Substantive Change

SACSCOC Substantive Change Resources

“SACSCOC accredits an entire institution. Accreditation extends to all programs and services of an institution wherever located and however delivered. SACSCOC does not accredit individual programs, locations, or portions of an institution. However, some new programs, locations, and other institutional changes are subject to notification and/or approval as defined in Substantive Change Policy and Procedures” (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Substantive Change Policy and Procedures, p. 2).

• SACSCOC's substantive change page - most up-to-date version of SACSCOC's Substantive Change Policy and Procedures as well as other useful information
• SACSCOC's Principles of Accreditation - outlines the requirements for SACSCOC accreditation
• Virginia Tech's policy 6500 - formalizes Virginia Tech's responsibility to meet SACSCOC's substantive change requirements

SACSCOC Substantive Change Requirements and Deadlines

Submission requirements and deadlines for substantive changes depend on the nature of the change. General categories of substantive change include institutional changes, program changes, and changes in off-campus locations. For detailed submission requirements and deadlines, download the substantive change spreadsheet guide.

Substantive changes requiring approval by the full Board of Trustees (meets biannually) have a deadline of:

• March 15 for review at the Board’s biannual meeting in June of the same calendar year
• September 1 for review at the Board’s biannual meeting in December of the same calendar year

Substantive changes requiring approval by the Executive Council of the Board of Trustees (which meets year-round) have a deadline of: 

• January 1 for changes to be implemented July 1 through December 31 of the same calendar year
• July 1 for changes to be implemented January 1 through June 30 of the subsequent calendar year

Substantive changes requiring notification only can be submitted any time before implementation. Once the Virginia Tech has submitted notification, it may implement the change before receiving a response from SACSCOC. Only the president of the university or the SACSCOC Liaison may submit substantive change notifications to SACSCOC.

For a list of recent substantive changes submitted to SACSCOC, please contact our office.