This type of change refers to adding a different nursing program degree type, or courses with a different degree type, to a nursing education unit within an accredited nursing program, rather than a new program option within a program of study for an already accredited program. (See Adding a New Program Option)

A substantive change for the addition of a different degree type is required to ensure that the currently accredited program remains in compliance with all ACEN Standards and Criteria following the implementation, especially Standard 2 Faculty, Standard 3 Students, and Standard 5 Resources.

Template For Reporting:  New Program/Degree Type (.docx)

Initial Accreditation of a Different Program Type

Acceptance of a substantive change related to the addition of a different credential level does not constitute initial accreditation for the new program type.

New programs must achieve Candidate Status and host a site visit for consideration for initial accreditation.

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)
New Program Option (1-49%) (.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 option follow Procedure 2 for review and may be accepted by the ACEN Staff without requiring Board approval.

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)