Classes and Seminars

Classes are usually scheduled during compressed time blocks to maximize degree progression and to minimize scheduling conflicts. Course modality options include face-to-face classes, online, hyflex, or hybrid courses. 

• Online Asynchronous: Online asynchronous courses are completely online with no required meeting days and times, but may offer optional synchronous meetings. All formalized instruction and coursework are completed online. Students will complete assignments by established deadlines. Proctored or monitored exams may be required. Online courses follow the eastern standard time (EST) zone unless otherwise specified.
• Online Synchronous: Online synchronous courses are completely online with required specific meeting days and times where students are expected to be actively engaged in a virtual setting. All formalized instruction and coursework are completed online. Proctored or monitored exams may be required. Online courses follow the eastern standard time (EST) zone unless otherwise specified.
• Face-to-Face: Face-to-face courses meet in a CMU approved location with required specific meeting days, times, and location as noted in the course registration system. Internet-based and other technology may be used to enhance instruction in and outside of class. Proctored or monitored exams may be required.
• Hybrid: Hybrid courses have required specific meeting days and times outlined in the course registration system and require face-to-face class sessions in a CMU approved location while other required class sessions can be a mixture of synchronous online meetings and asynchronous online activity. Instructors will determine which class sessions will be held in which modality within the specified course day and time range and these will be announced in the course syllabus. Proctored or monitored exams may be required.
• HyFlex: HyFlex courses meet on specific days and times simultaneously face-to-face and synchronously online. Course meeting dates, times, and location(s) are noted in the course registration system, and face-to-face meetings occur in a CMU approved location. Students can change their mode of attendance freely according to their need or preference. At the instructor’s discretion, access to course content may be available online asynchronously. Proctored or monitored exams may be required.

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, 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 CMU Online Students

Any student admitted to CMU Online 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 Courses

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.

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. Online courses have specific start and end dates, assignment/exam due dates, and follow the eastern standard time (EST) zone. Careful review of the course syllabus prior to the course start will provide these dates. Questions regarding online courses should be directed to staff at cmuonline@cmich.edu or 989-774-4371.

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 Learning Environment

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/academics/innovation-online/resources/online-learning-resource-center.

Drop and Withdrawal Policy for Online Courses

All CMU Online courses start on a Monday and end on a Friday. Students are encouraged to frequently and consistently log into their online course, ideally every day. Tuition refunds requested prior to the start date of the course shall be made in full. The start time for CMU Online courses is 12:01 a.m. on the first day of class. The amount of tuition refunded is based on the week the request is received within. Holidays do not have any effect on this definition of a week. Students may not withdraw after the midpoint of the course.

Students who cease/fail to attend (virtual or otherwise) and have not formally withdrawn from the course will receive a grade of “E.” A charge-back for financial aid may be incurred based on student’s last date of academic participation in the class. See Scholarships and Financial Aid section of this Bulletin for additional information.

Examination Proctors

A proctor is a person approved to administer exams to a student for an online course requiring a proctor. Not all online courses require a proctor. For those courses that do require a proctor, students must identify a proctor and provide the necessary information through the Proctor Designation Form for approval. Once a proctor has been approved, CMU will provide exam materials to the proctor. The student arranges for an exam appointment with the proctor to take their exam. 

Acceptable proctors include school counselors, school/college administrators/teachers, military/industry education or testing centers, or librarians at a local library. In addition, CMU centers proctor exams. Unacceptable proctors include, but are not limited to, family members, friends, co-workers, other CMU students, anyone with whom the student has a personal relationship, or anyone who cannot provide a suitable testing environment. CMU reserves the right to deny any proctor or assign proctors to students as deemed necessary. More information on proctoring can be found at: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/certified-testing-center/proctored-exams-for-cmu-courses.

The student is responsible for any proctor’s fees. If one of the CMU centers is to be used as a proctor, please check with that center to determine available times and dates for testing. Should you have any questions, call 989-774-4461.

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 their 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)

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/offices-departments/office-scholarships-financial-aid/award-notifications/satisfactory-academic-progress.