PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES
Substantive Change includes any major change in the program. To maintain accreditation, the Program Director must inform CAATE of any substantive change such as the appointment of a new Program Director, a change in the program format, etc. All substantive change documentation is now submitted within eAccreditation. The following categories for substantive change are available:
- Change of program leadership where:
- Program Director is new faculty member
- Existing Program Director takes leave of absence
- Existing faculty member appointed as a permanent Program Director
- Interim Program Director appointed
- Change in degree (including level of the degree)
- Voluntary withdrawal of accreditation
- Relocation of program (change in department, school or college)
- Change in school or institutional accreditation status
- Change in program resources from the university
- Addition of multi-campus program site
- Other (including self-reporting non-compliances)
The documents required for each change are listed below in the appropriate category and can be uploaded to eAccreditation. Documentation will be reviewed; if additional information is requested, the program will have 30 days to respond.
Change of Degree
Professional Programs transitioning from a baccalaureate to a post-baccalaureate degree OR Post-Professional Programs from a post-baccalaureate to a doctoral degree who are in good standing with the CAATE and in mid-cycle for accreditation may apply for continuing accreditation through this Substantive Change Request for Change in Degree document. For a program to submit the Notification of Intent (NOI), the program must have answered ‘YES’ to all of the statements listed below. If the program is unable to answer ‘YES’ to all the statements listed below, the Notification of Intent will not be accepted.
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Yes |
No |
Date Approval |
| Institution approval was granted for the post baccalaureate degree in athletic training |
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| State approval was granted for the post-baccalaureate degree in athletic training |
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| Alternatively, check yes, if state approval is not required, and program has appropriate documentation stating approval is not needed |
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| Regional accreditor approval was granted for the post-baccalaureate degree in athletic training |
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| Alternatively, check yes, if regional accreditor is not required, and program has appropriate documentation stating regional accreditor approval is not needed |
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As of September 7, 2018, the Commission voted to remove the official transcript requirement from the NOI and the transcript requirement within Standard 2 of the mini Self-Study.
The Notification of Intent form must be uploaded to the substantive change tab via eAccreditation prior to your preferred intent deadline (see the dates below and check the available spots per cycle). Once submitted, you will be invoiced electronically for $3000. Please follow the instructions on the invoice for payment. The mini Self-Study will not be available in eAccreditation until payment is received. Once payment is received the program will be included in the Degree Substantive Change Review Cycle. The Substantive Change Application (mini self-study) and all materials must be completed in eAccreditation no later than submission deadline associated with your intent date (see table of dates below). All materials submitted become the property of CAATE and will not be returned. All fees submitted are non-refundable and due at the time of application. Failure to submit the application by the deadline will result in forfeiting the $3000 application fee. This substantive change application does not extend continuing accreditation past the original review date. Application for a substantive change does not guarantee the change will be accepted. After review of materials, the CAATE may deem that an on-site review is necessary to ensure compliance with the Standards. If an on-site review is required, the institution will be charged a site review fee of an additional $3000 ($6000 total) to cover expenses associated with the site review.
Degree Substantive Change Review Cycles
The Commission has determined that the final window to submit a Notification of Intent for Substantive Change of Degree will be October 1, 2022, with a mini Self-Study due date of December 1, 2022.
| Notification of Intent Due |
Mini Self Study Due |
Availablity |
| October 1, 2022 |
December 1, 2022 |
15 |
Questions regarding the Substantive Change of Degree process should be directed to support@caate.net. The documents below provide detailed information regarding institutions desiring to voluntarily transition their existing Professional program currently offered at the bachelor’s level to a Professional program at the master’s degree level. This document does not apply to programs simultaneously offering Professional programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s level. Programs are allowed some overlap with students of both degrees, however a “teach out” plan for students enrolled in the program being dissolved is required as part of the change in degree level request. Once a program’s request for change in degree has been approved, the program will no longer be allowed to admit students at the previous degree level. If a program is interested in transitioning the level of the degree in conjunction with a comprehensive review (self-study and site visit), please see the Substantive Change with Comprehensive Review document.
When a program has applied for a change in level of degree, they may use the following language on their website and other publicly available documents: “(Name of Program) is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 USA. The program is currently applying to the CAATE for a change in level of degree and is pending approval.”
Substantive Change of Degree Materials from Workshop at NATA 2017 (Houston, TX)
Instruction and Application Forms
Voluntary Withdrawal of Accreditation
Please Note: A program in voluntary withdrawal of accreditation may still have its accreditation withdrawn (non-voluntary) by the Commission prior to its closing date if compliance with the Standards is not maintained.
The program that is voluntarily withdrawing accreditation should use the following language on their website and other publicly available documents: “(Name of Program) is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 USA. The program has chosen to Voluntarily Withdraw its CAATE Accreditation effective (INSERT DATE).”
The program that is voluntarily withdrawing accreditation and that is on Probation should use the following language on their website and other publicly available documents: “(Name of Program) is currently on probation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 USA. The program has chosen to Voluntarily Withdraw its Accreditation effective (INSERT DATE). The program will remain on probation until the Withdraw is effective and the program is closed.”
Publicly Accessible Documents
The following document provides clarification on which Standards require specific information that must remain publicly available during the teach-out phase of a program voluntarily withdrawing accreditation or substantively changing their level of degree.
Publicly Accessible Documents
Relocation of Program
Programs with a change in department, school or college are requested to upload a formal document signed by your Academic Provost or President stating the change. The document must be uploaded to the Substantive Change tab using the Relocation of Program option.
Multi-Campus, Program Expansion, Additional Program Location
Programs who would like to expand by adding an additional location (e.g., satellite location) must follow the specific accreditation procedures for establishing a new location. CAATE review and APPROVAL of the Expansion Application for an additional location is required prior to the admission of students into the additional location. The accreditation status of the current program does NOT apply to the additional location until all accreditation procedures for an additional location are successfully completed.
Programs will be limited to four additional locations under the accreditation status of the established accredited program. This limit is intended to ensure the quality of the education provided at each accredited location under the direction and leadership of one Program Director.
The multi-campus criteria form will help programs determine eligibility for multi-campus approval. If the program meets the criteria, then the application form should be completed and submitted via the substantive change tab within eAccreditation.
Professional Program Quick Links: