Academic Program Assessment
The purpose of Program Assessment at Montana State University is to continually improve student learning. Assessment is undertaken annually for all undergraduate majors, minors and certificates and biennially for all graduate programs. Assessment is part of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) regional accreditation process (NWCCU 2020 Standard 1.C - Student Learning) and demonstrates continued quality improvement of the programs offered at Montana State University and the courses developed to support those programs.
Annual Program Assessment Process
The assessment process requires the participation of all instructional faculty members. Department Heads and Program Chairs take the lead in organizing assessment endeavors in their respective units. Undergraduate programs (majors, minor, and certificates) are assessed annually and graduate programs are assessed biennially for the previous two academic years. Faculty are directed to Program Assessment Help Pages for support in preparing and submitting their annual and biennial reports.
Department Assessment Plans & Reports Links
University Reports
The Assessment and Outcomes Committee (AOC) reviews all submitted assessment reports and provides feedback for quality assurance to Department Heads, Program Chairs, and Curriculum Committees in each Department/Unit. The Assistant Provost meets with Department Heads, Program Chairs, and Curriculum Committee faculty to provide ongoing and direct support. Comprehensive summaries of College assessment are provided to College Deans. University Assessment Reports are provided to the Vice Provost of Curriculum Assessment and Accreditation annually.
Questions or Suggestions?
Deb Blanchard, Assistant Provost
[email protected]