Developing a Mission Statement
A mission statement is a brief statement of the general values and principles which guide the
program or office/department goals. It sets a tone and a philosophical position from which to
follow a program’s or office’s/department’s goals and objectives. The mission statement should
define the broad purposes the program or office/department is aiming to achieve, describe the
community the program or office/department is designed to serve, and state the values and
guiding principles which define its standards.
Mission statements must also be consistent with the principles of purpose set forth in the
school’s/institution’s mission statements. Accrediting bodies expect that mission statements be
in harmony with mission statements of the institution, school/college, and/or department.
Therefore, a good starting point for any program or office/department mission statement is to
consider how the program or office/department mission supports or complements the university,
school/college, and department missions and strategic goals.
A mission statement…
is a broad statement of who the program or office/department is, what it does, why it
does what it does, and for whom it does it for
is a clear description of the purpose of the program or office/department and the learning
environment
reflects how the program or office/department contributes to the education and careers
of students graduating from the school or how the program or office/department supports
its customers
may reflect how the teaching and research efforts are used to enhance student learning
is aligned with office/department, college, and university missions
should be distinctive for the program or office/department
Components of a Mission Statement
Primary functions or activities of the program or office/department – most important
functions, operations, outcomes, and/or offerings of the program or office/department
Purpose of the program or office/department – primary reasons why you perform your
major activities or operations
Stakeholders – groups or individuals that participate in the program or
office/department and those that will benefit from the program or office/department
Characteristics/Attributes of a Well Written Mission Statement
Is unique to your program or office/department
Clarifies the distinctive purpose of your program or office/department
Identifies signature features of your program or office/department
Is short and concise
Is easy to understand and remember
Promotes alignment with the institutional/school/department mission
Withstands time, has longevity
Structure of a Mission Statement
“The mission of (name of your program or office/department) is to (your primary purpose) by
providing (your primary function(s) and/or activities) to (your stakeholder(s)).”
Include additional clarifying statements if necessary.
Note: The order of the pieces of the mission statement may vary from the above structure.
Mission Statement Example
The mission of the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) is to ensure
institutional data integrity, consistency, and accuracy; and to promote institutional effectiveness
through ongoing, systematic planning and evaluation efforts in order to support programs,
faculty and staff in achieving the institutional mission.
Another similar simple format is:
The _______________ (program or office/department) will _________________ for
________________ by ________________.
This tells who the program or office/deparment is, what it intends to do, for whom it intends to
do it, and by what means (how) it intends to do it.
Program Name: Who
Primary Function(s): What
Primary Purpose: Why
Stakeholder(s): For Whom
Checklist for a Mission Statement
Does your mission statement have the following 4 components?
□ Name of your program/office/department
□ Your primary purpose
□ Your primary function(s) and/or activities
□ Your stakeholders
Is your mission statement…
□ A complete sentence?
□ Clear and concise?
□ Distinctive and memorable?
□ Does it clearly state the purpose of the program or office/department?
□ Does it indicate the primary function or activities of the program or office/department?
□ Does it reflect priorities and values?
□ Does it indicate who the stakeholders are?
□ Does it support the mission of the school and institution?
□ Is it aligned with the university’s mission
