Great Falls College MSU

REGIONAL ACCREDITATION

Great Falls College 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

Northwest 2020 Accreditation Standards

ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES

Policies, Regulations and Financial Review (also known as Year 6 report) submitted March 2021 to Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

• Report will be reviewed remotely by peer evaluation team. No site visit.
• Recommendations will be made to the commissions Policies, Regulations and Financial Review standing committee.
• Great Falls College will have a chance to answer questions/clarify report remotely on May 3 between 2-3:30.
• Commission will make its decision on recommendations at June 23-25 meeting.

Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness report (also known as Year 7 report).

• Accreditation team will be named spring 2021.
• Report drafted and reviewed by mid-fall 2021.
• Final report submitted by March 2022
• Report will be reviewed by peer review team.
• Site visit by peer review team April 20-22, 2022.
• Peer review team makes recommendations to commission’s Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness standing committee.
• Committee makes recommendations to full commission.
• Committee finalizes accreditation and recommendations at June 2022 meeting.

PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION

Great Falls College MSU participates in more specialized accredtiation for various programs as listed below.