Key Terms

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

Academic Good Standing Academic status of students who are not on probation or suspended.

Academic Year Starts in August with the fall semester, continues through the spring semester, and concludes in July with summer session.

Accelerated Masters Students admitted into an approved accelerated masters degree program may have a limited number of 500-600 level courses counted towards their undergraduate and graduate degree.

Alumni Individuals who have attended or graduated from a particular college or university.

Admitted to Degree Program Process admitting the student to his or her major and/or minor. This locks the student into a particular catalog’s major and/or minor requirements.

Audit 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.

Block Courses meets for only the first or second half of the semester.

Board of Governors Governing body for Missouri State University.

Catalog University document that lists academic regulations, programs, and course offerings for a particular academic year.

Certificate Document representing that the student has completed a prescribed program of study in a defined area; a limited number certificates are offered.

Class Schedule Listing of current courses available for a specific semester.

College Academic area in which departments of similar disciplines reside.

College Level Examinations Program (CLEP) Program that allows students to receive credit by examination instead of course enrollment.

Commencement Ceremony held at the end of the spring semester, summer session, and fall semester to recognize candidates for graduation.

Core Courses Group of foundation courses required by a college, department or major.

Credit by Examination Method of earning academic credit outside of traditional course offerings.

Credit Hour Standard unit of measuring coursework.

Cross-listed Courses Two different courses that, while are not identical, are similar enough that student can only receive credit toward graduation for one.

Dean (academic) The highest administrative officer of a college.

Declaring a Major/Minor Indication from student that he/she wishes to pursue a particular major and/or minor; Declaration of a major/minor does not mean that the student is locked into a particular catalog's major and/or minor requirements.

Degree Audit Advising tool designed to assist in tracking a student’s progress towards his or her program of study. It lists the general education, major, minor, and other academic requirements of the University.

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.

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.

Encumbrance Block which prohibits students from functions such as registering for courses or receiving a transcript or diploma. Most encumbrances are due to an unpaid financial obligation, or failure to complete a required process.

Enrollment Status Terms used for reporting a student’s academic load to external agencies.

First-time Student Student who has earned fewer than 24 transferable credit hours after high school graduation.

General Education Assessment Exit Exam Required for all Bachelor degree graduates for assessment purposes.

General Education Program Group of foundation courses required of undergraduate students regardless of the student’s major.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation derived from the division the grade points earned by the number of credits attempted.

Honors College Program designed to serve the needs of academically talented, high-achieving students accepted into the Honors College Program.

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.

Intent to Graduate Form completed by students who believe they are in their final semester of coursework. This form triggers a review of the student’s academic record, inclusion in the commencement program, and diploma ordering.

Intersession Brief period (typically 1-3 weeks) between semesters when a limited number of courses are offered.

Major Collection of courses and requirements, that is designated as the student’s primary area of specialization. Appears on the student’s diploma and transcript.

Minor Collection of courses indicating additional specialization in an area of study beyond the major. It is not as comprehensive as a major and does not appear on the student’s diploma. It is designated on the student’s transcript.

Mixed Credit Courses that are part of an accelerated masters program in which students can receive both graduate and undergraduate credit.

My Information Online resource for students to access their academic information.

No Penalty/Automatic “N” Deadline Courses dropped prior to this deadline are graded with an "N" (no penalty) grade which does not affect GPA; courses dropped after this deadline may negatively affect GPA.

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.

Overload Semester credit hours that exceed the maximum number of hours permitted based on the student’s classification. Permission is required for overload.

Pass/Not Pass Grading option that allows students to pursue coursework without affecting their GPA. See “Academic Regulations” for restrictions.

PIE (Partners in Education) Program designed to facilitate communication between first-year students and their families. Through written consent of the student, members will have increased access to their student’s information.

PIN (Personal Identification Number) A unique number selected by each student. The PIN is needed to access My Information.

Postbaccalaureate Student who has earned a bachelors degree and wishes take additional courses but not pursue an additional degree; a non-degree seeking graduate student.

Prerequisite Specific requirements that must be completed prior to enrolling in a given class, program, or field 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.

Reinstatement Process by which a suspended student appeals to return to the university.

Semester Instruction period offered each fall and spring. Additional instructional periods include multiple intersessions and summer session.

Senior Permission allows students to take graduate coursework while still in an undergraduate classification. Permission is required.

Service Learning Program which allows students to earn academic credit in selected courses in exchange for meaningful and productive community service.

Scholastic Honors Graduation honors based on the student’s academic performance.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration) Program designed to assist students in making a successful transition to university life. The program is required for all first-time freshmen.

Student Service Fees Based on the number of credit hours on the Springfield campus in which the student is enrolled. These required fees (assessed at the time of registration) cover the student’s access to a variety of services, programs, and activities.

Suspension Status that prevents a student from enrolling in courses.

Syllabus Document describing the objectives, outcomes, assessment activities, and structure of a course; syllabi are made available to students during the first week of classes.

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 Student Student who has completed 24 or more transferable credit hours after high school graduation.

Withdrawal When a student drops all classes for a given semester.

ZipCard Student’s official University identification card.