Coastal Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Coastal Carolina University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Coastal Carolina University 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 (www.sacscoc.org).
As a member institution, CCU is required to comply with SACSCOC's Substantive Change Policy and Procedures (SACSCOC, Revised March 2023) (PDF)
ACAD-487 Substantive Change Policy - This University policy establishes institutional procedures for recognizing and approving the substantive change and ensuring timely notification to SACSCOC.
Substantive Change Tracking
| Program | Substantive Change | Effective Date | SACSCOC Notification Date | SACSCOC Response Date |
| Nursing (B.S.N.) | New program | Fall 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| Accountancy (M.Acc.) | Discontinue face-to-face method of delivery | Spring 2024 | 6/23/23 | 7/21/23 |
| Accountancy (M.Acc.) | Add 100% online instruction | Fall 2023 | 6/1/23 | 7/17/23 |
| Health Sciences (B.S.) | New program | Fall 2023 | 6/15/23 | 7/17/23 |
| Higher Education and Community Engagement (B.A.) | New program | Fall 2023 | 1/11/23 | 7/17/23 |
| Marine and Coastal Environmental Science (B.S.) | New program | Fall 2023 | 1/11/23 | 7/17/23 |
| Special Education Multi-categorical (B.A.) | Add 100% online instruction | Fall 2023 | 1/11/23 | 6/28/23 |
| Applied Ethics (Undergraduate Certificate) | Discontinue certificate | Fall 2023 | 11/22/22 | 7/21/23 |
| Gerontology (Undergraduate Certificate) | Discontinue certificate | Summer 2022 | 5/19/2022 | 12/9/2022 |
| Educational Leadership (Ed.S.) | Discontinue program | Spring 2022 | 3/2/2022 | 8/19/2022 |
| Liberal Studies (M.A.) | Add blended and 100% online instruction | Fall 2021 | 5/26/2021 | 12/13/2021 |
| Music, K-12 (M.A.T.) | Discontinue program | Spring 2021 | 5/16/2022 | 8/19/2022 |
| All programs | Move to online instruction (COVID-19) | Spring 2020 | 3/16/2020 | --- |
| Global Achievement Program (GAP) | English as a Second Language Pathway program | Spring 2020 | --- | 03/05/2020 |
| English for Speakers of Other Languages (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate) | Discontinue certificate | Fall 2019 | 10/21/2019 | 2/14/2020 |
| Communication (M.A.) | New program | Fall 2019 | 12/4/2018 | 3/1/2019 |
| Education (Ph.D.) | New program | Spring 2019 | 9/26/2018 | 10/22/2018 |
| Musical Theatre (B.F.A.) | Discontinue program | Fall 2018 | 7/25/2018 | 11/12/2018 |
| Music Technology (M.A.) | New program | Fall 2018 | 10/5/2017 | 3/8/2018 |
| Art (M.A.T.) | Discontinue program | Summer 2018 | 8/8/2019 | 2/14/2020 |