The catalog has specific language referring to different elements involved with attending college. This list of catalog terms is helpful for any student to be prepared and confident during their college journey.
Academic Structure and Roles
Academic Advisor and Success Coach
The Student Success Center assigns each student an academic advisor or success coach upon admission.
A success coach is your initial advisor who assists with registration and degree exploration, answers questions regarding all areas of the college and makes referrals as needed.
An academic advisor is an instructor in an academic program who helps students plan their academic path and goals. Academic Advisors help ensure students’ goals are met.
Academic Division and Department
An academic division is an area of the college centered around a specific academic subject and contains several departments focused on a particular discipline within the division subject area. Divisions house many programs, while a department will run those programs.
Example: The Science and Mathematics division consists of three departments: Biological Science, Mathematics and Physical Science.
Dean, Department Head and Program Coordinator
The dean is the head of an academic division. The department head oversees a designated department within a division. A program coordinator assists with planning and coordinating the curriculum for a program and advising students within the program.
Degrees, Programs and Student Types
Associate Degree, Diploma and Certificate
After completing the program requirements, students can earn an associate degree, diploma and/or certificate in their desired field.
An associate degree program requires 60-70 credit hours and can be completed in two years. A diploma program requires 40-52 credit hours and can be completed in one year; diplomas are limited to specific programs. A certificate program requires 8-40 credit hours and can be completed in a year or less; certificates can be earned on your way to fulfilling the requirements of an associate degree program.
Undecided and Nondegree Students
An undecided student is a student who has not chosen a program of study but plans to earn a degree; undecided students can still take classes and earn credit hours.
A nondegree student is a student who has not selected a program of study nor plans to earn a degree; these students are not eligible for most types of financial aid.
Program and Course Features
Curriculum and Career Pathway
A curriculum is the structure of courses offered in a program of study. Career pathways are set for certain programs to prepare students for a specific technical area within their desired career field, allowing students to select coursework necessary to become multi-skilled technicians. Career pathways are completed along with the general education requirements of that program.
Credit Hours - Credit, LAB and LEC
The amount of work a student completes is referred to as credit hours. Each course is assigned credits based on the time spent in a course. A determined number of credit hours is required to graduate in your program of study.
Laboratory (LAB) courses are “hands-on,” both in person and virtually, and include observation, discussion, participation and experimentation. LAB hours are calculated per course. Lecture (LEC) courses meet in person or virtually multiple times a week during fixed times. LAB, LEC and credit hours are calculated per course.
Prefix, Prerequisite, Corequisite and Electives
The prefix three-letter code before a course title designates the academic subject the course falls under. Example: ENG 101 falls under a list of English courses.
A prerequisite is a requirement to enroll in a particular course, such as a completed course or specified test scores. Example: You may be required to finish an introductory Algebra 1 course before taking an intermediate Algebra 2 course.
A corequisite is a course that must be taken with the particular course at the same time. Each course lists prerequisites and/or corequisites needed, though not all courses require prerequisites or corequisites.
Electives are courses required within a program that students can pick from a list of acceptable electives.
Catalog Information
Catalog
The catalog is an online publication tool for students to find important college information and the courses needed for their desired program of study. Students can see the available programs of study, curriculum, descriptions, credits and specific requirements per course or program.
Resources and information pertinent to you as a student can also be found in the catalog, such as enrollment and admission guidance, fees and financial aid resources, student support services and policy information.
Semesters, Terms and the College Calendar
There are three semesters within the academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer). Registration for classes opens per semester. Fall and Spring semesters consist of one full term (15 weeks), two half-terms (seven weeks) and minimesters (three weeks). The Spring semester also includes a Wintermester (three-week term every December).
The summer semester is shorter than the fall and spring semesters, consisting of one full term (ten weeks), two half-terms (four and a half weeks) and one Maymester (three-week term every May). Some classes may only be available for a specific semester or term. Each class specifies what type of semester or term it is available during.
The official college calendar lists important dates, such as term start and end dates, registration dates, deadlines, student holidays and events, charge periods, etc.
Enrollment, Status and Registration
Enrollment is taking the steps to enter the college. To enroll, students must fill out an application and complete all admission requirements. Students will complete requirements based on their enrollment status, which is the type of student you are at the time of enrollment.
Example: A student taking college classes for the first time may have different requirements than a student transferring college credits from another university.
Students may have other requirements depending on the academic program they are entering.
After enrollment, students can start registering and attending classes. Registration saves your seat in a class and sets your schedule for the upcoming semester or term.
Program of Study
A student’s program of study is the degree program they wish to focus on and plan to earn an associate degree, certificate or diploma after completion.
Grades, Designating Credits and Academic Suspension
Grade Point Average (GPA) and Transcripts
A Grade Point Average (GPA) measures a student’s course outcome by calculating the averages for each grade achieved. A transcript is an official record of all academic work, course outcomes and GPA attempted and achieved by a student. A transcript exists from each academic institution a student has attended.
Transfer and Advanced Standing
Transfer students have moved from one college or university to another. Transferring credits or courses from one college to another may count towards the degree you are pursuing.
Students may be awarded college credit completed at another academic institution. Academic credit can be awarded by completing an Advanced Placement program, International Baccalaureate or advanced standing exams. Current and graduated high school students may have college credits to transfer to another college.
Drop Date and Withdraw
A drop date is a specified deadline to drop a class. By dropping a class before the deadline, the class will not appear on the student’s transcript. When students drop a class, they will stop attending the class. After the deadline to drop a course ends, students may withdraw from a class with no punitive grade. There is a drop and withdraw deadline for each term listed in the college calendar; dropping or withdrawing after the deadline can affect your academic record, financial aid eligibility and refund total.
Students must drop or withdraw from a class through Navigate, the Admission Office or a request form. Students are advised to talk to their instructor or academic advisor before dropping or withdrawing from a class.
Academic Suspension
Academic suspension is when students are not permitted to attend or register for classes for a period of time due to below-minimum academic performance or disciplinary actions.
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