|
|
 |
![[spacer]](../../images/spacer.gif) |
Welcome
to the
2004-2005 Undergraduate Bulletin |
|
|
|
Planning Your Academic Career
Making Choices as a
Student
Your Advisors
Your Schedule
Progress Toward Your
Degree
Academic Load
First Year (Freshman)
Second Year (Sophomore)
Third Year (Junior)
Fourth Year (Senior)
Special Notes for Transfer Students
Back to main General Information Menu
Beginning Your Studies
Making
Choices as a Student
You have many academic decisions to make. You will choose
a major and possibly a minor, and enroll for courses which
lead toward a desired degree or certificate. Students enrolled
on the Mt. Pleasant campus will be required to complete an
authorization for a major or sign a statement of intent to
major by the time they earn 56 hours of credit. Some students
have already made these choices when they begin their
university studies, but most appreciate the opportunity that
CMU offers to sample many areas of study through the
University Program portion of the General Education
Requirements. The University Program is required of all
students and is explained later in this Bulletin. While
taking University Program classes you are preparing yourself
to make career and life choices from a broadened perspective,
as well as fulfilling needed General Education requirements
for graduation.
Top of Page
Your Advisors
As a freshman or a transfer student you will receive
individualized advisement in course selection during academic
orientation. The registration process is computer assisted to
help you obtain preferred courses. The
Academic Advising
Services Office (Student Service Court, Bovee University
Center) offers general advising in the areas of the University
Program, Competencies, and Degree Requirements. When you are
ready to consider a major, arrange an appointment with a
faculty advisor in the department teaching courses of interest
to you. You may want to visit with faculty in several
departments, but once you have selected a major, you will be
assigned a faculty advisor in that department.
There are additional offices to help you:
-
The Counseling Center (102 Foust,
774-3381)
-
The Career Services (Bovee University
Center, 774-3068)
-
The Center for Student Services (203
Ronan, 774-3309)
-
Undergraduate Business Studies Office
(105 Grawn, 774-3124), offer professional assistance in
career decision making.
-
The Undergraduate Academic Services
area of the Registrar’s Office (Warriner 123, 774-3504)
provides a number of services. Personnel evaluate academic
credits earned at other schools, provide academic counseling
for degree and graduation requirements, and audit students’
records for graduation.
Top of Page
Your Schedule
Academic programs and course offerings of the university
are in a constant process of change and revision in response
to advancements in knowledge, and to changing student needs
and societal demands. In accordance with this process,
academic programs and courses may be changed, deleted, or
rescheduled. The time you will need to complete a degree
depends, of course, on your decisions concerning such
variables as the academic load you will carry, whether or not
you will attend summer sessions, and how well you use academic
advisement services. You may complete a bachelor’s degree in
less than four years or it may take you longer. Conditions
producing high demand for certain courses and programs where
resources are limited may require some students to take more
than the estimated minimum of time to complete their programs.
There may also be special requirements for certain degrees and
major and minor programs. These requirements may include a
particular grade point average, specific demonstrated
competencies, or other prerequisite experience as specified in
the Bulletin. You should be aware that students who
have entered academic programs may be dropped or suspended
from these programs for unsatisfactory academic performance or
for other program-related problems.
You are urged to discuss your progress toward
a degree periodically with your academic advisor as you
continue your program of study at CMU.
Top of Page
Progress Toward Your Degree
The rate at which you move toward your degree and how
economically you progress depend largely on the decisions you
make. Making use of the academic advisement services available
on campus is strongly recommended. The advisors can help you
clarify your plans, as well as help you plan the most
efficient route toward your degree.
Top of Page
Academic Load
The following is a typical undergraduate academic load for
fall and spring semesters and summer sessions::
Semester/Session - Typical Academic Load:
Fall Semester: 14 -18 credit hours
Spring Semester: 14 -18 credit hours
3 weeks of Summer Session: 3 credit hours
6 weeks of Summer Session: 5 -7 credit
hours
12 weeks of Summer Session: 12 -14 credit
hours
In order to graduate within four years with a
degree, which requires a minimum of 124 hours of credit, a
student must average at least 31 hours of credit each year.
Some degrees and majors have minimums above 124.
Abilities and circumstances of students vary
greatly. Each student should weigh carefully these factors
when deciding the number of hours to carry during a semester
or session and the length of time to be expended in fulfilling
requirements for a degree. Some will carry lighter loads and
take longer to fulfill the requirements. As a guideline,
freshmen are advised to take no more than 15 hours of credit
during the first semester on campus.
No undergraduate student will be permitted to
be enrolled in more than 21 credits per semester. Exceptions
may be granted with approval of the dean or his/her designee.
Top of Page
First Year
(Freshman): (0-25 cr. hrs.)
Attend Academic Orientation II during your first semester
to clarify requirements on the University Program, competency,
or any other questions you have encountered since academic
orientation. Review your Bulletin carefully.
If you are undecided about a major, minor, and
degree:
At CMU, several advising services, classes, and self
assessment instruments are available to assist you in your
academic and career decision making. Some suggestions include:
-
Talking to CMU advisors in academic
departments, Academic Advising Services, Career Services, or
the Counseling Center regarding academic programs that
interest you.
-
Considering taking CED 101 (1) Careers and
Self Exploration.
-
Participating in various self assessment
exercises designed to match your interests and abilities
with academic and career opportunities. CMU offers the
following personalized and computerized self assessment
exercises: Discover Program, Michigan Occupational
Information System, Strong Interest Inventory.
If you are interested in Business:
Stop by Grawn 105, Undergraduate Business Studies, to pick
up the information packet on the College of Business
Administration or schedule a meeting with a business advisor.
If you are interested in a preparatory
program (pre-law, pre-med):
Talk with the appropriate pre-professional advisor (Click
here for information)
Top of Page.
Second Year
(Sophomore): (26-55 cr. hrs.)
Continue your search for a major and/or minor.
If you have decided on your major and/or
minor, consult with the appropriate departmental advisor(s) to
authorize the major/minor and define requirements for
graduation.
Continue coursework on the University Program,
competency, and major/minor. Ideally, competency requirements
should be completed by the end of this year. Review your
progress on completion of the University Program and
competency requirements with your general academic advisor.
Search for a study abroad or an internship opportunity by
contacting CMU's Office of International Education or an
internship coordinator in the Career Services office. Your
academic department of choice may also have advice for you.
Teaching:
-
Complete admission for Teacher Education.
-
Complete Cycle I of candidacy requirements
(see page 77 of this Bulletin).
-
Authorize your major and/or minor in the
appropriate department(s) if you have not done so.
Business:
-
Follow the procedure for admission to the
College of Business Administration outlined in this
Bulletin (see page 134).
-
Visit with the College of Business
Administration advisor in Grawn 205, 774-3124.
Top of Page
Third Year (Junior):
(56-85 cr. hrs.)
Authorize your major and/or minor in the
appropriate department(s) if you have not done so.
Once you have your major and/or minor
authorized, schedule a pre-graduation audit appointment in
Undergraduate Academic Services Warriner 123, 774-3504. An
Assistant Director will review your individual course of study
and determine remaining graduation requirements. Register with
Career Services.
Teaching:
If you have completed Cycle I, and if you plan to
student teach during the following fall semester, apply for
student teaching in January (see
Standards Leading to
Teacher Certification).
Business:
Complete application process to the
College of Business Administration for admission to
Professional Business Studies.
Following admission to Professional Business
Studies, contact the appropriate department office for the
assignment of an advisor.
Top of Page
Fourth Year
(Senior): (86-124 cr. hrs.)
Once you have earned 86 credit hours, apply for graduation
at the Undergraduate Academic Services Office, Warriner 123,
774-3504 (see page 75 of this Bulletin). A graduation
fee is required. Questions about graduation requirements
should be referred to this office.
Complete graduation requirements as indicated
on your Graduation Audit. Develop skills for your job search
at Career Services. Skill development workshops and
information are available regarding job search techniques,
interviewing skills, and portfolio development.
If you are interested in attending graduate
school, you should talk to faculty members in the field you
would like to pursue. They will have information on how to go
about selecting, applying to, and preparing for graduate
school.
Top of Page
Special Notes for
Transfer Students:
During your first semester, check with the Office of the
Registrar to be sure that a final transcript from each of your
previous colleges is on file.
If you have questions following orientation,
meet with a general academic advisor, and attend a Transfer
Transitions meeting to review your transfer credit evaluation,
University Program and competency requirements.
Review the above steps to verify your progress
toward completion of all CMU degree requirements.
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer
|
|
|
