Substantive Change Policy – Response to the HEOA of 2008 Accreditation Provisions Barbara Samuel Loftus – Vice President Middle States Commission on Higher Education1

Overview Definition of Substantive Change Approval prior to implementation required for changes Relationship between regional accreditors + USED Middle States Commission on Higher Education2

Substantive Change Any change in the established mission or objectives of the institution Any change in the legal status, form of control, or ownership of the institution Middle States Commission on Higher Education3

Substantive Change Addition of courses or programs representing a significant departure from existing offerings of educational programs, or method of delivery Addition of programs at a new degree or credential level Middle States Commission on Higher Education4

Substantive Change Change from clock hours to credit hours in one or more programs Substantial increase or decrease in number of clock or credit hours for completion of a program Initiation/expansion of distance or correspondence education where 50% or more of courses/credits in an academic program are provided through alternative delivery Middle States Commission on Higher Education5

Substantive Change Establishment of a branch campus, including a branch campus acquired from another institution Establishment of domestic + international additional locations Planned closure or relocation of additional location/branch campus (teach-out plan for approval)

Middle States Commission on Higher Education Substantive Change Institutional closure or institutional status requiring a teach-out plan for approval Initiation of a contractual arrangement wherein 25% of one or more educational programs is provided by unaccredited entity

HEOA 2008 Resources US Dept of Education Council for Higher Education Accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Higher Education8

Questions? Middle States Commission on Higher Education9