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A Glossary of Academic Terms
A B
C D E F
G H I J K
L M N O
P Q R S
T U V W X
Y Z
Academic Advising
Process to review and assess student progress and future plans
regarding programs and courses of study at HCC or intentions to
transfer. Usually based on current transcript, high school grades,
assessment scores, interview and previous college study. Advising takes
place all year, not just before graduation.
Academic Calendar
A calendar of events, due dates and deadlines pertaining to
instruction, registration, examinations and holidays for each academic
year. Available on the HCC website.
Academic Renewal
Process of having up to 16 college level credits of D or
F grades designated as non-applicable on one’s permanent record.
The grades must have been received in courses five or more years prior
to the request. Additionally, students must complete a minimum of 12
college level credits with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA since the last
semester for which the renewal is requested.
Academic Restriction
An academic status which limits a student to no more than seven
credits in a regular semester or in a summer session, whenever a minimum
grade average has not been achieved. Advisor approval is required before
registering for any course.
Academic Skills Assessments
Assessments in reading, English, and math, which determine
initial placement in entry level classes.
Academic Suspension
Suspension (for one semester – fall or spring) of students on
academic restriction who fail to achieve a minimum grade point average.
Approval is required before re-enrolling.
Academic Warning
Academic status for students who have completed from 0.5 to 6.5
credits at less than a 1.4 GPA. Advisor approval is required before
registering for any course.
Add (a course)
Addition of a course to student schedule. A currently enrolled
student may add a course at any time before the second meeting of a
spring and fall 15-week course, before the first meeting of a special
session course (Term 1, Term 2, winter or summer sessions), and up to
the first day of the fall and spring semesters or summer session for
online courses.
Advisor
Member of the College staff trained to assist students with
academic decisions. Academic advisors or faculty advisors provide
academic advice.
Articulation Agreement
An official agreement between a high school, a community college,
and/or a four-year institution which stipulates the transferability of
specific courses and/or degrees.
ARTSYS
A computerized information program developed by the University
System of Maryland through which students can check on the
transferability of an HCC course at a Maryland Public Institution of
Higher Education, see recommended transfer programs for a major, and
compare how their transcripts will be evaluated by other colleges.
Associate Degree
A degree consisting of at least 62 credits which includes General
Education requirements, major courses and electives. HCC awards the
following degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences, Associate
of Applied Sciences, and Associate of Arts in Teaching.
Audit
To register for and attend a course without receiving credit.
Regular class attendance is expected, and normal tuition and fees apply.
A symbol of K will appear on the student’s transcript instead of
a grade. Return to Top
Baccalaureate/Bachelor’s Degree
An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon a
person who has successfully completed all required courses, usually a
program of study consisting of at least 120 credits.
Canceled Course
A course which will not be offered during the semester/term after
being listed in the Schedule of Classes.
CAPP
Comprehensive Advising and Program Planning, a web-based degree
audit system that allows students to determine their progress towards
graduation, including course requirements. This online system is
available on the HCC website and is accessed through OwlNet.
Certificate
A series of courses in a career area designed to teach specific
skills.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs
offer training in skills that are specific to an occupation; they are
available in several occupational fields. Certificates can be completed in
six months to two years and include from 12 to 42 credits of course work.
Closed
Course
A course that has the maximum number of students enrolled.
Commencement
The May graduation ceremony at which degrees or certificates are
conferred for the academic year.
Compressed
Courses
Compressed courses
are offered during a shorter period of time than a traditional 15-week fall
and spring semester. These courses are designed for students who want
to take courses for periods of time between approximately 3 to 13 weeks.
These courses offer the same content and clock hours as full 15-week
semester courses, but the term of instruction is compressed and is offered
within a traditional semester and during the winter and summer sessions.
Concentration
The discipline or subject area in which the student chooses to
focus his/her academic work in the General Studies degree.
Corequisite
A course which must be completed before or at the same time as
another course.
Course Fees
The amount charged to cover special course costs, including
laboratory, special equipment and related materials.
Course
Reference Number (CRN)
Numeric designation for a section of a particular course.
Credit
A unit of measure used by colleges to count and record coursework
completed by a student. Each credit is a unit of time, approximately 750
minutes.
Credit
Hour Definition (USDE)
An
amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by
evidence of student achievement. For a 15 week semester:
Each credit hour represents one hour of classroom or direct faculty
instruction per week and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student
work per week.
Curriculum (also called Program of Study)
A series of courses in a particular field of study fulfilling
requirements for a certificate or degree.
Curriculum Check-Off Sheet
An advising aid which enables a student to keep track of courses
completed and those still needed to be completed in a program of study.
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Dean’s List
A list published at the end of the fall and spring semesters of
students whose fall or spring semester grade point averages (not
including courses with 0 as the first digit) are 3.5 to 3.75.
Degree
Requirements
The courses a student must complete to receive a degree.
Diversity Course
An approved 3-credit course which fulfills the College’s
Diversity Graduation requirement for the Associate Degree.
Drop
(a course)
Officially dropping from a class before the deadline published in
the Schedule of Classes. A dropped course will not appear on the
student’s transcripts.
Faculty Advisor
Faculty members who help students with specific class
information, job market trends and career options within the major.
Freshman
A student who has successfully completed 27.5 or fewer credits
applicable to a degree.
Full-Time Student
A student enrolled in 12 or more credits during a semester.
Gainful Employment
Federal regulations require institutions to report gainful employment
facts to students enrolled in educational certificate programs.
General Education Elective
A course selected from the approved General Education core ([GB]
[GE] [GH] [GI] [GL] [GM] and [GS]).
General Elective
Any course at the 100 level or above.
Grade
Point Average (GPA)
The measure of a student’s academic achievement that is
calculated each semester and cumulatively. GPA is determined by
multiplying the number of credit hours in each course successfully
completed by the number of points corresponding to the final grade for
the course. The total is then divided by the number of credit GPA hours
completed. A GPA calculator is available on the HCC website.
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Honors Course
Designated course that provides enriched learning, greater depth
of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of material. Students must apply
to the Honors Program to be eligible to register for these courses.
Hybrid
Course
Course that combines face-to-face classroom instruction with
computer-based, independent, or collaborative learning activites.
Laboratory Science
A science course with a laboratory experience which fulfills
degree requirements.
Late
Fee
A charge to students who register once the semester, term or
session has begun and for other late submissions transactions determined
by the College.
Linked
Courses (Learning Community)
Two different courses which must be taken during the same
semester. These courses allow students to get to know their peers and
participate in collaborative learning projects.
Non-Registrants
Individuals who are not registered for any classes by the first
day of the semester, term, or session. These students may register up to
the start time of any class.
Online Course
Course taught through the Internet. Online students should be
independent learners, motivated and self-disciplined, and have necessary
technical computer skills.
OwlNet
The College’s web portal allows students to access their email
account; receive college announcements and news; and conduct college
business, such as registering for classes, requesting transcripts, and
making payments.
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Part-Time Student
A student registered for less than 12 credits in any given
semester.
Physical Education/Physical Education Fitness
There is a two-credit physical education requirement for all
students for graduation from all degree programs. At least one credit of
the two-credit physical education requirement must be a physical
education fitness course.
Plagiarism
Representing the work of another as one’s own.
Prerequisite
A course which must be completed before enrolling in a more
advanced course.
President’s List
A list published at the end of the fall and spring semesters of
students whose grade point averages are 3.76 or higher.
Program Goals
The specific knowledge, skills, or abilities that students are
expected to achieve through the academic program.
Registration
The process by which students officially enroll in their courses.
This includes the assessment and collection of tuition and fees.
Schedule Change
Change to a student’s class schedule caused by the student or the
College. This change may be a course add or drop, or a change in class
meeting time. Schedule adjustments must be processed in the Office of
Registration and Records.
Semester
A period of 15 weeks of instruction offered during fall or
spring.
Sophomore
A student who has successfully completed a minimum of 28 credit
hours applicable to a degree.
STEM
Division of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
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Technical Standards
Technical standards are non-academic competencies such as
interpersonal skills, emotional and physical abilities, and personal and
professional requirements that a student must demonstrate for admission
to or progression in certificate or degree programs.
Term
A shortened period of instruction, which is shorter than a full
semester; usually 5, 7, 8, or 10 weeks.
TF
Grade
Used to code an F grade when transferred credit is used to
satisfy the course requirement. The F grade no longer affects the
student’s GPA.
Training
Short term, skill specific applications usually associated with
job or career assignments.
Transcript
A copy of a student’s academic history. An official transcript
must be in a sealed envelope and must bear the institution’s seal, date
and an appropriate signature. A transcript not meeting these
requirements is considered unofficial and is not used as part of a
student’s permanent record.
Transitional Studies Courses
Courses required for students who demonstrate on the Academic
Skills Assessment the need to improve in a basic skill. The basic skills
include reading, writing, computer skills, and mathematics. These
courses do not bear college credit, but count toward full-time student
status and financial aid eligibility. Transitional studies courses allow
students the opportunity to attain the basic skills and attitudes needed
to perform successfully in college-level courses.
Tuition
The amount of money charged for each credit for which a student
registers. Tuition is established by the College’s Board of Trustees.
Wait List
The process by which a student is placed on a wait list for a
course section that is full. Should an opening occur, Registration and
Records notifies the student through HCC email to register for the
course.
Withdrawal
To officially withdraw from a course or courses after the drop
deadline but before the withdrawal deadline published in the schedule of
classes. A symbol of W will appear on the student’s transcript in
place of a grade.
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