| Academic Dismissal |
Dismissal from the college for failure to maintain the required grade point average. |
| Academic Year |
The college academic year consists of two 15-week semesters (fall and spring) and a shorter summer semester. |
| Accuplacer |
A test evaluating a student’s proficiency in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing for the purpose of determining proper course placement. |
| Accredited or Approved |
A school that has met the standards of quality imposed by professional groups and/or accrediting agencies. |
| American College Testing (ACT |
The ACT Assessment Program (ACT) is a comprehensive guidance-oriented service that helps colleges, high schools, and students in the transition from high school to college. Students participate in the program by completing an educational/biographical questionnaire, an interest inventory, and four tests of educational development in English, mathematics, social studies, and natural sciences. After analyzing the information obtained, ACT prepares reports for use by students, high schools, and colleges in career and college planning, admission and placement, and academic advising. One of two national tests a student may take to complete admission requirements. This test measures mathematical and verbal skills much like the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). |
| Associate Degree-Associate of Arts (A.A) |
A post-secondary degree granted after at least two years of full-academic study beyond the completion of high school and the fulfillment of college graduation requirements. |
| Audit |
To enroll in a course as an observer or listener without receiving academic credit. A “V” appears on the record instead of a grade. |
| Baccalaureate Degree-Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)/ Bachelor of Science (B.S) |
A post-secondary degree granted after completing at least four years of full-time academic study beyond the completion of high school and the fulfillment of college graduation requirements. |
| Core Curriculum |
A degree program established to provide uniformity among and within the units of the University System. The Core, prescribed as the first two years of college, provides for 60 semester hours of study, of which 42 are in general education and 18 are in a major area of study. |
| Course Load |
A full-time student usually enrolls for 4 or 5 academic courses plus a physical education course. Most courses carry 3 semester credit hours each, while physical education courses may carry 1 or 2 credit hours. |
| Learning Support Courses |
Courses within the college’s program to support students in the collegiate level course and improve a student’s competence in areas of English and Mathematics. |
| Full-Time Student |
A student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. |
| Good Standing |
A designation that signifies a student is eligible to continue, to return, or to transfer. It implies good academic standing. |
| Grade Point Average (GPA) |
Calculated by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of credit hours attempted. Institutional Credit - Credit awarded by an institution that is nontransferable and does not count toward graduation. |
| Matriculation |
The process of enrolling into college. |
| Overload |
Course loads of 18 semester hours or more during the fall or spring semester. Students may not register for more than 17 semester hours without written permission from the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. |
| Part-Time Student |
A student enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours each semester. |
| Permanent Record |
The student’s official academic record housed in the Registrar’s Office. |
| Quality Points |
Points per semester hour assigned to a passing grade indicating the numerical value of the grade (A=4, B=3, C=3, D=1, F=0, WF=0) |
| Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) |
The required high school curriculum (RHSC) is the course of study students should follow in high school to prepare for college and applies to those graduating from high school 2012 or thereafter. This requirement was formerly known as college preparatory curriculum (CPC). |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
The SAT is a multiple-choice test made up of verbal and math sections. The verbal questions test your vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and understanding of what you read. The math questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, elementary algebra, and geometry. |
| Semester Credit Hours |
The amount of credit assigned to each course. Example: English Composition (ENGL 1101) = 3 semester credit hours. |
| Transcript |
An official or unofficial document listing of a student’s academic record at an institution. |
| University System of Georgia |
All state-operated, public institutions of higher education in Georgia composed of 4 research universities, 4 comprehensive universities, 9 state universities, 12 state colleges, Georgia Public Libraries and the Georgia Archives. |
