Degree

A diploma or title awarded by a college or university to students after they have successfully completed a program of study.

Department

The formal division of a school consisting of faculty and support staff responsible for instruction in a subject area.

Discipline

An area of academic study.

Dissertation

An in-depth thesis on an original topic of research that is typically submitted and presented in the final stage of earning a doctorate.

Doctorate

The highest degree awarded by a university after the successful completion of an advanced graduate program of study. It usually requires three or more years of study beyond the master's degree. Also referred to as a phd.

Drop

Refers to the withdrawal of a student from a course that must be completed in a specified period of time depending on the college or university.

Dual Degree

A program of study that allows a student to concurrently earn two degrees from the same college or university.

Electives

Are courses students can take for credit toward their degree, but are not part of the required course list.

Enroll

To register or enter a school or course.

Exempt

Not required to do something that other students may be required to do.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The application used by the US government to determine the amount of financial aid a student will receive in a given year. Students must reapply every year they attend a college or university. International students are not eligible.

Faculty

The instructional staff of an educational institution.

Fellowship

A study grant or financial assistance awarded by varying institutions such as educational institutions, the government, research centers, and hospitals. They are usually awarded to graduate and doctoral students and are based on academic achievement.

Final Exam- a course based assessment taken at the end of a semester or term during finals week. See

A course based assessment taken at the end of a semester or term during finals week.

Financial Aid

A general term that includes all types of money offered to students to help them pay tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Freshman

A student in their first year of attendance at a high school or college/university.

Full Professor - refers to the rank of a tenured faculty member that has advanced beyond the associate professor level.

Refers to the rank of a tenured faculty member that has advanced beyond the associate professor level.

Full-time Student

A student taking 12 or more credit hours at the undergraduate level and 9 or more hours at the graduate level.

GA (Graduate Assistant)

A graduate student employed part-time to assist faculty in teaching, grading, and meeting with students.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)

A standardized test required for admission into graduate programs in business.

GPA (Grade Point Average)

A system of recording a student's overall academic performance as a numerical average. A GPA is on a 4.0 scale and calculated at the end of each term/semester with an overall GPA calculated upon graduation.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

A standardized test that is required for admission into a graduate degree program. The exam measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills.

Grades

A score or mark (ie. A,B,C,D,F) indicating a student's academic performance on an assessment, paper, or in a course.

Graduate Course

A credit course that is applied toward a graduate degree like a master's or doctorate.

Graduate School

The division of a college or university which offers graduate programs that result in a master's degree, doctorate, or graduate certificate.

Graduate Student

A student that already has an undergraduate degree and is enrolled in an advanced studies program leading to a master's or doctorate degree.

Grant

A type of financial aid that does not require repayment and is given to students by the federal or state government, company, school, or charity.

Independent Study

A course that allows students to earn credit toward their degree for work with a faculty member outside the traditional classroom setting.

Internship

Supervised professional training designed to provide students with experience in the work place.

Junior

A student in their third year of high school or college/university.