Notification only Prior to implementation

Below you will find a comprehensive list of items which require a notification letter be submitted to SACSCOC for prior to the item being implemented at APSU. Once this notification letter has been placed in the mail, implementation may begin. These items are broken down by Institutional level items and Program level items. You may visit the SACSCOC Substantive Change Policy for additional information regarding these types of substantive change.

Program Changes

When 25% to 49% of the program may be earned in this manner a notification is required. Additionally, if the program is a significant departure, it would be subject to new program approval.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
Name of the program
credential of the program
instructional level of the program
affirmative statement that at least 25% but no more than 50% of the program may be earned through the direct assessment approach to CBE
implementation date

Agreement with entity to deliver program content recorded on the SACSCOC institution's transcript as its own if:

50% or more of a program is offered through the arrangement

OR
SACSCOC institution is not able to deliver the program without the arrangement

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change cover sheet
affirmative statement that the institution will record credits under arrangement on its academic transcripts as awarded by the institution
explanation of which condition defined above are met that require the arrangement to be submitted as notification
program(s) for which credits earned under the arrangement will apply
copy of a signed and dated memorandum of agreement or other document explaining the scope and responsibilities of each partnering institution or entity
implementation date

Agreement with entity not certified to participate in US Department of Education title IV programs to deliver less than 25% of a program's content recorded on the SACSCOC institution's transcript as its own.

If on Substantive Change Restriction this would require an approval by SACSCOC.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
affirmative statement that the institution will record credits under the arrangement on its academic transcripts as awarded by the institution
name and credential of each program to which credits earned under the arrangement will apply
maximum percentage of the total program requirements that will be earned under the agreement
copy of a signed and dated memorandum of agreement or other document explaining the scope and responsibilities of each institution or entity
names and contact information of the principal parties at each participating institution or entity
implementation date

Arrangement in which a student receives instruction at two or more institutions in prescribed curricula leading to an award or credential.

Dual academic awards exclude:

completion or pathway options across credential levels
agreements that address transfer articulation only
agreements for individual students such as cotutelle arrangements

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
name of each participating institution
program name and credential to be awarded by each institution
instructional level of the academic award
copy of a signed and dated memorandum of agreement between all participating institutions
names and contact information for the principal parties
statement affirming the academic award granted by the SACSCOC institution and how it complies with Standard 9.4
implementation date

Student receives instruction at two or more institution in a curriculum that leads to the institutions granting a single academic award with seals and signatures of both institutions.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
copy of a signed and dated agreement between or amongst all participating institution
name of the program
credential to be awarded
instructional level of the program
name and contact information for the primary responsible party at each institution
implementation date

New program where 25% to 49% of the program is new content. If the institution is on Substantive Change Restriction this would required approval. Institutions should consider the following:

content is new if it is not currently offered by the institution at the new program's level
determination of the percentage of new content is made by the institution
new program notification equally applied to degree, diploma, certificate or other credential
if institution is not currently approved to offer courses or programs at the new program's level a level change is required

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
name of the program
credential to be awarded
instructional level
method of delivery
implementation date

Initiating a program requiring students to possess prior learning as a condition of admission requires notification.

Standard 10.7 applies without exception. Institutions on Substantive Change Restriction would need to seek SACSCOC approval.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
name of the program
credential to be awarded
program's instructional level
description of the prior learning required
description of how the institution
- will assess prior learning
- award credit for prior learning
- establish the validity of its prior learning assessment
- how faculty are involved in the assessment of prior learning
- how faculty involved in the assessment of prior learning are qualified in the disciplines in which credit for prior learning is awarded
- how the institution with faculty involvement periodically assesses third parties on which it relies for prior learning assessment
implementation date

Closed program may be re-opened withing five years of the closure by submitting a notification. If more than five years have elapsed the program will be subject to the new program process.

Notification letter should include:

name of the program
credential of the program
instructional level of the program
closure date (date of last admission) of the program as submitted to SACSCOC for closure
date SACSCOC approved closure
case identification from the SACSCOC closure approval letter or copy of the closure letter
statement of assurance that the institution has adequate instructional space and equipment, financial resources, library and learning/information resources, student support services appropriate to the programs and faculty members qualified in the program discipline to support re-opening the program
implementation date

Site at which 25% to 49% of a program is delivered. Notification must be submitted prior to institution reaching the 25% threshold.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover Sheet
Site name
Physical address or location of the site
implementation date

Relocating an off-campus instructional site that is not a branch campus.

Notification letter should include:

Completed Substantive Change Cover Sheet
name and address of the site to match SACSCOC records
name and address for the new location
implementation date
statement stipulating there will be no overlap of instruction at the two locations

Name Change: Unique to the institution

Address change: location at which instruction is delivered is not changing but the address is changing. Examples include: renaming a street, change in suite or room changing ZIP code.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change cover sheet
current name and address of the site to match SACSCOC records
new name and/or address of the site
implementation date
statement stipulating the name and/or address does not include a change of instructional location

If a site was closed for less than five years, it may be reopened by submitting a notification.

Notes: re-opened site is ineligible for relocation until at least one full academic term of instruction has been offered at completed at the site with students enrolled after re-opening
re-opened site is subject to review and visit by a peer review committee at the institution's next accreditation reviews.

Notification letter should include:

Substantive Change Cover letter
name and address of the site as it appears on the SACSCOC
date SACSCOC approved the site's closure and either the SACSCOC case number or copy of approval letter
name of the site upon re-opening
implementation date
affirmative statement by the institution that assures the site remains appropriate for the institution and that students will have adequate access to student support services and learning and library information.