Degree Programs

SACS Substantive Change

Overview

UNF must notify the Commission on Colleges of changes in accordance with the substantive change policy and, when required, seek approval prior to the initiation of changes.

Procedure One for the Review of Substantive Changes Requiring Notification and Approval Prior to Implementation. Some examples include but are not limited to the following: initiating a program at a more advanced degree level, expanding at the current degree level if significant departure from current programs, initiating programs at a lower degree level, initiating a branch campus, initiating off-campus sites where a student can earn 50 percent or more credits toward a program, initiating or expanding distance learning programs offered electronically, altering the educational mission, changing governance or ownership or control, changing significantly the length of a program.

Procedure Two for the Review of Substantive Changes Requiring Only Notification Prior to Implementation. Some examples include but are not limited to the following: initiating off-campus sites where a student will not be able to earn 50% or more credits toward a program, initiating programs/courses offered through a consortium or contractual agreement, relocating a campus.

Various Types of Substantive Change

Some examples of changes requiring substantive change notification and/or approval are listed below. Further information can be found by reading the SACS policy statement Substantive Change for Accredited Institutions of the Commission on Colleges. For additional assistance with any degree program change that may meet the criteria for requiring substantive change, please contact the university SACS Liaison Shawn Brayton.

• Initiating coursework or programs at a more advanced level than currently approved
• Expanding at current degree level (significant departure from current programs)
• Initiating a branch campus
• Initiating Off-campus Sites
  • Student can obtain 50 percent or more credits toward program
  • Student can obtain 25-49 percent of credit
  • Student can obtain 24 percent or less
• Initiating distance learning
  • Offering 50 percent or more of program
    (Subsequent programs do not need reporting unless they are significant departures from initially approved program(s)
  • Offering 25-49 percent
  • Offering 24 percent or less
• Initiating programs/courses offered through contractual agreement or consortium