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New Student Registration Guide & FAQ Page — Pre-Seminary Program

Always referWelcome to yourMartin programLuther planCollege! whenThe selectinginformation courses!found Followingon these pages will help you get registered for the programproper plancourses as you begin your preparation for enrollment at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary!

 

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 helpful scheduling 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. 73-77 provide details about the pre-seminary 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.

Getting Started

  • Get your individualized Program Plan. You will ensurefind it on your directory page of the MLC Portal under “Program Planner” located in the right column of the “Other Information” box.
    • If your non-biblical language option has changed, please notify Dean J. Danell at 507-354-8221 ext. 254 or via email at danelljc@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 appropriatecollege generalfrom educationwhich electivesyou 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 Pre-Seminary FAQs at the end of this page (use Navigation Panel on left). They answer many questions and provide specific information for the pre-seminary program. 

Watch the Scheduling Video

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

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 taken.in Paythe closemiddle attentionand are organized by course number. To put the course into a semester, click on the “Add” button pointing to the appropriate semester. To switch semesters, you must delete the course from one semester and then use the “Add” button to put it in the other semester.
  4. Select “Plan Schedule” to put the courses thatyou have chosen into a weekly schedule. Be careful to note on the upper right the semester you are onlyworking offeredwith. You must develop a plan for both first and second semester if you are attending the full year. To switch between semesters in alternate“Plan years.Schedule,” Notehover thatover some2023-24 Semester 1 in the upper right-hand corner and select 2023-24 Semester 2.
  5. Select “Make It Fit” to design your schedule automatically according to the preferences you set in step #2 above. 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 and may be switched.

    General Program Helps

    Are there specific things to keep in mind for my first year?

    Many first-year students take these courses:

    • ENG1303, Rhetoric and Composition – take opposite semester of Literature Seminarsemesters.
    • ENG1304 or ENG1305, or ENG1306, Literature Seminar – take opposite semester of ENG1303 (ENG1306 is only offered semester one [when offered]: you will need to schedule ENG1303 second semester)
    • SCI1003 and SCI1004, Biology Lecture and Lab ­must be taken in the same semester (taken in sophomore year by Elementary Ed/Spanish double majors) 
    • THE1001 and THE1002, Biblical History and Literature I and II – take opposite semesters in any order

Policies and other items to note:

  • Students may not take more than 18 credit hours per semester
  • Beyond 18 credit hours students may audit courses up to 21 total credit/audit hours (Audits do not earn credit. Refer to the 2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog (pg. 30) for audit policies.) 
  • Students can audit choir, wind symphony, etc., after they have reached 18 credits
  • Many courses can be taken in either semester during the first year (e.g Rhetoric & Composition, Literature Seminar)

APP - Advanced Placement Program

How do I schedule if I’ve taken AP courses?

If you have taken AP courses, please be sureconflicts that you hadare yournot scores sentable to MLC.resolve, please contact the MLC Scheduling Help Desk at 507-233-9156 ext. 279. The coursesdates youand receivedhours creditit foris open are below.

 

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

Registration Day Procedure

You will be listedeligible 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 unofficialtime transcriptin onthe 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.

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 bySchedule approximatelyPlanner.
  • June 26 - July 8.7 | 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 unofficialMLC transcriptScheduling Help Desk ((507) 233-9156 ext. 279) is locatedavailable 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 Portal.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 loggingJuly in,15

click

FAQs

As much as possible, please follow the plan that has been laid out for your first year. Once you arrive on campus, your advisors will help you plan out your subsequent years and selectoffer “Unofficialyou Transcript”).guidance Theon APwhich courses alongto withtake.

Can I schedule 1st-semester courses in 2nd semester and 2nd-semester courses in 1st? Can I move courses from one year to another year?  

Yes, but . . .

  1. some – especially the scoreslanguage requiredcourses are– listedcannot and should not be moved.
  2. do not schedule ENG1303 (Rhetoric & Composition) and ENG130x (Literature Seminar) in the MLCsame Undergraduatesemester. Catalog.
  3. do

    not

    Ifschedule more than one Biblical History and Literature course (THE1001, THE1002, THE2001) in the APsame semester.

  4. Maintain the sequence HIS2112 (Rise of the West) first, then HIS2113 (Modern West).
  5. Don’t move any elective courses into the first year; at this point you receivedlack creditthe forprerequisites.

What are freshmenthe courses,(Gen youEd can choose to take otherMenu) courses in theirmy place.Program SuggestedPlan?   courses

to take are HIS2113 Modern West, PED1301 Fitness for Life, Phy Ed activity courses, SCI1102 Physical Science, Keyboard (Education majors only), or

Some courses in your major.program plan appear as a grayed entry and do not specify a particular course. These represent general education courses required of every MLC student. Any course from a given menu can meet the Gen Ed requirement in that area. (Note that some areas require more than one course to fulfill the Gen Ed requirement, for example, Theology.) Here are a few notes about each area of the Gen Ed menus. (Note: Not everything here will necessarily apply to your individualized program plan.)

 

  • EnglishEnglish. As mentioned above, you can flip-flop the semesters in which you take ENG1303 and ENG130x (Literature Seminar) if you need to. Just don’t schedule them both for the same semester. (ENG3310 must wait until at least junior year.)

  • Fine Arts. If you need a fifth course for one of your first two semesters, moving a Gen Ed Fine Arts course up in your program is an option.
  • History-Social Science

Why 

are
    there
      English
      • Of the three courses alreadylisted inhere, mypre-sem schedulestudents planner?

        If your English ACT score was 17 or below, you may beare required to take ENG0001HIS2113 Essential(Modern Skills for College CompositionWest) and ENG1303HIS3011 Rhetoric(US andHistory CompositionII) concurrentlyas duringtheir aGen student’sEd firstcourses. 

        • semester
      • ofHowever, studies.as ENG0001was doesmentioned notabove, fulfillbe anysure to schedule HIS2112 (Rise of the English requirements for graduation. These courses will already appear in your schedule planner.

        Consult theWest) General Education Courses pagebefore onscheduling theHIS2113 MLC(Modern websiteWest). to

        • view
      • HIS3011 menu(US options.

        History

        FineII) Artsmust Elective

        Which Fine Arts elective should I schedule?

        If your program plan calls for a Fine Arts Elective in the first year, MUS2201 Introduction to Fine Arts is available for you to schedule. If you wish to select a different course from the Fine Arts Electives in the MLC Undergraduate Catalog and postpone taking the Fine Arts Electivewait until ajunior lateryear.

        • time,
      you
    can
choose to take a different course such as HIS2113 Modern West, PED1301 Fitness for Life, Phy Ed activity courses, Keyboard (Education majors only), or courses in your major. If are a Music major or are considering a Music minor, you should postpone the Fine Arts elective until a later year, and replace the course with one of the classes listed above.

 

  • InterculturalConsult. the General Education Courses page on the MLC website to view menu options.

    Math

    Which Math elective should I schedule?

    If your program plan requires you to choose a math course, you are encouraged to choose a course based on your ACT score. Some program plans call for a “General Education Math Elective.” In this case, any of these coursesThis can be selected.a Thetricky semesterone theseto courseschoose. areIt’s offeredprobably arebest listedto below:wait and schedule this in consultation with your Advisor.

  • Mathematics 

 

      • MTH1012 Organizational Personal Finance –- take— either semester
      • MTH2010 Calculus I – take— first semester only (ACTpre-req math subscore 25 or higher who also had ais high school course in pre­calculus or trigonometry)equivalent)
      • MTH2020 Elementary Statistics – take— second semester only (ACT math subscore 25 or higher)
      • MTH2022 Discrete Math – take first semester only
        • (ACT
      • If mathyou subscoreneed 25a orfifth higher)course for one of your first two semesters, moving a Gen Ed Math course up in your program may be an option.

 

  • Note:Physical Education. If your Math ACT score was 17 or below, youYou are required to take MTH0003two Developmentalactivity Mathematicscourses. andThese MTH1012are Organizationallisted Personalon Financepp. concurrently during a student’s first semester of studies. MTH0003 does not fulfill any95-96 of the MathematicsUndergraduate requirements for graduation.Catalog. These courses willall alreadybegin appearwith PED11xx. Each of these courses lasts one quarter.

 

      • Note: If you have participated on a high school varsity soccer team, do not take  PED1131 (Soccer). This course is to be taken by students with beginning or intermediate skill levels only.

 

  • Science. Please note …
  • SCI1003 & 1004 (Biology & Biology Lab) and SCI1102 (Physical Science) are available either semester every year. 
  • SCI2021 (General Chemistry I) is available every year, but only in semester 1.

 

      • Of the other courses on the menu, SCI2101 (Physics: Mechanics) is available in semester 1 (but a calculus background is recommended), and SCI2102 (Physics: Electricity and Magnetism) is available in the second semester (but a calculus background is recommended) this year.
      • If you need a fifth course for one of your first two semesters, moving a Gen Ed Science course up in your scheduleprogram planner.may be an option.

 

  • TheologyMusic. All three of these courses are required at some point, and are generally taken during the first three semesters. They do

not have to be taken in any specific order.

 

How do I schedule musicMusic courses?courses like Wind Symphony, Piano, Organ, or a Choir?

Complete the Music Experience Inventory form online as soon as possible, even if you have no music experience. (It’s part of your New Student Checklist.) If you indicate an interest in joining Wind Symphony on the form, Wind Symphony will automatically be entered in your schedule planner. You must add all other music courses to your schedule planner.

Schedule section 01 for piano, organ, choir, instrument and vocal lessons. After your Music Experience Inventory form has been reviewed and after your brief audition during student orientation week,week, your music course level may be adjusted in your schedule. You will also then be assigned an instructor for keyboard, instrument, and/or vocal lessons. 

Students desiring to participate in a choir should register for section 01 of the course in one of the following ways: 

    • New students who are joining Wind Symphony, which meets fourth hour, should register for Chorale,MUS2048 MUS2048,(Chorale) which meets eighth hour.
    • New students who wish to sing inYour choir should register for MUS2038, Women’s Choir, or MUS2039, Männerchor. Both of these choirs meet fourth hour. (Note: This does not exclude a student from being a part of Chorale, as student will have an opportunity to express this desire at auditions.)
    • New students who must schedule the Monday 4-5 section SCI1004, Biology Lab, should register for Chorale, MUS 2048, which meets eighth hour. In order to avoid this, students are encouraged to add choir to their schedule before selecting a Biology section.

Your choir registration is a temporary registration until auditions are completed. After the auditions, the choral conductors will place you into one of the choirschoirs, or determine that a vocal class will serve you better. If you are accepted into choir, the conductors will, if possible, attempt to honor yourthe choir preference you included on the Music Course Placement and Inventory Form you completed online.Form. However, placement of students into these choirs is also affected by sizes of the choirs, balance of voice parts, and other consideration. All preferences may not be able to be accommodated.

  • If you have added choir, MUS 1103,MUS1103, or MUS 1104MUS1104 to your schedule planner, an audition time will be given to you during orientation week.

    • What is the MUSxxx Vocal Music (Pre-Sem Menu) course I see on my Program Plan? 

    ForPre-Seminary programsstudents are required to take a one-credit vocal music course. The options are listed on the top of p. 77 in the Undergraduate Catalog. Please note the following:

    • MUSxxxx Choir. The two choirs available this year are MUS2048 (Chorale) and MUS3036 (College Choir). 
      • Both are eighth-hour choirs and may be difficult for those in athletics. However, participation in either choir still allows for enrollment in MUS2047 Wind Symphony.
      • Both are audition choirs.
      • MUS3036 (College Choir) is made up of mostly upperclassmen. Very few spots are open for first year students. It is a travelling choir and meets five times per week.
      • While only one semester of a choir is required, our choirs (like a sports team) appreciate a student’s participation for the entire year.
      • Many pre-seminary students audit choir and/or wind symphony if their schedule is already at 18 credits, simply because they love music. If you choose to do this, you must still fulfill the one-credit vocal music requirement at some point.
    • MUS1103 (Sight Singing Fundamentals) is a very basic course meant for those with little to no singing experience.
    • MUS1104 (Vocal Skills) is meant for experienced singers who are looking for an alternative to a choir.
    • MUS203x Applied Voice courses are meant for accomplished singers who seek individual voice training. There are limited spots available.

    Why is my first non-biblical language course already scheduled?

    Your first non-biblical language course is determined mainly by the results of the language diagnostic placement exam you took. You were automatically scheduled based on the results of that test. This may mean that your first course is delayed until semester 2. During the first two weeks of the semester (the drop/add period) you will have a vocal/choralchance requirement,to thisconfirm or change that placement. If you feel you were misplaced, please contact the Deans Office. Do not schedule another non-biblical language course.

    Why is THE1401 Early Ministry Experience I already scheduled in Semester E? 

    This program requirement canhas bealready metbeen scheduled for you. Early in the followingsemester, waysour (Choosepre-seminary oneDirector option):of Early Ministry Experiences will meet with you and explain what this is about.

      Why
    1. are there English courses already in my schedule planner? 

      2. If MUSxxxyour ChoirEnglish (2ACT semesters) score

    2. was MUS110317 Sightor Singingbelow, Fundamentalsyou may be required to take ENG0001 Essential Skills for College Composition and MUS1104ENG1303 Vocal Skills 
    3.  MUS1103 Sight Singing FundamentalsRhetoric and MUSxxxxComposition Choirconcurrently (1during semester)
      4. your
    4. first MUS1104semester Vocalof Skillsstudies. andENG0001 MUSxxxxdoes Choirnot (1 semester) 

     

    Phy Ed Activity Courses

    Can I takefulfill any PED11xxof the English requirements for graduation. These courses to fulfill my Phy Ed activity course requirements?

    Yes, except if you have participated on a high school varsity soccer team, do not take this as an activity course.  PED1131 is to be taken by students with beginning or intermediate skill levels only.

    Note: To fulfill your PE activity course requirements, your PED11xx courses need to be different activities. You may not repeat the same activity for additional credits.

     

    Spanish

    Spanish is a specialized course of study at MLC. Whether as a major, a minor, a language emphasis, or for free elective, you need to have taken the placement test offered by MLC. You may not register for Spanish courses on your own. After you have completed the placement test, MLC will addalready theappear proper course toin your schedule planner. DependingIf onthis whereapplies to you, then you werewill placed,have to take your English Literature Seminar course in semester 2. 

    Why is there already a Math course in my schedule planner? 

    If your Math ACT score was 17 or below, you are required to take MTH0003 Developmental Mathematics in your first Spanishsemester. MTH0003 does not fulfill any of the Mathematics requirements for graduation. It can be taken concurrently with MTH1012 Organizational and Personal Finance (recommended) or before taking any other general education math courses.

    Where do I find course descriptions?

    See the MLC 2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog.

    How many credits may I schedule?  

    Students may not begintake untilmore yourthan second18 credit hours per semester. Pre-Seminary students normally take five (5) content courses per semester.

    PleaseMay I audit courses?  

    Yes, beyond 18 credit hours, students may audit courses up to 21 total credit/audit hours. Students often audit choir, wind symphony, etc., after they have reached 18 credits. (Audits do not scheduleearn Spanishcredit. coursesRefer onto the 2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog (pg. 30) for audit policies.) 

    Are my AP credits reflected in my Program Plan?  

    In most cases, yes—though these credits are “pending” until MLC receives official notification from the College Board of tests taken and scores received. If you expect to receive AP credits, check your own.

    MLC

     

    Portal

    SpecificUnofficial ProgramTranscript Helps

    after

     

    July

    Physical8. EducationOnce Majors

    official

    Thenotification Physicalof EducationAP Teacher Education major courses or pre-requisites should begin in the first year. Itcredit is difficult to become a double major that includes PE, if you don’t start it as a first-year student.

    • All PE Teacher Ed majors should schedule SCI1003received and SCI1004processed, Biology and Lab in the first year.
    • All PE Teacher Ed majors should schedule PED3004 Care and Prevention (Sem I) and PED2010 Foundations of Physical Education (Sem II) in the first academic year.

    Social Studies Majors and Social Studies/Elementary Education Double Majors

    During your first year, it is best to take ENG1303 and SSC3210 first semester. Take HIS2001 second semester. Thesethis will allowautomatically youshow to take other classesup in your programProgram sophomorePlan. year.Please be sure you have requested that your AP scores be sent to MLC. Our AP code is 6435.

    Are credits earned from another college reflected in my Program Plan? 

    In most cases, yes—though these credits are “pending” until MLC receives and evaluates an official transcript from the college from which you received the credits. If you expect to receive transfer credit from another college, please be sure you have requested that an official transcript from that college be sent to MLC. 

    What if I need an additional course to reach five (5) content courses in a semester? 

    Consider moving up one of the Gen Ed Science menu or Gen Ed Fine Arts menu courses to fill that spot.

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