Program Review

Program Review is a process mandated by the Montana Board of Regents (BOR Policy 303.3) "to ensure program quality and effective stewardship of resources." The process occurs on a seven-year cycle. All programs listed in the Degree and Program Inventory maintained by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education are subject to the Program Review process. This includes options and minors associated with those degree programs and certificates of more than 30 credits.

Purpose of Program Review

The major purposes of Program Review are:

• to foster academic excellence at all levels;
• to determine ways to improve the quality of every unit; and
• to provide guidance for administrative decisions in support of continued future advancement.

In essence, the Program Review process helps faculty members, staff, and administrators understand the unit's current status so that they can establish clear priorities for achieving excellence and promoting teaching, research, and service.

Program Review Instructions

The Program Review process includes the following phases:

• Prepare and Submit a Self-Study Report
• The External Evaluator's Visit
• Follow Up Meeting and Action Plan

Please also review this more detailed timeline of the program review process. Please note that this timeline will be revised significantly beginning in 2014-15, in order to keep the review within one academic year.