Since 1971, a goal of Central Michigan University is to provide academic programs for students whose career or personal circumstances limit their access to traditional forms of higher education. CMU Online was established to help meet that goal.
Using flexible scheduling and compressed class formats, CMU offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs to thousands of students each year.
Combining the university’s high academic standards with innovative teaching technologies and strategies, CMU is prepared to:
1. Translate career and other forms of prior learning into academic credit.
2. Provide flexible instructional, curricular and scheduling patterns.
3. Tailor programs through individualized advising.
4. Provide for wide use of internships, independent study, and other forms of individualized study.
Each student is assigned a success network comprised of online support staff, academic advisors, faculty advisors, financial advisors, and career coaches in addition to the services provided across campus. This group helps their students navigate from the start of their educational journey through graduation and beyond.
Online course delivery provides each student with a virtual classroom where engaging lectures, multimedia study materials and class discussions are all provided using the latest technology. Interactive online tools offer students the opportunity to connect with faculty and peers to discuss course content. Online courses still have specific start and end dates and assignment/ exam due dates. Careful review of the course syllabus prior to the enrollment in a course will provide these dates. Questions regarding online courses should be directed to staff at onlineprograms@cmich.edu or 800-950-1144.
To ensure success in online classes, CMU encourages students to familiarize themselves with the online learning environment prior to enrolling in CMU Online courses. Preview a sample online class, run a diagnostics check on your computer and take the Online Learning Assessment on our website at: https://www.cmich.edu/admissions-aid/global-campus/cmu-online.
The Prior Learning Assessment Program provides academic recognition of college-level skills and knowledge acquired outside the formal college classroom for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Credit may be earned for learning acquired through career and personal experiences in job-related activities, in community participation, or from training experiences through related on-the-job instruction or special schools. Students using the prior learning program can save time and money towards completing a degree.
Students who apply for Prior Learning credits submit a comprehensive portfolio which describes and documents their learning experiences. Evaluation is dependent on performance criteria established by a team of university faculty members.
Students who earn credit through the Prior Learning Assessment Program must complete five (5) semester hours of credit from CMU before the prior learning credits will be recorded on their transcripts.
Planned experiences, available to undergraduate students, provide an individualized learning experience which synthesizes the theoretical and practical in one learning context. The planned experience is a student-formulated project on an approved topic (or topics) in the student’s area of study. The project integrates experience with principles and theories in the field. Projects are formulated with the assistance of an advisor, and both the proposal and the final form are reviewed by the Program Director.
Non-Degree and Non-Credit Programs
CMU provides an opportunity for educators and educational administrators to earn credit toward certificate renewal and provides individuals interested in personal development with a range of non-credit programs. Broad in its offerings, there is something for everyone across the lifespan.
Non-Degree Credit for the Education Market
Through the District Designed Professional Development (DDPD) program, school districts and ISDs can design a university credit component for site-based professional development programs. The DDPD program offers educators and administrators with an opportunity to earn credits toward certificate renewal.
Non-Credit Options
Corporate and Education Training
CMU is able to partner with corporations to assist them with the learning and development needs within their organizations.
Life-Long Learning
If you are interested in adventures in lifelong learning, look no further than active travel programs through Road Scholars. International in scope, learners of at least 55 years of age come together as a group of travelers to share a common destination and a passion for learning.
Certification-to-Credit Program
The Certification-to-Credit Program at Central Michigan University is the perfect way to use a professional certification you have earned and apply it to the degree you want – saving you time and money. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what certifications can be used for select degree programs. More information can be found at the Certification-to-Credit website. https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-education-human-services/departments/masters-of-science-administration/student-resources/certification-to-credit.
Military and Veterans Services
For more information, see the next section of this Bulletin.
For Academic Programs Leading to Professional Certification/Licensure
Important Message for Prospective Students:
Federal Regulations require that Central Michigan University (CMU) publicly disclose information concerning programs that are designed to meet the educational requirements for professional certification/licensure (“professional licensure”) in order to secure employment, regardless of the modality. These educational programs satisfy the Higher Learning Commission accreditation requirements and State of Michigan academic requirements. However, completion of a CMU program may not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure in a state or U.S. Territory (“state”) outside of Michigan.
CMU makes every effort to offer current information on the educational requirements for professional licensure; however, state licensure requirements may change. Additionally, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete other requirements such as a background check, fingerprinting, years of experience, or professional examinations. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure outside of the state of Michigan, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state of your interest to seek information and guidance regarding professional licensure requirements before beginning an academic program.
Additionally, if your program leads to a professional licensure, authorization may be required from a state professional licensing board prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Please work directly with your program director prior to beginning an internship or field experience in another state.
Students relocating to a different state during a program should also keep in mind that since licensure requirements vary by state that locating to another state could impact whether the program meets licensure requirements in the new state. If you are planning to locate to another state outside of the state of Michigan, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
Completion of a CMU degree does not guarantee employment in any profession. It is highly recommended, prior to enrollment, that students confirm all educational and licensure requirements in their chosen profession for their state of interest, e.g., Indiana.
Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility may vary by state. You will find a dedicated webpage at Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosures for each CMU College that lists programs designed to meet the educational requirements leading to professional certification/licensure, and whether that program meets/does not meet or if CMU has not yet determined if it meets the educational requirements in a particular state. CMU also provides the relevant state board links and highly recommends that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in your state of interest to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.
Authorization
Central Michigan University complies with authorization requirements in the states/provinces in which it offers classes. Some states/provinces require that specific statements regarding an institution’s status within the state be made available to students. The following statement is included here to fulfill the requirements of these states/provinces.
Ontario, Canada: “This program is offered under the written consent of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities granted for a seven-year term commencing on September 18, 2020. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate for their needs (e.g. acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).”
Central Michigan University and its additional locations are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Students will generally find that CMU credits are transferable to any institution that accepts credits from appropriately accredited institutions, provided that the credits requested for transfer are relevant to the program the students plan to pursue. Students should contact any institution to which they may want to transfer credit to determine transferability.
Program Offerings/Program Operations
CMU Online delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Michigan, and degree and certificate programs in other states, and Canada. Undergraduate degrees lead to a bachelor of applied arts degree with a major in administration, early childhood development and learning, entrepreneurship, fashion merchandising and design, or organizational leadership; a bachelor of science degree with an option in community development; a bachelor of science in business administration degree; a bachelor of science degree with a major in administration, early childhood development and learning, fashion merchandising and design, international relations, organizational leadership, political science, psychology, or public and nonprofit administration; a bachelor of science in education degree, standard certificate (early childhood and elementary education); or a bachelor of science in nursing. Undergraduate certificates are also offered in cybersecurity, DeafBlind intervener, entrepreneurial studies, citizen engagement, lawmaking and legal processes, and political advocacy and elections. Students may use an approved combination of transfer credit, prior learning credit, online courses, and on-site classes available at program locations to complete their baccalaureate degrees.
At the graduate level, studies lead to a master of arts degree in counseling, education, educational leadership, learning, design and technology, reading and literacy K-12, or special education; a master of business administration, a master of entrepreneurial ventures, a master of health administration, a master of public administration; a master of public health: public health practice, a master of science in nutrition and dietetics, a master of science in administration, master of science in information systems, a specialist in education, a doctor of education in educational leadership, a doctor of educational technology, or a doctor of health administration. In addition, graduate certificates are offered in administrative essentials, cybersecurity, digital management, emergency management and homeland security, engineering management, ERP using SAP software, general administration, health services administration, health systems leadership, human resources administration, international administration, international health, leadership, logistics and acquisitions, philanthropy and non-profit organizations, project management, public administration, research administration, and training and development.
Central Michigan University will do everything within reason to help students meet their educational goals in the unforeseen event of a program closing or of a military location becoming permanently closed to civilian students. CMU is committed to helping students finish their educational programs.
Curricular Programs
This section describes the curricular programs available through CMU Online. A general listing of the programs available at centers can be found at https://www.cmich.edu/program-finder.
Undergraduate Degree Offerings
Requirements must be met in specific areas of study and a selected area of concentration. Undergraduate degrees require satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit and must meet the requirements of general education and the major. At least 30 semester hours must be earned with Central Michigan University. Programs are designed in consultation with an academic advisor.
Undergraduate credit may be earned in these areas by successful completion of courses, examination in the specified areas, or presentation of documented prior learning assessment credit.
Degrees include:
- Bachelor of Applied Arts (majors: Administration: Ergonomics Administration and Personnel Administration; Early Childhood Development and Learning Major; Entrepreneurship; Fashion Merchandising and Design Major: Product Development and Visual Merchandising concentrations; or Organizational Leadership Major)
- Bachelor of Science with an option in Community Development with concentrations in Community Services, Health Sciences, and Public Administration
- Bachelor of Science (majors: Administration: Ergonomics Administration and Personnel Administration concentrations; Early Childhood Development and Learning Major; Fashion Merchandising and Design Major: Product Development and Visual Merchandising concentrations; International Relations Major; Organizational Leadership Major; Political Science Major; Psychology Major; or Public and Nonprofit Administration Major)
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: General Business Administration and Information Systems concentrations
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. in Ed.) degree, Standard Certificate (Early Childhood and Elementary Education): Teaching Early Childhood B-K & Early Childhood Special Education and Standard Certificate (Early Childhood and Elementary Education): Teaching Grades PK-6. Please contact an advisor.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Undergraduate Certificates include: Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurial Studies, Deafblind Intervener, Citizen Engagement, Lawmaking and Legal Processes, Political Advocacy and Elections