Classes and Seminars - Global Campus

The instructional format for each course offered through Global Campus is dependent upon content, student needs, and course design options. Classes are usually scheduled during compressed time blocks to maximize degree progression and to minimize scheduling conflicts. Scheduling options offered include alternate weekends, week-long, and evenings, as well as CMU Online. Course modality options include face-to-face classes, online, video conference courses, or hybrid courses.

Face-to-Face courses: Instructor and students meet and interact at pre-determined times, dates and location for purposes of delivering instructional content by a variety teaching methods and evaluative measures.

Online courses: Instructor and students interact in a virtual classroom where the learning experience is facilitated using the latest technology. Course materials are distributed electronically and student learning assessment and evaluations are conducted exclusively online. Online courses can include synchronous communication experiences where students engage in real-time interactions, at a specific point in time, with fellow students and faculty through the utilization of software imbedded in the learning management system (LMS); or, through asynchronous communication experiences where students engage with fellow students and faculty through independent learning spaces that allow anytime interactions and responses.

Video Conference courses: Instructor and students meet in various classroom environments, that are geographically dispersed, and interact via live interactive video. These courses provide opportunity for a collaborative learning environment by allowing delivery of one course to multiple locations.

Hybrid/Blended courses: Instructor and students meet and interact using both face-to-face and online environments in one course, leveraging a variety of strategies and interactions to enhance the learning experience.

Regardless of modality, all courses have specific start and end dates. In addition, textbooks, course outlines, reference materials and assignments are available prior to the first session of a class to allow preparatory reading and study.

Note: To ensure the best student learning experience and the availability of courses that fulfill student degree plans at given locations, courses initially scheduled as face-to-face courses may be converted to a hybrid/blended course format prior to the first class meeting.

Main Campus Courses for Global Campus Students

Any student admitted to Global Campus may enroll for classes on the Central Michigan University campus in Mount Pleasant. Students must follow regular main campus enrollment procedures. Information regarding dates and procedures for main campus registration is in the Class Schedule on the Registrar’s website.

Independent Study

Independent study courses are available for students who wish to pursue special areas of interest. Independent learning experiences should help students develop skills in planning, organizing, researching, reporting, and developing specific skills outside the classroom. The experiences may take the form of readings, research, or special projects. Students wishing to pursue independent study should contact their advisor for an Independent Study Guide and an application for Independent Study Request. Independent study projects should not duplicate the content of an established course.

Tutorial Option

Students may, under certain circumstances, take courses as tutorials (on an individual basis) working closely with an approved instructor. Details are available from the program administrator.

CMU Online

Students interested in taking courses through CMU Online must be admitted to Central Michigan University prior to registration. Those students applying veterans educational benefits toward tuition of a course should contact CMU’s Veterans’ Resource Center for information regarding certification and restrictions.

Courses offered through CMU Online mirror main campus face-to-face courses in terms of their scope, study requirements and level of difficulty. Most students limit themselves to two online courses per term, especially if a student is new to independent learning, is employed full time, or has a large semester class load.

Online course delivery provides each student with a virtual classroom where lectures, multimedia study materials and class discussion are all provided using the latest technology, over the internet. Interactive online tools offer students the opportunity to connect with faculty and peers to discuss course content in cyberspace. Online courses still have specific start and end dates and assignment/exam due dates. Careful review of the course syllabus prior to the enrollment of a course will provide these dates. Questions regarding online courses may be directed to staff at cmuonline@cmich.edu.

Planned Experiences

The planned experiences credit option provides a flexible learning format which can be tailored to fit particular student objectives. This learning option also allows the student to take full advantage of all instructional resources available. The student should consult her or his academic advisor to develop a planned experience and should consider the following guidelines:

1. The experience must develop skills not previously acquired by the student.
2. Planned experience credit will not be granted for work or study in which the student was involved prior to enrolling in the planned experience.
3. The experience may be graded on a credit/no credit basis at the student’s request and with the faculty reviewer’s approval.
4. The student may earn no more than 30 semester hours of credit through planned experiences. No more than 15 semester hours of credit may be earned for a single planned experience.

The following course numbers and titles are used to record credit granted for planned experiences:

CDE 291 Planned Experience in Community Development (1-15)

CDE 491 Planned Experience in Community Development (1-15)

CEL 291 Planned Experience in Administration (1-15)

CEL 491 Planned Experience in Administration (1-15)

Academic Policy and Federal Student Aid

A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), their completion of coursework and timeframe standards (duration of completion) are measured each semester for the purpose of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Failure to maintain Financial Aid Standards will affect Federal Student Aid eligibility. Details concerning SAP can be found at: https://www.cmich.edu/ess/OSFA/Pages/Satisfactory_Academic_Progress.aspx.