The University is required to notify SACSCOC of changes consistent with SACSCOC’s substantive change policy, and to seek approval prior to the initiation of a change when appropriate. Substantive change is defined as a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Under federal regulations, substantive change examples include but are not limited to:

• Substantially changing the established mission or objectives of an institution or its programs.
• Changing the legal status, form of control, or ownership of an institution
• Changing the governance of an institution.
• Merging / consolidating two or more institutions or entities.
• Acquiring another institution or any program or location of another institution.
• Relocating an institution or an off-campus instructional site of an institution (including a branch campus).
• 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.
• Initiating programs by distance education or correspondence courses.
• Adding an additional method of delivery to a currently offered program.
• Awarding dual or joint academic awards.
• Re-opening a previously closed program or off-campus instructional site.
• Adding a new off-campus instructional site/additional location including a branch campus.
• Closing an institution, a program, a method of delivery, an off-campus instructional site, or a program at an off-campus instructional site. 
  
  Please read UVA's Substantive Change for Institutional Accreditation Policy for additional information.

The following are examples of substantive changes submitted to SACSCOC:

• Approval of the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, VA.
• Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program to replace the Master of Education in Kinesiology.
• Relocation of the Master of Science in Management Information Technology from Roslyn, VA to McLean, Virginia.
• Dual Degree Program Agreement between the University of Virginia (Darden School of Business) and Johns Hopkins University Advanced International Studies
• Closure of an off-campus site in Newport News, VA
• Closure of an undergraduate certificate in Human Resource Management
• Closure of the Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic Languages and Literature