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New Student Registration Guide & FAQ Page — Education & Staff Ministry Program

Welcome to Martin Luther College! The information on these pages will help you register for the proper courses as you begin your preparation for ministry!

 

Please read through this entire document before beginning.

Scheduling Resources

Use this page as a “registration central” for your process. It contains important instructions and links to help you with this process. The Navigation panels on the left give quick access to important sections. Here are links to other helpful resources.

  • The MLC Undergraduate Catalog 
    • pp. 44-46 provide details about general education requirements. These pages also list all the general education course menus.
    • pp. 44-72 provide details about the Education & Staff Ministry program requirements and curriculum.
    • pp. 82-103 provide course descriptions for specific courses.
  • MLC Portal is how you access your Program Plan and the Schedule Planner.
  • Consult General Education Courses for requirements and menu options.
  • Consult the Course Status (toggle between semesters as needed) & the 5-Year Master Plan on the Portal to see which years and semesters courses are offered.

Getting Started

  • Consult your specific program plan.  Make sure to note the difference among the various programs - single middle & secondary, elementary education only, early childhood, double majors, etc. Review the notes at the top of each program plan to understand how to read the plan.
    • If you have decided to change your major or program from what is listed in your registration letter, you need to notify the MLC Registrar — Mrs. Kelly Diersen at 507-354-8221 ext. 222 or via email at dierseka@mlc-wels.edu.
    • If you took an AP test, please be sure you have asked the College Board to submit your scores to MLC. The MLC code for reporting scores is 6435. (See pp. 25-26 in the Undergraduate Catalog for a list of AP exams, minimum required score, and corresponding MLC course.) Check your Unofficial Transcript after July 8 to see what credits you have earned.
    • If you took a college course during high school, be sure you have requested that the college from which you earned credits sends an official transcript to MLC for a formal transcript evaluation. Once this process is completed, check your Unofficial Transcript to see what credits have transferred in.
  • Read through the Education & Staff Ministry FAQs at the end of this page (use Navigation Panel on left). They answer many questions and provide specific information for your major. Read carefully to be aware of specific requirements for some courses (e.g. PE, math, vocal/choral, piano/organ). Middle & secondary majors should pay attention to scheduling nuances noted in order to stay on track with their program.



Watch the Video

After reading everything, watch the Scheduling Video for a visual guide for how to use the MLC Portal Schedule Planner.

Note: New students do NOT need advisor approval to register as mentioned in the video.

Important Dates

  • June 26 | You should receive via mail instructions to register for your courses online.
  • June 26 - July 7 | Begin planning your schedule in the MLC Portal Schedule Planner.
  • June 26 - July 7 | MLC Scheduling Help Desk ((507) 233-9156 ext. 279)available for questions from 8 am - 4 pm CDT.
  • July 10 - July 14 | Online course registration is open. Please note the day and time for scheduling. The MLC Scheduling Help Desk ((507) 233-9156 ext. 279) is available from 8 am - 8 pm CDT.
  • July 18 | Make up day.

MLC Scheduling Help Desk

If you have any questions during the scheduling process or about anything on this page, call the MLC Scheduling Help Desk The people at the help desk are there to help you with your scheduling needs. 

MLC Scheduling Help Desk Availability

June 27 - July 8

July 11 - July 15

  • By phone (507) 233-9156 ext. 279 from 8 am to 8 pm CDT

After July 15

Scheduling Resources

The following are all online resources. These documents will be helpful in planning your courses. Use this page as a “registration central” for your process. This site contains important instructions and links to help you with this process. The Page Navigation & Book Navigation panels on the left give quick access to important sections.

Program Plans

  • If you are a Pre-seminary student, your individualized program plan is available on the MLC Portal under Program Planner on your directory page.
  • All Education majors can consult your specific program plans. Make sure to note the difference among the various programs - single secondary, elementary education only, early childhood, etc. Review the notes at the top of each program plan to understand how to read the plan.
  • If your program plan has changed from the academic program listed in your registration letter and you are scheduling classes in this new choice, you need to notify the MLC Records Office — Mrs. Kelly Diersen at 507-354-8221 ext. 222 or via email at dierseka@mlc-wels.edu.

Other Resources

  • Before planning make sure to view the registration instructional video at the top of this page.
  • Consult FAQ & Program Helps for frequently asked questions & specific information regarding your major. Read carefully to be aware of specific requirements for some courses (e.g. PE, math, vocal/choral, piano/organ). Secondary majors should pay attention to scheduling nuances noted in order to stay on track with their program.
  • Consult General Education Courses for requirements and menu options.
  • The MLC Catalog may explain any questions you may have.

Planning Your Schedule

Log on to MLC Portal using your MLC Account username and password which you set up earlier. Contact MLC Network Services if you have issues logging in.

Select the Scheduling tab and then choose:

  1. Schedule Planner
  2. Select Preference for personal preference choices (you do not need to do this, but it may be helpful with first planning).
  3. Select Modify Courses to select courses and the semester you desire. Courses are in the middle and are organized by course number. To select semesters, click on the Add button pointing to the appropriate semester. To switch semesters you must delete one and add the other back in.
  4. Select Plan Schedule to develop a proposed schedule, being careful to note different semesters. You must develop a plan for both first and second semester if you are attending the full year. To switch between semesters in Plan Schedule, hover over 2023-24 Semester 1 in the upper right hand corner and select 2023-24 Semester 2.
  5. Select Make It Fit to design your schedule. If a course does not fit, the course will appear in a white box on the left side of the screen. Clicking on the course in white will make potential meeting times appear in red boxes on the schedule grid. If you are unable to make your schedule fit your selected courses, you must go back to Modify Courses to make changes, by either switching semesters or dropping a course and adding another one. Many first-year courses are offered both semesters.

If you have conflicts that you are not able to resolve, please contact the MLC Scheduling Help Desk at 507-233-9156 ext. 279.

Your plan is automatically saved. You can go back to it any time through the MLC Portal.

Basic Hints

  • Follow your program plan whenever possible. It is important to schedule certain major courses and electives as shown on your program plan as they may only be offered in alternate years. Consult the 5-Year Plan on the Portal to see when courses will be offered.
  • If a section closes, try flipping semesters or dropping the course and adding a substitute in its place.
  •  It is important to stay within the credit structure. You may not exceed 18 credits in a semester.
  • Some courses to consider if a section closes are HIS2113 Modern West, PED1301 Fitness for Life, Phy Ed activity courses, SCI1102 Physical Science, Keyboard (Education majors only), or courses in your major.
  • You may check for Advanced Placement in the Portal by July 8. If you sent your score to MLC, it will be credited to your program. You can check for this on the MLC Portal. Log in with your username and password and click “grades” to find “unofficial transcripts.” Any AP credits earned will be listed for the course(s) they represent.
  • If you are planning on competing in a collegiate sport, try to avoid evening courses in season. This may not be possible but could be helpful for your daily schedule.
  • When in doubt, use the MLC Scheduling Help Desk! We are here to help make this process as easy as possible.

Registration Day Procedure

You will be eligible to finalize your classes at your appointed time. Individual registration times can be found by selecting Schedule Planner under the Scheduling tab on the Portal. Times have been randomly assigned. Registration for first-year students begins at 8 am on July 10.

  • Click on Register on the Schedule Planner.
  • Click on Finalize. This finalizes the registration process.

Finalize Your Schedule

Scheduling times are staggered. Your time will remain open until you complete registration. You can find your time in the Schedule Planner. It is in your best interest to schedule at the appointed time.

 IF YOU DO NOT FINALIZE YOUR SCHEDULE BY THE MAKE-UP DATE, THE RECORDS OFFICE WILL SCHEDULE FOR YOU.

Academic Advisor Input

Your academic advisor will be in contact with you over the summer.  This will include providing feedback on your course selections. When you arrive on campus you will meet your advisor in person during Orientation and you will verify your class schedule.

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