The University of North Texas is deeply committed to advancing education excellence, creating knowledge and innovations through collaborations, and offering a broad array of programs.  This commitment brings perpetual change and growth to the institution. 

Some changes are substantial enough to require reporting to various outside bodies, such as the:

  • University of North Texas System & Board of Regents
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • US Department of Education

University Accreditation stands ready to help faculty and administrators report their substantive changes to the appropriate bodies.  Several types of changes do require prior approval before implementation.

The information on this page will help determine if a change is substantive and how to proceed, but the ultimate decision will be made by Elizabeth Vogt, UNT’s SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison, whose professional judgment combined with available evidence will determine whether or not a change is substantive and needs reporting.

SACSCOC Definition

The University of North Texas is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).  Member institutions are required to notify SACSCOC of changes in accordance with the substantive change policy and seek approval prior to the initiation of changes when required.  Member institutions are required to have policies and procedures to ensure that all substantive changes are reported to the Commission in a timely manner.  This is an expectation by the US Department of Education, and unreported substantive changes are considered serious infractions that may result in sanctions against the institution.

SACSCOC defines substantive change as “a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.”  The types of substantive change and the procedures for addressing them appropriately are defined in policy.  University Accreditation reports substantive changes to maintain compliance with policies as changes and innovations are implemented. 

Failure to comply with the substantive change procedures of SACSCOC can result in serious consequences that include suspending the activity until approval is received, requiring the institution to pay back federal financial aid dispersed to students, and/or placing the institution on sanction or removing the institution's accreditation entirely.

The following documents provide details about substantive change policies:

What Changes Are Considered Substantive?

There is no specific formula used to determine if a modification or expansion is significant. The following questions are considered when deciding if a change is a SACSCOC substantive change that requires reporting:

  • What previously approved program(s) does UNT offer that is closely related to the new program and how are they related?
  • Will significant additional equipment or facilities be needed?
  • Will significant additional financial resources be needed?
  • Will a significant number of new courses be added to the curriculum?
  • Will a significant number of new faculty members be required?

 Examples of substantive changes include but are not limited to:

  • adding a program that is a significant departure from the existing programs, or method of delivery, from those offered when the institution was last evaluated;
  • adding an additional method of delivery to a currently offered program;
  • entering into a cooperative academic arrangement;
  • entering into a written arrangement, under 34 C.F.R. § 668.5, by which an institution or organization not certified to participate in the Title IV Higher Education Act (HEA) programs, offers less than 25% (requires notification) or 25-50% (requires pre-approval) of one or more of the accredited institution’s educational programs;
  • increasing or decreasing the number of credit hours for a certificate or degree;
  • offering 25% or more of a credential’s coursework (including certificates) at a new off-site location;
  • closing a program, off-campus site, branch campus or institution;
  • awarding dual or joint academic degrees; and
  • the initiation of a direct assessment competency-based educational program.

Proposing Changes

Anyone preparing a proposal is strongly encouraged to contact Elizabeth Vogt in the Office of University Accreditation first to ensure the proper paperwork is completed. The proposal processes are largely dependent on the details of what is being proposed, and Elizabeth will be able to provide the information that is pertinent to the proposed change.

To initiate a change, one of two proposal forms must be completed. The Proposal for Changes to Existing Undergraduate and Graduate Programs and Certificates is referred to as the “short form” and should be used for the following types of changes:

  • consolidating degrees;
  • closing a degree or certificate;
  • increasing/decreasing SCH for a degree/certificate;
  • changing a CIP code; 
  • changing program modality to more than 50% electronically delivered, e.g. online or video conferencing;
  • entering into a collaborative academic arrangement that includes the initiation of a dual/joint program;
  • offering a degree or certificate program at an offsite location; 
  • initiating a direct assessment competency-based educational program;
  • renaming a degree/certificate; 
  • creating a Grad Track pathway;
  • adding a concentration to a degree (only required if the concentration significantly changes the degree in its current form);
  • changing the name of a college/academic department;  
  • moving degree/certificate programs between colleges/departments; 
  • moving departments to other colleges; or 
  • creating/closing a department/college. 

The Proposal for New Undergraduate and Master’s Programs/Certification AND Changes to Existing Programs is considered the “long form” and is used for proposing new baccalaureate and master’s degree programs.

Approvals

All substantive changes require approvals both internal and external approvals. Contact Elizabeth Vogt in University Accreditation to determine which approvals are needed for a particular proposal and in what order the approvals must be obtained.

Internal Approvals Process

External Approvals Process

Most Common Proposals

Create a New Degree

Creation of a New Program Proposal

Creating a new degree program is an extensive process that may take a year or more to complete. In addition to internal approvals, new degree programs require UNTS Board of Regents approval, THECB approval and may require SACSCOC approval. Limited action can be taken with advertising or promoting a new degree until UNT receives affirmative responses from the THECB and, if required, SACSCOC. Individual departments are responsible for ensuring discipline-specific accreditation standards are being met.

Use the proposal form to create a new program.

To prepare documentation for a new degree, it is helpful to review the THECB's degree inventory for UNT.  UNT’s Inventory by Administrative Structure shows the administrative structure of colleges and departments, and lists the degrees, semester credit hours and CIP code for each degree. Reviewing UNT’s inventory by CIP Code will help to prevent the use of a single CIP code for more than one degree at the same level, which is discouraged by THECB.

If you are creating a new degree program that will be delivered 50% or more online, please consider the expectations listed in the Online Program Checklist when preparing the proposal.

If you are proposing a new dual or joint degree program, please see additional information below. If you have any questions about the process or the required paperwork for a new degree program, please contact University Accreditation. There are differences in requirements depending on the program's degree level.

Change Modality to 50% of More ElectronicDelivery 

If you are planning to offer an existing degree or graduate certificate program at 50%* or more online, please consider the expectations listed in the Online Program Checklist  when preparing the proposal. 

Once initial planning authority is gained, the proposal will go through CLEAR for approval. UNT policy 06.030 Review and Approval of Online Courses and Programs outlines the process for approval.

 *Please note:  Doctoral programs must gain approval prior to offering more than four courses online or offsite.

Change Program Title, CIP, or SCH

University Accreditation will guide you through the steps to make changes to your degree program or certificate. Changing the title, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP code), or semester credit hours (SCH) for a degree program does require approval by the THECB. University Accreditation will assist in determining if the change is significant and requires notification or approval by SACSCOC. 

Review the THECB's degree inventory for UNT. UNT’s Inventory by Administrative Structure shows the administrative structure of colleges and departments, and lists the degrees, semester credit hours and CIP code for each degree. Reviewing UNT’s inventory by CIP Code  will help to prevent the use of a single CIP code for more than one degree at the same level, which is discouraged by THECB.

Close a Degree/Certification Program 

Closing a degree program will require SACSCOC approval and THECB approval prior to the closure.  However, closing a graduate certificate program may only need to be reported to the THECB depending on how many semester credit hours are in the certificate program. 

**When closing a degree program, SACSCOC must approve the closure prior to the last date of admission of students and prior to implementation.**

SACSCOC will review the program's teach-out plan.  The written teach-out plan must provide equitable treatment of students and must also include the following information:

  1. Date of closure when new students will no longer be admitted.
  2. An explanation of how students, faculty and staff will be informed of the closure.
  3. Explanation of how students will be helped to complete their programs with minimal disruption.
  4. Indication as to whether the teach-out plan will incur additional charges/expenses to the students, and how students will be notified.
  5. Description of any impact on faculty and staff (If this impacts current faculty or staff employment, describe what assistance will be provided in finding new employment).

Change Related to Academic Administration

Academic administrative changes are reported to the THECB.  These changes include the creation of new colleges, schools, divisions or departments.  Name changes, consolidations of units and moving degree programs across units are also reported.  Review a current UNT degree program inventory to see the current administrative structure on record with the THECB.

Checklist for reporting academic administrative changes to the THECB 

Create New Dual/Joint Degree Program 

Creating a new dual or joint degree program or entering into a contractual or consortial agreement includes special requirements.

Creating a new dual or joint degree program is an extensive process that takes 1-2 years to complete.  New joint or dual degree programs require THECB and SACSCOC approval, and additional SACSCOC scrutiny as compared to typical new degree proposals. University Accreditation should be included in initial discussions prior to completing the proposal to the Provost's office for planning authority or submitting the proposal to the curriculum committee. 

Entering into a contractual or consortial agreement with another institution to provide instruction or a portion of a degree program also carries additional SACSCOC scrutiny before the instruction can begin. University Accreditation should be included in initial discussions prior to signing any agreement with another institution to provide instruction or a portion of a degree program.

Enter into Contractual Agreement or Consortial Relationship

Entering into a contractual or consortial agreement to offer a dual or joint degree or instruction must comply with the SACSCOC policy on Agreements Involving Joint and Dual Academic. 

 Definitions

  • Contractual agreement typically is one in which an institution enters an agreement for receipt of courses/programs or portions of courses or programs delivered by another institution or service provider.
  • Consortia relationship typically is one in which two or more institutions share in the responsibility of developing and delivering courses and programs that meet mutually agreed upon standards of academic quality. Notification of initiating program/courses delivered through contractual agreement or a consortium does not apply to articulation agreements with other institutions, clinical agreements or internship agreements.
  • Joint Degrees: A single program completion credential bearing the names, seals, and signatures of each of the two or more institutions awarding the degree to the student
  • Dual degree: Separate program completion credentials each of which bears only the name, seal, and signature of the institution awarding the degree to the student

Be Prepared: There is an additional fee structure for SACSCOC prospectuses involving multiple institutions. 

If you have any questions about the process or the required paperwork for consortial or contractual agreements, please contact University Accreditation.  Also please include University Accreditation on any discussions to create new dual or joint degree programs.