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ABAC 3.6.1 – Substantive Change Checklist

Introduction

Substantive change is a term used by the U.S. federal government to describe any "significant modification of the nature and scope of an accredited institution." Accredited higher education institutions must notify their accrediting body, in a timely manner, of potential or actual substantive changes and in specific instances must receive approval before implementing the proposed initiative. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is required by the federal government to monitor the compliance of its members with the substantive change policy and to grant approval before major changes may occur. To ensure ABAC's compliance, all proposers of new programs, degrees, and other major initiatives should review the University's substantive change policy at [online link to follow] as well as the information provided on the SACSCOC website at http://www.sac coc.org/substantiveChange.asp.

In addition, proposers should review the attached checklist, in consultation with ABAC's SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison before the proposal is presented to the College Curriculum Committee (for academic program changes) or to the College’ s Cabinet) (in the case of major non-academic changes). Completion of the Substantive Change Checklist early in the development process-well before anticipated implementation will help lessen delays further in the process.

 Definition of Significant Departure:

 Significant departure - a program that is not closely related to previously approved programs at the institution or site or for the mode of delivery in question. To determine whether a new program is a "significant departure," it is helpful to consider the following questions:

 ·         What previously approved programs does the institution offer that are closely related to the new program and how are they related?
·         Will significant additional equipment or facilities be needed?
·         Will significant additional financial resources be needed?
·         Will a significant number of new courses will be required?
·         Will a significant number of new faculty members be required?

 Name of Proposed Program/Action:

College/Administrative Unit:

Sponsoring Department:

Department/Proposal Contact: (Name, e-mail address, phone number):

Date:

Provide a Brief Description of Proposed Change, including proposed implementation date:

Answer the following questions regarding the proposed change.

 

Academic Program Change:

Yes

No

Will the proposal initiate coursework or programs at a different level than currently approved programs (e.g., proposing a doctoral program)?

 

 

Will the proposal expand offerings at the current degree level, but represent a significant departure from existing programs (i.e., the proposed program has no closely-related counterpart among previously approved programs in the curriculum)?

 

 

Will the proposed program require new faculty? If Yes, how many?

 

 

Are 25 percent or more of the courses required for the proposed program new?

 

 

Are 50 percent or more of the courses required for the proposed program new?

 

 

Will the proposal require new library or other learning resources?

 

 

Will the proposal require a new resource base (significant new funding)?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a dual degree program with another institution? (Separate program completion credential each of which bears only the name, seal, and signature of the awarding institution.)

 

 

Will the joint program be with another SACSCOC accredited institution?

 

 

Will the joint program be with an institution not accredited by SACSCOC?

 

 

Will the proposal involve entering into a contract with an entity not certified to participate in USDOE Title IV programs where 25% or more of the educational program will be offered by the other entity (an entity that is not accredited by SACSCOC)?

 

 

Will the proposal involve entering into a contract with an entity not certified to participate in USDOE Title IV programs where less than 25% of the educational program will be offered by the other entity (an entity that is not accredited by SACSCOC)?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a certificate program? (If Yes, answer the   following.)

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a certificate program at an employer's request and on short notice?

 

 

Will the proposed certificate utilize existing, already approved courses?

 

 

Will the proposed certificate program be a previously approved program offered at new off-campus site (sited based classroom/group instruction)?

 

 

 

Academic Program Change:

Yes

No

Will the proposal initiate a program at a new off-campus site? (If Yes, answer the following:)

 

 

Will the student be able to earn 50 percent or more of the program's credits at the off-campus instructional site?

 

 

Will the student be able to earn 25 to 49 percent of the program's credits at the off-campus instructional site?

 

 

Will the student be able to earn 24 percent or fewer of the program credits at the off-campus instructional site?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a program at an existing approved off-campus instructional site? (Note: This asks about an already approved site, not a new one.) (If Yes, answer the following:)

 

 

Does the proposal add a program that is significantly different from programs previously approved for the institution (or any of its approved off- campus sites)?

 

 

Does the proposal add a program that is NOT significantly different from current programs approved for the institution?

 

 

Will the proposal add a combination degree program that reduces the hours needed to complete the combined degrees (e.g., combination baccalaureate and master's degrees)?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a program offered via distance education (where the majority of the instruction occurs when students and instructors are not in the same place)? (If Yes, answer the following.)

 

 

Will more than 50 percent of the proposed program be offered via distance education? (Indicate% of credits online, % face-to-face instruction)

 

 

Will 25-49 percent of the proposed program be offered via distance education?

 

 

Will the student be able to earn 24 percent or fewer of the program credits via distance education?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate programs or courses offered through contractual agreement or a consortium?

 

 

Will the proposal alter significantly the length of an existing program? Note: The change would have a noticeable impact on programs completion time. (If Yes, answer the following:)

 

 

Is this a change mandated by an academic program's accrediting agency? (If Yes, indicate the accreditor.)

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a degree completion program?

 

 

 

Academic Program Change:

Yes

No

Will the proposal close an existing program?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a direct assessment competency-based program where direct assessment of student learning is based solely on the attainment of defined competencies, not credit hours, etc.)?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a branch campus?

Note: A branch campus is a location of an institution that is geographically apart and independent of the main campus. A location is considered independent of the main campus if the new location is

·         Permanent in nature

·         Offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential

·         Has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization AND

·         Has its own budgetary and hiring authority.

 

 

Will the proposal initiate an off-campus instructional site (including Early College programs offered at a high school) where:

·      Students can obtain 50 percent or more of the credits toward a program (where students have to be in the location to receive the instruction)?

·      Students can obtain 25-49 percent of credit required for   program?

 

 

Will the proposal alter significantly the educational mission of the   institution?

 

 

Will the proposal initiate a merger/consolidation with another institution?

 

 

Will the proposal involve relocating the main campus or a branch   campus?

 

 

Will the proposal involve changing the governance, ownership, control, or legal status of the institution?

 

 

Will the proposal involve changing from clock hours to credit hours?

 

 

Will the proposal involve closing a program, an instructional site, branch campus, or institution?

 

 

Will the proposal involve moving an off-campus instructional site to another location (serving the same geographic area)?

 

 

Will the proposal involve acquiring a program or site from another institution?

 

 

Will the proposal add a permanent location at a site where the institution is conducting a teach-out for students from another institution?

 

 

 

 Submitted by (signature):

____________________________________________

 

                                                 Date:

 

____________________________________________

 

If the answer to any question is "Yes," consult the ABAC's SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison to determine the following:

 

Action Recommended:

No Action Needed

Letter of Notification

Prospectus

 

 

 

 ABAC SACSCOC

 

Accreditation Liaison (signature):

_________________________________________

 

Date:

 

_________________________________________

 Revised June 27, 2018