Glossary of Academic Terms
MAJOR: Academic major to which a student has applied and been accepted by the specific department. Students with an accepted major are eligible to register for courses in that department’s ‘majors only’ (restricted) courses. A student may have two majors.
MASTER COURSE SCHEDULE: Booklet containing the courses which will be offered in a given semester. This booklet is different each semester.
MASTER’S DEGREE: An academic degree awarded to students who successfully complete a prescribed course of graduate study (after a Bachelor’s Degree).
MATRICULATE: The process of applying and being accepted into a degree program at a college or university. Being matriculated is important for academic advisement and financial aid purposes and allows the student to take advantage of all services within the school.
MATRICULATED STUDENT: A student who enrolls or registers in a college as a degree candidate (necessary for financial aid).
NON MATRICULATED STUDENT: An individual who may be enrolled in courses at a college but is not working toward a degree.
OPEN COLLEGE ELECTIVE (General Elective or Elective): A course from any of the college degree credit courses.
OVERLOAD: Students who are registered for more than 19 semester credit hours. This is possible only if a student’s advisor has granted permission and students have paid tuition at the part time student rate for any credit hours over the 19 credit hour limit.
PART-TIME STUDENTS: Students who register for fewer than 12 semester credit hours.
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT: A person who assists the individual with a disability with activities of daily living. This is generally the responsibility of the individual with a disability and not the college or university.
PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY: The extent to which the buildings and grounds of an institution needs modifications, accommodations or adaptations in order to provide the individual with a disability an opportunity to get from place to place in the institution, and make use of its facilities.
PLACEMENT TEST: Test designed to measure the student’s ability in English and/or mathematics and then to prescribe what English and/or mathematics courses the student will begin with.
PRE-REGISTRATION (Early Registration): Continuing students are able to register for courses in the next semester at the end of the semester they are currently attending.
PRE-REQUISITE: A basic course that the student is required to take before registering for an advanced course.
PRIORITY REGISTRATION: Permission given to students with disabilities to register early when the nature of the disability significantly impacts course selection and time scheduling.
PROBATION: Status of a student who may face dismissal if the grades or actions that prompted the probation are not improved within a designated period of time.
PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY: The extent to which any given program needs modifications, accommodations or adaptations in order to provide the individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in the program.