Glossary of Terms
- Academic Dismissal
- The status for students unable to return due to unsatisfactory progress. Dismissed students cannot enroll for at least two semesters.
- Academic Probation
- Assigned to students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0. Students must meet with advisors to review academic requirements.
- Academic Warning
- Assigned to students with semester GPA below 1.5 and cumulative GPA below 2.5. Advisors meet with students to ensure progress toward graduation.
- Authorization to Attend Another Institution
- Required form before taking summer or intersession courses elsewhere. Submit to the Registrar’s Office.
- Catalog
- Outlines academic policies, graduation requirements, majors/minors, and course descriptions. Students follow the catalog from their enrollment year.
- Corequisite
- A course that must be taken alongside another. Noted in the course description and PAWS.
- Course Load
- The number of credits taken per semester. Full-time: 12-18 credits.
- Concentration / Focus Area
- Subfield within a major that determines specific courses for the major.
- Credit Hour
- Unit indicating course value toward graduation. Typically, 1 credit = 1 hour/week. Most courses are 3 credits.
- Drop/Add Period
- Time at semester start to add or drop courses without affecting GPA or transcript.
- Elective Credit
- Courses not part of the GEP or major/minor, counting only as general credits.
- Faculty Mentor / University Advisor
- Your primary academic contact. Advisors guide registration and academic planning. Contact info is in PAWS.
- FERPA
- Federal law protecting student educational records.
- FERPA - Release of Information
- Electronic PAWS form allowing parents/guardians to access student information.
- FERPA - Restrict Directory Information
- Electronic PAWS form to prevent the release of student directory info.
- GEP - General Education Program
- 40-42 credits across multiple disciplines to provide foundational knowledge and breadth early in college.
- GPA - Grade Point Average
- Average of all final grades. Highest possible GPA: 4.0.
- Major
- Your primary field of study, requiring specific courses and credits.
- Mid-semester Warning
- Notice for students earning a D or F in any course halfway through the semester.
- Minor
- Optional secondary field of study requiring fewer credits than a major.
- Navigate
- Online alert system for professors and staff to communicate concerns or praise.
- Overload
- Taking more than 18 credits. Requires catalog procedure approval.
- PAWS
- Student portal for registration, schedules, grades, billing, and more.
- Prerequisite
- A course required before another. Noted in course description and PAWS.
- Syllabus
- Document outlining course objectives, policies, assignments, and schedule.
- Transcript
- Record of all courses attempted and grades earned. Accessible via PAWS.
- Withdraw
- Dropping a class after drop/add period but before withdrawal deadline. Grade of "W" does not affect GPA.
- Quality Points
- Numerical value assigned to letter grades for GPA calculation: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F/WF/FX=0.