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A

A, grade of- highest performance score for a course; where grades are based on a 4 point scale, A=4.0; where plus and minus are also considered, A- = 3.67.

AAUP- American Association of University Professors; advocate for teachers and academic freedom.

academic costume- cap, gown, hood, etc. worn at graduation ceremonies; usually black; doctoral graduates have colored trimmings.

academic drop- dismissal from school due to unsatisfactory academic work.

academic unit- credit hour; usually based of one credit hour per weekly hour of lecture.

academic year- usually August through May and divided divided into two semesters (fall and spring).

academy- college offering training in a specialized subject.

accreditation- approval by an outside rating organization that reviews educational institutions and/or programs for quality.

ACE- American Council on Education; higher education advocacy group.

ACT- entrance test for college; covers English, reading, science, and math.

add/drop- enrolling in or stopping enrollment in a course.

adjunct faculty- members of the faculty that are part-time.

administrative action- oral or written warning, reprimand, etc.

admission- acceptance into a program of study.

admissions counselor- advisor who assists in the preparation of a student's application materials.

advanced placement- the waiving of some normally required classes; usually granted on the basis of prior study and/or performance on a special exam.

advisor- counselor to student who offers academic advice.

advisory- condition of course enrollment that a student is advised to meet but is not actually required to meet.

advisement- meeting between academic advisor and student where program of study, class selections or career plans are discussed.

alma mater- college or university one has attended and usually from which one has graduated.

application essay- admission essay; common requirement when applying to an institution; vehicle for uncovering the human side of applicants.

alumni- graduates of a school.

articulated credit- college credit granted for high school course work.

articulation agreement-  equates courses at one institution (college, community college, high school) to another.

assignment- required course work completed in-between class meetings.

assistant professor- college or university teacher who ranks below an associate professor and above an instructor.

assistantship- financial aid awarded to a graduate student in which the student assists a professor, usually with teaching or research.

associate professor- a teacher in a college or university who ranks in-between a professor and an assistant professor.

associate's degree- awarded for completing a two-year program at a community or junior college; usually 60 credits or more; common programs are arts (AA), applied science (AAS), fine arts (AFA), and science (AS).

audit- to attend a course without receiving academic credit.

award letter- informs a prospective student of the amount of financial aid available to him or her.

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B

B, grade of- above average performance score for a course; when grades are based on a 4 pt. scale, B=3.0; when +/- are awarded as well, B+=3.33 and B-=2.67.

bachelor’s degree- awarded for completing a four-year program at a college, university or professional school; usually 120 credits or more; common programs are arts (BA), business administration (BBA), fine arts (BFA), and science (BS).

blue book- booklet with blue cover that contains lined paper for writing essay test answers.

board of regents- governs and supervises a collection of state learning institutions; a.k.a. board of governors.

board of visitors- an institution's governing body; usually responsible for budget approval and long-term planning; a.k.a. board of trustees.

bookstore- sells textbooks and other items of use to students.

bridge courses- non-credit college classes on material normally learned in high school.

bulletin- booklet with information about curricula and courses; includes facts about the college.

bursar- treasurer or business officer.

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C

C, grade of- average performance score for a course; where grades are based on the usual 4 point scale, C equals 2.0; at schools where plus or minus are also given, C+=2.33 and C-=1.67.

calendar, academic- lists registration and deadline dates, college holidays and other time sensitive information.

campus- the building and grounds of a school.

catalogue- see bulletin.

certificate- a document that signifies completion of studies; does not award a degree.

certificate program- specialized training in a specific area of study; usually completed in a year or less.

chancellor- chief administrative officer.

CHEA- Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

class schedule- course details for the current semester; when and where class meets.

class standing- student's year in school (e.g., sophomore); based on semesters and/or credits completed.

CLEP- College Level Examination Program; tests taken to show proficiency in subject(s) and for which college credits are received.

code of  conduct- rules and regulations establishing acceptable student conduct.

college-  four-year higher education institution, often emphasizing the liberal arts; alternatively, a division within a university.

colloquium- conference of scholars or other experts at which a specific topic is discussed or analyzed.

commencement- ceremony at the end of the academic year when diplomas are given to graduates.

commons- campus area for the use of all; alternatively, large dining room.

community college- two-year school with programs for associate's degrees; junior college.

commuter college- a school where students live off-campus and commute to classes.

competency requirements- verification of competency in reading, writing and mathematics; a condition of graduation at many colleges.

concurrent enrollment- current attendance at more than one institution.

continuing education- non-degree programs with courses offered for the sake of personal or professional growth.

corequisite- a course that must be taken in conjunction with another course.

core courses- the required courses of an academic program.

correspondence course- a course conducted via mail.

course load- number of credit hours a student is carrying during a semester.

course number- number code that identifies a course; usually 3 digits with first digit indicating the normal class year in which course is taken.

course overload- carrying excess credits (typically 19+ at the undergraduate level); requires approval.

credit hours- value assigned to a course; typically 1 credit hour equals = 1 hour of class per week.

cum laude- lowest of three honors awarded to graduating students for exceptional grades; typically requires 3.4+ GPA.

cumulative grade point average- weighted average of the grades for all courses taken to date.  See GPA.

curriculum- the courses that comprise a learning program.

cut- skipping attendance of a class meeting.

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