Accreditation

The University of Montana-Missoula 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

Accreditation documents may be reviewed in the Provost’s Office, located in University Hall Room 126.

Many of the professional schools and departments have special accreditation as well. 

 The following table provides detailed information on these special accreditations:

College or School

Department

Degrees

Accrediting Institution

College of Humanities and Sciences      

Chemistry

BS, MS, PhD

American Chemical Society (ACS)

College of Humanities and Sciences

Computer Science

BS

Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET

College of Humanities and Sciences

Psychology, Clinical

PhD

American Psychological Association

College of Humanities and Sciences

School Psychology

EdS, PhD

National Association of School Psychologists and American Psychological Association

School of Business Administration

Accounting

BS, MAcct

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International)

School of Business Administration

Business

BS, MBA

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International)

Missoula College

Food Service Management

AAS

American Culinary Federation Educational Institute (ACFEI)

Missoula College

Nursing

AS

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Missoula College

Paralegal Studies

AAS

American Bar Association (ABA)

Missoula College

Pharmacy Technology

Certificate

American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHSP)

Missoula College

Respiratory Care

AAS

Committee for Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC w/CAAHEP)

Missoula College

Surgical Technology

AAS

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

Athletic Training

BS

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAATE)

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

Counselor Education

MA, Mental Health Counseling; and School Counseling

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

Communication Science and Disorders

MS in Speech-Language Pathology

American Speech Language Association-Council on Academic Accreditation (ASHA)

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

Education

BA, MEd, EdS,

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Montana Board of Public Education

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

Co-Teach Preschool, Institute for Educational Research and Service

n/a

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Art & Media Arts

BA, BFA, MA, MFA

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Theater & Dance

BA, BFA, MA, MFA

National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST)

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Music

BA, BM, BME, MM

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

College of Forestry and Conservation

Forest Resources Management

BS

Society of American Foresters (SAF)

College of Forestry and Conservation

Recreation Management

BS

National Recreation and Park Association/American Association for Leisure and Recreation (NRPA/AALR)

School of Journalism

Journalism

BA

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)

School of Law

Law

JD

American Bar Association (ABA) American Association of Law Schools (AALS)

College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Pharmacy

PharmD

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Public Health

MPH

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Physical Therapy

DPT

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Social Work

BA

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Social Work

MSW

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

The University of Montana

Department of Laboratory Animal Resources

n/a

Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC)