Common Definitions

A

Academic Year

The annual period during which a student receives formal education typically consists of two semesters or three quarters. PLU currently operates on a 4-1-4 calendar, which includes two 15-week semesters and a month-long term in January. Find specific academic dates and deadlines on the academic calendar.

Accredited

Officially recognized or authorized by an accrediting body as maintaining standards that qualify graduates for professional practice. PLU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and hosts various program-specific accreditations and certifications.

Associate’s

An undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges upon completion of a course of study typically lasting two years.

Admit Term

The academic term for which a student is accepted for admission to a program or institution.

B

Bachelor’s

An undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to seven years, depending on the institution and academic discipline.

C

Credit Hour

A unit that gives weight to the value, level, or time requirements of an academic course. It typically represents one hour of classroom instruction and two hours of out-of-class work per week over a semester. A full-time undergraduate student is required to take 12-17 credit hours, however, exceptions can be reviewed in the credit hour policy.

Colleges

Constituent schools or divisions within a university that focus on specific areas of study.

• • • HP : Health Profession
    • PS : Professional Studies
    • NS : Natural Sciences
    • LS : Liberal Studies

D

Drop

The process by which a student officially withdraws from a course within the designated drop period, usually without academic penalty. Please note the academic calendar the appropriate period to add/drop a course. Students may also choose to remove curriculum ( major/minor/concentration ) from their academic record.

F

Financial Aid

Any grant, scholarship, loan, or work-study opportunity offered to help a student meet their college expenses. For more information, students can check the PLU financial aid site or contact the Office of Financial Services.

First Year

Refers to students in their first year of study at a college or university. Transfer students are not considered “first year” when they enroll into PLU for the first time given that they have attended higher education previously.

Freshman

A first-year student at a secondary school, college, or university.

Full-Time Student

A student enrolled in a full course load, usually defined as 12 or more credit hours per semester for undergraduate students.

G

Graduation Rate

The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who complete their program within a specified number of years (e.g., four or six years).

Grant

A type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid, typically based on financial need.

L

Liberal Arts

Academic programs intended to provide general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities, as opposed to professional or technical skills.

Loan

Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, used to pay for college expenses.

M

Major

The primary focus of study for a degree, requiring a specified number of credit hours and courses.

Master’s

A graduate degree awarded by universities upon completion of a program of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

Matriculate

To enroll or be admitted into a group, especially a college or university.

Merit Aid / Merit Scholarships

Financial aid awarded based on a student’s academic, artistic, athletic, or other abilities, and not on financial need.

Minor

A secondary concentration of courses that often complements the major.

N

Need-based Financial Aid

Financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA or other financial aid forms.

Nonmatriculated

A student who is enrolled in courses but is not admitted into a degree program.

Nonresident

A student who does not meet the residency requirements for in-state tuition at a public institution and typically pays higher tuition rates.

P

Part-time Student

A student enrolled in fewer than the credit hours required for full-time status.

Pass-Fail

A grading option where students receive either a “pass” or “fail” grade instead of a traditional letter grade, not affecting GPA.

Persistence

The continued enrollment of a student from one term to the next, often used to measure student retention and progress.

Post-doctorate

Advanced academic or professional work beyond a doctoral degree, often involving research and specialized study.

Postsecondary

Education beyond high school level, including college, university, and vocational education.

Provost

The senior academic administrator at a college or university, responsible for overseeing academic policies and curriculum.

R

Race / Ethnicity Code

Categories used to classify individuals based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. These codes typically include American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, White, Two or More Races, International, and Unknown.

Re-Enrollment

The process of enrolling again in a school or program after a period of absence. Students will have to complete a re-entry application in order to take courses in the next term.

Retention

The ability of an institution to retain students through to the completion of their degree programs.

S

Semester ( or Term )

An academic period, typically half of an academic year, during which a student takes courses. Semesters are usually 15-18 weeks long.

STEM

An acronym referring to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

T

Tenure

A permanent position awarded to professors, typically after a probationary period, that provides job security and academic freedom.

Transcript

An official record of a student’s courses, grades, and academic performance.

Transfer Student

A student who moves from one institution to another and seeks to have previous coursework accepted for credit.

Tuition

The fee that colleges charge for instruction and training (not including other fees such as room and board).

U

Undergraduate

A student at a college or university who has not yet earned a bachelor’s or equivalent degree.

W

Waiver

The intentional relinquishment of a right or claim, often referring to the waiving of tuition or fees under specific circumstances.

Withdrawal

The process of formally leaving a course or institution before completion, which may have academic and financial implications.

Work Study

A federally funded program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.