SACSCOC Eyes Faster Approval, Increased Transparency in Substantive Change Process
DECATUR, Ga. – SACSCOC has introduced several updates to its Substantive Change procedures aimed at improving approval time and increasing transparency throughout the process for member institutions.
Select types of substantive change proposals will now receive final approval directly from the SACSCOC President. This move is expected to eliminate two to four weeks from the review cycle and provide members with clearer tracking through new Portal stages: Ready for CEO, Approved CEO, Rejected CEO, and Completed CEO.
To further improve Substantive Change operations, SACSCOC is also transitioning toward a paperless process. Response letters will no longer be mailed for most change types; instead, institutions will receive notifications when letters are available to download from the Institutional Portal and will receive an email from subchange@sacscoc.org when those letters are available.
While SACSCOC has been providing downloadable letters in the Portal for several years, eliminating printed mail will allow staff to post letters more quickly and avoid postal delays. This move supports the Commission’s transition to a more sustainable, digital-first workflow.
Finally, off-campus instructional sites previously approved only for certificate programs have now been reclassified for full approval, allowing institutions to offer any part of any approved program at those sites without additional submissions. Read more here.
Two upcoming sessions will provide additional guidance:
- Ask Us Anything: More Conversations with Substantive Change — Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET – Register Here for this live webinar for member questions about recent updates, processes, and best practices in substantive change submissions.
- In-Person Substantive Change Workshop — Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in Hampton Roads, Virginia (pre-conference at VRAS) – Register Here for this one-day, in-person workshop to receive practical guidance on navigating substantive change procedures.
For more information about SACSCOC or to view the Substantive Change Policy, visit www.sacscoc.org.
Media Contact:
Eric Mann
Director of Public Information
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
emann@sacscoc.org | 404-994-6576