College Terms

staff members assigned to students in their department. They help students choose majors and minors, design a course of study and help ensure students fulfill graduation requirements.

• teachers

• academic advisors

• peer mentors

• administration

Designed to help students graduate sooner. They often include more stringent admission requirements and summer courses.

• ACT

• level up program

• accelerated program

• audit

College-level courses taught in high school. Scoring well on the test can mean receiving credit for introductory college courses.

• AP classes

• Advanced classes

• Honors classes

• Language classes

Undergraduate degree that generally requires two years of full-time study.

• Associates

• Bachelors

• Masters

• Doctorate

Undergraduate degree that generally requires four years of full-time study. Students must declare a major in a particular field of study and choose an Arts or Science degree path.

• Associates

• Bachelors

• Masters

• Doctorate

The physical buildings and grounds owned by a college or university.

• map

• campus

• location

• dormitories

A student resource department that helps students and alumni job-search, develop resumes, give interviews and network.

• Health Office

• Help Services

• Financial Aid Office

• Career Services

A non-degree credential that proves knowledge or skill in a specific area. Valued credentials vary by industry and job title.

• certification

• award

• diploma

• course

Refers to a student’s standing in comparison with their classmates. It’s often determined by grade point averages and is expressed as a percentile.

• tracking

• honors

• class rank

• advance

A standard online application form accepted by hundreds of colleges and universities. Some colleges also require their own supplemental forms.

• common application

• private application

• supplemental application

• college application