Montana State University is a regionally accredited institution through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

NWCCU now uses a seven-year cycle for accreditation. Due dates vary by institution, but for MSU the self-study reports are due as follows:

• Year One - Standard One: Mission, Core Themes, and Expectations (2011)
• Year Three - Standard Two: Resources and Capacity (2013)
• Year Five (2015)
• Standard Three: Institutional Planning
• Standard Four: Effectiveness and Improvement
• Year Seven - Standard Five: Mission Fulfillment, Adaptation, and Sustainability (2017)

A great many people throughout the university are invovled in all aspects of the accreditation process.