The Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) established a committee to explore the feasibility of accrediting hospitality programs. Underwritten by a grant from the National Restaurant Association and funding from the Darden Group a study was conducted on the benefits of accreditation for Hospitality and Tourism Programs. The committee spent several years researching and developing the guidelines that would become the basis for establishing hospitality accreditation.

International CHRIE then recommended that two accrediting bodies be created to recognize and accredit programs at the baccalaureate level (ACPHA) and at the associate's degree (CAHM).

In 1989 The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration" (ACPHA) was formed and in 1994, The Commission on Accreditation for Hospitality Management" (CAHM) was established. The two Commissions were officially merged in 2008, choosing Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) as the official name.

Mission

Standards

ACPHA Common Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and apply the knowledge and skills necessary for hospitality and tourism operations
2. Develop and integrate a core set of business skills necessary to successfully operate a hospitality and tourism organization
3. Demonstrate competence in the communication skills necessary for hospitality and tourism management
4. Formulate business decisions in hospitality and tourism management
5. Evaluate leadership principles necessary in the diverse and global hospitality and tourism industry