Central Michigan University

FAQs

1. What is a conditional acceptance?
   • When a student has been accepted by the College of Graduate Studies, but not by the Educational Leadership Department, the student has a “Conditional Acceptance.” A student may take up to nine credits before they must be officially admitted into the Educational Leadership Department.
2. Are there time limitations on any degrees?
   • Yes, a student must graduate:
     • within seven years prior to receiving a master's or specialist's degree and
     • within eight to ten years prior to receiving a doctoral degree, depending on applicability of graduate degree when beginning the program.
   See the Academic Bulletin for more information on time limitations.
3. What is an internship?
   • EDL 699 and EDL 880 are the classes offered for students completing an internship. EDL 699 is offered to students receiving a M.A. in School Principalship, students submitting Plan B for a M.A. in Educational Leadership, and students submitting Plan A for an Ed.S. in General Educational Administration. EDL 880 is offered to Ed.D. students. The guidelines for the internship can be found here:
     • M.A. and Ed.S. Internship Manual
     • Ed.D. Internship Manual
4. What is Plan A and Plan B?
   • The Capstone Project, completed in the M.A. in Educational Leadership and the Ed.S. in General Educational Administration is divided into Plan A and Plan B. One division is the option to complete a thesis, while the other division is the option to complete an internship and submit a project.
5. Is there financial assistance for graduate students?
   • Yes, the two main forms of assistance are through graduate assistantships and fellowships. For more information, visit the College of Graduate Studies website or the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
6. What is a Graduate Assistant (GA)?
   • Graduate students that are assigned an assistantship are given a full-time appointment, working 20 hours a week, or a part-time appointment, working 10 hours a week. Job descriptions vary throughout the departments and students may do a range of teaching, research and administrative work. Graduate Assistants will also receive a tuition scholarship and a stipend. See the Academic Bulletin or contact the College of Graduate Studies for more information on graduate assistantships. GA positions are assigned by individual departments; information about specific positions will be available at the department.
7. What is a fellowship?
   • A doctoral or graduate student may receive a fellowship. The student will be awarded a tuition scholarship and stipend for one academic year. For more information, visit the College of Graduate Studies website.
8. Where can I register for classes and check my account information?
   • This information and any other personal information can be accessed by logging into the CMU Portal using your Global ID and password. The CMU Portal can be found at http://www.cmich.edu/portal/portal_welcome.asp.
9. What is the difference between “on-campus” and “off-campus”?
   • Students that take classes “on-campus” attend classes on the main campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Students that take classes “off-campus” are connected to the Off-Campus Programs office in Mount Pleasant, Michigan but take their courses with a cohort in areas such as Georgia, the Upper Peninsula and southeastern Michigan.
10. What is a cohort?
    • A cohort is a group of approximately 25 adult learners who begin their program together and take classes together over five semesters. Classes are planned in a logical and careful manner to build upon knowledge gained in the program. The classes are delivered entirely on site. Students do not need to take any classes on the main campus.