Mapping Out Courses for
Your Undergraduate Degree Program

Thank you for inquiring about our CJ programs.  The easiest way to determine what you need to take in order to meet the requirements of a specific degree is to map it out on the appropriate advising sheet.  This will take a little bit of time on your part, but will provide you (and your adviser) with a complete overview of where you stand to complete the degree.

You’ll need two items: the appropriate advising sheet and your transcript(s) (which you can download from My NMU page; then follow the guidelines below. 

• Advising Sheet:  Download the appropriate advising sheet for your degree program.  Please note that you must meet the minimum credits in each of the appropriate areas (major, minor, liberal studies, and physical ed and general electives) of the advising sheet. Overall, the TOTAL credits must be met.  Also pay close attention to the notes at the top of each of the areas of the advising sheet.   For example, in the major area, CJ 110: Intro to CJ is a "pre-requisite" to all other CJ courses and requires a minimum grade of "C" before taking other CJ courses. 
  
  
• Transcript:  Using your NMU transcript insert all of the courses you have completed on the advising sheet in the appropriate areas. Be sure to fill in all blocks of information with "Sem/Yr" taken, "Grade" received, and "Credits" earned.  This will be important when adding up the total credits and verifying the minimum grade needed for the CJ major. If you need additional space for general elective credits, use the back of the form.  Please note current NMU students can download their transcripts from my.nmu.edu. 
  
  
• Transfer Evaluation Form:  If you are a transfer student you must submit your "official" transcripts to NMU Registrar’s Office to be evaluated.  You will be provided with your "transfer evaluation form." Using your evaluation form, insert the "equivalent course" in the appropriate area on the advising sheet.  Please remember any course that does not apply to your major, minor, physical ed or liberal studies areas, goes in the "general electives" area.  
  
  
• Please be aware that many community college courses are not always the same equivalency for the same course at NMU and will require you to take additional credits in the respective area.  For example:  John Smith attended XYZ College and took CJ 1000 Introduction to Criminal Justice for 3 credits.  This course equates to our NMU Course CJ 110 Intro to CJ.  However, our course is 4 credits and the course transferred in is only 3 credits.  This means that you have satisfied the requirement of the "course," but you still need to make up the "CJ total credits" required for the major. In this case, you need to take one additional CJ elective.You choose to select CJ 214 investigative Process I.  Of the 4 credits for the course, one credit will be applied in the "CJ major" area and the remaining 3 credits will be applied to the "general elective" area. 
  
  
• Course Equivalency Site: If you have not had your transcripts officially evaluated by the NMU’s Registrar’s Office, but you want to see how the courses you took at one school would equate to courses at NMU, refer to transfer equivalencies.  If your school is not listed on this site, you will have to submit your transcripts to NMU to be officially evaluated. 
  
  
• Liberal Studies: The new Interactive Advising Sheets help you go directly to the current Undergraduate Bulletin, which provides an explanation of each division. For example, on your advising sheet, click "Humanities" for one of the Liberal Studies Requirements. The link will take you to the Bulletin and provide you with a list of courses that count as a Humanities requirement. To view complete information about the Liberal Studies program, go to the Registrar's Office. Click on the appropriate Bulletin and then scroll down to "Liberal Studies and Graduation Requirements."   Please be aware that all liberal studies courses are listed in the undergraduate bulletin, but not all courses are offered each semester. 
  
  
• Bulletin: (major/minor departmental guidelines):  Follow the guidelines as specified in the appropriate academic bulletin for the first year you entered NMU, at the Registrar's Office.  Some departments require a specific GPA in the major or minor, and/or specific number of credits completed here at NMU, etc.  NMU also allows you to graduate under the degree bulletin when you first entered NMU or the bulletin in use at the time you graduate. Please review  "Bulletin Options for Graduation Requirements."
  
  
• Note:  The guidelines in this document provide only a general overview for completing your degree requirements.  Every student is different, and other options and/or policies may differ depending on your particular status.  We recommend that you spend time with your adviser to ensure you ask appropriate questions as it pertains to your specific degree.  Also, refer to your degree audit evaluation which is issued to students once they complete 87 credits/bachelors or 32/associate degree.  The Degree Audits Office is the final authority to verify that you have met the requirements of your degree for graduation. 
  
  
• Talk with an Advisor:  When you have completed the advising sheet, contact your adviser and set up an appointment to discuss your questions.  Keep in mind that the advising sheet should be filled out completely with the grade received, the semester/year the class was taken and the number of credits you received.  The adviser can quickly look at the advising sheet and determine what you need to accomplished to finalize your degree.  Your adviser can also talk with you about career objectives and help you target the specific program that is best for you. 
  • Check your adviser's office hours.
    • Current NMU students can find out who their adviser is by going to my.nmu.edu  and clicking on the "Student Services Tab," then selecting the link "View Student Information," select current "Term" and click "Submit."  Scroll down to "Primary Advisor"  to find your adviser. 
      
      
• Questions:  Call us at the Criminal Justice Department, 906-227-2660.