The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) has been granted early initial accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Fort Smith institution announced Tuesday.
ACHE, which includes the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, was approved to offer Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Biomedicine and Master of Physician Assistant Studies degrees.
“Achieving accreditation is a rigorous process and we are ecstatic to have met the high standards set by the HLC,” ACHE CEO Kyle Parker said in a press release. “ACHE continues to make great strides in its mission to improve the lives of others.”
ACHE received candidate status from the commission in November 2019. With the early initial accreditation, it now enters the initial 10-year cycle of accreditation. As a new institution, this status will be considered for reaffirmation in year four of the cycle.
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