Major SACSCOC Policy Revisions Boost Institutional Agility

December 17, 2025

DECATUR, Ga. – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) announced a series of major policy updates approved during its 2025 Annual Meeting. Together, these changes streamline processes without adding new compliance burdens to allow member institutions to better serve their students.

In one of the most substantial policy shifts in recent years, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees voted to remove 51 percent of substantive change categories, simplifying requirements and reducing procedural wait times for member institutions. Additionally, seven substantive change categories previously reviewed by the Executive Council were reassigned for presidential approval, cutting turnaround times to as little as one week once final materials are submitted.

“By resolving inconsistencies and removing unnecessary delays, we are strengthening the ability of our institutions to be agile in providing what students need while preserving the oversight that ensures quality,” said SACSCOC President Dr. Stephen Pruitt. “Our goal is to make expectations easier to understand and follow, not to create new burdens.”

First Reduced-Hour Baccalaureate Degrees Approved

In another milestone decision, the Board approved two reduced-hour (three-year) baccalaureate degrees for the University of Lynchburg, marking the first such approvals in SACSCOC’s history.

SACSCOC will present a formal policy on reduced-hour baccalaureate degrees to the Executive Council in March. Under the new framework, these programs will be treated as New Program Approvals, with authority delegated to the SACSCOC president. The policy will address:

• Clear naming conventions for reduced-hour degrees
• Requirements for transparent student notification regarding potential implications
• Evidence of workforce needs that justify a shortened academic pathway

“These innovations reflect our commitment to agility and responsiveness,” Dr. Pruitt said. “Institutions are exploring new ways to meet student and workforce expectations, and our policies will always support work that puts students first.”

A Modernized, Clarity-Focused Approach to Accreditation

The policy revisions adopted at the 2025 Annual Meeting reinforce SACSCOC’s ongoing effort to build “the accreditor that’s never existed,” one that emphasizes clarity over complexity, trust over redundancy, and alignment over administrative burden.

SACSCOC will provide updated guidance and implementation timelines to member institutions in the coming weeks.

Media Contact:
Eric Mann
Director of Public Information
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
emann@sacscoc.org  | 404-994-6576