Substantive Change
The Georgia Tech Substantive Change Policy establishes Georgia Tech's responsibilities and required procedures to ensure that substantive changes are reported to SACSCOC in accordance with the Substantive Change Policy .
Common changes that occur at Georgia Tech that must be reported to SACSCOC are:
- Change in Method of Delivery-Notification
- New Program- Notification or Approval
- Program Closure
Please contact the Office of Academic Effectiveness if you think you are making a substantive change that requires notification or approval by SACSCOC.
| SACSCOC Common Terms and Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Term | Definition |
| Approval | An official action by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees enabling an institution to implement a proposed substantive change. All changes requiring approval are defined in Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. An institution secures approval by submitting a substantive change prospectus or application subject to satisfactory review by the Board of Trustees. |
| Closure | The ending of instruction in an educational program at an off-campus instructional site, in an educational program at an off-campus instructional site or main campus, by a method of delivery, or at an entire institution, such that a student cannot complete their program of study as planned. |
| Distance education | A method of delivery in which 50% or more of instruction occurs when students and instructors are not in the same location. It includes synchronous (live or in realtime) and asynchronous (not live or in real-time) instruction. |
| Face-to-face instruction | A method of delivery in which 50% or more of instruction occurs when students and instructors are in the same location. |
| Method of delivery | The principal method by which instruction is delivered to include competency-based education (all forms), distance education, and face-to-face instruction. |
| Notification | An official communication from an institution to SACSCOC as defined in Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. A notification is complete only when accepted by SACSCOC upon satisfactory review by staff. |
| Off-campus instructional site / additional location | A location geographically apart from an institution’s sole main campus where instruction is delivered. |
| Program | A coherent course of study leading to a for-credit credential including a degree, diploma, certificate, or other generally recognized credential. |
| Teach-out plan | A written plan developed by an institution for students to complete their programs of study because it decided to end a program, off-campus instructional site, method of delivery, or to close the institution. A teach-out plan provides an orderly process, the equitable treatment of students, minimal disruption and additional costs to students, and covers all enrolled students regardless of their progress to completion. |