Substantive Change

Substantive Change

When an institution makes a significant change to what it offers, where it operates, or how it is structured, The Commission reviews that change. This section explains what to report, when, and how.
Substantive Change Policies and Procedures

What is Substantive Change

Accreditation is granted based on what The Commission has reviewed. When an institution changes significantly — by adding programs at a new degree level, opening an instructional site, changing how it delivers instruction, or altering its ownership or governance — the accreditation decision no longer describes the institution as it now exists. Substantive change review is how accreditation keeps pace. Some changes require notification; others require approval before they take effect. The Substantive Change Policy and Procedures is the governing document, and it specifies which is which. Institutions are encouraged to raise a planned change early. Review that happens alongside a change is far simpler than review that happens after it.

Submission Deadlines

All substantive change submissions are made through the Institution Portal.

DEADLINE FOR
March 1 Changes requiring review by the Board of Trustees at its June meeting. Changes may be implemented after Board of Trustees’ approval.
Sept. 1 Changes requiring review by the Board of Trustees at its December meeting. Changes may be implemented after Board of Trustees’ approval.
Feb. 1 Changes requiring notification or approval by the Executive Council or the SACSCOC President, to be implemented July 1 through December 31, of the same year.
August 1 Changes requiring notification or approval by the Executive Council or the SACSCOC President, to be implemented January 1 through June 31, of the next year.

Recent Updates

Reduced-Credit UNDERGRADUATE programs

A framework allowing institutions to offer bachelor’s degrees requiring fewer than 120 semester credit hours in high-need, career-focused fields. Approval is sought through substantive change.
[ Policy ] [ Guidelines ] [ FAQ ]

Revised Substantive Change Policy & Procedures

Approved by the Board of Trustees June 11, 2026, effective immediately.
[ Policy ]

Getting Help

Send all substantive change questions to subchange@commissioncu.org. Inquiries are routed to the staff member best suited to answer, and replies come from the same address.

Note: Add this address to your safe senders list. It is also used to send deferral notices when additional information is needed to complete a review, so those messages need to reach you.

Substantive Change FAQs ⟶

Resources

Substantive Change Links
  • The Commission developed a new policy establishing a framework for reduced-credit hour bachelor’s degree programs, giving SACSCOC member institutions the ability to create a more direct and efficient path for students to complete bachelor’s degrees in high need career-focused fields. The revised policy provides guidance for institutions seeking to offer bachelor’s degree programs requiring fewer than the traditional 120 semester credit hours. Under the framework, institutions must seek approval through the Substantive Change process. 
  • The Commission revised its Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. The Board of Trustees approved revisions on June 11, 2026.  The revised policy takes effect immediately.
    • Two documents are available:
      • the  revised policy
      • and a markup version with,
        • a summary of all changes,
        • redlines of each change, and
        • select comments and explanations of changes
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