The Office of University Accreditation is responsible for monitoring institutional compliance with SACSCOC requirements related to substantive change. A substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution in terms of academic programs, instructional sites, contractual or consortial agreements, etc.
Examples of substantive changes include:
- Suspending admission to an academic program or off-campus instructional site (temporarily or permanently)
- Establishing a new academic program
- Establishing a new off-campus instructional site
- Establishing a new dual degree program with another institution
- Adding an online version of a program currently offered in-person
- Changing the program length of an academic program
SACSCOC requires different procedures for processing a substantive change. The procedures vary in depth and length of time required for processing based on the specific nature of the substantive change initiated by the University. The first step is to determine the precise nature of the substantive change.
Contact the Office of University Accreditation early in the process for a preliminary determination. Academic program proposals submitted through the CIM Program Management system will be reviewed to determine if they require notification to or approval from SACSCOC prior to submission to the university governance level for approval. If it is determined to be a substantive change, UA will facilitate the process by assessing the change internally and coordinating all communication with the SACSCOC.
Please refer to UM’s Substantive Change Policy and Procedure for reporting the change to the Office of University Accreditation (UA).
For questions related to substantive change, please contact Patty Murphy.
