Military Installation Voluntary Educational Review (MIVER)

Selected U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps bases participate in an educational program review process called Military Installation Voluntary Educational Review (MIVER). These reviews examine the collegiate educational programs offered on-site at military bases and assist in the improvement of these programs through recommendations to the installation center, the participating institutions, and to the military services.

The MIVER process focuses on maintaining and improving the quality of military education, and in general has two purposes: (1) to assess the quality of selected on-base voluntary education programs; and (2) to assist in the improvement of these programs through appropriate recommendations to institutions, installations, and the military services. The actual reviews are conducted by the American Council on Education (ACE), under contract to the U.S. military.

The MIVER Process

The MIVER process assesses the quality of the voluntary education programs by:

1. Ensuring that voluntary education on the military installation is appropriate and consistent with the standards of postsecondary education;
2. Examining the nature of the relationship between the installation and each institution operating on that installation; and,
3. Assessing the relevance of each institution’s offerings to its own objectives and those of the military installation.

Perhaps the most important part of the preparation process for a MIVER visit is the self-study conducted by the installation and the supporting education institutions.

Through these self-study reports, MIVER team reviewers learn about the education program on the installation and formulate specific inquiries used during the visit.

The MIVER Orientation & Guidelines contains detailed information regarding the preparation of self-study reports which include the following principles of best practice:

Principle 1. Mission

The institution providing voluntary education programs on a military installation has an educational mission statement that reflects sound adult education philosophy and goals and is clearly compatible with the installation Voluntary Education Program mission statement and objectives.

Principle 2. Education Program: Instruction, Faculty, Assessment

Education programs and services provided on military installations maintain the high quality required by regionally accredited institutions, using qualified and dedicated faculty supported by professional development programs and appropriate infrastructure. Assessment of student learning is based on the achievement of comprehensive and specific learning outcomes.

Principle 3. Program Administration: Management, Student Services

Administration of the program includes academic and student services and demonstrates effective and reliable management of human, fiscal, technological, and learning resources.

Principle 4. Resources: Instructional, Physical, Financial

There is a sufficient reservoir of relevant instructional resources available to the instructor for teaching support and to the student for reference, research, and independent learning. Facilities and equipment are appropriate to support the programs and services offered. Financial resources are adequate and appropriately used to accomplish the institutional mission and to achieve program goals and objectives.

Principle 5. Program Evaluation

Continuous and systematic program evaluation stimulates program improvement, enhances quality and increases the likelihood of the achievement of program mission and objectives.

MIVER Visits Since 1998

The University's most recent MIVER Visits resulted in positive reviews, with the Visiting Teams citing both University strengths and recommendations.

As part of the MIVER evaluation, the University documents steps it has taken to resolve or address any concerns previously identified in an earlier MIVER review. The University has found the MIVER process helpful as a formative process, as well as providing an opportunity to demonstrate quality assurance at a particular installation.

The HLC Self-Study found that the University’s continuing participation in MIVER reviews was positive and valuable.

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