Required Notification Procedures
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For more information on the ABHE accreditation process, please contact coa@abhe.org or 407.207.0808, EXT. 2
Required Notification Procedures
Notifications will be reviewed by the Substantive Change Officer for possible substantive change. Once approved the changes will be published to the institution’s public Accreditation Profile. Institutions are expected to periodically review the Accreditation Profile in the ABHE Online Directory and notify COA staff of changes. Such information includes accreditation status, approved programs, delivery modes, and all off-campus instructional locations. Institutions are required to verify Accreditation Profile information at least once per year.
In order to notify the Commission please send a letter detailing the specific information below. Please craft the letter on institutional letterhead with signature of the Accreditation Liaison or President. Email the notification to coa@abhe.org. In addition, for changes that appear on the Accreditation Profile, log in to the portal and make the appropriate changes within the portal.
Changes requiring Commission notification within 30 days of implementation
Not applicable to Institutions on Warning, Probation, Show Cause, or Provisional Certification for Title IV, HEA Programs.
1. A change in an existing degree’s, certificate’s, or diploma’s method of delivery.
Provide the name of every degree that changed or added a new instructional modality (defined as offering more than 50% of the program in a new instructional modality) and the date that the change is to take (or has taken) effect.
2. An aggregate change of 25% or more of the clock hours, credit hours, or content of a degree, certificate, or diploma since the last comprehensive review.
Provide the name of every degree, certificate, or diploma that changed by 25% or more. Please describe the changes to those programs in narrative or chart form, especially identifying the specific courses or content that has changed. Include in the notification the resulting copy of the curriculum of each degree, certificate, or diploma named as having changed.
3. The development of customized pathways or abbreviated or modified courses or programs to (1) Accommodate and recognize a student’s existing knowledge, such as knowledge attained through employment or military service; and (2) close competency gaps between demonstrated prior knowledge or competency and the full requirements of a particular course or program.
Provide the name of every degree, certificate, or diploma affected by the development of customized pathways. Please describe these pathways in narrative or chart form, especially identifying the specific policies and/or assessments that will be used to assist in evaluating demonstrated competency. Include in the notification any resulting copies of institutional catalogs or other published documents that describe the customized pathways.
4. Entering into a written arrangement under which an institution or organization not certified to participate in the Title IV, HEA Programs offers any portion of one or more of the accredited institution’s degrees, certificates, or diplomas (see 34 CFR 668.5 at https://gov.ecfr.io). This does not apply to transfer articulation agreements.
Provide the name and total number of credit hours for every degree, certificate, or diploma which will have a portion offered by an organization not certified for Title IV. Please describe in detail the arrangement between your institution and the organization in narrative or chart form, especially identifying the number of credit or clock hours to be taught by the organization. Include in the notification any written documents that describe the formal relationship, such as any memorandums of understanding.
5. Initiation of an extension site where less than 50% of a degree, certificate or diploma may be completed; and extension sites and additional locations that are removed where less than 100% of a program are offered.
Provide the address of every extension site, additional location, and/or branch campus that has been added or removed from the Weave Accreditation Profile platform. Please describe the changes made to the profile in narrative or chart form, especially identifying a brief rationale for the changes. Include in the notification a copy of state or provincial approval for each site that has been added.
6. Initiation of an additional location under a pre-approval waiver.
Submit within 30 days of initiation or relocation of an additional location under a pre-approval waiver, evidence of:
- Clearly identified academic control relative to additional locations
- A system of data collection and regular evaluation to ensure comparability of educational quality at all additional locations
- Adequate qualified faculty, facilities, resources, and academic and student support systems for all additional locations
- Demonstrated financial stability typically reflected in the institution’s most recent Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FRCS) being 1.50 or higher
- Comprehensive long-range planning for maintenance and expansion of additional locations
- A list of programs that will be available at the new location.
Include in the notification a copy of state or provincial approval for each site that has been added.
7. Addition of a degree, certificate, or diploma not considered a Change in Scope.
Complete the following form in its entirety for each addition: Program Notification Form
8. Closure of a degree, certificate, or diploma program.
Provide the name of every degree, certificate, or diploma that has been removed in the portal. Please describe the changes made to the profile in narrative or chart form, especially identifying a brief rationale for the changes. Include in the notification a description of the students affected and how those students are being accommodated.
9. Degree, certificate, or diploma nomenclature change.
Provide the name of every degree, certificate, or diploma that has been changed in the portal. Please describe the changes made to the profile in narrative or chart form, especially identifying a brief rationale for the changes. Include in the notification a copy of the curriculum of each degree, certificate, or diploma that has been changed.
10. Institution name change.
Provide the details of the name change. Include any information related to the required internal approvals that led to the change. Please also describe if there are any state/province approvals required for the name change and attach that documentation if so. This letter must be signed by the President.


