Reviewed by Troy Jenkins, ACHS Director of Enrollment Management
At ACHS, we strive to make the application process smooth and accessible for all prospective students. A critical part of this process is submitting your official transcripts and understanding transfer of credit opportunities. Below, we break down everything you need to know about submitting transcripts and how we evaluate your prior academic achievements to transfer credits into our programs.
Requesting and SubmittingTranscripts
Submitting Your Official Transcripts
ACHS accepts both paper and certified electronic transcripts as official records. However, to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to ACHS from the issuing institution. Transcripts sent directly to the student, even if sealed, cannot be accepted as official.
Paper Transcripts
Paper transcripts must be issued in a sealed envelope and mailed directly to:
Registrar’s Office
American College of Healthcare Sciences
5005 S. Macadam Avenue
Portland, OR 97239
Certified Electronic Transcripts (Preferred)
Electronic transcripts are preferred when available. They must be in PDF format and secured with a digital certificate (which can be seen at the top of the transcript). They should be issued by a certified provider, such as Parchment, the National Student Clearinghouse, or a similar certified verification service.
You must then email your certified electronic transcripts to registrar@achs.edu
Transcripts from Accredited Institutions
ACHS only accepts transcripts from U.S. Department of Education-approved accredited institutions or state-approved high schools. If you're unsure whether your institution qualifies, it’s best to check the ACHS Program Catalog or contact the Registrar's Office for confirmation.
Admissions Transcript Requirements
- Undergraduate Programs
If you are applying to an undergraduate program, you must have a high school diploma or state-approved equivalency. If you have no prior college experience, you’ll need to submit an official high school transcript. If you have prior college experience, you may submit official college transcripts and self-certify completion of your high school diploma or equivalency. - Graduate Programs
For those applying to graduate programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institution. Be sure to submit an official transcript showing the conferral of your degree. - Doctoral Program
For those applying to the Doctoral program, you will need a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institution which shows the conferral date of the degree. - Military Education Benefits
Students using military education benefits are required to submit official transcripts from all prior colleges attended for evaluation.
GED Applicants
Applicants applying with a GED must meet specific score requirements based on the time period in which they completed the GED. Be sure to review these guidelines carefully if applying with a GED.
Admission eligibility information for graduates of non-standard, unaccredited high schools or homeschooled students is available online here.
International Transcripts
If your education was completed outside of the U.S., special requirements apply. Your transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited third party and translated into English if needed. The evaluator must also have expertise in the educational practices of the country of origin. More details can be found on the ACHS Foreign Transcript Requirements page.
The Credit Transfer Process
Transfer of Credit to ACHS
Transferring credit into ACHS is an excellent way to shorten your study time and reduce costs. ACHS evaluates all prior credits on a course-by-course basis, and when equivalent, these credits are applied to required ACHS courses. The minimum grade for transfer credit is a C or better for undergraduate and graduate programs and a B or better for doctoral programs.
To ensure a smooth transfer process, make sure all official transcripts are submitted for evaluation. Transcripts must come from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For international students, courses completed outside the U.S. must be evaluated by an appropriate third-party evaluator, ensuring proper credit transfer.
Transfer of ACHS Credit to Other Institutions
It’s important to note that the transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. While ACHS is accredited, this doesn’t guarantee that all credits will transfer seamlessly to other colleges or universities. The decision is typically based on the comparability of curricula and accreditation.
To view a list of institutions that have accepted ACHS credits, click here.
Earning Credit by Exam
If you’re interested in earning credit through examinations, ACHS offers opportunities to challenge specific courses. You can learn more about this option by visiting Credit by Exam.
Maximum Allowable Transfer of Credit
Interested in how many credits you can transfer to ACHS? Visit the maximum allowable transfer of credit page for details.
Have More Transcript or Credit Transfer Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with transcript submission or the transfer process, feel free to reach out to the ACHS Registrar’s Office at registrar@achs.edu or call 800-487-8839.
By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your transcript submission and transfer process is handled efficiently, allowing you to focus on achieving your educational goals with ACHS.
Ready to get started on your holistic health journey? Speak to an admissions advisor today!
This article is for informational purposes only. Please contact ACHS Admissions at admissions@achs.edu or 800-487-8839 for additional information and to apply for admission. Graduation from any ACHS program does not confer a license to practice medicine. ACHS graduates do not claim to treat, diagnose, cure, or prescribe. Please note that professional success is achieved by a number of factors beyond education and experience, including soft skills, work ethic, integrity, and other skills that may not be developed through education and training alone. Not all graduates will achieve the career outcomes provided as examples in this article and other ACHS marketing materials.
