College Lingo

It is very important that you attend the first day of class. You will meet your professor, who will outline the course and present the requirements of the class. Some professors may use the first day for introductions, and others may start utilizing course material that day. Either way, it is important that you are there to gather that information.

  1. Adjunct Faculty – Visiting or part-time instructors
  2. Associate Degree – The degree received after completing a two-year program
  3. B-Term – The second half of a fall or spring semester
  4. Baccalaureate or Bachelor's Degree – The degree received after completing a four-year program
  5. Blackboard – The "e-learning" program used in all classroom and online courses at MVCC
  6. Certificate – A credential awarded after completing a one-year program
  7. Closed sections – A section or course that has been filled completely
  8. Commencement – The graduation ceremonies held at the end of a semester
  9. Course Number – Identifies a specific class, including subject (represented by two letters) and general level of the class (represented by three numbers), an example being that Introduction to General Psychology is PY101
  10. Credit Hours – Refers to the number of hours a class meets each week, a typical class meets for 3 hours a week although most science, engineering and art classes meet for longer
  11. CRN (Course Reference Number) – Identifies a particular section of a class, an example being that PY101 with the CRN of 87654 meets on Wednesday nights from 6-8:45pm
  12. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – A form that may be used by students applying for federal and other types of financial aid
  13. Intersession – A short term between the fall or spring semesters
  14. Matriculated – A status given to students who are admitted to a degree or certificate program
  15. Major – A subject or career field that serves as the focus of study in a degree program
  16. Office Hours – Scheduled times when faculty are in their offices and able to talk with students
  17. Orientation – A vital part of the college experience with activities designed to help new students adjust and familiarize themselves with the college
  18. PELL Grant – A grant from the federal government to students in financial need
  19. Plan of Study – An outline of courses required for your major that tracks your progress that can be used to select courses in consultation with your faculty advisor
  20. Prerequisites – Courses that must be taken prior to enrolling in an advanced course
  21. Rematriculation – The process that re-admits students to a degree or certificate program after a long absence of two or more years from school
  22. Semester – The length of time a student will be enrolled in one set of classes, most commonly the fall semester from August until December and the spring semester from January until May
  23. SIRS (Student Information Registration System) – An online account where students can register for classes, see grades, and pay their bill
  24. Syllabus – A course outline of the topics and assignments expected to be covered
  25. TAP Grant – A grant from the New York State government to students in financial need
  26. Transcript – A record of all courses taken, credits earned, and graded received
  27. Transfer – Acceptance by a new college of the credits earned in a previous college
  28. Tuition – The fees charged for academic instruction
  29. Waitlist – A formal list on SIRS of students interested in joining a closed section or class
  30. Withdraw – To formally remove yourself from a class (through the Registration’s office) or from all classes for a semester (through the Counseling Center)