Key Terms and Definitions in This Catalog
Key Terms and Definitions in This Catalog
Academic Advisor
A faculty or staff member who helps you plan your courses, understand degree requirements, and stay on track for graduation.
Academic Catalog
The official guide to your college. It includes degree requirements, course descriptions, policies, and important rules you must follow to graduate.
Academic Standing
Your overall academic status based on your grades (e.g., good standing, warning, probation, suspension).
Add/Drop Period
A short time at the beginning of a term when you can change your schedule (add or remove classes) without academic penalty.
Audit (Course Audit)
Taking a class without receiving a grade or credit. You participate but it does not count toward your degree.
Bachelor’s Degree
An undergraduate degree typically requiring about 120 credit hours, usually completed in four years of full-time study.
Catalog Year
The academic year whose rules you are following for graduation requirements. This is usually the year you first enroll or declare your major.
Core Curriculum (General Education Requirements)
Courses all students must complete, regardless of major, to build broad knowledge (e.g., writing, math, science, humanities). Sometimes called “the Core” or “Gen Ed”.
Corequisite
A course or requirement you must take in the same term as another course.
Course Program of Study (CPoS)
A federal and state rule that requires you to enroll in courses for your major, core, or other degree requirements to receive full financial aid funding.
Credit Hour
A unit that measures how much a course is worth. Most courses are 3 credit hours and meet about 3 hours per week.
Degree Requirements
The full list of courses, credits, and GPA you must complete to graduate.
Elective
A course you choose based on your interests. Electives may be required in number but not in subject.
Full-Time Student
A student enrolled in a minimum number of credit hours (usually 12 per term).
Grade Point Average (GPA)
A number that reflects your academic performance, calculated from your grades. Typically ranges from 0.0 to 4.0.
Incomplete (Grade of “I”)
A temporary grade given when you are unable to finish course work by the end of the term due to circumstances beyond your control. You must complete the work by a deadline set by the college.
Major
Your primary area of study (e.g., Biology, Management, English).
Minor
A secondary area of study that requires fewer courses than a major.
Prerequisite
A course or requirement you must complete before enrolling in a more advanced course.
Registrar
The college official who maintains academic records for all students.
Registration
The process of signing up for classes each term.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The minimum academic standards you must meet to stay enrolled and keep financial aid.
Syllabus
A document provided by your instructor at the start of a course that outlines assignments, grading, policies, and expectations.
Term (Semester)
A period of study, typically fall or spring (about 15–16 weeks), or shorter summer sessions.
Transcript
An official record of all the courses you have taken and the grades you have earned.
Transfer Credit
Credit awarded for courses completed at another institution that count toward your degree.
Withdrawal (W) - Course Withdrawal
Leaving a course after the add/drop period and before the withdrawal deadline. A “W” appears on your transcript but does not affect your GPA.
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Tips for Using This Catalog
• Start with the undergraduate degree requirements section—it’s your roadmap to graduation.
• Check prerequisites before registering for courses.
• Meet with your academic advisor regularly to stay on track.
• Pay attention to deadlines like add/drop and withdrawal dates.