Smooth Transitions to Making Program Modifications or Expansions

Session Objectives

• Recognize the practices that have GA and SACSCOC implications

• Recognize the Substantive Change compliance processes, actions, and timeframes

• Identify where and who are the resources

2

SACSCOC is…

• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

• Consists of representatives from peer institutions across 11 southern states and Latin America

• Re-accredits institutions and off-sites every 5 years

3

Which of the following is NOT an advantage or benefit of accreditation?

1. Protects the public from fraud and unscrupulous practices

2. Ensures that schools demonstrate sound educational practices

3. Supports students’ abilities to earn and transfer academic credits

4. Allows schools to demonstrate good standing with federal agencies, especially financial aid

5. Verifies that an institution is perfect

4

Why participate in accreditation?

• Provides quality assurance to the public.• Protects the public from fraudulent

practices.• Allows students to transfer credits.• Allows higher education institutions to be

in good standing with the Federal Department of Education – (and thus dispense federal financial aid).

5

Substantive Change Overview

• Certain educational practices that trigger compliance concerns (quality)

• Procedures to address compliance• Consequences exist when we are not

vigilant

6

What is NOT a substantive change to an institution?

1. A new site location2. A new program3. A new course4. Closing a program5. All of the above6. None of the above

7

What is a substantive change?

• A significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.

• Major changes– New degree or certificate program– New off-site w/ 50% or more of program credits– Dual or joint degree– New online degree or certificate program

• Minor changes– Moving a site location– Closing a degree or certificate program

8

Small Group ActivitySmall Group Activity

Yes, if the courses are a significant departure from current

programs or if it is the institution’s first distance learning

program to be offered. Adding approved programs to

distance learning offerings requires no reporting.

Note that hybrid courses are considered distance learning

courses.

Q1: We started offering a few online courses several years ago. Now it appears that students can complete a majority

of their program online although that was not intended when we started. Do we have to report this?

Yes, the guidelines are the same whether a single

cohort or a continuous program will be offered.

When an institution establishes a new off-campus

site at which 50% or more of the credits in a

program can be obtained, a prospectus should be

submitted 3 months prior to the start date.

Q2: A local business has asked us to offer the MBA degree at their facility for a specific target

audience. Is this considered a substantive change?

Yes, the doctorate in political science is considered

significantly different from the existing doctoral degrees in

education and religion since it will require new courses and

resources. The institution should submit a prospectus to

justify the new doctoral program at least 6 months prior to

implementation.

Q3: At the present time, we offer a master’s degree in political science. Do we need to notify SACSCOC if we

plan to begin a doctorate in political science? Our institution has doctoral degrees in education and religion.

In most cases, the re-packaging of existing courses does not constitute a substantive change.

Q4: Our college is interested in reconfiguring existing courses in an approved program to

create a new degree. Is this considered substantive to SACSCOC?

If the institution is establishing a contractual agreement with

another institution to offer credit instruction leading to a

diploma, certificate or degree, a letter of notification should be

sent to the Commission as well as a signed copy of the written

agreement.

Q5: The Department of Mathematics and Statistics intends to offer a collaborative program with Ankara University. The

Department of Languages and Culture Studies plans to participate in a consortia with institutions in our system. Do

we need to report these?

Non-credit programs that do not qualify for federal aid

such as those at UNC Charlotte do not constitute

substantive changes.

Q6: The Continuing Education department plans to offer new continuing education

programs. Does this need to be reported?

What is the GA compliance process?

• New degree program– Request for Authorization to Plan a New Degree

Program (“Appendix A”)• Substantive Change Planning Questionnaire

– Request for Authorization to Establish a New Degree Program (“Appendix C”)

• New certificate– Notification by Academic Affairs

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How are Distance Education programs approved?

It is the same process for on-campus programs! New degree program

In planning for new programs, indicate it will be distance when writing the Appendix A and Appendix C.

Once Appendix C is approved, submit Appendix G.

How are Distance Education programs approved?

Existing degree program - going online, hybrid or at an off-campus site (6 months to plan)For GA Approval:Appendix F (Notification of Intent to Plan)Appendix G (Request for Authorization to

Establish a New DE Program)

What is the SACSCOC compliance process?

• Department to complete a Self Assessment Guideline• Department to complete Substantive Change Planning

Questionnaire• Assessment & Accreditation will review the

Questionnaire, communicate next steps, and provide written examples.

• Department to provide required documentation• Department must contact Academic Budget and

Personnel to complete the Faculty Roster• Assessment & Accreditation will edit drafts and

transmit to Provost• Provost will review and send to Chancellor for approval• Provost’s Office will mail final documents to SACSCOC 19

How long will it take?

20

GA Notification

GA Approval

SACSCOC Notification

SACSCOC Approval

New degree or certificate program

New off-site w/ 50% or more of program credits

Dual or joint degree

New online only degree or certificate program

n/a 1.5 years n/a 3 - 6 months

How long will it take?

21

GA Notification

GA Approval

SACSCOC Notification

SACSCOC Approval

Moving a site location

Closing a degree or certificate program

1-2 months n/a 2 - 3 months n/a

What will happen if we are found to be non-compliant?

1. We send an apology letter.2. We are put on probation.3. We must return financial aid $$.4. Our accreditation is revoked.5. We must stop offering the program.6. All of the above

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An institution that has implemented programs that should have been reported must notify the President of the Commission immediately in writing concerning the unreported substantive changes. The letter must address the policy and procedure which will now ensure timely reporting. Please see the Commission’s policy on Unreported Substantive Change.

Q7: What must we do if our institution has implemented programs that should have been

reported to SACSCOC?

FAQs

• Must I have GA approval before preparing a SACSCOC document? No

• Can I enroll students before SACSCOC approval? No• Can I advertise a program before SACSCOC approval?

You may recruit but must provide the disclaimer “contingent upon SACSCOC approval.”

• When do SACSCOC off-site approvals expire? 5 years• Can I offer other approved programs at an approved

site? Yes but if the other program offers a higher % of courses at the site than the current program, a notification letter or prospectus may be required.

Resources

• Shanna Coles, Interim Director of Credit Programs, Senior Program Manager, Extended Academic Programs, serves as a resource for Distance Education program approval and operation. shannacoles@uncc.edu

• Christine Robinson, Executive Director, Office of Assessment and Accreditation, serves as the SACSCOC accreditation liaison for UNC Charlotte. crobinson@uncc.edu

• Leslie R. Zenk, Assistant Provost, serves as the Campus Program Coordinator for UNC Charlotte and UNC General Administration. lzenk@uncc.edu

• Lori McMahon, Associate Provost for Academic Budget and Personnel, serves as a resource for faculty credentials. lmmcmaho@uncc.edu

Resources

• Office of Assessment and Accreditation: http://assessment.uncc.edu/accreditation/sacscoc/substantive-change

• Office of Academic Affairs: http://provost.uncc.edu/planning/academic-programs/new

• Office of Legal Affairs: http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/up-208 • SACSCOC: http://

www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/SubstantiveChange.pdf• UNC General Administration: http://

www.northcarolina.edu/academic-planning/new-degree-programs

Questions?