Glossary of Terms

This reference guide is designed to assist in defining terms frequently used at Missouri State University and in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Academic Advisor
A University employee who is committed to helping students meet their educational goals and to make informed and responsible decisions.
Academic Year
Begins in August with the fall Intersession, continues through the spring semester and concludes with the summer session.
Alumni
Individuals who have attended or graduated from a particular college or University.
Admission to Degree Program
A process required of students who have a major with specific admission requirements.
Auditing a Class
A grading option that allows completion of a course without receiving credit or a traditional grade. An audited course cannot be used to fulfill a degree requirement.
BearPass Card
Student's official University identification card.
Block
Classes meets for only the first or second half of the term (semester).
Board of Governors
Governing body for Missouri State University appointed by the Governor of Missouri.
Catalog
University's official publication of academic policies and procedures, programs of study and course offerings for a particular academic year.
Certificate
Document representing that the student has completed a University Certificate.
Chancellor
Highest administrative officer of the campus.
Change of Schedule Period
First five days of the fall, spring, and summer semester sessions in which students can add and drop classes.
Class Schedule
An online listing of courses offered for a specific term.
College Level Examinations Program (CLEP)
Program that allows students to receive credit by examination instead of completing a course.
Commencement
Ceremony held at the end of the spring semester to recognize candidates for graduation.
Core 42 :
Core 42 Missouri Transfer Guaranteed
A framework for general education that all Missouri public two- and four-year institutions of higher education will adopt effective for the 2018-19 academic year that will facilitate the seamless transfer of academic credits.
Corequisite
Two or more courses that must be taken during the same semester.
Credit by Examination (CBE)
Method of earning academic credit outside of traditional course offerings.
Credit Hour
Standard unit of measuring coursework. The unit of credit used at Missouri State is the semester hour.
Cross-Listed Courses
Two or more different courses taught in the same room, at the same time, with the same instructor. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one.
Darr Honors Program
Designed to serve the needs of academically talented, high-achieving students accepted into the Honors College Program.
Dean's List
Published list of students who have achieved a specific level of achievement established by the University. The list is published at the conclusion of each semester and Summer Session.
Degree Audit
Advising tool designed to assist in tracking a student's progress towards graduation.
Department Head
Administrative officer holding faculty rank; responsible for a primary unit within an academic organization.
Diploma
Document provided by the University certifying that the student has earned a degree.
Division Chair
Administrative officer holding faculty rank; responsible for a grouping of academic departments and degree programs
Dual Enrollment
Typically refers to high school students who are receiving high school credit while also being enrolled in college-level credit. This term can also refer to students who are concurrently enrolled in two or more higher education institutions.
Enrollment Status
Terms used for reporting a student's academic load to external agencies. (i.e., full-time, half-time, less than half-time)
Good Standing
Academic status of students who are not on probation or under suspension.
General Education Requirements
Group of foundation courses required of undergraduate students regardless of the student's major.
Grade Point
Numerical value given to grades. For example, four grade points per credit hour is awarded for a grade of "A".
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Calculation derived from dividing the grade points earned by the number of credits attempted.
Hold
Block which prohibits students from functions such as registering for courses or receiving a transcript or diploma. Most holds are due to an unpaid financial obligation or failure to complete a required process.
Honors, Scholastic
Designation indicated on the graduates' diploma and transcript that reflects outstanding scholarship.
Identical Courses
Those courses identified by multiple course codes and/or numbers that are taught in the same classroom, at the same time and by the same instructor. Student may only receive credit toward graduation for one.
Incomplete Grade
Assigned when a student has not completed all work for a course and the instructor agrees to allow additional time for completion of the course.
Internship
Work at a business or agency related to a student's major and/or career plans for which credit hours are awarded.
Intersession
Brief period (typically 1-3 weeks) between semesters when a limited number of courses are offered.
My Grizzly Den
Web-based system that provides access to personal student information, email, blackboard, online registration and much more. A BearPass account is required to access the system.
Non-Resident
Student who does not meet requirements for classification as a Missouri resident for fee purposes in accordance with the residence policy.
Non-Traditional Student
Includes evening students, married students, students with children and students of 22 years of age or older.
Option
Subset of courses within a degree program that represent a specialized area of study. Officially approved options appear on the transcript but are not printed on the diploma.
Overload
Semester credit hours that exceed the maximum number of hours permitted based on the student level (undergraduate or graduate). Permission is required for an overload.
Pass/Not Pass
Grading option that allows students to pursue coursework without receiving a traditional grade noted on course or transcript.
Prerequisite
Specific requirements that must be met prior to enrolling in a given class. Prerequisites may consist of courses, test scores or enrollment in a specific program of study.
Probation
Status that indicates unsatisfactory academic progress. Students may be subject to academic load limitations and other restrictions.
Program of Study
All requirements that a student must complete in order to be awarded a degree or University certificate.
Readmission
Admission process followed by a student who wishes to enroll after not taking classes for two major semesters excluding summer.
Registration Restriction
A type of prerequisite that requires student be in a specific program of study in order to take the class
Reinstatement
Process by which a suspended student appeals to return to the University.
Semester
Instructional period of 15 weeks plus a final examination period offered twice a year (referred to as Fall and Spring semester). Additional instructional periods include intersessions and a summer session.
Service Learning
Program which allows students to earn academic credit in selected courses in exchange for meaningful and productive community service.
Student Services Fees
Required fees assessed at the time of registration that cover the student's access to a variety of services, programs and activities.
Suspension
Status that prevents a student from enrolling in courses unless an exception is granted by the dean of the student's major.
Syllabus
Document describing the objectives, outcomes, assessment activities and structure of a course that is made available to students during the first week of classes.
Term
Terminology for a semester.
Transcript
Serves as the student's official academic record and the University's official record of credit and degrees awarded, including the courses taken by a student and the grades received in each course. Probations, suspensions and disciplinary expulsions also appear on the transcript.
Transfer Credit
Courses taken at another accredited institution and accepted toward degree requirements at Missouri State.
Tuition
The amount of money that must be paid for classes. Other fees may be assessed in addition to tuition.
Vice Chancellor
Highest administrative officer within academic affairs or student services.
'W' Grade
Indicates student withdrew from (dropped) a class without academic penalty.