Substantive Change

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) defines a substantive change as “a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.” There are two major types of substantive change: institutional-related substantive change and academic-related substantive change.

The UTSA Handbook of Operating Procedures addresses both types of substantive change in Section 2.35, Substantive Change Procedures Required to Obtain Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Approval.

All substantive changes must be submitted to SACSCOC, through the Office of Continuous Improvement and Accreditation, either as a notification or as an approval with a completed prospectus, depending on the nature and complexity of the change involved. Substantive changes requiring a prospectus must be reviewed and approved by SACSCOC before those changes can be implemented at UTSA.

For changes to be effective in a spring term, all materials need to be received by the Office of Continuous Improvement and Accreditation by June 1 to meet the SACSCOC deadline of July 1. For changes to be effective in a fall term, all materials need to be received by December 1 to meet the SACSCOC deadline of January 1. Click here to begin the process by indicating the type of change and implementation term desired. For more information, please contact Lorrie Smith or Kasey Neece-Fielder.

Below are the types of academic-related substantive change most frequently seen at UTSA and resources to aid you in obtaining SACSCOC approval: