Academic policies
The policies below are drawn from the 2026–2027 catalog, a pre-approval edition prepared for regulatory review. The final catalog and enrollment agreement will contain the exact approval language, refund provisions, Student Tuition Recovery Fund language, and Bureau contact information required on the publication date, and they control over any website summary.
Distance education & technology
ACAS programs are designed for online distance education. Students are responsible for maintaining access to a suitable computer or device, reliable internet service, email, a current browser, audio/video capability where required, and the ability to submit documents electronically.
Distance education response standard
ACAS will establish and publish the applicable approximate response/evaluation period for student lessons, projects, and other submitted work in the final catalog and student-facing policies, consistent with the approved distance-education model and applicable regulation.
Responsible technology use
Students must protect passwords and account access, maintain confidentiality, use lawful software and materials, and follow ACAS technology and responsible-AI policies.
Academic calendar
Program start dates will be published separately for each cohort. The institution may offer multiple start dates during the catalog period, subject to faculty and administrative capacity.
Attendance, participation & conduct
For distance education, participation is documented through the institution’s learning-management system, submitted work, assessments, discussions, faculty interaction, and other approved academic activity.
Completion standard & assessment
Students must complete all required instructional activities, assessments, and the capstone, and achieve the minimum passing standard established for the program. The current ACAS framework uses 70% as the minimum overall completion standard, subject to final approved policy.
Capstone standard
The capstone must demonstrate integration of major program concepts, professional judgment, application to a realistic problem, ethical consideration, and a clear implementation or action strategy. Faculty may require revisions before acceptance.
Academic completion
Upon satisfactory completion of all program requirements and applicable administrative obligations, the student receives the applicable ACAS non-degree professional certificate.
| Assessment | Suggested weight |
|---|---|
| Knowledge / Concept Assessments | 20% |
| Applied Case Analyses | 20% |
| Professional / Executive Assignments | 20% |
| Participation & Discussion | 10% |
| Capstone Project | 30% |
Academic integrity & responsible AI
ACAS prohibits plagiarism, fabrication, unauthorized collaboration, impersonation, falsification of academic records, and other conduct that misrepresents authorship or academic achievement. AI tools may be used only in ways permitted by the course or assignment. Students remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, legality, confidentiality, and professional appropriateness of submitted work.
Refunds, cancellation, withdrawal & leave
Refund, cancellation, withdrawal, and related financial provisions will be stated in the final enrollment agreement and catalog using the requirements applicable to ACAS on the date of publication. No website summary will replace the controlling enrollment agreement.
The final enrollment agreement will state cancellation rights, refund calculations, deadlines, and required notices in the form applicable to the approved institution and program.
Students who wish to withdraw must submit written notice through the process identified in the enrollment agreement and student policies. The effective withdrawal date and any applicable refund will be determined under the controlling enrollment agreement and California requirements.
Where permitted, a student may request a leave of absence in writing, including the reason, anticipated duration, and proposed return date. Approval is subject to applicable institutional policy and regulatory requirements.
The application fee is $210 per application, subject to the final enrollment agreement and applicable refund rules. Program tuition is $2,190 per 100-hour certificate; total mandatory institutional charges are $2,400 per certificate.
ACAS does not offer federal or private student loans and does not participate in federal student financial aid programs, subject to any future change in institutional status or applicable law.
The final catalog and enrollment agreement will contain the current required Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) disclosure and assessment information, if applicable.
ACAS does not guarantee that another institution will accept ACAS certificates or coursework for transfer or academic credit. An ACAS transcript is not an academic degree transcript and does not imply degree credit unless expressly stated under an approved articulation or other lawful arrangement.
Student services, records & privacy
Housing
ACAS is an online distance-education institution and does not provide or arrange student housing. Students are responsible for their own housing and living arrangements.
Student records & privacy
ACAS maintains student academic and administrative records in accordance with applicable law and institutional policy. Students may request access to records through the institutional records process. The final catalog will identify the applicable record-retention period, access procedure, custodial responsibility, and required disclosures.
Transcripts
ACAS transcripts will document completed non-degree professional education in accordance with institutional policy. An ACAS transcript is not an academic degree transcript and does not imply degree credit unless expressly stated under an approved articulation or other lawful arrangement.
Certificate wording
The proposed certificate certifies that the named student has successfully completed the requirements of the program title — 100 hours of advanced professional education. It is a non-degree professional certificate, not an academic degree, and the final wording will be used only after confirmation that the title and nomenclature comply with applicable law and BPPE approval.
Student rights, complaints & grievances
ACAS maintains a written process for students to raise academic, administrative, financial, or other institutional concerns. Students are encouraged to first seek resolution through the appropriate ACAS office or administrator.
Students and prospective students may consult the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education regarding consumer information, complaints, and student assistance. The final catalog will contain the current Bureau contact information and required complaint language.
Consumer & regulatory disclosures
Pre-approval edition: ACAS is preparing an application for approval to operate as a non-accredited, non-degree institution under the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Unless and until approval is granted, ACAS must not represent itself as BPPE-approved. Program availability and final credential nomenclature are subject to regulatory approval.
ACAS is not presented as an accredited institution unless and until it obtains accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency. BPPE approval to operate is not the same as accreditation and does not mean that the Bureau endorses an institution or its programs.
ACAS programs are educational and professional-development programs. Completion does not by itself create, expand, or replace a professional license or legal scope of practice.
ACAS does not issue Form I-20s and does not sponsor F-1 or M-1 student status.
ACAS does not offer federal or private student loans and does not participate in federal student financial aid programs.
ACAS does not guarantee that another institution will accept ACAS certificates or coursework for transfer or academic credit.
Completion does not guarantee employment, promotion, compensation, licensure, board certification, or professional advancement.
ACAS is an online distance-education institution and does not provide or arrange student housing. Students are responsible for their own housing and living arrangements.
Each flagship 100-hour certificate has tuition of $2,190 and a $210 application fee, for total mandatory institutional charges of $2,400 per certificate, subject to the final enrollment agreement and applicable law.
Once ACAS receives applicable approval to operate, the website will provide clear and conspicuous access to the current catalog and other required consumer resources, including School Performance Fact Sheets, consumer disclosures, Bureau information, and complaint and student-assistance information.