Glossary of Academic Terms
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE: The degree awarded by community colleges and private two year colleges Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Art (A.A.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.).
AUDIT: Student option for recording attendance in a course when no grade is desired.
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (Bachelor’s Degree): An academic degree awarded to students who successfully complete undergraduate requirements in a planned, approved program (usually requiring four years of full-time study to complete). Community college and private two year college graduates often transfer to a four year institution to complete this degree after receiving their Associate Degrees.
CAPTIONING: Providing text for speech.
CART: Communications Access Real-Time. Using court reporters to caption classroom lectures.
CATALOG: The book published by a college (annually or biannually) which describes the programs offered at the College, the academic policies of the College, services available to students, and short descriptions of each course.
CBVH: Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.
“CLOSED” COURSE: Status of a course in which current enrollment has reached the number of students the instructor is scheduled to teach.
COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP): A standardized examination in college-level subject matter. The general examinations cover material offered in freshman-level English composition, humanities, fine arts, mathematics, natural sciences, and social science courses. Subject examinations cover material offered in specific advanced level courses.
CONFLICT: This occurs when the student attempts to register for two courses that are offered at the same time or which overlap.
CONTINUING STUDENT: Students who are considered eligible for registration the next semester because they were enrolled the previous semester (or were on an approved/recorded Leave of Absence) have not been academically dismissed, and have not yet graduated.
CO REQUISITE: A requirement that may be met either before registration for a particular course or program, or at the same time as that course or program.
COUNSELOR: The Counseling Office at each campus has counselors available to help students with personal problems, academic problems, program changes, withdrawals, goal setting and interest testing.
COURSE NUMBERS: The numbers assigned to a particular course for registration identification purposes.
COURSE SUBSTITUTION: The substitution of a course for another required course that is specified in an academic program. Decisions regarding substitutions must be made on a case-by-case basis. Only courses that are non-essential can be substituted. Courses that essential to the program or that are required for licensure or certification cannot be substituted.