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Overview of Substantive Change: Candidate, Institutionally Accredited and Programmatically Accredited Institutions are required to submit a proposal to the Commission on Accreditation for certain substantive changes. These changes require approval before they are implemented. The cost for substantive changes may be found in the most current fee schedule in the Accreditation Materials tab. The Substantive Change Policy may be found HERE.

There are currently THREE DISTINCT FORMS in use for substantive changes, so read the following information carefully.

1. Substantive Change Proposal Form for New Programs

This substantive change proposal form applies to any of the following substantive changes:

2a. Addition of graduate/post-graduate degrees, certificates, or diplomas by an institution that previously offered only undergraduate degrees or certificates.

2b. Addition of doctoral degrees, certificates, or diplomas by an institution that previously offered only master’s degrees or graduate certificates (requires a focused visit for approval).

2c. Addition of programs that represent a significant departure from existing programs offered at the time of the last comprehensive review. A significant departure is defined as either a new educational program (major or concentration) of 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours or more or a credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) that requires 50% of semester hours in a discipline not reflected in previously approved programs or credentials. Required coursework in an already approved program offered over the past three years is not considered part of the 50% of semester hours in a new discipline for the purpose of determining significant departure.

2h. Addition of the first credential where a student may complete 50% or more by competency-based education in the course-credit approach.

2i. Addition of each competency-based education program where 50% or more is completed by direct assessment.

2j. Initiation of an adult degree completion program.

You may use the following PDF as guidance to collect the information needed prior to completing the online form. Please ensure that you have all of the information needed prior to opening and completing the online form. DO NOT SUBMIT THE PDF VERSION OF THE FORM.

PDF Link: https://www.abhe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Substantive-Change-Proposal-for-Addition-of-Programs-2025-04.pdf

Official Online Proposal Form for Submission: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ki0pkJJ6DM

2. Substantive Change Proposal Form for New Instructional Modality(ies)

This substantive change proposal form applies to the following substantive changes:

5.     Change in Instructional Modality
5a. First offering of courses using a new instructional modality (e.g., face-to-face, distance education, correspondence education, or mixed modality) up to 49% of a program.*
5b. Reaching the 50% threshold for distance education* evidenced by one of the following triggers:
i.     Addition of the first credential where a student may complete 50% or more through distance education
ii.     Enrollment of 50% or more of the institution’s students in distance education. A student is considered “enrolled in distance education” if he or she enrolls in at least one course offered through distance education.
iii.     Offering 50% or more of the institution’s courses through distance education.
5c. Addition of the first credential where a student may complete 50% or more through face-to-face, mixed modality, or correspondence education.*
5d. Addition of the first credential where a student may complete 50% or more via a delivery method not in use for an existing federal Prison Education Program (PEP).*+

7. Substantive Changes for Institutions on Warning, Probation, or Show Cause in the last three academic years, or Provisional Certification for Title IV, HEA Programs
7a. A change in an existing degree’s, certificate’s, or diploma’s method of delivery.
7g. Each offering of programs where 50% or more of a degree, certificate, or diploma may be completed by distance education (online), correspondence education, mixed modality, or competency-based education by the course/credit approach.

If you are adding a new program or credential, please STOP and use the Substantive Change Proposal for Addition of Program/s form (#1) instead.

PDF Link: Substantive Change Proposal Form for New Instructional Modality(ies).pdf

Official Online Proposal Form for Submission: https://forms.office.com/r/61gW6aek5C

3. Substantive Change Proposal Form for ALL OTHER CHANGE TYPES

This substantive change proposal form applies to ALL OTHER CHANGES except for those described above.

PDF Link: https://www.abhe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Substantive-Change-Proposal-Form-2025-04.pdf

Official Online Proposal Form for Submission: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/CNPp9jBYTU

Innovative Program Application

ABHE seeks to support institutional innovation within the guardrails of established quality standards. Thus, institutions and programs accredited or pre-accredited by ABHE must apply for approval prior to implementing an innovative program or pedagogical approach that does not fully align with requirements as stated in the ABHE Standards for Accreditation. If approved, innovative programs are considered pilot programs and require regular monitoring reports to assess program effectiveness, with particular attention given to achievement of stated learning outcomes and program retention, completion, and placement rates (if applicable).

Innovative programs may include but are not limited to reduced-credit bachelor degree programs and accelerated Bachelor/MDiv degree programs. Given the complexity of innovative change, institutions are encouraged to consult with their Commission Staff Representative prior to submitting an innovative program proposal. For more detail please read the full Policy on Innovative Programs found here.

PDF Link: Innovative Program Application.pdf

Official Online Proposal Form for Submission: (NEW) Innovative Program Application – Fill out form