Exploring the Academic “ABC's” The definitions of terms given here, commonly used by colleges to describe their programs, admissions procedures, and other practices, are general. Consult the college catalogs of individual institutions to get more detailed and up-to-date information. A AAc cca aad dde eem mmi iic cc A AAd ddv vvi iis sse eem mme een nnt tt: :: A plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty member or a trained advisor, who, through regular meetings, helps the student plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and career goals. A AAc ccc ccr rre eed ddi iit tta aat tti iio oon nn: :: Recognition by an accrediting organization or agency that an institution meets certain acceptable standards in its education programs. Accreditation can be for the entire institution or for specific academic programs. A AAC CCT TT ( ((A AAM MME EER RRI IIC CCA AAN NN C CCo ool lll lle eeg gge ee T TTe ees sst tti iin nng gg P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm) )): :: A test battery of the American College Testing Program, which includes tests in English, mathematics, social studies, reading, and natural sciences reading. The composite score is the average of the students’ scores on the five tests. A AAd ddm mmi iis sss ssi iio oon nn: :: The process of accepting students into a college or university for the purpose of pursuing a degree. A AAd ddv vva aan nnc cce eed dd P PPl lla aac cce eem mme een nnt tt: :: Admission or assignment of a freshman to an advanced course in a certain subject on the basis of evidence that the student has already completed the equivalent of the college’s freshman course in that subject while in high school. A AAl llt tte eer rrn nna aat tte ee G GGr rro oou uup pp: :: *See Wait list. A AAr rrt tti iic ccu uul lla aat tti iio oon nn A AAg ggr rre eee eem mme een nnt tt: :: The formal, written and published agreement identifying courses (or sequences of courses) at an institution which are comparable to, or acceptable in lieu of, specific course requirements at another institution. A AAs sss sso ooc cci iia aat tte ee D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee: :: The degree earned for completing, at minimum, two years of study, most often earned at two-year institutions. A AAu uud ddi iit tti iin nng gg a aa C CCo oou uur rrs sse ee: :: The process of enrolling in credit courses on a non-credit basis. Each institution will have its own policy regarding the student’s obligation to class assignments and tuition. B BBa aac cch hhe eel llo oor rr D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee: :: The degree earned for completing, at minimum, four years of study (also referred to as the baccalaureate degree). C CCa aar rre eee eer rr P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm: :: An educational program designed to prepare students for immediate employment; available in many junior colleges, community colleges, and vocational-technical institutes. C CCe eer rrt tti iif ffi iic cca aat tte ee: :: An award for completing a particular program or course of study; offered by two-year colleges. In many cases, a certificate may lead directly to a career program. C CCe eer rrt tti iif ffi iic cca aat tte ee o oof ff R RRe ees ssi iid dde een nnc cce ee: :: A document providing official proof of residency within a particular county or state which may affect in-state versus out-ofstate tuition. C CCl lla aas sss ss R RRa aan nnk kk: :: The approximate position of a student in his or her graduating high school class, calculated according to grade average. C CCL LLE EEP PP ( ((C CCo ool lll lle eeg gge ee L LLe eev vve eel ll E EEx xxa aam mmi iin nna aat tti iio oon nn P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm) )): :: A service of the College Board that provides examinations in undergraduate college courses so that students may earn college credits without having to take the course. C CCo ool lll lle eeg gge ee P PPr rre eep ppa aar rra aat tto oor rry yy S SSu uub bbj jje eec cct tts ss: :: A term used by colleges when describing their admission requirements or recommendations; usually understood to mean subjects from English, social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, and sciences that involve more rigorous preparation. C CCr rre eed ddi iit tt C CCo oou uur rrs sse ees ss: :: Courses that award credit toward an associate, or higher, degree. C CCQ QQP PPA AA ( ((C CCu uum mmu uul lla aat tti iiv vve ee Q QQu uua aal lli iit tty yy P PPo ooi iin nnt tt A AAv vve eer rra aag gge ee) )): :: *See GPA. C CCu uur rrr rri iic ccu uul llu uum mm: :: A program of courses approved for a specific degree or certificate. D DDe eea aan nn’ ’’s ss L LLi iis sst tt: :: Honorable mention for those students who achieve a certain GPA or above. Lists are established at the end of each semester. D DDe eef ffe eer rrr rre eed dd A AAd ddm mmi iis sss ssi iio oon nn: :: The practice of some colleges of permitting students to postpone enrollment for up to one year after acceptance. D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee: :: An award conferred by a college, university, or other post-secondary institution as an official recognition of the successful completion of a program of study. D DDe eev vve eel llo oop ppm mme een nnt tta aal ll C CCo oou uur rrs sse ees ss ( ((L LLe eea aar rrn nni iin nng gg A AAs sss ssi iis sst tte eed dd) )): :: Courses designed to strengthen the basic skills of a student prior to enrolling in college credit programs. Units earned are not applicable to the credits required for a degree. D DDi iis sst tta aan nnc cce ee L LLe eea aar rrn nni iin nng gg: :: An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via internet, cable television, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or other means. D DDo ooc cct tto oor rra aal ll D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee: :: The highest academic degree conferred by a university; can be earned in a wide assortment of fields. E EEa aar rrl lly yy D DDe eec cci iis ssi iio oon nn: :: Decision plans offered to applicants who are sure of the college they want to attend and are likely to be accepted by that college. This application is initiated by the student, who is then notified of the college's decision earlier than usual—generally by December 1 of the high school senior year. E EEa aar rrl lly yy A AAd ddm mmi iis sss ssi iio oon nn: :: The practice of colleges admitting students who have not completed high school—usually students of exceptional academic ability who have completed their sophomore year (also known as the College Experience Program or College Bridge Program). E EEl lle eec cct tti iiv vve ees ss: :: Courses required in a given curriculum or degree program, which allow the student a choice from a wide variety of subjects. F FFA AAF FFS SSA AA ( ((F FFr rre eee ee A AAp ppp ppl lli iic cca aat tti iio oon nn f ffo oor rr F FFe eed dde eer rra aal ll S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt A AAi iid dd) )): :: A financial information collection document processed by the federal government to estimate the amount of money students and their families are able to contribute to the student's college expenses based on their income and asset information provided; required by all colleges, FAFSA can be used to apply for the federal and state grant programs, campus-based aid and the Federal Family Education Loan program. F FFu uul lll ll T TTi iim mme ee S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: A student enrolled for twelve (12) or more credit hours in a semester, twelve (12) or more quarter credits, or twenty-four (24) or more contact hours a week each term. G GGE EED DD ( ((G GGe een nne eer rra aal ll E EEd ddu uuc cca aat tti iio oon nn D DDe eev vve eel llo oop ppm mme een nnt tt T TTe ees sst tt) )): :: A series of five tests that students who did not complete high school may take through their state education system to qualify for a high school equivalency diploma. G GGP PPA AA ( ((G GGr rra aad dde ee P PPo ooi iin nnt tt A AAv vve eer rra aag gge ee) )): :: An academic assessment which is computed by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of credits (hours) in courses attempted. Numerical values are used to express letter grades (for example: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1 F=0). G GGr rra aad ddu uua aat tte ee S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: A students who has attained a bachelor degree and is pursuing a master degree or doctorate. H HHo oon nno oor rrs ss P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm: :: Any special program for students of exceptional academic ability, which offer the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study and acceleration. I IIn nnt tte eer rrn nna aat tti iio oon nna aal ll S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: Any student whose legal residence is in another country other than the United States, but is attending high school or college in the United States (see also NON-RESIDENT ALIEN). I IIn nnd dde eep ppe een nnd dde een nnt tt S SSt ttu uud ddy yy: :: Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor’s supervision, and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure. I IIn nnt tte eer rrn nns ssh hhi iip pp: :: Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to the student’s major field, for which the student earns academic credit; can be full or part-time, on or off campus, paid or unpaid. M MMa aas sst tte eer rr D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee: :: An academic degree higher than a baccalaureate, but lower than a doctorate. M MMa aat ttr rri iic ccu uul lla aat tte eed dd S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt ( ((D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee S SSe eee eek kki iin nng gg) )): :: A student who has applied and been formally accepted as a candidate for a degree in a specific curriculum. Matriculated students can be part-time or full-time. N NNo oon nn- --C CCr rre eed ddi iit tt C CCo oou uur rrs sse ee: :: A community service course taken for enjoyment, self- enrichment or to acquire a skill. N NNo oon nn- --M MMa aat ttr rri iic ccu uul lla aat tte eed dd S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt ( ((N NNo oon nn- --D DDe eeg ggr rre eee ee S SSe eee eek kki iin nng gg) )): :: A student who is taking credit courses, but has not applied to the college as a degree seeking, or matriculated, student. N NNo oon nn- --R RRe ees ssi iid dde een nnt tt A AAl lli iie een nn: :: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States, who is in this country on a visa, or temporary basis, and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. O OOp ppe een nn A AAd ddm mmi iis sss ssi iio oon nns ss: :: Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with high school equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications. P PPa aar rrt tt- --T TTi iim mme ee S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: A student who is taking fewer than twelve (12) credit hours in a semester. P PPa aas sss ss- --F FFa aai iil ll G GGr rra aad ddi iin nng gg S SSy yys sst tte eem mm: :: The practice of some colleges of rating students' quality of performance in their courses as either passing or failing instead of giving grades to indicate various levels of passing work. P PPS SSA AAT TT/ //N NNM MMS SSQ QQT TT ( ((P PPr rre eel lli iim mmi iin nna aar rry yy S SSc cch hho ool lla aas sst tti iic cc A AAp ppt tti iit ttu uud dde ee T TTe ees sst tt/ //N NNa aat tti iio oon nna aal ll M MMe eer rri iit tt S SSc cch hho ool lla aar rrs ssh hhi iip pp Q QQu uua aal lli iif ffy yyi iin nng gg T TTe ees sst tt) )): :: A shorter version of the College Board's SAT administered by high schools each year in October. The PSAT/NMSQT aids high schools in the early guidance of students planning for college and serves as the qualifying test for scholarships awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. P PPr rre eer rre eeq qqu uui iis ssi iit tte ee: :: A course designed to prepare a student for advanced courses in an academic field. The appropriate department chair may waive a college course prerequisite. R RRe eeg ggi iis sst tte eer rr: :: To enroll in an academic course. R RRe eem mme eed ddi iia aal ll C CCo oou uur rrs sse ees ss: :: * See Developmental Courses. R RRe ees ssi iid dde een nnt tt A AAl lli iie een nn: :: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States who has been admitted to the U.S. as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status and a resident alien registration card. S SSA AAT TT I II ( ((S SSc cch hho ool lla aas sst tti iic cc A AAp ppt tti iit ttu uud dde ee T TTe ees sst tt) )): :: The College Board's test of writing, mathematical, and critical reading, given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in the United States and other countries. S SSA AAT TT I III II: :: S SSu uub bbj jje eec cct tt T TTe ees sst tt ( ((S SSc cch hho ool lla aas sst tti iic cc A AAp ppt tti iit ttu uud dde ee T TTe ees sst tt) )): :: The College Board tests in specific secondary school subjects used by colleges, not only in deciding about admissions but also in course placement or exemption for enrolled freshmen. S SSe eem mme ees sst tte eer rr C CCa aal lle een nnd dda aar rr S SSy yys sst tte eem mm: :: An academic calendar that consists of two semesters during the year with about sixteen (16) weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be additional summer sessions. S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt V VVi iis ssa aa: :: A visa issued at a U.S. Embassy post to an international student for purposes of studying at a U.S. educational institution. Applications for a student visa must be obtained at a U.S. high school or college (Form I-20). S SSt ttu uud ddy yy A AAb bbr rro ooa aad dd: :: Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immunization Services) approved college or institution in another country. T TTr rra aan nns ssc ccr rri iip ppt tt: :: An official college record of courses taken and grades earned. T TTr rra aan nns ssf ffe eer rr E EEv vva aal llu uua aat tti iio oon nn: :: The process of reviewing courses completed at another institution in order to award appropriate credit hours towards a degree or certificate. T TTr rra aan nns ssf ffe eer rr P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm: :: An education program at a two-year college that is offered primarily for students who plan to continue their studies in a four-year college or university. T TTr rra aan nns ssf ffe eer rr S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: A student entering a college for the first time, but known to have previously attended a different college. The student may transfer with or without credit. T TTu uui iit tti iio oon nn: :: The amount of money charged to students for college. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit. T TTu uut tto oor rri iin nng gg: :: The process of one-on-one studying in specific subjects areas such as math, writing, and reading. Most tutors are college students, however at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified. T TTw wwe een nnt tty yy- --F FFo oou uur rr C CCr rre eed ddi iit tt H HHo oou uur rr P PPr rro oog ggr rra aam mm: :: A program that enables a non-high school graduate to attend college. After appropriate assessment of skills (English, math, reading and other criteria), the student may begin to successfully complete 24 college credit hours in certain subject areas. Upon successful completion of the credit work, the student applies for a high school equivalency from the appropriate State Education Department. The student must be a resident of the state in which the school is located to receive the equivalency diploma. There may be financial aid implications dependent upon scores received from the “Ability to Benefit” test. U UUn nnd dde eer rrg ggr rra aad ddu uua aat tte ee S SSt ttu uud dde een nnt tt: :: A student enrolled in an associate degree, vocational or technical program, or a four or five year bachelor degree program. U UUp ppp ppe eer rr- --D DDi iiv vvi iis ssi iio oon nn C CCo ool lll lle eeg gge ee: :: An institution offering bachelor degree programs that begin with the junior year. Entering students must have completed the freshman and sophomore years at another institution(s). V VVe eet tte eer rra aan nns ss A AAf fff ffa aai iir rrs ss: :: A service providing veterans and their dependants help in obtaining benefits for their selected program and provides certifications to the Veterans Administration. They also provide counseling on the transition from the military to a civilian life. W WWa aai iit ttl lli iis sst tt ( ((A AAl llt tte eer rrn nna aat tte ee G GGr rro oou uup pp) )): :: A list/group of students who meet the admission requirements to the college or specific programs, but will only be offered a place if space becomes available. W WWe eee eek kke een nnd dd C CCo ool lll lle eeg gge ee: :: A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends. W WWo oor rrk kk- --S SSt ttu uud ddy yy: :: Any arrangement by which a student combines employment and college study. The employment may be an integral part of the academic curriculum or simply a means of paying for college. At many colleges, a student must be financially eligible for work-study, and must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). I.A. 02/07