V. Substantive Changes to CAA-Accredited Graduate Education Programs

When the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), grants accreditation to an entry-level graduate program it is accredited only for the conditions that existed at the time of that action. The CAA recognizes that, in response to changes rapidly occurring in the educational environment, reduction in financial resources, and changes in the marketplace, academic programs are developing alternative models to deliver education in the most cost effective way, while providing students with the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly challenging environment. Minor changes within the program may take place prior to its next scheduled review, which are routinely reported in the Annual Report and approved by the CAA. The Council views these minor changes as part of a healthy educational process and encourages programs to make them as part of their ongoing self-assessment.

At times, however, more substantive changes occur in a program that may have a direct and significant impact on the program's ability to comply with the accreditation standards. Examples of substantive changes include those that: (1) alter the mission, goals or objectives of the accredited program, (2) alter the control of the accredited program, (3) allow 50% or more of instruction from the accredited program to be offered in a different geographic location or in a format significantly different from what currently is accredited, or (4) change or add programs at a degree level different from that which is included in the program's current accreditation.

To assess the continued quality of education being provided to students in CAA-accredited programs and the programs' continued compliance with the standards for accreditation, the CAA must review and approve substantive changes that occur between scheduled review periods. The CAA requires that, prior to the implementation of a proposed substantive change, the program submit written materials to the Council. The format and schedule for notifying CAA will differ according to the nature of the change, as described below. The timing for submission of reports to the CAA is to ensure that accreditation standards are met before students begin the new program and the continued eligibility of students to apply for ASHA certification.¹

The following are categories of substantive changes in education delivery that are herein described:

• Change in degree level (e.g., master's to doctoral) from what is currently accredited
• Distance education
• Satellite program or branch campus
• Contractual arrangement

The CAA will evaluate whether the proposed change affects the accredited program's ability to maintain compliance with the accreditation standards. Site visits will be conducted as necessary in accordance with CAA procedures to assure that the program component is in compliance with the CAA standards. If multiple sites are developed, a sample will be selected for visitation. An additional fee will be assessed for site visits exceeding the typical three-person, two-day visit.

Change in Degree Level

Proposed entry-level doctoral programs either added to or in transition from accredited master's level programs that are due to submit an application for reaccreditation must submit one application that describes how all accreditation standards are met for each degree level. The application must be submitted either 12 months prior to the end date of the current accreditation cycle, or 12 months before the enrollment of students into the doctoral degree program, whichever date is earlier. If a program has not yet received approval for the doctoral program from the state authority at the time of the reaccreditation application, an addendum may be submitted to the application to provide updated or additional information, no later than three (3) months before a scheduled site visit, to allow sufficient time for CAA and site visitor review.

The current policies and procedures for reaccreditation applications will apply, including a site visit to the program. Separate accreditation decisions will be made on both entry-level master's and entry-level doctoral programs. The re-accreditation application must address compliance with all accreditation standards for each degree level. As the program adds a degree level or makes its transition, it will need to show that it has the quantity and quality of faculty (Standard 2.0), the academic and clinical curriculum (Standard 3.0), student interactions (Standard 4.0), and resources (Standard 5.0) to support its new mission (Standard 1.0).

Proposed entry-level doctoral programs either added to or in transition from accredited master's level programs that are in the middle of the accreditation cycle (i.e., are not due to submit an application for reaccreditation) must submit one Substantive Change Plan (available on ASHA's Web site and from the ASHA Accreditation Office) 12 months in advance of the date of enrollment of students into the doctoral program that describes how all accreditation standards are met for each degree level. The Plan may be submitted as a stand-alone document or as an addendum to the Annual Report, depending on the date of the proposed change. A site visit will not be required, but may be requested at the discretion of the CAA after review of the Substantive Change Plan. The Substantive Change Plan must address compliance with all accreditation standards for each degree level. As the program adds a degree level or makes its transition, it will need to show that it has the quantity and quality of faculty (Standard 2.0), the academic and clinical curriculum (Standard 3.0), student interactions (Standard 4.0), and resources (Standard 5.0) to support its new mission (Standard 1.0).

Newly developing entry-level doctoral programs that have not held accreditation at the master's level and that have not yet graduated students must submit an application for Candidacy status for review by the CAA 18 months in advance of enrollment of students in the new program (see the Candidacy Manual for details). However, if students have already graduated from the doctoral program, the program is not eligible to submit an application for Candidacy and must submit an initial application for accreditation.

Alternative Delivery Models

Distance Education

For purposes of accreditation review, a distance education (DE) program is defined as a formal educational process in which 50% or more of the required graduate academic credit hours, excluding practicum, may be accrued when the learner and the instructor are not in the same place. The interaction may be synchronous or asynchronous.

Any accredited program considering establishing a distance education degree program must submit a Substantive Change Plan that documents compliance with the Standards for Accreditation no later than 12 months before the enrollment of students in the program. The plan must describe how the education provided to students in the DE program will meet all accreditation standards and describe the impact of the DE program on the existing accredited program.

Following approval of the DE component of the accredited program, the program will include a description of the DE component as part of its Annual Report, and in the reaccreditation application.

Satellite Location or Branch Campus

 A satellite location or branch campus of an accredited program is defined as a site:

1. other than the primary accredited program site where a portion of the graduate program is offered on-site; and
2. where both the faculty and students are located; and
3. for which the accredited program has administrative responsibility including financial, physical, and human resources; and
4. where 50% or more of the required academic credit hours, excluding practicum, may be completed; and
5. where the core curriculum offered  allows students to meet the same professional degree and graduation requirements as that of the primary campus; and
6. the graduate degree is granted by the primary program.

The satellite or branch campus must be evaluated as a component of the primary accredited program.

Any program considering establishing a satellite location or branch campus that meets the conditions specified above must submit a Substantive Change Plan to CAA no later than 12 months before the enrollment of students at that site that documents compliance with the Standards for Accreditation. The plan must describe how the education provided to students in the satellite or branch campus will meet all accreditation standards and describe the impact on the existing accredited program.

Following approval of the satellite component of the accredited program, the program will include a description of the satellite component as part of its Annual Report, and in the reaccreditation application. Depending on its proximity to the primary site, the satellite location may require a separate site visit for re-accreditation purposes.

Note: If a satellite program does not meet the conditions specified above, and wishes to ensure that its students are eligible to apply for ASHA certification, it must apply for separate accreditation.

Contractual Arrangement

A contractual agreement is between an institution of higher learning and another type of entity, such as a speech/language/hearing center or other business. Accreditation cannot be awarded to a non degree-granting organization, only to a program within an institution of higher education. It is the program that is accredited, not the university or associated business. Therefore, in a contractual arrangement, it must be shown clearly how the program to be accredited is under the auspices of a university program.

A CAA-accredited program that develops a contractual agreement with an entity that is not an institution of higher education must submit a Substantive Change Plan at least 12 months prior to the anticipated change, describing the agreement. The Plan must indicate how the program offered through the contractual arrangement will meet all accreditation standards.

Following approval of the contractual arrangement, the program will include a description of the arrangement as part of its Annual Report and in the reaccreditation application.

Note: These policies and procedures do not apply to contractual agreements for fourth-year internships for students in a doctoral program.

1. The CAA will not grant accreditation for the proposed change until the program has received final approval by all appropriate university and state authorities. However, materials may be submitted for CAA review prior to the final approval by the authorizing body.

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