The Accreditation Commission for Integrative Sciences (ACIS) establishes structured standards to ensure institutional integrity, academic rigor, ethical accountability, and professional competency within integrative, holistic, and applied health sciences education.

 

Accreditation is granted to institutions that demonstrate compliance with the following standards and agree to ongoing oversight.

 

Standard I: Institutional Mission & Identity

The institution must clearly define:

• Its mission, philosophy, and educational objectives
• The scope of programs offered
• The intended professional outcomes of graduates
• The population served

 

Public representations must accurately reflect the institution’s authority and scope. Institutions may not misrepresent governmental licensure, degree-granting authority, or medical credentials.

 

Standard II: Governance & Administrative Structure

The institution must maintain a clearly defined governance structure that includes:

• Identified leadership roles and responsibilities
• Academic oversight procedures
• Written operational policies
• Ethical compliance procedures
• Recordkeeping systems

 

Administrative operations must demonstrate transparency, accountability, and responsible oversight.

 

Standard III: Academic Program Integrity

All accredited programs must demonstrate:

• Written course descriptions with measurable learning objectives
• Structured instructional plans
• Logical progression of coursework
• Defined program completion requirements
• Clearly documented instructional hours

 

Curriculum must be:

• Aligned with the stated scope of practice
• Academically coherent and professionally relevant
• Supported by credible instructional resources

 

Programs may not exceed or misrepresent the professional authority of graduates.

 

Standard IV: Faculty & Instructional Qualifications

Instructors must:

• Possess education or professional experience appropriate to the level of instruction delivered
• Demonstrate competency in the subject matter taught
• Maintain documentation of qualifications

Instructors must hold credentials equal to or exceeding the level of the program they teach, or operate under qualified academic supervision.

 

Standard V: Instructional Delivery & Assessment

Institutions must demonstrate:

• Clearly defined instructional delivery methods (online, campus-based, hybrid)
• Documented evaluation and grading systems
• Ongoing student assessment practices
• Mechanisms for tracking academic progress

Assessment methods must support competency development and reflect measurable outcomes.

 

Standard VI: Student Records & Credential Issuance

Institutions must:

• Maintain accurate and secure academic records
• Issue certificates, diplomas, or degrees consistent with program completion
• Clearly define the nature of credentials awarded

Unauthorized or unlawful granting of degrees will not be tolerated.

Institutions must not issue credentials that imply licensure where none exists.

 

Standard VII: Ethical Standards & Public Representation

All accredited institutions must:

• Operate under the ACIS Code of Ethics
• Avoid misleading marketing or exaggerated claims
• Clearly define scope of practice for graduates
• Provide transparent tuition and refund policies

Ethical violations may result in disciplinary action, probation, suspension, or revocation of accreditation.

 

Standard VIII: Facilities & Learning Resources

Institutions must demonstrate adequate learning resources appropriate to their delivery model.

Campus-based and hybrid institutions must provide:

• Verified classroom or instructional space
• Administrative facilities
• Appropriate equipment and training resources

 

Online institutions must demonstrate:

• Secure learning management systems
• Student access to instructional materials
• Administrative and academic support systems

ACIS reserves the right to conduct virtual or on-site compliance evaluations when necessary.

 

Standard IX: Financial Responsibility & Sustainability

The institution must demonstrate:

• Responsible financial management
• Clear tuition structures
• Operational sustainability
• Documented administrative and instructional expense allocation

Institutions must maintain financial practices that support program continuity and student protection.

 

Standard X: Ongoing Compliance & Renewal

Accreditation is granted for a defined term and must be renewed annually.

 

Institutions must:

• Submit required renewal documentation
• Affirm continued compliance with ACIS standards
• Notify ACIS of material program or structural changes
• Cooperate with compliance review when requested

 

Failure to maintain standards may result in:

• Advisory notice
• Formal warning
• Probationary status
• Suspension
• Revocation of accreditation

 

Accreditation is a privilege maintained through compliance, not a permanent designation.

 

Institutional Status Categories

ACIS may designate institutional standing as:

• Active – In Good Standing
• Active – Probationary
• Suspended
• Revoked
• Expired

Status updates may be reflected in public verification records.

 

Candidate Status

Institutions operating for less than one year may apply for Candidate Status.

 

Candidate Status:

• Does not constitute full accreditation
• Requires demonstration of operational consistency
• May not exceed three years

 

Final Authority Statement

ACIS accreditation reflects demonstrated compliance with established standards and agreement to ongoing oversight. The Commission reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke accreditation where standards are not met.