Academic Advising
North Central academic advisors provide assistance so that students achieve success in their educational programs. They explain college policies and services, degree requirements, transferability and help students with schedule planning and graduation checks. Students who place into developmental coursework are required to speak with an advisor prior to enrollment in, and make changes to, their class schedules. Advisors are available through Student Services in Petoskey, and hold office hours in Gaylord and Cheboygan, most often by appointment.
Counseling Services
North Central licensed professional counselors help students adjust to college life, assist with curriculum choices, provide career exploration services and provide support to those experiencing social and emotional problems that interfere with academic success. Counselors maintain a cooperative liaison with service agencies in the community and help students find needed services not available at the College. Counseling services are free, confidential and available in fall and winter semesters through Student Services.
Career Assessment
Assessments are available to help students select appropriate college majors and career areas: the Strong Interest Inventory and its iStartStrong version, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator© (MBTI©). All are completed on-line and each generally takes 30 minutes. The Strong and Myers-Briggs assessments involve a mandatory interpretation session with a counselor during regular business hours. The iStart Strong version of the Strong Interest Inventory is a web-based self-explanatory test that does not require counselor interpretation. A fee is charged for each assessment.
Health and Accident Insurance for Students
Group health and accident insurance programs are recommended for all students. The coverage should be designed to protect the student from medical expenses resulting from accidents and illness, including those which occur off campus and during semester breaks or authorized absences, and 24-hour protection for 12 months should be available. Students are encouraged to contact their family insurance carrier. Information on insurance policies specifically designed for college students is available in Student Services.
Learning Support Services
Learning Support Services provides academic assistance to all North Central students free of charge. Services offered include tutoring for North Central classes; an open computer lab equipped with the latest software available on a walk-in basis; an assortment of study guides, textbooks and video tutorials; and assessment testing, test proctoring and study space. Select computer programs and print resources used in classes are also available. Learning Support Services is located in Room 533 of the Student and Community Resource Center. When classes are in session, LSS is open weekdays and evenings.
Disability Services
Any North Central student with a documented disability may obtain special needs assistance through Learning Support Services located in Room 533 of the Student and Community Resource Center. Services such as advocacy, career guidance, academic advising, personal counseling, tutoring, financial aid and special needs assistance are available. Services are also available to any student who has declared an intent or has formally enrolled in an occupational certificate or degree program at North Central and is qualified with one or more of the following:
- a hidden or obvious disability
- is economically disadvantaged, including foster children
- has limited English proficiency
- is preparing for a non-traditional career
- is a single parent (including single pregnant women)
- is a displaced homemaker
- has other barriers to educational achievement
Call 231-348-6817 for more information.
CLEP Testing
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is available through Learning Support Services by appointment. These subject-specific tests allow a student to demonstrate mastery of a subject and thus earn college credit. North Central will accept up to 16 hours of CLEP credit with scores of 50 or above. Both CLEP and North Central charge fees for this testing. CLEP testing cannot be used to replace a grade in a course previously taken.
CLEP Exam Procedures
- CLEP testing is offered by appointment
- A two-hour block of time is required for processing. The CLEP test itself takes about 90 minutes.
- Photo identification is required.
- Total cost of the exam is $95, which includes a $15 North Central administration fee. (2012)
- A study guide is available at www.collegeboard.com/clep.
- A list of NCMC-accepted exams is available at www.ncmich.edu/advising/clep.html.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 231-348-6693.
NOTE: When transferring to another college or university, you may be required to take the courses that were waived or for which competency was demonstrated at North Central.
Tutoring Services
Free tutoring is available to North Central students for any course offered at the College. If you have had trouble with a subject in the past or are having trouble keeping up with the pace of the assignments in the course you’re taking, it’s probably a good idea to work with a tutor for all or part of the semester.
How Does Tutoring Work?
- Tutoring sessions usually last for about an hour, one day a week, for the duration of the semester.
- Tutors do not do your homework; they teach you how to do your homework. Bring your books, notes and a copy of your class syllabus to every tutoring session.
- Have specific questions ready to ask your tutor.
- Your tutor can help you learn study skills and how to set achievable goals.
- Consistent class attendance is required of students who receive tutoring. Tutors do not replace the instructor.
For more information about tutoring services, call 231-348-6693.
Test Proctoring
Learning Support Services provides proctoring for make-up and alternate testing to North Central students at no charge and for a fee for students from other schools. Call 231-348-6693 for more information. Photo ID is required for all testing.
Library
The Library offers students and guests a welcoming and comfortable place for research and study. The Library provides traditional print resources including books, periodicals and newspapers, along with on-line access to more than 100,000 books, millions of articles from magazines and journals and a collection of 6,000 educational videos. Students may access these resources on library computers, or on-line from any location via the Internet.
The Library is a Federal Depository Library and provides access and assistance in locating government documents to the public as well as students.
The Library provides instruction for students in the use of print materials and applying successful search techniques in on-line databases. Research help is available by phone, email and IM. Support is also available for Microsoft Office applications and other types of software available on library computers. The Library has study rooms available for student use.
Guests may sign up for the Portal in the Library to gain access to the College’s computer network. For more information, go to library.ncmich.edu.
Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Inc. (WRC), a non-college organization with offices at North Central, offers the Educational & Employment Services Program providing educational scholarships, career guidance and exploration, resume development, job search assistance, academic advising and advocacy and community referrals. The WRC on-campus office is located in the Learning Support Services area of the Student and Community Resource Center.
Northwest Michigan Works!
Another non-college resource available is Northwest Michigan Works!, which offers career guidance and basic skill development for adult learners. They are located in Room 535 in the Student and Community Resource Center.
Accreditation
North Central Michigan College is recognized by the Department of Education of the State of Michigan. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Certain programs at North Central also carry additional approval status and/or national accreditation. Documents describing licensing and accreditation are available for review in the President’s office.
North Central is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Michigan Community College Association and the Association of Community College Trustees.
Achieving the Dream
North Central is a member of the Achieving the Dream initiative which was launched by the Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations in 2004. Today, Achieving the Dream is the most comprehensive, non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. North Central joins nearly 200 colleges across 32 states and the District of Columbia to help 3.75 million community college students realize greater economic opportunity and achieve their dreams. |