General Information
Introduction to and Overview of
Central Michigan University
University Calendar
A Brief History and CMU Today
Mission Statement
The Enduring Philosophy
Student
Learning Outcomes Assessment
Accreditations
The Campus
Academic Overview and Degree Offerings
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The Enduring Philosophy
In its one
hundred years as an institution of higher learning, Central
Michigan University has supported a liberal arts education as
the common base for all degree programs. In the words of a
founder, "Education in its best and truest sense is a much
larger thing than any or even all of the so-called practical
uses that may be made of it. Accordingly . . . the school
shall stand squarely and strongly for the larger idea, that
education is a rightful heritage of the human soul ....
Breadth and liberality of scope will always prove the better
investment in the long run."
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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, and understanding, the faculty
and staff of Central Michigan University have developed
ongoing processes to assess the learning and academic
achievement of students in academic programs.
Students at
CMU should expect to participate in a wide range of assessment
activities designed to provide useful information about the
effectiveness of academic programs and the service programs
that support them. From time to time during their courses of
study, CMU students may be asked to participate in tasks to
demonstrate the breadth and depth of their knowledge, skill,
and understanding, indicate their levels of satisfaction with
services provided, and describe their learning experience.
Alumni may be asked to communicate their views about programs
and their careers since graduation. Employers also may be
asked to indicate what qualities they need and expect in
university graduates and how they assess CMU's programs in
preparing students to meet their needs.
Throughout
these efforts, the concern is with program quality: assessment
serves as a basis for continuous improvement and CMU's
commitment to standards of excellence.
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Accreditations
CMU is accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools, one of six regional accrediting associations in the
United States. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by
the Secretary of Education and the Committee on Recognition of
Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA), now continued under the
Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The
Professional Education Unit at Central Michigan University is
accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite
500, Washington DC 20036; phone 202-466-7496. This
accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and
advanced educator preparation programs. NCATE is recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation to accredit programs for the
preparation of teachers and other professional school
personnel.
Central
Michigan University is accredited by the AACSB, and the
International Association for Management Education. The
American Psychological Association, the National Association
of School Psychologists, the American Speech, Language, and
Hearing Association, the American Chemical Society, the
National Association of Schools of Music, the Accrediting
Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the
National Parks and Recreation Association, the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the
Accreditation Review Committee - Physician Assistant (ARC-PA),
the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and
Speech-Language Pathology, and the National Association for
the Education of Young Children have also issued their
accreditation to appropriate CMU programs.
Students
who wish to review the accreditation documents should contact
the Provost’s Office.
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The Campus
Central Michigan University is located at the southern
boundary of Mount Pleasant, a growing city of over 25,000,
accessible from highways US-27 and M-20. The university’s
enrollment includes students from every county in Michigan and
from other states and countries, representing both rural and
metropolitan areas.
Campus Tours
Visits to Mt. Pleasant and the CMU community are welcomed.
Campus tours are provided weekdays and many Saturdays through
the Admissions Office, Warriner Hall, (989) 774-3076 or toll
free, 1-888-292-5366. Parking information and guest passes are
available by contacting the Undergraduate Admissions office in
advance of your visit.
Living on Campus
The campus and buildings of Central Michigan University
provide a physical environment for learning that is
attractive, orderly, and convenient. Campus beauty is
cultivated because the quality of the physical surroundings
affects the quality of learning. The academic buildings form
the core of the campus, with ready access to services. Campus
residence halls and apartments are located conveniently with
respect to classroom buildings, the library, and recreational
facilities. The outdoor campus setting features trees and
lawns, ponds, walkways, and natural conservation areas.
Automobile
traffic is routed toward the campus perimeter, where parking
areas are located. Bicycle pathways link major campus
buildings, and bicycle racks are provided.
The
resources provided by libraries, art galleries, studios,
auditoriums, parks, theatres, gyms, and playing fields are
easily available within the campus boundaries.
Valuable
additions to the university’s outdoor teaching facilities
exist in the form of nearby Cathedral Woods, the Neithercut
Woodland, and the teaching facility on Beaver Island.
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