"The recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards." Make sure that the college you go to is an accredited institution, it will be important if you decide to transfer your credits later on. Some for-profit institutions have been discredited in recent years.

A grace period is given at the beginning of each academic term during which a student may decide to add or drop a course with no penalty. Before your institution's add/drop deadline, you can "try" classes and edit your schedule before it is finalized. 

College employee who helps you choose a major and complete a degree. They can also help you choose a minor, select and register for classes, and they can help you with other academic-related questions you might have or refer you to other college offices and services. 

An undergraduate degree (offered by most community colleges) that takes about two years of full-time study to earn or 60 units. AAS degrees are in practical fields that apply information to work.

An undergraduate degree (offered by most community colleges) that takes about two years of full-time study to earn or 60 units. AA degrees include general education requirements and career skills in areas such as social sciences or liberal arts.

Someone who teaches college classes but does not work full time for the college. They are generally a mid-level, usually tenured, faculty member.

Signing up to attend and learn in a class without having to do the assignments, but also without earning credit.

An undergraduate degree that usually takes about four years of full-time study to earn. There are two common types of bachelor's degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). Bachelor's degrees must have a major program of study; they may also have one or more minor programs of study.

The physical space a college uses-its buildings and grounds. Often college campuses are beautiful spaces, with interesting architecture and carefully maintained landscaping.

An academic credential is awarded when a student successfully completes a program, consisting of several courses. Certificate programs are smaller than degree programs, and they relate to specific jobs or skills.

A chair is a faculty member who manages an academic department. This person oversees the faculty in that department, as well as the department's curriculum. They often participate in the management of the entire college/university as well.

A chancellor is a college official whose role varies from institution to institution. There are at least three possible roles: an honorary title, chief executive officer for an institution, or chief executive officer for a university system.

Different areas of study that are related to one another. A cognate is smaller than a major, similar to a minor, but unlike a minor, a cognate always accompanies another related area of study.

An institution of higher education that grants undergraduate degrees.

College counselors advise students; they can help students select and apply to colleges, or begin attending a college, and even assist students in succeeding in college life.

Used in two ways, one for individual courses and one for degrees, especially graduate degrees.

1. A comprehensive exam is usually the final exam/test for a course and covers all material from the entire course.

2. A comprehensive exam is a part of finishing the degree. It draws on the student's learning throughout the degree program and can be written, oral, or both.

An area of emphasis in a program of study; used in the same way as “focus.” For example, in a Biology major, a student may focus on Evolutionary biology, or marine biology, or zoology.

A designation awarded to show that a student has completed a course of academic study/learning. The most familiar kinds of credentials are degrees such as associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees.

A unit that a college will use to show that you have completed and passed the necessary courses that you need to finish a degree. Each college decides how many and what type of credits a student will need to finish a degree. Every course is given a particular number of "credits," "credit hours," or "unit." Typically 1 credit hour will equal 1 hour-long class meeting each week.

Learning opportunities offered by a college. All the classes a college offers can be considered the college's curriculum. In addition, each major/minor/certificate has a curriculum, which are the specific classes they require students to take in order to graduate from said credential.

A dean is an administrator in a university/college. Most commonly, a dean leads a school or college within a university. While a dean works with budgets and staffing, the dean's primary responsibility is for academic oversight.

A presentation of a student's work (typically a thesis or dissertation) to a panel of faculty who ask questions about the work to show the validity of the student's research.

A common academic credential. Degrees are awarded when an undergraduate student completes a course of study that usually includes a major as well as general education requirements. Beyond the bachelor's degree, students can earn graduate degrees for more advanced learning.

A department is a group of faculty members with expertise in a specific academic field (or discipline) who offer courses (and usually degrees) in that field.

In education, an independent research project is conducted as the final requirement of a graduate degree, especially a doctorate. The student must pass a "defense" of the dissertation, which includes a panel of faculty whom themselves have earned doctorates.

The highest type of academic degree, doctoral degrees, represents advanced learning in a specific field. If the doctorate is a research degree, it also means the student has demonstrated the ability to conduct independent academic research.

A category of employees at a college. Faculty members have primary responsibility for the curriculum and degree programs. Most people think of faculty as professors or class instructors. They might also conduct research and be engaged in service to the college and community.

Money that is provided to students to help them pay for their education. It can come from the federal government, the state government, the college itself, students' employers, community organizations, or foundations. Common aid types are grants, scholarships, and loans.

An area of emphasis in a program of study. Often used in the same way as "concentration"

General education (or Gen Ed) refers to required courses for a degree other than the courses in the student's major. All students are required to take general ed courses, regardless of their major.

Students earning a graduate degree are often called "grad students", to earn a master' or Doctorate's degree. Students can apply to grad school once they have received a Baccalaureate degree or are about to receive it.  Most 4-Year institutions that offer baccalaureate degrees, also offer Masters or Doctorate programs. 

A type of financial aid. It is free money that the federal government, a state government, a company, a school, or a charity gives to the student. You do not have to pay it back.

An individual who has earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. They have successfully passed the National Counselors Examination (NCE) by the National Board Certified Counselors (NBCC).

A type of financial aid. It is an amount of money given to you for a period of time that you will have to pay back later. Loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized (see definitions below).