Changes in Programs or Program Options

REPORTING SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE – HOMETEMPLATESSUBSTANTIVE CHANGE PORTAL  •  NURSE ADMINISTRATOR CHANGE  •  PROGRAM OUTCOMES  •  DISTANCE EDUCATION  •  CURRICULUM  •  PROGRAM TYPES/OPTIONS  •  ENROLLMENT   •  LOCATIONS  •  CHANGE IN STATUS  •  MISSION/GOVERNANCE  •  CONTRACTS/CONSORTIA   •  CLOSINGS/INACTIVATIONS  •  TEACH-OUTS  •  NON-SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES


CHANGES IN PROGRAMS OR PROGRAM OPTIONS 

The ACEN reviews changes to nursing programs, including those involving:

Adding a New Program/Degree Type
This type of change refers to adding a different program/degree type, or courses with a different program type, to a nursing education unit with an accredited program, not a new program option within a program of study for an accredited program.

Templates for Reporting: 
New Program/Degree Type)
(.docx)

Adding a Nursing Program Option

A nursing program option is a program of study designed for a subset of students within a nursing program (degree/credential type).

For example, in an associate degree program, a curriculum made specifically for LPNs would be considered a nursing program option.

See Curriculum: Changes in Nursing Content for information on how to determine if a change to a nursing course is considered substantive.

Templates for Reporting: 
New Program Option (50% or greater)
(.docx)

Determining if a Substantive Change Report is Required

Adding a nursing program option within a nursing program by adding, deleting, and/or substituting existing nursing courses to form the new nursing program option require reporting.

  • Changes of 50% or more of the nursing courses through the addition, deletion, and/or substitution of nursing credits/clock hours to form a new program option follow Procedure 1 for review and require Board of Commissioner approval.
  • Changes of 1-49% of the nursing courses through the addition, deletion, and/or substitution of nursing credits/clock hours to form the new program do NOT require reporting.
Acquiring a Program

Acquisitions are defined as assets transferred from one governing organization to another. If a governing organization with an ACEN-accredited nursing program acquires a nursing program from another institution, the substantive change policy must be followed.

Changes involving the acquisition of an accredited or non-accredited nursing program from another governing organization follow Procedure 1 for review and require Board of Commissioner approval.

Template for Reporting: Acquiring a Nursing Program (.docx)