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> Office of the Provost
Program Review
Overview
In response to the Montana Board of Regents policy 303.3 on Program Review, Montana State University has established the following process for conducting reviews, which are conducted with either internal or external reviewers.
As per BOR policy, accreditation reviews are used in lieu of separate reviews where appropriate. The remainder of this document therefore deals only with programs for which separate reviews are required.
Reviews are generally conducted at the departmental level. The scope is not limited to degree and certificate programs and includes the full range of departmental activities. The purpose of broadening the reviews beyond the BOR requirements is to provide useful feedback to colleges and departments and, especially in the case of external reviews, take advantage of the external expertise and perspective provided by reviewers.
Departmental reviews that include at least one undergraduate degree are considered to be large-scale reviews. Reviews in which only graduate degrees, minors, or certificates need be considered (normally because of external accreditation of undergraduate degrees) are considered small-scale reviews. MSU conducted 2-3 large-scale departmental reviews each year to ensure reviewing every program on the required 7-year cycle. Additionally, 1-2 small-scale reviews are also completed each year. Large-scale reviews may be internal or external; small-scale reviews are normally conducted internally.
The schedules (PDF) for all reviews in the MUS is posted at the web site of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Large-Scale Reviews
The Provost consults with the college deans to make decisions about whether internal or external reviewers will be used for the departmental reviews for each year. External reviews are conducted by a team of two or three disciplinary experts from other institutions, who may be assisted by an MSU faculty member from a closely related field. Internal reviews are conducted by a team of two or three MSU faculty selected from related fields. Deans and Department Heads work with the Provost to identify appropriate reviewers.
Departments must prepare self-studies in advance of reviews and the teams are asked to submit final reports within a few weeks of completing their visits. The attached Guidelines for Review (PDF) provide more detail of this process.
Small-Scale Review
As the scope of the reviews vary significantly, the details are decided on a case by case basis.
Questions
Reviews are currently being coordinated by Jeff Adams (jadams@montana.edu; 994-7835). Please contact him with any questions.
Completed Reviews
Copies of all self-studies and final reports for MSU reviews are retained in the Provost's Office. For detailed information on reviews conducted by external accrediting bodies contact individual departments. The following lists the reviews coordinated by the Provost's Office.
| Year |
Department/Program |
Type |
| 2006 |
Agricultural Economics and Economics |
Large-Scale External |
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Mathematical Sciences |
Large-Scale Internal |
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Women's Studies |
Small-Scale Internal |
| 2007 |
Media and Theatre Arts Department |
Large-Scale Internal |
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Earth Science Department |
Large-Scale External |
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Biotechnology |
Small-Scale Internal |
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Political Science Department |
Large-Scale Internal |
| Pending |
Department of Microbiology |
Large-Scale External |
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Department of Health and Human Development |
Large-Scale Internal |
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Department of Native American Studies |
Large-Scale Internal |
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Global Studies Minor |
Small-Scale Internal |
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