Which example constitutes a substantive change that AAHEP requires programs to notify or obtain approval for?

Which example constitutes a substantive change that AAHEP requires programs to notify or obtain approval for?

• A. Minor changes in course titles.
• B. Short-term staff vacation schedule.
• C. Changes to campus landscaping.
• D. Major changes in mission, scope of program, curriculum, delivery method, site location, or substantial increases/decreases in resources or faculty.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that substantive changes are those that affect the program’s core structure, delivery, or resources and therefore have potential to impact quality and compliance with accreditation standards. When a change touches the program’s mission, the scope of what’s being offered, the curriculum or delivery method, where the program is located, or how much resources or faculty are available, it alters how the program operates and how students are served. Because of that potential impact, such changes must be reported to or approved by the accrediting body before they are put into action. The example that fits this is a major change in mission, scope of the program, curriculum, delivery method, site location, or substantial increases or decreases in resources or faculty. This kind of change directly reshapes what the program is and how it functions, which is exactly what accreditation oversight aims to monitor. By contrast, minor adjustments like changing course titles, a short-term staff vacation schedule, or campus landscaping are administrative in nature and do not affect the program’s quality or compliance status, so they don’t require the same notification or approval.

The key idea is that substantive changes are those that affect the program’s core structure, delivery, or resources and therefore have potential to impact quality and compliance with accreditation standards. When a change touches the program’s mission, the scope of what’s being offered, the curriculum or delivery method, where the program is located, or how much resources or faculty are available, it alters how the program operates and how students are served. Because of that potential impact, such changes must be reported to or approved by the accrediting body before they are put into action.

The example that fits this is a major change in mission, scope of the program, curriculum, delivery method, site location, or substantial increases or decreases in resources or faculty. This kind of change directly reshapes what the program is and how it functions, which is exactly what accreditation oversight aims to monitor.

By contrast, minor adjustments like changing course titles, a short-term staff vacation schedule, or campus landscaping are administrative in nature and do not affect the program’s quality or compliance status, so they don’t require the same notification or approval.