Accreditation
Accreditation Overview
North Florida College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. For more information, contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097, call 404-679-4500 or visit the SACSCOC website.
Accreditation by SACSCOC confirms that North Florida College:
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Has a mission appropriate to higher education
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Possesses the resources, programs, and services needed to support and sustain that mission
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Maintains clear educational objectives that align with its mission and demonstrate student and institutional success
NFC participates in a reaffirmation of accreditation every ten years, a multi-year process involving extensive off-site and on-site peer reviews to ensure compliance with SACSCOC’s Principles of Accreditation.
As part of the reaffirmation process, institutions must complete two major components:
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Compliance Certification – A comprehensive report demonstrating how the institution meets the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement through detailed narratives and supporting documentation.
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Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) – A long-term, focused plan designed to improve student learning and/or student success in a strategic area identified through broad campus engagement.
North Florida College recently passed the SACSCOC Decennial Reaffirmation of Accreditation in June 2025.
Program Specific Accreditations
Certain nationally accredited programs such as the BSN, ASRN, and Paramedic programs, follow specific accreditation guidelines as provided by their disciplinary standards or their field's specific national organization (ACEN, CAAHEP). Those that do must also ensure compliance with the accreditation guidelines of these organizations and SACSCOC, working with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to keep information regarding these efforts current. Please refer to those policies, linked below:
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The baccalaureate nursing program at North Florida College at the is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for
the baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Removal of Conditions. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) | 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA, 30326 | 404-975-5000 | www.acenursing.org |
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The Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic program at North Florida College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) | 727-210-2350 | www.caahep.org Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP)| 214-703-8445 | www.coaemsp.org |
What is Substantive Change?
A substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Substantive change includes high-impact, high-risk changes and changes that can impact the quality of educational programs and services.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) substantive change policy and procedures assure the public that all aspects of an institution continue to meet standards. It helps ensure substantive changes, if approved, do not hinder an institution’s ability to continue meeting the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.
SACSCOC accredits an entire institution. Accreditation extends to all programs and services of an institution wherever located and however delivered. SACSCOC does not accredit individual programs, locations, or portions of an institution. However, some new programs, locations, and other institutional changes are subject to notification and/or approval as defined in Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.
Information on additional types of changes, required timelines as well as frequently asked questions regarding substantive changes can be found on the Office of Substantive Change webpage of SACSCOC website or by contacting the Accreditation Liaison of the College. For specific requirements related to the BSN, RN, and Paramedic programs, see also ACEN and CAAHEP substantive change policies.
Substantive Change Procedures
Procedure to implement BOT Policies 1.10 and 2.59
North Florida College’s Substantive Change Procedure has been created to ensure all substantive changes are reported correctly and timely to its accrediting bodies. These procedures are designed to serve as a guide to person(s) modifying/adding courses, programs, degrees, at North Florida College.
A substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Typically substantive changes include changes to mission, new degree levels, distance education methods, new sites, closures, and contractual agreements.
- For specific NFC procedures to address substantive change, see Substantive Change: Reporting & Approval Procedure.
- For specific SACSCOC procedures to address substantive change, see the Substantive Change Policies and Procedures.
Prospectus and Prior Approvals
- The Accreditation Liaison submits the required documentation to SACSCOC:
- Notifications – any time before implementation
- Prospectuses – 6–12 months prior, depending on the type of change.
- Changes requiring notification may be implemented before receiving a response from SACSCOC. This applies to notifications only, not to approvals.
- Changes requiring approval cannot be implemented until approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees.
- For a substantive change to close a program, site, program at a site, or method of delivery, a teach-out plan should be submitted as soon as possible after the decision is made to close (i.e., stop admitting students).
Site Visits
Certain types of substantive changes, such as change in governance, level change, mergers, change in ownership or control, and addition of off-campus instructional sites require a site visit to determine continued compliance with the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement. When a committee visit has been authorized by the President of the Commission, the institution will be asked to provide documentation of the impact of the change on selected requirements in the Principles of Accreditation.
Timelines
In order to comply with SACSCOC policy on substantive change, North Florida College recognizes the timeline necessary in the reporting process.
- March 15 for review in June
- September 1 for review in December
- January 1 for changes implemented July 1 – December 31 in same year
- July 1 for changes implemented January 1 – June 30 of subsequent year
The department contemplating significant changes for North Florida College should immediately contact the Accreditation Liaison to determine if the change fits the definition of a substantive change as required by SACSCOC. The Accreditation Liaison will work with SACSCOC representatives to ensure that the correct procedures are followed.
All substantive change activity will be documented in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Accreditation Liaison
According to SACSCOC policies, “it is expected that the … designated representative of an institution will notify the Commission President of substantive changes at that institution. Every institution has an Accreditation Liaison whose charge is to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements. The Accreditation Liaison should take the time to become familiar with the Commissions policies and procedures, ensure that substantive changes are recognized and reported in a timely fashion, and consult with the institution’s SACSCOC staff member about any questions.”
Lauren Churchwell
Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation
850-973-9471 | churchwelll@nfc.edu
SACSCOC Representatives
References
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. (2023). ACEN Policies. Web. https://www.acenursing.org/accreditation/accred-manual/policies
Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (2023). CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines 2023. Web. https://coaemsp.org/caahep-standards-and-guidelines
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. (December 2025). Substantive Change Policies and Procedures. Web. https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2019/08/SubstantiveChange.pdf