Substantive Change Information

Substantive change, as defined by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), is defined as “a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.” Asking the following questions will help to determine whether a modification or expansion is significant:

Does the new program:

  • Require new faculty?
  • Create new courses?
  • Need additional library or learning recourses?
  • Need new equipment or facilities?
  • Call for additional funding?
  • Launch coursework or programs at a more advanced level that HCU is currently approved to offer?
  • Establish a branch campus?
  • Initiate an off-site location?

Affirmative answers to any of these will likely require advance notification and possibly prior approval from SACSCOC before they can be implemented at HCU.

The Associate Provost for Academic Operations, HCU’s SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison, will make the determination of whether or not the change is substantive and which reporting procedures HCU must follow.