Academic Supports: Advisement and Counseling Services
Central Michigan University's comprehensive advising and counseling services offer an important resource for all undergraduate students. Academic advisors make every effort to familiarize students with university requirements, career, and academic information. Students with emotional or personal concerns have opportunities to work with professional counselors. Using these support services is easy, convenient and critical to success.

All new freshmen and transfer students register for first semester classes at Academic Orientation. After that, students are urged to regularly discuss academic progress with any or all of the following academic support services.
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Academic Advising Services
All entering undergraduate students will be assigned a general academic advisor through the Academic Advising Services Office. In 1994, CMU's advising program received national recognition as an Outstanding Institutional Advising Program by the National Academic Advising Association. Advisors assist entering and returning students with course selections fulfilling General Education and other degree requirements.
Because academic progress is ultimately the responsibility of the individual student, the academic advising office requires that new freshmen attend Academic Orientation II, a mandatory advising meeting. This one hour meeting is scheduled during the first semester of enrollment and serves to review academic information necessary to degree completion.
Additional features of CMU's Academic Advising Services Office include:
- Conveniently situated Student Success Centers which enable students to meet with an advisor where they live.
- A centralized advising office located in Bovee University Center, Student Service Court, an office which offers comprehensive services for students.
- Workshops and group advising meetings on topics like Admission to Teacher Education and Business are planned throughout the academic year in student centers and residence halls.
Students with questions concerning academic advising are encouraged to contact the Academic Advising Services Office, Bovee University Center, Student Service Court, 774-7506.
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Academic Departmental Advising
When students are ready to consider a major or minor program, it is recommended that an appointment be arranged 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.
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Undergraduate Academic Services
Undergraduate Academic Services, a branch of the Registrar’s Office, is designed to assist and advise students regarding academic concerns. Personnel in this office are prepared to assist students with concerns regarding interpretation of policies and procedures in the university bulletin, degree and graduation requirements, and the transfer of credit to CMU.

Pregraduation Audit. Students may schedule an appointment for a pregraduation audit after their major and minor are authorized. An appointment will be made with an Assistant Director who will review their individual courses of study and determine remaining graduation requirements. This appointment is ideally scheduled during the student's junior year (56 credits) when an advisor can best help with planning the completion of remaining requirements and clarify any additional policies or procedures.

Transfer Credit Evaluation. This area of Undergraduate Academic Services receives and reviews transcripts for evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit. Students may schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Transfer Credit if they have questions regarding transfer credit.

Documents reflecting transferability of coursework from Michigan community colleges  as well as partial listings from many Michigan four-year colleges and universities are available online. Students planning to complete coursework elsewhere should check with this office in advance for transferability information. The transfer printouts are available on a walk-in basis and appointments are not needed.

Graduation Audit. During the semester or session in which students will complete 86 credit hours, an application for graduation should be submitted. You may obtain an application for graduation at the Student Service Court, Receivable Accounting, or Undergraduate Academic Services. An official graduation audit indicating remaining requirements for your degree will be mailed to you. Appointments may be made to confer with the Graduation Coordinator regarding remaining questions, concerns or clarifications.

To be assured of receiving an audit of remaining graduation requirements prior to beginning the last semester or session, a student must file the "Application for Graduation" no later than September 15 for May graduation, January 15 for August graduation, and April 15 for December graduation. For further information refer to "Graduation Requirements" in this Bulletin.

In the process of earning a degree, many students find it helpful and necessary to seek assistance with specific questions. Contact the Undergraduate Academic Services Office, 123 Warriner Hall, 774-3504.
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Academic Assistance Programs

The Academic Assistance Programs Office is available to provide help to students who, in the process of earning a degree, find that they need to know more about study skills and reading techniques. The Academic Assistance Programs Office staff also provides assistance for students who are experiencing difficulty with course content by providing tutorial help.  Contact Academic Assistance Programs at Foust 150 or call 774-3465.

Tutoring. Many students find that they need some assistance in one or more subject areas. Tutoring is available for 100 and 200 level courses and those courses which are part of the University Program. Some subjects are considered to be traditionally difficult, and walk-in tutoring is provided in these subject areas. Mathematics and Physics have walk-in tutorials. Other subjects are tutored in small groups or one-on-one. Tutoring is free, and to obtain a tutor, contact the Academic Assistance Programs Office.

Academic Skills Courses. Courses in study skills are offered to help students gain a wide range of study techniques. Skills covered include time management 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. A course in career exploration is offered through the Counseling and Special Education Department to assist students in selecting a career which fits their interests and abilities.

CED 101 (1) Career and Self-Exploration
EHS 102 (2) Academic Learning Skills
EHS 103 (3) Reading Improvement
EHS 104 (2) Study Skills for Non-Traditional Students
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Counseling Center
Accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, the Counseling Center provides confidential services for currently enrolled CMU students including time-limited individual and group counseling for: 1) personal issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, identity, alcohol/drug abuse, couples concerns, premarital and marital counseling, family stress, loss and personal growth and development; 2) career exploration, particularly for undecided students and students questioning choices they have already made; 3) improving academic success through reducing anxiety (e.g., test, math, speech), reducing stress, learning study skills and time management; and 4) serving as a sexual assault and domestic violence crisis center. Group services are designed to address many topics including anxiety, relationships, stress management, self-esteem, grief and loss, depression, yoga for stress management, and codependency. The Counseling Center’s website provides information on center services and counselors, community resources, mental health screening, and links to a wide variety of information. There is no charge for these services.

Other services the Counseling Center provides include serving as a referral resource for students, parents, faculty, staff and administration; consultation with students, parents, faculty, staff and administration; growth groups and workshops; in-service training and consultation services; outreach programs (available upon request); referral to appropriate off-campus agencies and other CMU services and resources; supervised practicum for psychology, counselor education and social work students; mental health screening; testing (interest, personality); and on-call during academic year. (Note that there may be a modest fee to cover the cost associated with test administration.)

Counseling Center faculty includes professional counselors, psychologists, and certified social workers. Students may meet individually with a counselor by making an appointment. Daily urgent appointment times are available. Counseling assistance may be obtained at the Counseling Center, 102 Foust Hall, 774-3381 and through Counselors in Residence who work in offices at various residence hall locations. Counselors in Residence may be contacted in the Towers (774-1480). North Campus (774-4928), South Quad (774-2550) and East Quad (774-1879) residence halls. Counselors in Residence are employees of Residence Life and are administratively separate from the Counseling Center.
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