Glossary of Common College Terms
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ACADEMIC RENEWAL - You may repeat any course one time in which you have received a “D,” or “F,” grade at Evergreen. You must file a petition to request that only the highest grade be used in the computation of your grade point average. You can do an academic renewal for up to a maximum of 12 units.
ACCREDITATION - Accreditation means that the courses at Evergreen are recognized and accepted by other collegiate institutions. Evergreen is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
ADVISORY - A condition of enrollment that is advised but not required.
ADDING CLASSES - If you were unable to enroll in a class at the time of registration, you may request an “add slip” from the professor at the beginning of the semester. Once your add slip is signed by the professor and/or counselor, you must take it to the Admissions & Records Office prior to the deadline for adding classes (published in the Schedule of Classes).
ARTICULATION AGREEMENT -A list of Evergreen courses that are equivalent to courses at another college or university. Articulation Agreements are available in the counseling office.
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS/ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE (AA/AS) - A two year degree awarded by a community college upon completion of an organized program of study that includes general education and courses in a major field of study.
BACHELOR DEGREE (BA/BS) - a degree awarded by a four year college or university after satisfactory completion of an organized program of stud.
CATALOG - A book containing course descriptions of all courses taught at Evergreen Valley College, programs and services available, policies and procedures, and student rights and responsibilities.
CSU - Refers to the California State University system. There are 23 CSU's. San José State University and Hayward State are examples of two nearby CSU schools.
CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION (Levels I and II)- A document issued by the various departments indications completion of a set of requirements within an occupational program. Level I certificates require 6-17.5 units. Level II certificates requires 18-29.5 units. Since not all occupational programs offer certificates, check the Evergreen Valley College Catalog.
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT- A document issued by the various departments indicating completion of a set of requirements within an occupational program. The certificate of Achievement requires a minimum of 30 units. Since not all occupational programs offer certificates, check the Evergreen Valley College Catalog.
CLEAR STANDING- You are in clear standing if you are not on probation or dismissal.
CONTINUING STUDENT- A student who is currently enrolled.
CREDIT- Similar to the term "unit", refers to the value earned in a course. Also refers to satisfactory completion of a course taken on a credit/no credit basis.
CURRICULUM/CURRICULA- All course offerings of the college. Also the required courses for a degree or certificate.
DISMISSALS- There are two kinds of dismissal:
- ACADEMIC- cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for three consecutive semesters.
- PROGRESS- More than 50% of your units are "W"(Withdrawls),"I"(Incompletes), "NC"(No Credit), for two consecutive semesters.
ELECTIVE- Any course not required for major field of study or for general education.
FINANCIAL AID- Money received for the purpose of paying for your education. Financial aid may be in the form of loans, grants, fee waivers, or work study.
GENERAL EDUCATION (G.E.)- A specific group of course in primary academic areas (i.e., Social Science, Arts & Humanities, Biological Science, English, Math) required for an Associate or Bachelors degree.
G.E. CERTIFICATION- A binding agreement Evergreen Valley College has with the CSU system. Completion of EVC's G.E. pattern will ensure completion of lower division general education requirements at any of the 23 CSU schools.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) - GPA is a measure of how well you are doing academically. It is figured by dividing total grade points earned by total number of semester units. The semester units used to compute your GPA are those in which you received a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
GRADE POINTS - A numerical value assigned to each unit of letter graded. For example: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. Grade points are used in computing your grade point average.
LOWER DIVISION - Courses taken the first two years of full time college, also known as Freshman and Sophomore level. Community colleges offer only lower division courses.
MAJOR - A series of courses offering intensive education and training in a specialized area. Career/technical majors prepare student for immediate employment when they leave college. Academic/transfer majors prepare students for transfer to a four year college or university.
NEW STUDENT - A student who has never attended college.
PREREQUISITE - A requirement that must be met before enrollment in a particular course.
PROBATION - A trial period during which you must improve unsatisfactory scholastic work. There are two kinds of probation:
1) ACADEMIC - Your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 after attempting 12 units of letter grades.
2) PROGRESS - 50% or more of your units are “W,” “I,” “NC”.
REGISTRATION - Official process of enrolling in courses.
RETURNING STUDENT - A student who has attended EVC previously and is returning after one or more semesters of absence.
SCHOLARSHIPS - Grants of money to deserving students who are deemed eligible by specific criteria.
SEMESTER - EVC divides its academic year into two semesters, fall and spring. Fall begins in September and ends in December. Spring begins in January and ends in May. EVC also offers courses in the Summer and sometimes Intersession.
TRANSCRIPT - A copy of your academic record at a college or university. It includes semesters attended, courses taken, and units and grades earned. Transcripts are kept in the Admissions and Records office.
TRANSFER ADMISSION AGREEMENT (TAA) - A guaranteed admission contract with a 4 year university. Evergreen currently has TAAs with UC Santa Cruz, Santa Clara University, and San José State University, CSU Monterey Bay, UC Davis, UC Riverside, National Hispanic University, Menlo College and San Francisco State.
TRANSFER STUDENT - A student who has taken college level courses at another college.
UC - Refers to the University of California System (10 schools)
UNIT - A value that indicates the amount of college credit given for a course. Generally, one unit is equivalent to approximately one hour of lecture per week, and two hours of homework per week. Units for EVC courses are listed in the Schedule of Classes and in the Catalog.
UPPER DIVISION - Refers to courses or students at the Junior and Senior level of college. Community Colleges do not offer upper division courses.
WITHDRAWAL - The official act of leaving a course. You may withdraw from a course up through the 14th week of the semester and receive no more than a “W” grade on your transcript. If you withdraw within the first four weeks of the semesters, it will not show up on your transcript. You must initiate the withdrawal process at the Admissions & Records office.