Higher Ed Glossary 

A

Absence.

Version 1.0

See Attendance

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Academic Advising

Version 1.0

Educational process in which a learner and advisor are partners in meeting established learning outcomes, working toward academic success and outlining steps for achieving the learner’s personal, academic and career goals.

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Academic Advisor

Version 1.0

 Person assigned to help a learner with academic and personal challenges, including referrals to academic support, mental-health counseling and other campus offices. Advisor guides learner in planning coursework from term to term.

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Academic Calendar

Version 1.0

Schedule of all events that occur in an academic year; includes dates of course delivery, examination breaks and end of a term.  

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Academic Catalog

Version 1.0

Publication that informs learners of their rights and responsibilities in their quest to reach an educational goal. Considered a legal document, it includes policies and procedures of an institution and how an institution interacts with a learner academically. Covers admission requirements and courses needed to reach an educational goal, and other topics including residency and academic integrity. To ensure all incoming learners are treated equally, catalog information is updated by catalog year.

Notes:

Academic Operations

Version 1.0

Covers many functions, including curriculum management (including syllabi management), catalog management, classroom-space management, class scheduling, credential-audit and completion processing, class registration and institutional and/or program accreditation. Proficient, efficient academic operations contribute to learner success, persistence, and completion. 

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Academic Probation

Version 1.0

Corrective measure used when the ratio of grade points to hours falls below the standard required for graduation or when other criteria are not met.

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Academic program

Version 1.0

Structured, organized educational curriculum designed to provide a learner with a specific set of knowledge, skills, and qualifications in a particular field of study or academic discipline. 

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Academic Record

Version 1.0 

Learner record maintained by an educational agency, institution or party acting on behalf of the agency or institution. Records include, but are not limited to, grades, transcripts, class lists, learner course schedules, etc. Also called educational record.

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Academic Standing

Version 1.0 

Academic status of a learner often determined by a set GPA value. Common academic standing statuses include good standing, academic probation, academic dismissal, dean’s list, etc.  Also used to identify if a learner is making progress toward degree objectives.

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Academic transcript

Version 1.0

Official record of a learner’s academic achievements; currently the predominant U.S. secondary- and postsecondary-education official document used to transmit  completed coursework and the degree or certificate awarded.

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Academic Year

Version 1.0

Period of formal instruction that represents a complete school year at the same institution. May be divided into semesters, trimesters, quarters or other calendars. Term may be different from financial-aid year or fiscal year. Also see 34 CFR Subtitle B Chapter 6 § 668.3 (a).

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Academic-year scheduling

Version 1.0

Full academic-year schedule that is available when registration for a fall term opens; class schedules for each term are generated once a year.

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Accreditation

Version 1.0

Evaluation of the caliber of a higher-education institution and its programs. Within the United States, accreditation serves as a method through which learners, families, government authorities and the media may ascertain the quality of an education provided by a particular institution or program. 

Notes:

Accreditation, Criteria For

Version 1.0

Agency's or association’s accepted qualitative and quantitative standards of excellence by which it evaluates the quality of education and/or training offered by an institution. Determines whether an institution merits accreditation. May include educational objectives and outcomes, educational program, admission practices, learner-support services, institutional study, training and experience of instructional staff, financial stability, and laboratory and library resources. 

Notes:

Accreditation Agency or Association

Version 1.0

Organization that establishes criteria for judging the quality of training, educational programs and education offered by educational institutions. Determines the extent to which institutions meet these criteria and issues a list of institutions, courses or educational programs found to be of acceptable quality. Members voluntarily meet membership criteria, as defined by the accrediting organization. Recognized accrediting agencies and associations are reliable authorities on the quality of training, programs and education offered by an educational institution. An institution’s accredited status governs in a large measure the acceptability of its credits by other institutions. Accreditors are either recognized or unrecognized. Recognition is granted by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditors recognized by ED can serve as a link to Title IV federal student financial aid for institutions they accredit.

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Action, Disciplinary

Version 1.0

Action taken by institution officers or agencies responsible for handling disciplinary violations, after consideration of the disciplinary problem; includes counseling and penalties.

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Admission, Institutional-Selective

Version 1.0

Exercise of discretionary powers of selection by an institution of higher education. Selection is based on merit as determined by the college, rather than order of application. It is competitive and limited to those who are believed to be best qualified to benefit from the educational opportunities available.

Admission, Melt

Version 1.0

Percentage of learners granted admission who do not matriculate.

Version 1.0

Comprehensive set of standards and procedures used by an educational institution to evaluate and select candidates for enrollment. Criteria form the basis for making informed decisions on learner admissions, ensuring alignment with an institution's goals and capacity, and encompass:

• established practices outlined in the admission policy that evaluates an institution's program nature, purpose and available resources

• specific requirements that reflect and implement the admission policy, including educational qualifications, place of residence and other predetermined standards 

• evaluation of admission records, which includes all relevant information used in the admission procedure, with particular emphasis on a candidate's complete, accurate previous academic work

Version 1.0

Interview may be used in the selective-admission process; considered significant for use in borderline cases or competitive programs.

Version 1.0

Any organized program of education that seeks to provide an adult learner opportunities to further their education, regardless of previous educational attainment through formal and informal group leadership. U.S. Department of Education's adult-education category refers to learners taking courses other than college-grade courses on campus or at a branch campus.

Version 1.0

Program sponsored by College Board in which learners take college-level courses at their high school before graduation. Learners may earn college credit by obtaining a minimum score on an AP exam in the course subject, as determined by an individual college.

(see Incremental Credentials)

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Articulation

Version 1.0

Process by which institutions of higher education recognize and transfer academic credits earned by a learner from one institution to another. Designed to ensure credits earned at one institution are accepted by another institution; may be applied toward a degree or program at another institution without unnecessary duplication or loss of credits.

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Assistantship

Version 1.0

Awarded to graduate and advanced professional learners in recognition of competence and promise. Individuals usually have specified obligations to their major department in return for tuition remission and/or a stipend.

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Attendance

Version 1.0

Learner’s engagement and participation in a class. The U.S. Department of Education requires learners receiving Title IV federal financial-aid funds attend classes during the period for which they receive aid, resulting in institutions establishing ways to verify attendance. This can include physical presence in a scheduled class or regular, substantive interaction between a learner and instructor in online or distance-education courses.   

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Average Grade-Point

Version 1.0

Measure of scholastic success obtained by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours of coursework completed.

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B

Bachelor's Degree

Version 1.0

See Degree, Bachelor’s.

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Badge

Version 1.0

Online visual representation that recognizes skills, achievements, membership affiliation, and participation.

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Block Registration/Enrollment

Version 1.0

Learner is enrolled in a fixed set of courses, with a specific number of credits.

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Branch Campus

Version 1.0

See Campus, Branch.

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C

Campus, Branch

Version 1.0

Campus away from the educational institution’s main campus. Also see 34 CFR Subtitle B Chapter 6 § 600.2

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Carnegie Unit

Version 1.0

A measure of the amount of time a student has studied a subject. (Also see Credit Hour and the Carnegie Foundation)

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Catalog

Version 1.0

See Academic Catalog.

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Catalog Number

Version 1.0

See Course Number.

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Census Date

Version 1.0

Date established each term when an official enrollment count is recorded by an institution. Often tied to refund deadlines and/or financial-aid eligibility.  

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Certificate

Version 1.0

Official document indicating completion of purposefully collected coursework to signify understanding of a subject or topic. May also focus on confirming acquisition of specific skills.

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Certificate of High School Equivalency

Version 1.0

Official document issued by state departments of education on the basis of evidence a person has completed the equivalent of a high-school course; accepted by some colleges in lieu of the regular high-school diploma. Also called General Education Development (GED).

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Certification

Version 1.0

Process in which an educational institution or recognized certifying body validates a learner has attained a specific level of skill or knowledge in a particular field or discipline.

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Class

Version 1.0

Course from an academic catalog built into a class schedule; available for registration for a particular term. May be offered several times each term. Sometimes called a section.

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Class Registration

Version 1.0

Saving a specific space in a specific class with a specific instructor. 

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Class Standing

Version 1.0

Learner’s status in respect to progress toward completion of their curriculum–freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. Usually based on the number of hours or courses completed at the time of registration. Some colleges add a scholarship requirement for advancement to another class. Classification may be for extracurricular, as well as academic, purposes.

Notes:

Class-Schedule Building

Version 1.0

Practice of accounting for all details needed to offer classes to learners in a term to ensure timely progression of a learner to meet educational goal(s). 

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Classroom-Space Management

Version 1.0

Inventory of instructional space and capacity, layout, technology and ownership. Data are used by institutions to manage assignment of classes to spaces that match the requirements of the class in size, configuration and resources Class-schedule building Practice of accounting for all details needed to offer classes to learners in a term to ensure timely progression of a learner to meet educational goal(s). 

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Clock Hour

Version 1.0

In unit-cost studies, represents one hour of instruction given to one learner. Class periods of from 50 to 60 minutes usually count as one clock-hour. Also see IPEDS definition. 

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Commencement

Version 1.0

Graduation ceremony. See Graduation.

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Committee, Academic Standing

Version 1.0

Committee that establishes policies and makes decisions on questions relating to the academic status of learners, including asking questions about awarding degrees and the imposition of academic discipline.

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Competency

Version 1.0

Specific, measurable skill, knowledge, ability or capacity learner is expected to acquire and demonstrate as part of their academic program. 

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Completion processing

Version 1.0

Inclusive of all administrative procedures used to assert a learner has fulfilled all institutional academic and administrative requirements for the credential sought.

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Comprehensive Learner Record

Version 1.0

Technical specification designed to support traditional academic programs, cocurricular and competency-based education, and employer-based learning and development. Captures a learner's/worker's achievements in verifiable, digital form. Designed to be used, curated and controlled by the learner.

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Consultative Decision-Making

Version 1.0

Faculty's opinion and advice are sought, but authority remains with senior administration and board of trustees. Model revolves around information sharing and discussion, rather than joint decision making. One of three models of decision making used in shared governance in higher education.

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Continuing Education Units

Version 1.0

Standardized measure used in the United States and Canada to quantify and record noncredit continuing-education and professional-development activities. Typically awarded to individuals who complete specific educational programs, workshops, seminars or training courses designed to enhance skills, knowledge and competence in a particular field or profession.

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Cooperative Plan or Program

Version 1.0

Provides for integration of classroom work and practical experience through alternate attendance at class and employment in business, industry or government. Also called Work-Study Plan or Work-Study Program. This is not the same as Federal Work Study.

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Correspondence-Education Course

Version 1.0

Course provided by an institution in which instructional materials are provided to learner by mail or electronic transmission, including examinations. Interaction between instructors and learners is limited, not regular and substantive, and primarily initiated by the learner. If a course is part correspondence/part residential training, it is considered a correspondence-education course. A correspondence education course is not distance education. (Source Higher Learning Commission) Also see Distance Education. 

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Correspondence-Education Program

Version 1.0 

Academic program in which 50% or more of required courses may be taken as correspondence-education courses.

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Course

Version 1.0

Course-Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Version 1.0

Course-specific, measurable statements that define what learners are expected to know, or be able to demonstrate, upon successful completion of a particular course.

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Course Number

Version 1.0

Indicates class level of a course. Same as catalog number.  

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Course Prerequisite

Version 1.0

Preliminary requirement that must be met before a particular course can be taken.

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Course Repeat

Version 1.0

Retaking a course to make up a failing mark, raise a grade or obtain additional knowledge of a subject. In some instances, a course repeat requires permission.

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Course Title

Version 1.0

Descriptive name of a course; usually gives a general idea of course content.  

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Credential

(See also Digital Credential and Incremental Credential)
Version 1.0

Documentation confirming a learner’s qualifications, abilities or authority. Provided by a trusted third party, such as a college or university, with authority or accepted competence to issue the document. Term encompasses many different assertions of learning, including educational degrees, educational certificates, badges, certifications, licenses, microcredentials, nanodegrees and credit or noncredit certificates.

Notes:

Credential Audit

Version 1.0

Inclusive of the systemic, ongoing review of a learner’s completed academic progress toward a credential. Can be used by the administration, faculty, academic advisors and/or learners.

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Credit, Military Service

Version 1.0

See Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).

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Credit by Examination

Version 1.0

Credit granted for satisfying course requirements by written or oral examination without a learner having been formally enrolled in the course.

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Credit Conversion

Version 1.0

When a learner transfers from one institution to another, earned credit may need to be evaluated at the new institution. A conversion equivalency exists and is used as follows.

• Quarter hours multiplied by 2/3 = semester hours
• Semester hours multiplied by 1½ = quarter hours
• Session hours or year hours multiplied by 2 = semester hours
• Session hours or year hours multiplied by 3 = quarter hours
• Term hours multiplied by number of weeks in term over 18 = semester hours
• Term hours multiplied by number of weeks in term over 12 = quarter hours

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Credit Hour

Amount of learner work defined by an institution, as approved by the institution's accrediting agency or state-approval agency; consistent with commonly accepted practice in postsecondary education. In determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour, institutions can take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of learner work, academic calendars, disciplines and degree levels. (34 C  Sec. 600.2) Reasonably approximates not less than the following.

• 1 hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class learner work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or one trimester hour of credit, or 10 to 12 weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time
• at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph above for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours

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Credit for Prior Learning

Methods colleges, universities and other education or training providers use to evaluate learning that has occurred outside a traditional academic environment; used to grant college credit, certification or advanced standing toward further education or training. Sometimes called prior learning assessment (PLA). (Source CAEL)

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Curriculum

Version 1.0

Sequence of planned experiences, usually consisting of courses offered by an educational institution in which learners practice and achieve proficiency in content and applied learning skills. 

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Curriculum Management

Version 1.0

Process of planning, implementing and evaluating an educational curriculum. Includes the design, development, organization and supervision of content, materials and activities of an educational program. Aims to ensure curriculum aligns with institutional and accrediting-body requirements and objectives.

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Curriculum Sunsetting

Version 1.0

Process of removing part of the curriculum from an institution. Process is complex and involves decision making, a teachout process and final-closeout process.

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D

Degree

Version 1.0

A terminal academic credential or qualification awarded to learners who have successfully completed a specified course of study in a particular field or discipline. Categorized into different levels and types, each with its own requirements and academic focus. In the United States, the common types of degrees in higher education include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees (M.D., J.D., D.V.M.).

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Degree Audit

See Credential Audit.

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Departmental Registration

Version 1.0

Academic department registers learners in courses, rather than the learner registering themselves. 

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Digital Credential

Version 1.0

(See also Credential and Incremental Credential) An electronic representation of an earned skill or achievement. They can be embedded with metadata which make them verifiable, portable, and electronically sharable.

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Digital Record

Version 1.0

Record representing an achievement or award issued by an institution. Institution may send a data record to a degree-verification vendor. 

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Digital Standard

Version 1.0

A set of guidelines and protocols designed to ensure efficient data exchange, interoperability, and secure management of data. Encompassing data structures, metadata standards, security measures, and user control mechanisms to facilitate reliable and protected digital interactions.

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Digital Wallet

Version 1.0

Secure, user-friendly platform where learners can receive, store, manage, and share digital credentials, such as degrees, diplomas, certificates, badges, or other proofs of learning or accomplishment. 

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Diploma

Version 1.0

Physical or digital document that signifies a learner’s successful completion of academic requirements to attain an educational credential, typically a degree.

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Distributed Decision-Making

Version 1.0

Decisions are made by groups responsible for specific issues. Faculty make decisions in certain areas, and the administration and board of trustees make decisions in other areas. This is one of three identified models of decision-making used in shared governance in higher education.

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Dynamic Class Schedule

Version 1.0

Schedule adds the next term once the current term is completed, such as once spring 2023 is finished, spring 2024 is created. Institution has a full-year class schedule available to learners.

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E

Education Plan

Version 1.0

Allows learners to identify classes they plan to take in upcoming terms, through the end of their degree program. Data is used by institutions to predict class demand and to create schedules of classes to support anticipated demand.

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Educational Certificate

Version 1.0

A formal document issued by an educational institution or a certified authority that verifies an individual has completed a specific course or program of study, often vocational or technical, and signifies that the learner has acquired certain knowledge or skills in that particular field.

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Elective

Version 1.1

Refers to a course or subject that a learner may be able to choose to take as part of their academic program, but may not be a required or mandatory component.

Version 1.0 

Refers to a course or subject that a learner may be able to choose to take as part of their academic program, but it is not a required or mandatory component.

Notes: Updated on 8/30/2024

F

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Version 1.0

(Also see the U.S. Department of Education Definition.) 

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Fully Collaborative Decision Making

Version 1.0

Faculty and administration make decisions jointly; consensus is the goal. This is one of three identified models of decision-making used in shared governance in higher education.

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G

Graduate Outcomes

Version 1.0

The various achievements and statuses attained by learners after completing their credential programs at higher education institutions. These outcomes often include employment status, type and relevance of job secured, further study or training undertaken, development of professional skills, and contributions to society. 

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I

Incremental Credential

(See also Credential and Digital Credential)
Version 1.0

An earned skill or achievement that can stand alone or be combined (or stacked) with other credentials to be applied to a higher-level credential, such as a certificate or degree.

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Institutional-Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Version 1.0

Broad, measurable statements that define what learners are expected to know, or be able to demonstrate, upon successful completion of any instructional program.

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J

Joint-Services Transcript (JST)

Version 1.0

Synchronized transcript of training, experience, and education acquired during military service in the United States. Available to current and former military-service members in hard copy or an online delivery format. 

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L

Learner

Version 1.0

Individual actively engaged in acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding of a subject or a range of subjects. 

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Learner Handbook

Version 1.0

Resource closely related to the academic catalog. Serves as a guide to help learners navigate their academic journey and understand an institution's policies, procedures, and resources. Content varies from one institution to another.

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Learning-and-Employment Record (LER)

Version 1.0

LER captures an individual's academic-learning experiences and their employment history, roles, responsibilities, and achievements.

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M

Major

Version 1.0

Refers to a specific academic field or discipline that a learner chooses to focus on during their undergraduate studies. It is a required component of a learner’s degree program and represents the primary area of specialization.  

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Minor

Version 1.0

A secondary field of academic study or specialization that learners may pursue in addition to a major. A minor allows learners to explore and gain knowledge in a complementary or secondary area of interest.

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Mastery Transcript

Version 1.0

Secondary-education alternative to a traditional transcript. Currently in use only by private institutions. Does not include standard letter grades but assigns mastery credits.

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Microcredential

Version 1.0

Competency or skills-based recognition that allows a learner to demonstrate mastery and learning in a particular area. Less than a full degree or certificate; it is a segment of learning achievement or outcome. Should be certified by a recognized authority.

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Modality of Instruction

Version 1.0

How instruction is delivered to learners by various formats, methods, and tools. Facilitates the learning process. Examples include classroom instruction, online learning, hybrid learning, internship, and practica.

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N

Nanodegree

Version 1.0

Project-and-skills-based educational program. Once competency is demonstrated, a learner is issued a type of recognition of learning, affirming mastery of skills.

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O

Outcomes

Version 1.0

Three primary outcomes serve quality assurance purposes in academia. 

1. Student-learning outcomes -  See Student-Learning Outcome 
2. Graduate outcomes – graduates’ employment rates, salaries, matriculation to advanced study programs, etc. 
3. Program-level outcomes  - See Program-Learning Outcome

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P

Prerequisite

 Version 1.0

A course, condition, or requirement that must be successfully completed or met before a learner is allowed to enroll in a more advanced or subsequent course.

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Prior-Learning Assessment (PLA)

Version 1.0

Assessment and awarding of institutional credit for work or life experiences. Includes military training and experience, national or institutional examinations, or alternative demonstration of college-level knowledge and competencies. 

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Program

Version 1.0

Collection of courses an educational institution may award a degree or certificate for, once it is completed. 

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Program Closeout

Version 1.0

Process at the end of sunsetting an academic program. Typically involves removing the program from the catalog, SIS, and degree-audit systems, then informing accreditors and the Department of Education.

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Program Inactivation

Version 1.0

Process for approving the sunsetting of an academic program. Involves various approvers at the institution, and may involve accreditor notification.

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Program-Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Version 1.0

Focused, measurable statements that define what learners are expected to know, or be able to demonstrate, upon successful completion of a specific academic program.

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R

Registrar

Version 1.0

An administrative officer (or office) within a college or university responsible for managing and maintaining academic records, learner transcripts, and various aspects of learner registration and enrollment. This position (or office) plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of academic records and in supporting the institution's academic operations.

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Registration

Version 1.0

Applicable to many functions of a registrar, such as establishing a learner’s identity at an institution, confirming admittance of a learner to an academic program, or enrolling a learner. Also see Class Registration.

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S

Section

See Class.

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Self-Service Registration

Version 1.0

Function that enables a learner to register for classes without support from staff.

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Shared Governance

Version 1.0

Framework by which decisions are made through formal structures and processes. Involves different stakeholders, particularly faculty. 

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Stackable Credentials

See Incremental Credentials.

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Student-Information System

Version 1.0

System to manage student data, including registering students in courses and managing grades, transcripts, and student test data.

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Student-Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Version 1.0

Specific statements of what learners should know, or be able to demonstrate, when they successfully complete a learning experience. Written in concise, meaningful, achievable terms so learners understand what is expected of them.

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Substantive Change

Version 1.0

Significant change to the educational mission, program, or programs of an institution after an agency has accredited or preaccredited an institution.

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Syllabus

Version 1.0

A summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination requirements.

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T

Teachout

Version 1.0

Institution must provide completion opportunities for impacted learners if it discontinues a program or closes or ceases operations. 

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Term

Version 1.0

Institution's academic calendar and/or length of classes. Might be a semester, trimester, or a quarter, a short course offering, or another period of time less than a full semester, trimester, or quarter. 

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Transcript

Version 1.0

An official record provided by an educational institution that documents a learner’s academic performance and achievements. It typically includes a detailed list of courses taken, grades earned, degrees conferred, honors received, and other relevant academic information.

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V

Verification

Version 1.0

To establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of something.  For asserted credentials, this includes trusting the credential issuer and that the assertion/claim associated with the credential has not been modified.

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Verifiable Credential

Version 1.0

(VCs) are digital credentials that are digitally signed and cryptographically secured to ensure tamper-evident properties.

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