Academic Advising and Assistance

Ronan 250; 989-774-7506

The Academic Advising and Assistance office provides academic guidance, assistance and support to undergraduate students through advising, tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and academic support classes. The university academic probation, suspension and dismissal policies are monitored by this office. Staff members are also responsible for the planning and delivery of the undergraduate orientation program. The website is https://www.cmich.edu/ess/academic_advising_assistance.

General Academic Advisors. All undeclared undergraduate students are assigned a general academic advisor. Advisors assist entering and returning students with course selections, fulfilling General Education and other degree requirements. General Academic Advisors also offer advice on career and academic decision making, transfer credit, study skills and referrals to specific on-campus services. Global Campus students are assigned advisors at the time of admission.

Student Success Centers. One of the features of the Academic Advising and Assistance office is the convenient access students have to the office services. Four Student Success Centers are conveniently located in residence hall quads, enabling new students to meet with advisors where they live. Since General Academic Advisors also assist off-campus and undecided upper-class students, appointments are scheduled in Student Success Centers. A centralized advising and assistance office is located in Ronan Hall 250, to offer comprehensive services to students in the area of tutoring or on-campus referrals.

Academic Assistance. Academic assistance is available to help students who, in the process of earning a degree, find they need to know more about study skills and reading techniques. Staff members provide one-on-one assistance that is geared to the student’s needs.

Tutoring. Tutoring is available for undergraduate students who need assistance in understanding course material. Students experiencing difficulty in any undergraduate math class may obtain assistance at one of the walk-in Math Assistance Centers. The Writing Centers specialize in helping students with all types of writing. Undergraduate students seeking assistance in most other subjects can request a one-on-one or small group tutor from the Tutoring office in Academic Advising and Assistance, Ronan Hall 250. Note: Tutoring is not available to main campus students for most online classes.

Supplemental Instruction. Supplemental Instruction is provided for students enrolled in courses which have historically proved difficult as evidenced by the number of students who earn low grades or withdraw from the course. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is comprised of a series of review sessions conducted by an SI Leader who prepares a review for each lecture given by the professor. Students experiencing difficulty in the course are encouraged to attend SI sessions regularly.

Academic Skills Courses. Courses in study and reading strategies are offered to help students increase their academic experience. Skills covered include time management and organization issues, motivation, note-taking skills, test taking techniques, stress management and problem solving methods. A course in reading improvement is offered to assist students in comprehension and critical reading skills.

Academic Departmental Advising

When students are ready to consider a major or minor program, it is recommended that an appointment be made with a faculty advisor in the department teaching courses of interest. Students may want to visit with faculty in several departments before making a decision. Once a major/minor is selected, a faculty advisor is assigned by the academic department.

Transfer Credit Evaluation. This area of the Registrar’s Office receives and reviews transcripts for evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit. Students may schedule an appointment with the Assistant Registrar if they have questions regarding transfer credit. Transferability of coursework from Michigan community colleges as well as partial listings from other colleges and universities can be viewed at https://www.cmich.edu/ess/registrar/RegistrarTransferCreditEquivalency/Pages/default.aspx. Students planning to complete coursework at colleges not listed should check with this office in advance by emailing course information to registrar@cmich.edu.

Graduation Audit. During the semester or session in which students will complete 86 credit hours, an application for graduation should be submitted. Applications for graduation can be submitted online through Degree Progress or the Registrar’s website. An official graduation audit indicating remaining requirements for your degree will be e-mailed to students.

Applications are processed in the order they are received for each graduation. For further information including submission deadlines, refer to Requirements for Graduation in this Bulletin.

Office of Student Success

230 Ronan Hall

989-774-3401

oss@cmich.edu

The team in the Office of Student Success provides students with personal coaching services to aid the development of their campus experience focusing on academic and personal success strategies. Coaches are available in the Student Success Centers within each residence hall and most academic departments. Coaches and students work together to set personal and academic goals. Coaching provides structured, on-going interventions to assist students in creating a network across the university, to seek out resources, experiences, and support services. Efforts result in a plan for the achievement of academic milestones including the declaring of a major, and graduating in four years.

Students and coaches work together on topics that include navigating the process to gain admission to a competitive program of study, declaring or changing a major or minor, helpful study strategies, preparing for exams, managing priorities and time, financial planning, and effective reading and note-taking practices.

Coaching is personalized and available to all CMU students.

MI GEAR UP Program

MI GEAR UP (Michigan Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a grant funded program at Central Michigan University designed to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. It is funded by the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development, King-Chavez-Parks (KCP) Initiative. The pre-college program facilitates student tutoring, mentoring, and offers workshops on college preparation, and financial aid. It also assists schools and teachers to better prepare middle and high school students for college studies. The MI GEAR UP grant serves over 800 students in four schools. MI GEAR UP coordinates with CMU departments to provide on campus experiences for project students. CMU students gain valuable mentoring, volunteer and hands-on experience working with MI GEAR UP student programs. Contact information: Bovee University Center 108-B; 989-774-1585; e-mail: gearup@cmich.edu.

Pathways to Academic Student Success

Pathways (Pathways to Academic Student Success) is a grant funded program at Central Michigan University designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of first generation and Pell grant eligible students. It is funded by the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development. The program will serve a cohort of 150 low-income and/or first generation CMU students each year with the goal of achieving increased grade point averages, advancement of academic standing, increased acceptance into majors and increased graduation rates. Pathways coordinates with campus partners to provide academic guidance, leadership development and mentoring. Contact information: Bovee University Center 108; 989-774-3630.

Upward Bound

The CMU Upward Bound is a federally funded pre-college program through the U.S. Department of Education and is designed to help economically disadvantaged and/or first generation college-bound students complete high school and prepare for college. CMU is the host institution for Upward Bound. The program intent is to encourage youth to complete high school and enter post-secondary education. Resource and assistance is offered in all aspects of the college admissions process, including, but not limited to, financial aid and scholarships completion, college applications and visits, as well as academic support workshops. It is here that students are offered free tutoring in all subjects. Weekly programs that highlight education, career, and social awareness are provided to open the eyes, hearts, and minds of the students. The Upward Bound motto is “Where Preparation Meets Opportunity!” We strive to give each student opportunities to allow them to be prepared for every opportunity and assist them in their ambitions toward a college education. Contact information: 313-215-0738.

Testing and Diagnostic Services

Center for Community Counseling and Development. The Center for Community Counseling and Development provides counseling and assessment services for community residents, area schools, and Central Michigan University students. Advanced graduate students in counseling ordinarily perform these services under the supervision of the counselor education faculty members. Among the services provided are: individual counseling for children, adolescents and adults; family and couples counseling; play therapy for children; general counseling for emotional problems and life adjustment concerns; career and employment counseling; referral help in finding appropriate services for identified problems; and consultation with community agencies and schools. In addition to serving the needs of referrals during the school year, the Center for Community Counseling and Development provides counseling and consultative services during the summer months. The clinic is administered by the Department of Counseling and Special Education (989-774-3532; EHS 322).

Psychological Training & Consultation Center (PTCC). The PTCC is a CMU training clinic which offers free psychological services, including psychotheraphy and psychological assessment, to CMU students, faculty, and staff, and community residents. Services are provided by CMU psychology graduate students who are training at the PTCC, and all services are supervised by Psychology Department faculty. In addition, speciality services are offered through the PTCC, including the Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Neuropsychology Clinic, School Psychology Clinic, and Learning Acceleration Clinic. For further information about the PTCC or to request services, please call 989-774-3904.

Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinics. The Speech, Language and Hearing Clinics are operated by the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at CMU and at various ancillary facilities in the Central Michigan area. These clinics are part of the Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education. The clinics emphasize complete programs in evaluation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of children and adults with communication disorders. The academic and clinical service programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology are nationally recognized by full accreditation from the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, the Audiology program is the first in the USA to be nationally recognized by full accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education of the American Academy of Audiology.

Each summer, the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders operates a five-week coeducational specialty program on campus for children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years, with speech, language, voice, fluency and hearing disorders. Participants receive approximately 60 hours of therapy at the Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education. Since its inception in 1946, this specialty clinic has served thousands of children with a wide range of communication disorders. Enrollment in this clinic is approximately 75 children each summer. The staff is comprised of university faculty; practicing speech, language, and hearing professionals; graduate students; and selected undergraduates.

The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders offers students in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology diverse clinical opportunities. Practicum experience may include medical care facilities, educational settings, preschool language programs, hospital clinics, voice clinics, otolaryngologists’ offices, and adult work activity centers. Students completing the master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology or the professional doctoral degree (Au.D.) in Audiology fulfill the academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education, Health Professions Building, 989-774-3904.

Certified Testing Center

The Certified Testing Center, located in Park Library, provides testing services for students. This includes CLEP testing, testing for competencies, and graduate entrance examinations, as well as other tests. Call 989-774-1092 for additional information or visit the website at https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/CIS/Testing-Center/Pages/default.aspx