Accreditation

SACSCOC Accreditation

The SACSCOC logo

The following statement must be included on any internal or external college publication that references Baylor College of Medicine’s accreditation status:

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award master’s and doctorate degrees. Degree-granting institutions may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Baylor College of Medicine may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

Branch Campus

Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine – Temple is a branch campus of Baylor College of Medicine located in Temple, Texas, and is dependent on the continued accreditation of the parent campus located in Houston, Texas.

Please note: SACSCOC should be contacted only to inquire about the accreditation status of BCM, to ask questions about the accreditation process, or to pursue procedures for filing complaints against BCM. General inquiries, such as admission requirements, financial aid, and education programs should be addressed directly to BCM and SACSCOC’s office. To submit such evidence to SACSCOC, view the Complaint Procedures Against SACSCOC or Its Accredited Institutions Policy Statement.

SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the Commission that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees.

To maintain accreditation, an institution must comply with the standards contained in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement and with SACSCOC policies.

Institutional accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental peer review process overseen by the higher education community that assures academic quality, accountability, and continuous improvement of member institutions. Institutional accreditation by a recognized regional accrediting agency qualifies University students to apply for federal financial aid and University researchers to apply for federally funded research grants.  Accreditation status also affirms for other institutions the value of credits qualifying for transfer.  States rely on accreditation to judge whether institutions or programs are of a quality to merit licensing or funding.

Since 1970, BCM has continuously maintained its SACSCOC accreditation, which was most recently reaffirmed in 2016. The College’s most recent SACSCOC review occurred in 2022 with the submission of the SACSCOC Fifth-Year Interim Report, and its next reaffirmation of accreditation is in 2026.

Related Information:

Substantive Change

A substantive change is "a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution" and "includes high-impact, high-risk changes that can impact the quality of educational program and services." Baylor College of Medicine's institutional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), requires institutions to notify SACSCOC of substantive changes or, when appropriate, seek prior approval of those changes. Institutions are required to have a policy and procedure in place to ensure all substantive changes are reported to SACSCOC in a timely manner. 

For additional information or questions, please contact Accreditation@bcm.edu.

All proposals for new academic programs, including certificates and degrees, must comply with the college’s 30.1.02 - Academic Program Approval Policy. 

Notification to SACSCOC Liaison of Proposed Changes

Upon becoming aware of the proposed change that may be substantive, responsible parties should fill out the Substantive Change Form, gather appropriate supervisor signatures and submit the form to the SACSCOC Liaison and OAEE. OAEE and/or the SACSCOC Liaison will notify the unit of whether the proposed program qualifies as a substantive change and, if so, will provide guidance regarding the development of the substantive change notification or prospectus.

Below you will find a list of Substantive Chance Types and their requirements regarding external reporting to SACSCOC. 

1. Acquisition

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

2. Distance Ed-Institutional-Level Approval

  • Requires: Approval-Senior Staff
  • Other: Review Fee

3. Governance Change

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

4. Institution Closure

  • Requires: Approval-Exec Council

5. Institutional Contingency Teach-out

  • Requires: Approval-Exec Council

6. Level Authorization Addition

  • Requires: Approval-Exec Council 
  • Other: Review Fee

7. Level Change to a Higher Level

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

8. Merger / Consolidation

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

9. Mission Change

  • Requires: Approval-Exec Council
  • Other: Review Fee

10. Ownership, Means of Control, or Legal Status Change

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

1. CBE Direct Assessment-Approval

  • Requires: Approval-Full Board
  • Visit: Required
  • Other: Review Fee

2. Method of Delivery-Approval

  • Requires: Approval - Senior Staff
  • Other: Sub Change Restriction Applies

3. Method of Delivery-Notification

  • Requires: Notification
  • Other: Sub Change Restriction Applies

4. New Program-Approval

  • Requires: Approval - Senior Staff
  • Other: Review Fee, Sub Change Restriction Applies

5. Program Closure

  • Requires: Approval – Exec Council

6. Program Length Closure

  • Requires: Notification, Senior Staff Approval
  • Other: Review Fee, Sub Change Restriction Applies

1. OCIS Notification

  • Requires: Notification

2. OCIS Approval Extensive Review

  • Requires: Approval – Full Board
  • Visit: Contingent
  • Other: Review Fee, Sub Change Restriction Applies

3. OCIS Closure

  • Requires: Approval – Exec Council

SACSCOC Substantive Change Tracking

Baylor College of Medicine Forms

Policies and Procedures