Higher Ed Glossary 

A

Academic Catalog

Version 1.0

Publication that informs students 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 student academically. Covers admission requirements and courses needed to reach an educational goal, and other topics including residency and academic integrity. To ensure all incoming students are treated equally, catalog information is updated by catalog year.

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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 programmatic accreditation. Proficient, efficient academic operations contribute to learner success, persistence, and completion. 

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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 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 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

Accreditation entails the evaluation of the caliber of higher education institutions and their programs. Within the United States, accreditation serves as a prominent method through which students, families, government authorities, and the media ascertain the provision of a high-quality education by an institution or program. 

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Alternative credentials

(see Incremental Credentials)

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Articulation

Version 1.0

Is the process by which institutions of higher education recognize and transfer academic credits earned by a learner from one institution to another. The process is designed to ensure that the credits earned at one institution are accepted by another institution and may be applied toward a degree or program at another institution without unnecessary duplication or loss of credits.

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B

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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C

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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Certification

Version 1.0

Refers to the process by which an educational institution or a recognized certifying body validates that 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 as a class several times each term. Sometimes referred to as 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-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 is used by institutions to manage the assignment of classes to spaces that match the requirements of the class in size, configuration, and resources.

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Clock Hour

(See the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Definition)

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Continuing Education Units

Version 1.0

A standardized measure used in the United States and Canada to quantify and record non-credit continuing education and professional development activities. CEUs are typically awarded to individuals who complete specific educational programs, workshops, seminars, or training courses that are designed to enhance their skills, knowledge, and competence in a particular field or profession.

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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, co-curricular 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

Model in which 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. This is one of three identified models of decision-making used in shared governance in higher education.

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Course

Version 1.0

Details reside at the academic-catalog level and include various types of information, such as title, level, description, course-learning outcomes/performance objectives, pre- and co-requisites, type, etc. 

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Competency

Version 1.0

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

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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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Credential

(See also Digital Credential and Incremental Credential)
Version 1.0

A form of documentation that confirms 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.

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Credential Audit

Version 1.0

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

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Credit Hour

(See the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Definition)

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Curriculum

Version 1.0

Courses offered by an educational institution.

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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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