Dual Credit Terminology

AA

An Associate in Arts (AA) degree is a two-year postsecondary degree designed to prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year institution to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

AAS

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed for students seeking employment immediately upon graduation.

AS

An Associate in Science (AS) degree is a two-year postsecondary degree designed to prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year institution to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

ACADEMIC ADVISOR

A counselor or designated individual who has been formally trained to counsel students regarding academic choices.

Academic Probation

If a grade point average falls below what is required by the end of a semester, a student will be placed on academic probation.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

College or university standards a student must maintain, such as a minimum grade point average, in order to remain in good standing with the school.

ACCREDITATION

The endorsement by a third party to ensure the quality of education. A colleges accreditation determines its eligibility to receive federal (Title IV) and state financial aid. Proper accreditation is also important for the acceptance and transference of credits between schools.

AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING (ACT)

One of the most common entrance exams often required for admission by many colleges and universities. The ACT consists of four sections including math, science, English, and reading as well as an optional writing assessment. Typically, a student would take the ACT for the first time in the spring of their high school junior year and again during their senior year.

ADD/DROP Deadline

A period of time when schedule changes to a course can be made without a grade being reported.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

AP refers to college-level, subject-specific classes offered by some high schools. Enrolling in AP courses enables students to take national AP exams prior to the end of the school year for college or university placement. Receiving high scores on AP exams can enable students to earn credits for specific courses without having to take the course.

AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE)

ACE reviews military training (courses) and experiences (occupations) with the goal of awarding equivalent college credits for those experiences.

APPLICATION FEE

The fee charged to process an application.

ARTICULATION

The process of comparing and equating courses from one institution to the courses of another institution.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT

An agreement between two or more schools that allows course credit(s) from one school to be transferred and accepted, so that they can apply them toward a degree or certificate from another school. This includes formal agreements between two-year institutions and baccalaureate degree-granting institutions.

ARTS AND SCIENCES

A group of academic studies that may include fine arts, languages, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

A credential awarded for completion of college course requirements of at least 60 semester credits.

AUDIT

Auditing a course enables student to attend classes without receiving a grade or credit.

BA

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is a broad interdisciplinary undergraduate program encompassing general education, electives and major area of study courses. It offers instruction in the humanities, social sciences or liberal arts.

BACCALAUREATE OR BACHELOR’S DEGREE

A college credential awarded for completion of requirements entailing the equivalent of at least 120 semester credits of course work.

BADGE

A visual representation of a student’s skill and knowledge used for one or more micro credential(s).

BS

A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is an undergraduate program designed to focus the area of study on courses that are closely related to the student’s major.

CATALOG

A school’s official publication course offerings. The catalog typically contains course descriptions, major/minor and general education requirements, college policies, procedures and standards, and student rights and responsibilities. It may also be referred to as a bulletin.

CERTIFICATE

A specific document that a person has received specific education/training or has passed a test or series of tests.

COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

A series of undergraduate college course exams that can provide students the opportunity to demonstrate college-level knowledge and earn college credit through exam.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

College that offers programs (usually two years or less for full-time students) leading to certificates or associate’s degrees. These programs can prepare students for immediate employment, or for transfer to a four-year college or university.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

An admission status granted for those who may not currently meet all admission requirements. To remain enrolled as a conditional admission, students will need to fulfill specific requirements before or during attendance.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

An alternative to the traditional full-time college enrollment, generally meant for short or part-time courses.

CORE CLASSES

All courses required for a specific major, minor, or general education program.

CO-REQUISITE

A course which must be taken the same semester as the course that specifies the co-requisite.

COUNSELOR

A professionally trained staff member who helps with academic, career, or personal concerns.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL

The process a student would follow to end enrollment in a specific course.

CREDENTIALS

A certificate, diploma or other type of evidence that a person has completed specific requirements determined by a provider.

CREDIT

The numerical unit earned for the completion of a specific course.

CURRICULUM

A planned sequence of courses or program of study designed to achieve a specific academic or occupational goal.

DANTES

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support helps service members and veterans pursue their educational goals during and after their service.

DECLARE A MAJOR

An official declaration that defines a major or focused area of study.

DEFERRED ADMISSION

A college may accept a student into their school but then allow the student to delay attending for a specified period of time.

DEGREE

A credential granted after finishing a program of study at a college or university.

DEGREE AUDIT

A personalized report that lists the courses and requirements for completion of a chosen major(s), minor(s), and certification(s).

DISCIPLINE

A field of study.

DISMISSAL

Removed from course/school for consistently poor grades or misconduct.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

Instruction and learning occur when the instructor and student do not physically meet. Learning that is available outside of the traditional classroom, such as: via satellite or television, online, by video or CD, or by correspondence.

DROP

Discontinuing a class during the drop/add period. A dropped course is typically not recorded on a student’s transcript.

DSST

The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests that are available to anyone who is seeking college credit outside the traditional classroom, including college students, adult learners, high school students and military personnel.

DUAL CREDIT

Dual credit courses are courses that are taken by high school students that satisfy requirements for earning both high school and postsecondary credits. Dual credit courses are taught by regular high school faculty or postsecondary professors. The term “concurrent enrollment” is also used to describe dual credit.

EQUIVALENCY

One institution’s course that may be equivalent or equal to a similar course at another institution.

EXEMPTION

If a student has fulfilled a course or graduation requirement by means other than traditional classroom work, a student may qualify to be exempt from certain requirements.

FAFSA

See Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

A federal financial aid grant program for postsecondary education determined by the FAFSA.

FEDERAL PERKINS STUDENT LOAN

A low-interest subsidized loan available to students who can prove financial need based on the FAFSA.

FEDERAL PLUS (PARENT LOANS OR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS) AND/OR FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS

Financial aid processed through a bank, other lending agency, or college or university to help pay for college for parents of eligible depend undergraduate students. These must be repaid with interest after leaving school and are not eligible for deferment.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN AND DIRECT FORD LOAN

Student financial aid determined by the FAFSA and processed through a bank and/or a college or university. A student must be enrolled at least part-time in a postsecondary degree program to receive and must be repaid with interest after upon leaving college.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)

This federal grant is available if a student has an exceptional need as determined by the FAFSA.

FEDERAL UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD / DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED FORD LOAN

A loan determined by the FAFSA, in which the student accrues interest while attending school.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM

A student work program on school campuses that enables students to work during the school year to earn money. Federal work-study jobs are awarded to students based on financial need. Apply by submitting a FAFSA form.

FINAL EXAMS

Tests or exercises given at the end of a term that are often comprehensive; that is, they may include all material covered during the semester.

FINANCIAL AID

Federal, state, college or university, and private programs which helps pay for college expenses. Financial aid can be in the form of grants, loans, or work-study programs.

FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR

A college staff member who helps students and parents complete and submit financial aid forms and processes financial aid money.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

This is a federal application used for many federal, state, and institutional financial aid options when attending college.

FULL-TIME STUDENT

A student who schedules a minimum number of credits or hours to be considered “full-time” by a college or university. The number of credits considered to be a full-time load can vary from school to school.

GEM (General Education Matriculation)/GENERAL EDUCATION/GENERAL STUDIES

Courses that are required of most degree programs, provide seamless transfer, are universally excepted at Idaho colleges and include six different competencies: written communication, oral communication, mathematics, science, humanities and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEST (GED TEST)

Tests which measure the knowledge and skills usually learned in high school. Passing the GED test will give a student the equivalent of a high school diploma.

GIFT AID

Financial aid which is not repaid, such as grants and scholarships.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

Grade-point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted.

GRANT

Financial aid awarded by the federal and state governments based on financial need. Grants are not repaid.

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)

The GRE is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for most graduate schools.

HUMANITIES

The branches of learning concerned with human thought and relations, especially literature, philosophy, fine arts, and history.

INCOMPLETE

Students doing satisfactory work in a course, can be granted extensions for completing course work in circumstances determined by the college. This is generally a temporary grade.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Studying a subject for credit outside the typical classroom, such as correspondence courses, video or online instruction, and student-instructor meetings.

INTERDISCIPLINARY

Programs or courses using knowledge from two or more academic areas of study.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA (IB)

The IB diploma is alternative path to earning college credit and requires a student to complete rigorous coursework and pass specific exams. Its curriculum involves languages, sciences, humanities, and mathematics, and is intended to be an academically challenging program for highly motivated high school students. It is offered at a limited number of schools.

INTERNSHIP

This is a trainee or entry position in which a student works for an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience.

LIBERAL ARTS

A school or course of study which focuses on developing general knowledge and reasoning ability instead of a specific discipline. Liberal Arts degrees are often considered to provide a well-rounded, general education in the arts and sciences.

LOAN

Financial aid that must be repaid with interest after a student leaves school.

LOWER DIVISION

Normally freshman- and sophomore-level courses offered by a college or university. Community colleges offer ONLY lower division courses. Four-year colleges offer lower division courses and upper division courses, which are junior-level and senior-level courses. Traditionally, the course numbers of lower division courses are in the 100s or 200s.

MAJOR

An area of interest in which a student can earn a degree.

MICRO-CREDENTIAL

Credentials awarded for mastery of defined skills or concepts including career technical and academic skills.

MINOR

A secondary area of interest a student can study in addition to a declared major. Minors are typically in a different content from the student’s major and require fewer classes than a major.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Competitive scholarships are offered by corporations and institutions and are limited in number. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s PSAT scores and other criteria.

NMSQT

See National Merit Scholarships, Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT

A student older than the typical post-secondary student age range of 18 to 25 years old.

NONTRANSFERABLE DEGREE

A degree that cannot be used as credit toward another degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, at the same school or different college or university.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

A transcript is a record of the courses a student has taken, the grades earned, and graduation information, if relevant. It is maintained by the high school and college registrar. It is the only document receiving institutions will accept to consider for full or final admission.

OMBUDSPERSON

In education, a person who acts on behalf of students and others in the school community who have complaints about the school and attempts to resolve such issues.

PART-TIME STUDENT

A student enrolled in a number of course credits or hours which are less than the number required to be full-time.

PASS/FAIL

A grade granted that gives a student the option to enroll in a class in which the student receives a grade of Pass or Fail in lieu of a letter grade (A, B, C, D).

PLACEMENT TEST

This is an exam to assess a student’s ability related to specific courses requirements.

PLAN

Often referred to as the “pre-ACT,” this is a practice test for the ACT assessment exam. The PLAN test is offered during a student’s sophomore year of high school.

PORTFOLIO

A file of materials a person compiles to showcase and explain their skills, talents, experiences, and knowledge.

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Education after high school at a public, private, vocational, technical, proprietary, trade, or business college or university.

PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST / NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST (PSAT/NMSQT)

A high school test which measures a student’s verbal and math skills and prepares a student for the SAT I exam. This test determines eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship.

PREREQUISITE

A class that prepares a student for a more difficult class.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)

Prior learning is learning gained outside the classroom in a variety of settings and through formal and non-formal means.

PRIVATE INSTITUTION

A college or university not owned or supported by state funds. These schools may be non-profit seeking or for profit seeking.

PROBATION

A warning that a student is not in good academic standing. Probation may be accompanied by restricting credit hour enrollment.

PROGRAM

A set of courses required to earn a degree in a major area of study.

PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS

Colleges or universities that are run as profit-making institutions.

PSAT

See Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

PUBLIC COLLEGE

College or other school that receives financial support from the state for its operational costs.

RECEIVING INSTITUTION

The institution to where a course’s credits will be transferred.

REGISTRAR

The person in a school who manages class schedules and academic records.

REGISTRATION

The actual enrollment into specific courses after the student has been admitted to the college or university.

REMEDIAL COURSE

A course that helps build a student’s skills, that likely does not meet degree requirements.  These courses generally begin with a zero or number less than 100.

REQUIRED COURSE

A course a student must complete to meet certain goals or to complete a specific curriculum.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. Most schools require a student to spend a certain amount of time on campus or to complete a minimum number of hours through their institution.
2. The minimum amount of time a person must live in the state to be eligible for in-state tuition. For public institutions, in-state tuition is lower than the fee out-of-state students pay.

ROLLING ADMISSION

Schools with a rolling admission practice accept applications throughout the year. They may or may not admit the student as soon as they receive the required application materials.

SCHOLARSHIP

Grant aid paid to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements.

SELF-PACED COURSES

Self-study courses permit students a flexible schedule when taking a course.

SENDING INSTITUTION

The institution where a course had been taken and from where its credits will be transferred.

SERVICE LEARNING

Combines community service with classroom instruction, focusing on critical thinking, value clarification, and social responsibility. Service Learning provides students with relevant experience and a meaningful contribution to the community.

STANDARDIZED ADMISSIONS TESTS (SAT I, ACT, ETC.)

Tests designed to measure verbal and mathematical knowledge and skills. They are used as performance predictors for postsecondary schooling and may be considered along with other factors when students apply for admission.

STUDY ABROAD

Study-abroad programs offer students the opportunity to study for some time in another country while making regular progress toward a diploma or degree.

SUBJECT AREA TESTS

Standardized tests given by the American College Testing (ACT) Program or College Board in specific high school subjects, such as biology, a foreign language, etc.. Institutions may consider scores on these tests when deciding course placement or admission to a specific program.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Services provided by most colleges to help students in specific areas, such as academics, veterans affairs, adult learning, and special needs.

SUSPENSION

If a student’s academic performance is poor, the student will not be allowed to enroll in classes for a specified number of semesters.

SYLLABUS

An outline of course content and/or statement of policies for a given course section. Typically offered before or at the start of a course, the syllabus often contains required reading, grading scales, attendance policies, and/or descriptions of major assignments. The syllabus will introduce the student to the structure and expectations of the course.

TOTAL WITHDRAWAL

When a student withdraws from all courses.

TRANSCRIPT

A transcript is an official record of the courses a student has taken, the grades earned, and graduation information, if relevant. It is maintained by the high school or college registrar and is the only document receiving institutions will accept to consider when transferring for course credits.

TRANSFER CREDIT

The acknowledgment and acceptance by a college or university of credits earned at a different institution.

TRANSFER PROGRAM

A program that prepares students to complete a degree at another school. Often two-year colleges have transfer programs to prepare students for four-year colleges. These programs typically award associate’s degrees.

TRANSFER STUDENT

A student who begins their postsecondary education at one school, but then moves to another school. Grades and credits from the first school may or may not be accepted by the second school.

TRANSFERABLE DEGREE

A degree, usually an associate’s degree, that can be used as credit toward another degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, at the same school or different college or university.

UPPERCLASSPERSON

A student who is a junior or senior and has not yet received his or her undergraduate degree.

UPPER DIVISION

Normally junior and senior level courses offered by a four-year institution. Traditionally, the course numbers of upper division courses are in the 300s or 400s.

WAIVER

An exemption from normal policies, procedures, or requirements.

WITHDRAWAL

Unenrolling from a course, in which the students course remains on the academic record, but does not impact the grade point average.

WORK-STUDY

See Federal Work-Study Program