2014 - 2015 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2014 - 2015 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Glossary of College Terms


ACADEMIC FREEDOM refers to the right of the student to learn and the right of the teacher to employ teaching methods that are effective in pursuing course objectives.

ACCREDITATION is recognition by an approving organization such as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools which accredits Montcalm Community College.

ADD period is the time after initial registration when students may add an additional courses(s) or change sections. Students may add courses only up to the time of the first class meeting for the course.

ADMISSION is the acceptance of a student by a college or university entitling him or her to take classes and participate in campus activities.

ADVISOR is the person responsible for advising students regarding financial aid, class scheduling or program choice.

APPRENTICE is a person following a planned program of occupational skills that is provided by an employer and related instructional training that is provided through a community college or high school.

ARTICULATION refers to a written agreement providing approval for college credit to be awarded for coursework previously completed at another institution such as a high school, career center or college.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE is a planned degree program of at least 60 credit hours conferred by an accredited college.

AUDIT generally means students pay regular tuition and fees for a class, but need not complete assignments or take examinations. Arrangements to audit an MCC course must be made prior to registration. The option to switch to audit status is not available after the end of the drop/add period.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE is a degree, from an accredited college or university, that is awarded upon successful completion of a prescribed major course of study of at least 120 credit hours.

CAMPUS is the entire physical content of a college or university including all buildings and grounds.

CATALOG is the college or university publication which lists general information, college programs and course descriptions.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE is a post-secondary institution authorized to award associate degrees and certificates and offer a variety of non-degree learning experiences. Programs include liberal arts, occupational studies, business and industry training and personal enrichment opportunities.

COUNSELOR is a professional who helps students with academic, career and life planning.

CONTACT HOURS are the total hours of lecture and laboratory instruction for each class.

COREQUISITE is a required course which, if not taken ahead of time, must be taken during the same semester as another class.

CREDIT BY EXAM is available for some courses. Students must sign up for and pay full tuition for the course and then take the exam. A grade of S is issued if the exam is passed satisfactorily.

CREDIT HOURS give value to an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and are verified by evidence of student achievement of those outcomes. Whether delivered face-to-face or online, a credit hour approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction, and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks.

CURRICULUM is the collective term for various courses of study offered.

DISCIPLINE: a body of knowledge that is primarily categorized by different course prefixes (foreign languages count as one discipline at this institution).

DROP period is a designated time when students may drop a course(s) and receive a full refund. Dropping results in the course(s) not being included on the student’s transcript and will not appear as an attempted course.

ELECTIVE is a class not specifically required in a course of study.

ENROLL is to sign-up for classes for inclusion on the official class list or roster.

ESSAY TEST is an examination where answers to questions are written in paragraph form.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES are campus events, other than classes, in which students participate.

FEES are charges in addition to tuition.

FINAL EXAM, the last test given in a class, may include all or part of the course work covered.

FINANCIAL AID is money received from various sources to help students with college costs.

FULL-TIME STUDENTS take 12 or more credit hours of study.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) is the cumulative numerical value of grades earned by a student determined by dividing total points by the number of credit hours.

INCOMPLETE (I) GRADES may be requested by students when they cannot complete required course work by the close of a semester for reasons beyond their control. The grade indicates the instructor’s belief that the student will receive a passing grade when the requirements have been fulfilled.

INTRAMURAL is a term used in connection with athletic teams which usually consist of students from a single institution who compete against each other.

LABORATORIES are science, computer, secretarial, art or other hands-on experiences related to classroom instruction.

LABORATORY ASSISTANT is a college employee who provides assistance to students in a lab setting.

LABORATORY SUPERVISOR is a staff person with teaching qualifications who supervises a lab and provides assistance similar to that available from an instructor.

LIBERAL ARTS are academic disciplines such as language, history or humanities that develop general intellectual ability and provide information of general cultural concern.

LIBRARY includes traditional library services, automated information services and access to materials from off-campus sources.

MATRICULATION is the act of enrolling at a college or university.

OFFICE HOURS are scheduled times instructors are in their offices to meet with students.

OPEN LABORATORY is a classroom setting where self-teaching materials are used.

ORIENTATION is a scheduled time for students to become familiar with places, processes and expectations.

PART-TIME STUDENTS carry fewer than 12 credit hours.

PREREQUISITE is a course required to have been successfully completed prior to enrollment in another course.

REGISTRAR is the administrator responsible for student records, transcripts and registration procedures.

REGISTRATION is the process of enrolling in classes.

SEMESTERS are the time periods in which classes run. At MCC, semesters begin in August and January. A shorter summer session begins in June.

SEMESTER HOUR is a measurement of time spent in class.

SENIOR CITIZEN is a person who is 60 years of age or older.

SEQUENTIAL CLASSES are courses offered consecutively with each serving as the prerequisite for the next.

STUDENT RIGHTS include procedures for appealing grades and offering input on college or university policy-making.

SUBSTITUTION of a course required for a degree or certificate must be done in writing, signed by the appropriate instructor and instructional administrator. Forms are available in Student Services Office.

TECHNICAL STUDIES are occupationally oriented programs of learning which provide job skills for students who wish to enter the career of their choice upon the completion of their training.

TEXTBOOK is a written manual used for reference or study in a class.

TRANSCRIPT is the official record of grades from an educational institution that shows a cumulative record of course work.

TRANSFER is the process by which a student enters a college or university after having been enrolled at another institution.

TUITION is the amount of money charged for classes.

TUTOR is a person competent in a specific subject who helps students with that subject. Students either needing a tutor or wishing to be a tutor should contact the Student Success Center.

WAIVING a class is sometimes possible through a competency exam. Credit hours must be made up by taking other courses.

WITHDRAWAL is the act of voluntarily dropping out of a specific class within a prescribed time. Students must initiate the request to withdraw, and if approval is granted, the a W grade will be assigned.