2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Certain educational practices that trigger compliance concerns (quality) Procedures to address compliance Consequences exist when we are not vigilant 6

7. 1.A new site location 2.A new program 3.A new course 4.Closing a program 5.All of the above 6.None of the above 7

8. 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

9. Small Group Activity

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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?

14. 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: T he 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?

15. 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?

16. 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 16

17.  It is the same process for on-campus programs!  New degree program 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.

18. Existing degree programExisting 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)

19. 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

20. 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/a3 - 6 months

21. 21 GA Notification GA Approval SACSCOC Notification SACSCOC Approval Moving a site location Closing a degree or certificate program 1-2 monthsn/a2 - 3 monthsn/a

22. 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 22

23. 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.Unreported Substantive Change Q7: What must we do if our institution has implemented programs that should have been reported to SACSCOC?

24. 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.

25. 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 shannacoles@uncc.edu Christine Robinson, Executive Director, Office of Assessment and Accreditation, serves as the SACSCOC accreditation liaison for UNC Charlotte. crobinson@uncc.educrobinson@uncc.edu Leslie R. Zenk, Assistant Provost, serves as the Campus Program Coordinator for UNC Charlotte and UNC General Administration. lzenk@uncc.edu lzenk@uncc.edu Lori McMahon, Associate Provost for Academic Budget and Personnel, serves as a resource for faculty credentials. lmmcmaho@uncc.edu lmmcmaho@uncc.edu

26. Office of Assessment and Accreditation: http://assessment.uncc.edu/accreditation/sacscoc/substantiv e-change http://assessment.uncc.edu/accreditation/sacscoc/substantiv e-change Office of Academic Affairs: http://provost.uncc.edu/planning/academic-programs/new http://provost.uncc.edu/planning/academic-programs/new Office of Legal Affairs: http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/up-208http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/up-208 SACSCOC: http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/SubstantiveChange.pdf http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/SubstantiveChange.pdf UNC General Administration: http://www.northcarolina.edu/academic-planning/new- degree-programs http://www.northcarolina.edu/academic-planning/new- degree-programs