Registration is the process of officially enrolling in the College, selecting a program of study, and paying all tuition and fees. Assistance is given by an advisor and other staff members during registration, but final responsibility for completing the registration requirements rests with the student. Dates for registration in August, January, and June are provided in the Calendar published in this catalog.

Students registering for the first time as freshmen or transfer students are given placement tests and attend orientation prior to registration.

Courses may be added during the first week of the semester. Add forms are available from the Office of Admissions and Records.

Students may withdraw from a course or courses, without record, up to ten (10) calendar days during the regular semester and five (5) calendar days of the summer semester.

A student may withdraw from a course or courses and receive a “W” on their official record until October 26, 2007 for the Fall semester and March 28, 2008 for the Spring semester. Students may withdraw from a course or courses and receive a “W” on their official record only during the first week of the Summer semester. Students who fail to meet the time frame will receive a failing grade of “F” or “NP” for withdrawals after mid-semester.

Faculty will administratively withdraw students from classes according to the CMI Attendance Policy guidelines (please see the Academic Policies section in this catalog for more information). A “W” is recorded for administrative withdrawals before October 26, 2007 for the Fall semester, and March 28, 2008 for the Spring semester. A grade of “F” or “NP” is issued for withdrawals after those dates.

Non-matriculated students may take up to 12 academic credits without pursuing a degree or certificate program. Matriculated students are those who are officially admitted to pursue a degree or certificate program. Students are ranked according to the total number of semester credits they have successfully completed.

CMI has implemented the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This Act ensures that students’ records are kept confidential.

Students’ academic records are confidential and access to them is limited to the student and, for advisory or other educational purposes, to designated administration, faculty, and outside funding agencies supporting the student’s education. The student’s academic record may not be released to other persons or agencies outside the College without the permission of the student. Students, upon request, may inspect and review their academic records in the Record’s Office.

A student’s identification number is used for reference in all of the student’s college records. Any change of personal data, such as address, name, or marital status, should be reported to the Office of Admissions and Records immediately. Students planning to continue studies at U.S. schools are advised to acquire a permanent U.S. Social Security number well before the transfer process. (U.S. Social Security numbers beginning 888 are temporary and used only for financial aid papers. The 888 numbers are not acceptable at U.S. campuses. See the Financial Aid Director for assistance.)

A credit hour is based on contact time for a credit-bearing course. One (1) credit hour is defined as one (1) contact hour per week for 16 weeks. In the case of labs, one (1) credit hour is defined as 2.5 contact hours per week for 16 weeks. For clinicals, one credit hour is defined as 2-4 contact hours per week for 16 weeks. For practicums, one credit hour is defined as 7.5 contact hours per week for 16 weeks.

At the developmental and pre-developmental levels, credit hour equivalents (not credit hours) are awarded. In the case of developmental courses, one (1) credit hour equivalent is defined as one (1) contact hour per week for 16 weeks; for labs, one (1) credit hour equivalent is defined as 2.5 contact hours per week for 16 weeks. Due to the intensive nature of instruction in modules at the pre-developmental level, one (1) credit hour equivalent is defined as 5-8 contact hours per week for 6 weeks.

The number of semester credits that a student carries is called the credit load. The minimum full-time credit load is 12 semester credits (6 credits in the Summer semester). No more than 18 credits per semester (10 credits in the Summer semester) may be taken without special approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Any student may audit CMI courses upon receiving approval from the instructor. International students wishing to audit courses must follow CMI’s international student admissions guidelines. Permission to audit courses is granted after students registering for credit have been enrolled and have spaces available. Auditing laboratory science courses is generally not allowed. Auditors register and pay the non-refundable auditor fee. No credit is given at any time for an audited course, and the symbol “AU” is recorded for the course on the student’s transcript.

A major subject area is a selected program of study leading to a degree or certificate. For financial aid and other purposes, a major must be declared at the very beginning of course work at the College as part of the registration process. Students may change their major at any time; however, doing so may slow their progress towards a CMI degree.

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution after graduating from CMI should generally pursue the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree with a Liberal Arts major (with or without various specializations). The A.A. degree is designed to provide competencies essential for the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees at CMI generally lead to immediate employment at the end of the program. Not all A.S. degree courses are transferable to four-year institutions.

CMI offers A.S. degrees in Business Administration, Elementary Education, and Nursing. Students pursuing A.S. degrees at CMI who want to continue their education in a four-year program at another college or university are advised to consider very carefully the transfer requirements of their preferred program at the college of their choice. Faculty advisors and Counseling Center staff are available to help students identify the transfer requirements at other institutions and to select courses that will transfer most easily. The key for students planning to go on to bachelor’s degrees is to work closely with College advisors.