Add/Remove an Off-Site Location 

This process is to add or remove an off-site location. An off-site location is a location other than one of the three Rutgers geographical campuses (i.e., Camden, Newark, or New Brunswick).  

Rutgers University, as with other institutions accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is required to report to MSCHE all academic offerings provided in settings outside the university’s campus boundaries. Specifically, the university must secure a substantive change approval from MSCHE prior to offering 50% or more of a degree or certificate program at a new off-campus location. In cases where less than 50% of a degree program is being offered, the university is only required to notify MSCHE of the new site. 

MSCHE’s current off-campus locations list for Rutgers may be viewed by clicking here and then using the “Locations” tab. Note the following definitions used by MSCHE for the two types of off-campus locations: 

• Additional Location. A domestic or international facility or location that is geographically separate from the main campus and at which the institution offers at least 50% of an educational program that is credit-bearing or Title IV eligible. 

• Other Instructional Site. Any off-campus site, other than those meeting the definition of an additional location, at which the institution offers one or more credit-bearing or Title IV eligible courses.  

Key Steps and Required Approvals 

1. Initial Approval by Chancellor-led Unit (CLU): The academic unit must secure initial approval from their CLU. Contact your Provost’s Office for guidance.

2. Notice of Intent (NOI): The proposing CLU completes an NOI, and it is sent to all CLUs via the NOI system.

3. University Level Review and Approval

   • Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

   • Middle States Commission on Higher Education, if necessary

Upon approval by the EVPAA, the university’s accreditation liaison officer (ALO) will submit the appropriate substantive change request (for an “additional location”) or notification (for an “other instructional site”) to MSCHE. The requesting unit should consult with the ALO as early as possible in the process to ensure that the required paperwork for MSCHE is completed in a timely manner.  Contact the university’s ALO, Associate Vice President for Academic Assessment & Accreditation, Michele Moser Deegan, for guidance or answers to any questions regarding the addition of new locations, removal of existing locations, or related matters.