Central Michigan University

central michigan university accreditation

Degrees Offered at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Great Value Public Administration Master’s Online.

Central Michigan University offers over 200 undergraduate degree programs. In addition, CMU also has more than 70 graduate degree programs, including masters, specialist, and doctoral options. Undergraduate degrees can be earned in traditional areas, such as accounting, art history, chemistry, child development, early childhood development and learning, environmental science, geology, law and economics, special education and teacher education. CMU’s more unique undergraduate offerings include theatre and interpretation, American Sign Language, photojournalism, neuroscience, museum studies, fashion merchandising and design, entrepreneurship and broadcast and cinematic arts. Undergraduates can also begin their pre-professional studies in architecture, dentistry, law, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Many of CMU’s graduate offerings expand on the areas available in the university’s undergraduate programs. Additional specialized areas of study include data mining and cyber security, electronic media management, film theory and criticism, music composition or conducting, nonprofit management, recreation and park management, state and local government and value-driven organization. The newly-established College of Medicine also offers training for future physicians.

Central Michigan University also has extensive online offerings at all levels of study, from undergraduate to graduate certificates and degree programs. Additionally, CMU’s online campus offers accelerated degrees, professional development, and personal enrichment course offerings. Accelerated degree programs allow students to earn 12 credits towards a Master of Science in Administration while completing their bachelor’s degree. While CMU’s online offerings are not as extensive as their on-campus program availability, students are able to earn degrees in many of the most popular and in-demand programs, including early childhood development and learning, political science, psychology, and public and nonprofit administration. Online graduate programs in education or health administration are also available.

In addition to on-campus and online programs, CMU encourages students to study and experience the world around them. The university offers over 150 study abroad programs in over 40 countries. Some of the more unique options include studying health care in Belize, student teaching in the Dominican Republic, studying American Sign Language and the sociocultural history of the American Deaf community in France, studying fashion in Paris and exploring traditional Chinese medicine in Kunming, China.

About Central Michigan University

Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Central Michigan University is one of the largest public universities in the state. It currently has an enrollment of around 23,300 students, including 8,700 students enrolled in online programs. Additionally, CMU courses are currently offered on 14 military bases.

CMU was founded in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute. At its founding, the university offered courses in stenography, teaching, and business. In the mid-1900s, the school’s focus on teacher training increased dramatically, being renamed Central State Teachers College in 1927 and Central Michigan College of Education in 1941. In 1959, the university’s name again changed to Central Michigan University, signaling the institution’s shift towards offering a complex array of academic programs, including pre-medicine and law. In 1994, Central Michigan University began offering its first online courses. In 2009, CMU’s medical school opened, graduating their first class of resident physicians in 2017.

Central Michigan University prides itself on offering innovative courses and degree options. CMU’s neuroscience undergraduate degree program is the first offered in the state of Michigan, as is their recreation and event management major. Central Michigan University is also the only university in Michigan to offer an undergraduate degree in meteorology. In addition, the university is the only institution in Michigan and one of only two in the Midwest that operates an island research station.

CMU has several notable alumni, including Alfonso Lenhardt, 1976 graduate and former ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. Catherine Bodak, 2010 graduate, is currently an anchor for Fox19 News in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cari Cucksey, a 2001 graduate, is the owner and host of HGTV’s Cash and Cari. Jeff Daniels, Terry O’Quinn, Dick Enberg and Antonio Brown are also notable alum.

Central Michigan University Accreditation Details

Central Michigan University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Several of the university’s degree programs are also accredited. A sampling of these specialized accreditations include:

  •  AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  •  NASAD: National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  •  CAEP: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  •  NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children
  •  COAPRT: Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions
  •  EHAC: National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
  •  APA: American Psychological Association
  •  CSWE: Council on Social Work Education
  •  LCME: Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  •  AAHRPP: Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc.
  •  ACS: American Chemical Society.

Central Michigan University Application Requirements

Application requirements for Central Michigan University vary by degree level, program and whether the program is online or on-campus. In general, CMU encourages undergraduate applicants in any program to complete a high school curriculum that includes four years of English, math, physical science and social science. In addition, CMU encourages two years of foreign language, two years of fine arts and one year of computer science. Prospective students should submit an online or paper application by November 15th of their senior year of high school. SAT or ACT scores and a high school transcript should also be submitted.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Central Michigan University strives to make earning a college degree more affordable, awarding over $309 million in scholarships and financial aid each year. The university also offers one tuition rate to all students who are U.S. residents, regardless of campus or state of residency. Undergraduate tuition is $12,510 per year, while graduate tuition is $596 per credit hour for a master’s degree or specialist program and $679 per credit hour for a doctoral degree program. The exception to CMU’s tuition policy is the College of Medicine tuition, with a rate of $40,000 per year for Michigan residents and $73,500 for residents of other states.

CMU’s merit awards are offered to students with high levels of academic achievement. All incoming freshmen are considered for these awards with no additional application required. There are also several competitive scholarships and transfer student awards. Graduate students are also eligible for teaching assistantships and research grants.

More information about Central Michigan University’s variety of degree options can be found on their website.