the purpose of this study was to examine the status of supervision on departments’ heads at ferdowsi university of mashhad (fum) and realize some applied themes to provide a fit model for supervising departments’ heads in fum. the method was case study under a research category aimed for applied one. using purposive sampling, interviews were conducted with top fum managers, head departments, and some scholars and specialists on supervision. findings adjusted to answer two main research questions: the first question responded by using interpretive analysis and the second one was done by a structural analysis. results showed the most important factors influence on the current situation of supervision. they were realized as, cultural context; the performance of evaluation office; the attitudes and performance of faculty members; and the defined process of evaluation in fum. analyzing the results showed that all these factors are interrelated closely so that being or not being of each one can effect on the others. results about the second question showed that the important components in the proposed model of supervision on department heads in fum could be classified in two dimensions as individual and organizational. the individual component divided to: empowerment, engagement, assessment, planning, and team support while the organization one included: organizational culture, strategy and organizational goals, organizational structure and resources. key words