| | The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) is the nationally recognized accrediting agency of programs in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM) and institutions exclusively providing AHM-related programs. |
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ACAHM Publishes Two New Position Papers |
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ACAHM has published two new position papers addressing school closure guidance for students and institutional maximum time frame policies for program completion. Both documents are available in the Position Papers section of the ACAHM Resources page.
The School Closure Guidance (for students) focuses on options available to students if their school, campus, or program has announced it will close or is in jeopardy of closure. The paper outlines four primary paths students may consider: completing their program via an internal teach-out, transferring to another institution, pausing enrollment to address finances and loans, or seeking recourse through legal or complaint mechanisms. It also addresses immediate steps students should take to secure academic records, transfer credit considerations, and federal and private student aid implications.
The Maximum Time Frame for Completion articulates the Commission's expectations regarding the establishment, implementation, and periodic review of institutional maximum time frame policies for completion of ACAHM-accreditable programs. The paper underscores the need to balance appropriate flexibility with ensuring that students' didactic and clinical preparation remain current over time.
Institutions are encouraged to review both documents in conjunction with applicable ACAHM standards and policies, as well as relevant federal, state, and institutional requirements.
👉 Access both position papers at acahm.org/resources |
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Potential Revisions to Program Requirements |
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In accordance with ACAHM’s Standards Review Policy, the Commission, through its Standards and Criteria Committee, conducts comprehensive, on-going reviews of its Standards and Criteria for Accreditation. In consideration of stakeholder feedback and potential changes to federal financial aid availability, the Commission is currently evaluating its accreditation standards to ensure they are appropriate minimum requirements for entry into the profession. In the coming weeks, the Commission will launch a “straw poll” survey to gauge the level of stakeholder support for a few proposals that support students’ ability to obtain acupuncture degrees, achieve professional competencies, and become safe and competent licensable professionals. Please stay tuned for the survey and share it widely with your colleagues. In addition, ACAHM always welcomes constructive suggestions for specific edits to the relevant criteria (for example, criterion 5.02: Admissions and criterion 7.02: Minimum Program Length) and will provide all stakeholders, including institutions, students, employers, and the public, opportunities to review proposed revisions and provide feedback.
👉 Suggested edits should be sent to [email protected] |
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Upcoming Webinar for ACAHM-accredited/pre-accredited Programs |
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ACAHM recognizes that many pre-accredited/accredited programs are carefully evaluating their curriculum and delivery methods to maximize program efficiency, affordability, and effectiveness. ACAHM staff will be presenting a Webinar in the coming weeks orienting programs to innovative educational approaches that are currently possible under ACAHM’s accreditation standards and policies, such as the appropriate use of transfer credit acceptance, utilizing off-campus clinical training opportunities, consortium agreements to share educational resources, and optimizing the use of distance learning. Institutional/program leaders and ACAHM liaisons will be notified of the webinar details soon. |
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ACAHM Releases 2025 Accredited Program Enrollment Data |
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ACAHM has released enrollment data for pre-accredited/accredited programs, drawn from preliminary 2025 Annual Report data and 2024 Annual Report performance data. The data reflect continued trends in student headcount, program demographics, and program performance across ACAHM-accredited and pre-accredited institutions.
Total unduplicated headcount for 2025 stands at 5,526, continuing the gradual decline observed since the pandemic, with a similar pattern reflected in both the dues-based headcount survey and annual report data. The majority of students continue to pursue MAc and MAcCHM programs of study, with the most common dual enrollment being MAcCHM/DAcCHM. The largest concentration of students and programs remains in California, which accounts for 41.9% of total program enrollment.
Program performance data indicate a 150% graduation rate (GR150) ranging from 61.6% for DAOM programs to 90.33% for DAc programs, while retention rates across program types range from 73.92% to 90.83%. DAOM enrollment has declined overall due principally to program closures, though per-program enrollment has remained steady. International students represent a small portion of total enrollment, with a larger international student population in California-based programs than in programs located elsewhere.
ACAHM will continue to monitor enrollment and program performance trends as part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and data-informed accreditation practices. The full enrollment slide deck is available for download below.
👉 View the ACAHM Accredited Program Enrollment Slides |
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