Substantive Change

Substantive change, as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), refers to a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution. This broad category encompasses alterations that have the potential to significantly impact the quality of educational programs and services. SACSCOC, being the accrediting body, actively reviews all substantive changes occurring between an institution's decennial reviews. The primary objective is to assess the impact of these changes on the institution's overall quality and ensure continuous adherence to defined standards.

Maintaining accreditation recognition with the U.S. Department of Education and eligibility for Title IV programs is paramount. SACSCOC, in pursuit of this, incorporates federal requirements into its substantive change policy and procedures. Institutions, as part of their commitment to accreditation standards, are required to either notify SACSCOC or seek prior approval, depending on the nature and complexity of the change.

For those seeking further details and guidance, SACSCOC provides comprehensive documentation on
Substantive Changes.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs for further assistance.

Procedures

Any proposals for new academic programs, encompassing certificates and degrees, are required to adhere 
to TTUHSC El Paso’s internal routing process as detailed in HSCEP OP 59.08: New Degree and Certificate  Programs, Change in Delivery Format, and Degree and Certificate Program Termination. If applicable, 
HSCEP OP 59.07: Substantive Change Reporting to SACSCOC must also be followed. In addition, programs 
intending to add or discontinue a method of delivery for an existing program must notify the Office of 
Academic Affairs before implementing the change. The Office of Academic Affairs will then facilitate the 
submission of a substantive change notification to SACSCOC.