SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges (SACSCOC) has a substantive change policy that is driven by U.S.
Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 602.22). Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion
in the nature and scope of an accredited institution. The types of substantive
change and the procedures for addressing them appropriately may be found in the
Commission’s policy
on substantive change and its substantive changes website.
Substantive changes can be addressed in several ways. In the
SACSCOC substantive change policy, the approach is based on reporting
requirements, i.e., is notification and approval required before implementation
of a substantive change, is just notification required, or is something else
required. While this is convenient for a regulatory entity, a university is
more likely to consider such changes from an organizational level approach such
as (1) Program/Course Level, (2) School/College/Department Level, and (3)
Institutional Level.
If a department, school, or college is contemplating changes at the Program/Course Level that would:
(a) expand significantly a current degree program;
(b) add courses or programs that would represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those offered currently;
(c) initiate programs or courses offered through a contractual agreement or consortium;
(d) change significantly the length of a program;
(e) initiate degree completion programs; or
(f) initiate programs at the associate degree level;
then the University may have to obtain approval or at least
notify SACSCOC before the change can be implemented. Find more information about these changes.
If a department, school, or college is contemplating changes at the School/College/Department Level that would result in:
(a) initiating an off-campus site;
(b) initiating distance learning; or
(c) adding significant changes in existing technology-based delivery systems in distance learning;
then the University may have to obtain approval or at least notify SACSCOC before the change can
be implemented. Find more information about these changes.
Finally, if the University is contemplating one of the following Institutional Level changes:
(a) initiating a branch campus;
(b) initiating a merger/consolidation;
(c) initiating any change in the established mission of the institution;
(d) relocating a main campus;
(e) initiating any change of legal status, governance, form of control, or ownership of the institution; or
(f) closing an institution/program and initiating teach-out agreements);
then the University may have to obtain approval or at least
notify SACSCOC before the change can be implemented.
Find more information about these changes.
Please contact the University’s SACSCOC Accreditation
Liaison for more information and for procedures to follow to obtain the
necessary approvals prior to implementation of the proposed action. The
Accreditation Liaison will make quarterly “scans” of the vice presidents and
deans to learn of any actions contemplated or in progress that will qualify as
substantive changes and thus require compliance with this policy.
Neal E. Armstrong
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Institutional Accreditation
SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
FAC 424, G1000
(512) 232-3305
neal_armstrong@mail.utexas.edu
