-Study Guide and associated policies; and pay the required Self-Study Report Review Fee

Step 2- Pay for and host a comprehensive site visit

Step 3- Submit a Formal Institutional Response (FIR) to the Site Visit Report – Continuing Accreditation

Step 4- Undergo Commission review

Currently, Boston Academy of Chinese Medicine is in the Eligibility Phase step 4.