Changes to Existing Academic Programs

Institutions should complete this form to declare any of the following changes to an existing HLC-approved academic program. Submit the form separately for each program in which changes are being made.

• Number of Clock or Credit Hours. A change of 25% or more to the number of clock or credit hours required to complete a degree program or certificate program, either in a single change or as the sum total of aggregate changes since the institution’s most recent accreditation review (comprehensive evaluation, Assurance Review or Show-Cause Evaluation Visit).
  • When Approval Is Required: Prior HLC approval is required when changing the number of clock or credits hours by 25% or more for a degree program and by 50% or more for a certificate program. In those cases, institutions are not required to complete this screening form before submitting an application. See Substantive Change: Changes to Existing Programs for more information.
  • Changes of Less Than 25%: Institutions may also report changes to clock or credit hours of less than 25%. HLC will add this information to its records.
• Program Content. A change of 25% or more to the content of a program, either in a single change or as the sum total of aggregate changes, since the most recent accreditation review (comprehensive evaluation, Assurance Review or Show-Cause Evaluation Visit).
  
  Program content changes include changes to a program’s curriculum (measured by clock or credit hours), learning objectives, competencies or required clinical experiences. This includes changes in the general education courses required for program completion, not merely the courses within the discipline, program or major.
• Program Name or CIP Code Changes. Only report changes to a program name or CIP code if the program is specifically listed in the institution’s General stipulation limiting the programs the institution offers. Otherwise, you do not need to report program name or CIP Code changes to HLC.
  • If your institutions received a request from a regulatory agency to document that HLC has approved a program, please submit that request using HLC’s Official Letter Request Form.
• Method of Delivery. A change in the method of delivery for a program.
  
  If your institution is changing a program’s method of delivery to credit-based competency-based education or distance education, you will need your institution's relevant stipulation from its Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report.
• Customized Pathways or Abbreviated or Modified Courses. The development of customized pathways or abbreviated or modified courses or programs to accommodate a student's existing knowledge (such as from employment or military service) and to close competency gaps between demonstrated prior knowledge and the full requirements of a particular course or program.

Questions with an asterisk (*) are required.