This reference guide is designed to assist 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 Intersession, continues through the spring semester, and concludes with the summer sessions
Accelerated Masters Students admitted into an approved accelerated masters degree program may have a limited number of graduate level courses counted towards both their undergraduate and graduate degree.
Alumni Individuals who have attended or graduated from a particular college or university.
Admission to Degree Program Required of students who have a major with specific admission 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.
BearPass Card Student's official University identification card.
Block Courses meets for only the first or second half of the term (semester).
Board of Governors Governing body for Missouri State University.
Boomer University mascot
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 University certificate program of study in a defined area.
Change of Schedule Period For full-semester classes, the first five days during a fall and spring semester and first two days of summer semester in which students can add and drop classes.
Class Schedule Listing of current courses available for a specific semester.
College Collection of academic departments.
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.
Comprehensive Major One that does not require completion of a minor.
Core Courses Group of foundation courses required by a college, department or major.
Corequisite Two or more courses that must be taken during the same semester.
Credit by Examination Method of earning academic credit outside of traditional course offerings.
Credit Hour Standard unit of measuring coursework.
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.
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 that has requirements that must be completed prior to being admitted to the program; 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.
Enrollment Status Terms used for reporting a student's academic load to external agencies. (i.e. full-time, half-time, less than half-time)
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.
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 College Program Designed to serve the needs of academically talented, high-achieving students accepted into the Honors College Program.
Identical Courses 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.
Intent to Graduate Form completed by students 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.
Lower Division Undergraduate courses numbered lower than 300.
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 listed 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.
Non-Comprehensive Major One that requires completion of a minor in order meet graduation requirements.
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 level (undergraduate or graduate). Permission is required for overload.
Option Collection of courses within the major that represent an specialized area of study. Officially approved options appear on the transcript but are not printed on the diploma.
Pass/Not Pass Grading option that allows students to pursue coursework without affecting their GPA.
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.
Postbaccalaureate A non-degree seeking graduate student who has earned a bachelors degree and wishes to take additional courses but not pursue an additional degree.
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.
Registration Restriction A type of prerequisite such as program of study or student classification (e.g. COBA majors must be admitted to COBA; senior status; graduate status, etc.)
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 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; syllabi are made available to students during the first week of classes.
Term Same as 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 Student Student who has completed 24 or more transferable credit hours after high school graduation.
Upper Division Undergraduate courses numbered higher 300 and above.
"W" Grade Indicates student withdrew from course without academic penalty.
Withdrawal When a student drops all classes for a given semester.