New Courses/Program Not Significant Departure
Adding courses or academic program(s) including Title IV-eligible certificate programs not related to existing degree program(s), that do not represent a significant departure (25% difference in program core) from program(s) previously approved. Includes addition of programs delivered using more than 50% online delivery to meet program requirements.
New Courses/Program Significant Departure
Adding courses or academic program(s) including Title IV-eligible certificate programs not related to existing degree program(s), that represent a significant departure (25% difference in program core) from program(s) previously approved
Combining Two Programs Previously Approved
Combining two programs to create a new program and where the two programs have been previously approved
New Degree Level or Credential
Adding the first academic program at a degree or credential level not previously included in the institution’s accreditation by NWCCU. (2nd and 3rd programs at the new degree level or credential are reviewed by Staff)
Suspending,
Terminating, Moratorium on Existing Academic Program
Suspending, terminating, or placing into moratorium,
existing academic program or major(s) of 30 semester or 45 quarter credits or more
in length (within approved degree level)
Dual Degree Program: 25-50% by Consortial Agreement
Entering into a consortial agreement under which an institution accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education provides a significant portion of the academic program
a. 24% or less of the credits in a degree or certificate program delivered by the consortial partner(s)
b. 25-50% of one or more of the institution’s educational programs provided by the consortium or other accredited institution
Dual Degree Program: More than 50% by Consortial Agreement
More than 50% of one or more of the institution’s educational programs provided by the consortium or other accredited institution
Joint Program by Agreement with Non-Accredited Organization
Entering into a contract under which an institution or organization not certified to participate in Title IV offers more than 25 percent of one or more of an accredited Title IV-eligible institution’s educational programs
Substantially Increasing Credit or Clock Hours
Substantially increasing the number of clock or credit hours awarded for successful completion of a program (more than 25% of total program credits or clock hours)
New Distance
Education Delivery of 50% of a Program
Initiating or expanding of distance education delivery where
50% or more of the courses or credits in an academic program are provided using
distance delivery (Authorization if less than three distance programs, then approval of all other new distance programs)
Competency-Based Education or Direct Assessment
Initiating or expanding Competency-Based Education (CBE) delivery where 50% or more of the courses or credits in an academic program are provided using competency-based (or direct assessment) learning. (First three programs: 1st program Panel Review; 2nd and 3rd programs Staff Review)
New Additional
Location in Region with 50% of Program in Face-to-Face Delivery
Establishing an additional location where 50% or more of
program requirements can be earned via face-to-face instructional delivery
New Additional
Location Outside of the Institution's Region or International
Establishing an additional location at either an
international location or location outside the institution’s region where 50%
or more of the program requirement can be earned via face-to-face instructional
delivery (First three locations only)
New Branch Campus
including Teach-Out Arrangement
Establishing a new branch campus, including one established
or acquired in order to provide for teach-out from another institution
Closing or Suspending an Additional Location or Branch Campus
Closing or suspending for more than 1 semester or 2 quarters of an existing additional location or a branch campus
Clock to Credit Hours
/ Credit to Clock Hours
Changing from clock to credit hours (or vice versa)
Change of Mission and
Objectives
Substantially changing of institutional mission or
objectives
Acquisition of an Institution or Merger
Acquiring or merging with another institution or any program or location of another institution
Change of Ownership / Change of Legal Status / Change in Form of Control
Changing legal status, form of control, or ownership