Accreditation
Institutional accreditation has been granted to nearly 4,000 higher education institutions throughout the United States. This accreditation is awarded by one of six organizations, each historically focusing on a specific region of the country. Accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and federal financial aid is typically only available to students attending schools that are accredited.
Central Michigan University was first accredited in 1915 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) as Central State Teachers College and has been accredited since, with the exception of 1922-23. NCA accredited the first master’s program in 1957 and approved the offering of doctoral programs in 1992. The last comprehensive evaluation took place in 2015-2016, at which time CMU received reaffirmation of its accreditation for 10 years. The current accrediting body is now known as The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411; www.hlcommission.org.
A number of CMU programs have been reviewed and accredited by one or more specialized accrediting organizations. The teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CMU’s education programs leading to certification are also approved by the Michigan Department of Education. The College of Business Administration is accredited by the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation covers all undergraduate and master's degree programs in business offered by the College. AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency and service organization for business schools.
Other programs hold national accreditation by one or more of the following organizations: ABET (http://www.abet.org); Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education; Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics; Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.; Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication; American Chemical Society; American Psychological Association1; American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Association of University Programs in Health Administration; Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs; Council for Interior Design Accreditation; Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology; Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions; Council on Education for Public Health; Council on Social Work Education; Liaison Committee on Medical Education; National Association for the Education of Young Children (includes CMU’s Human Growth and Development Pre-School Lab); National Association of School Psychologists; National Association of Schools of Art and Design; National Association of Schools of Music; National Council on Family Relations; National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council; Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration.
1Questions related to Psychology programs’ accredited status should be directed to:
Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Individuals who wish to review the accreditation documents should contact Licensure, Regulatory Services & Human Capital. Further information regarding specific program accreditation status is located at: https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/academic-affairs/higher-learning-accreditation-commission/specialized-professional-accreditation.
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
To assure that Central Michigan University’s programs are strong and that students in them are attaining appropriate levels of knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes, the faculty and staff of Central Michigan University have developed ongoing processes to assess the learning and academic achievement of students in academic programs. Through this process, faculty carefully articulate program goals and learning outcomes while focusing experiences and assignments to prepare students to achieve those outcomes. An assessment plan is developed to measure progress toward the stduent learning outcomes, data are collected, and annual reports are developed and discussed by department faculty, chairs, and deans. An action plan is designed to drive program improvement.
Students participate in a wide range of assessment activities designed to provide useful information about the effectiveness of academic programs. From time to time during their courses of study, CMU students may be asked to demonstrate the breadth and depth of their knowledge, skill, beliefs and attitudes. We ask alumni their views about programs and their careers since graduation with regard to how well CMU’s programs have met their needs. In addition, we ask employers what qualities they desire and expect of CMU’s graduates. These efforts all combine to improve student learning and program quality and form the basis of our culture of continuous improvement in support of CMU’s commitment to excellence.
Faculty
While students are the heart and soul of Central Michigan University, our faculty and staff are the backbone. Central Michigan University ensures that all faculty responsible for developing curriculum possess the academic preparation, training, and experience to teach in an academic setting, meet or exceed the minimum requirements of accrediting bodies, and accomplish the mission of the institution.
When determining qualifications of its teaching faculty, Central Michigan University considers, where appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences, professional licenses and certifications, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching.
Online Faculty. The distinctive character and flexible course schedules of CMU Online attract leaders from a variety of fields. Instruction is provided by CMU's expert full-time faculty and by CMU's part-time instructors who also serve as public officials, practicing specialists, and leaders in business and industry.
The academic credentials of CMU part-time instructors are approved by the appropriate academic department of the university. In addition, part-time instructors of graduate courses are approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. These part-time instructors are contracted separately for each class.
Central Michigan University has approximately 400 approved part-time instructors, recruited to teach on a course-by-course basis.