Accreditation Requirements

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states. SACSCOC may require a substantive change review for certain program and academic initiatives. Substantive change, as defined by SACSCOC in its Substantive Change for Accredited Institutions policy includes any “significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution.” Recent substantive change examples include approving an off-campus site at Inova Fairfax Campus, and offering a Master of Science in Athletic Training.