About Regional Accreditation

Montana State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558‐4224
www.nwccu.org

MSU's Accreditation History

Montana State University has been accredited since 1932. In 2018, Montana State University received a reaffirmation letter from the NWCCU. MSU is currently in the seventh year of the NWCCU seven-year accreditation cycle. Important documents from the accreditation cycle ending in 2017 include the following:

Accreditation 101

Learn about the accreditation process through concise info-modules and diagrams designed to reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement, particularly in academic areas. These modules will serve as valuable resources to help prepare us for the accreditation site visit in October.

Module 1 - The difference between Program Assessment and Program Review