Academic & Student Affairs
The division of Academic and Student Affairs in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education coordinates the academic and student affairs functions of the Montana University System. That coordination includes the development, 
interpretation and enforcement of appropriate policies at the System level, the approval of new academic offerings at each of the campuses, the oversight of student services on the campuses, the implementation of collaborative programs within the Montana University System and with other educational partners in the State, and the development of programs to assist Montana's citizens in pursuing their educational goals.
The Academic and Student Affairs division includes these important programs:
- American Indian/Minority Achievement Program
- Educational Talent Search
- Math and Writing Initiatives
- Montana GEAR UP Program
- Workforce Development
- Two-Year Education
Academic Program Plans
Montana University System campuses are required to disclose their plans for new academic programs under Policy 303.10, adopted by the Board of Regents in May 2005. The purpose of the policy is to give the Board prior notice of the academic programs being developed by the campuses; and to encourage collaboration and cooperation in the delivery of academic programs, whenever appropriate.
Academic program plans are reported by each campus for the next three-year period, including a list of programs that may be submitted to the Board of Regents for its review in the upcoming year. Individual plans can be reviewed here.
Indian Education for All
The Montana Board of Regents has adopted a plan for Indian Education for All that focuses on academic programs and research activities in the Montana University System. That plan emphasizes three important activities:
- the obligation of teacher education programs throughout the Montana University System to prepare their students for the Indian Education for All mandate at the K-12 level;
- the leadership role that the System should assume in providing professional development opportunities for the K-12 community and its own academic personnel; and
- the development of university-level coursework and programs that supplement the K-12 Indian Education for All mandate, with a minimum expectation of at least one course on every campus.
Program Review
All of the institutions that make up the Montana University System, except the three community colleges, are required by Board Policy 303.3 to conduct internal reviews of their academic programs to ensure program quality and effective stewardship of resources. All programs listed in the MUS official degree and program inventory, except for certificates of 30 credits or less, must be reviewed at least once every seven years. The review schedules are filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
