2016 - 2017 Catalog 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2016 - 2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Glossary of College Terms


ACADEMIC FREEDOM: 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: 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.

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

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

APPRENTICE: 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: 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: a planned degree program of at least 60 credit hours conferred by an accredited college.

AUDIT OF A CLASS: students arrange to pay regular tuition and fees for a class, but need not complete assignments or take examinations. 

BACHELOR’S DEGREE: 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: the entire physical content of a college or university including all buildings and grounds.

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

COMMUNITY COLLEGE: a post-secondary institution authorized to award associate degrees and certificates and offer a variety of non-degree learning experiences.

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

CONTACT HOURS: represent the number of instructional hours students receive each week during a semester or session.

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

CREDIT BY EXAM: the opportunity for a student to register and pay for a class, then take the class final exam to earn credit for completing the class.

CREDIT HOURS: units of classroom instruction provided in a course during a semester or session.

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

DROP PERIOD: a designated time when students may drop a course(s) and receive a full refund.

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

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

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

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: campus events and activities made available to students outside of the classroom.

FAFSA:  the free application for federal student aid, which allows qualified students to obtain grants and loans for college costs.

FEES: charges in addition to tuition.

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

FINANCIAL AID: funds received from various sources to help students with college costs.

FULL-TIME STUDENT: a student enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of coursework in a semester.

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

INCOMPLETE (I) GRADE: represents an agreement made between a student and instructor to complete class requirements and an agreed upon date beyond the regular end of the class.

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

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

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

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

LATE ADD PERIOD: 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.

LIBERAL ARTS: 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: the act of enrolling at a college or university.

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

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

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

PART-TIME STUDENT: a student enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours in a semester.

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

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

REGISTRATION: the process of enrolling in classes.

SEMESTERS: the time periods in which classes take place.

SEMESTER HOUR: a measurement of time spent in class.

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

SEQUENTIAL CLASSES: 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: exchanging one course for another to meet a degree requirement.

TECHNICAL STUDIES: occupationally oriented programs of learning.

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

TRANSCRIPT: the official cumulative record of course work and grades from an educational institution.

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

TUITION: the amount of money charged for classes.

TUTOR: a person competent in a specific subject who helps students with that subject.

WAIVER: setting aside a course normally listed as being required for a program.

WITHDRAWAL: voluntarily discontinuing a specific class after the drop period but before the semester end, or class deadline.