ACADEMIC ADVISING
Process whereby students are provided with information regarding degree requirements, recommended coursework, programs of study, academic support services and policies and procedures defining academic progress. (See also ADVISER.)

ACADEMIC FORGIVENESS POLICY
The Academic Forgiveness Policy pertains only to former Kent students returning to the University as undergraduate students after a significant absence. It provides them an opportunity to have their academic standing reflect the increased maturity and improved level of academic performance gained since the interruption of studies at Kent.

ACADEMIC PROBATION
(see PROBATION)

ACADEMIC STANDING
Students with a cumulative 2.00 grade point average or above are in good academic standing. Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.00 are placed on academic probation.

ACADEMIC YEAR
University year consisting of two 16-week semesters, fall and spring.

ACCESS
A program which permits persons to take courses at the University on a space-available basis at a substantial reduction in cost from that which is paid by a regularly enrolled student. No academic credit is received by ACCESS students for such coursework.

ACCREDITATION
An external review process by which experts authorize or give credentials that indicate standards and expectations have been met by academic programs or institutions.

ADMISSIONS OFFICE
The university office where information and undergraduate admissions applications are available. The Admissions Office is often the first point of contact for prospective students.

ADULT STUDENT
A student who is 21 years old or older and who has been out of high school for three years or more at the time of his/her first college enrollment. Further defined as any student whose primary life roles and responsibilities exist independent of the university and, at times, may take precedence over the role of student.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
College credits granted by Kent State for satisfactory scores attained through high school participation in this nationally standardized program. The Honors College administers this program.

ADVISER
Faculty member or staff person who provides students with information concerning courses, programs of study and other aspects of academic life.

ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
A two-year degree of a technical or general nature offered only through the Regional Campuses.

AUDIT
Enrollment in a class for which no grade or credit will be received.

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Academic degree conferred by a university or college. Generally requires a minimum of four years of full-time study. Also called a "bachelor's degree."
 

BASIC SCIENCE
A Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of 6 hours of coursework in the following areas: anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, physics and physical sciences.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The board is made up of 11 trustees, two of whom shall be students at Kent State University, are appointed by the governor to provide for the proper maintenance and successful, continuous operation of the university (as specified by the Ohio Revised Code).

BOARD PLAN
Food service plan operated by university; mandatory participation by freshmen and sophomores living in residence halls.

BURSAR'S OFFICE
The university office where payments of tuition and fees are made.

CAREER PLANNING
The development and coordination of a student's experiences including his/her programs of study, extracurricular activities and employment pursuits to assist in the selection and planning of a vocation.

CAREER SERVICES CENTER
The university office providing job information, career counseling, professional reference credentials and an on-campus recruiting program. Matching organizational requirements with individuals' abilities, Career Services also administers the University's student employment program.

CATALOG YEAR
A term identifying the Catalog which contains the requirements defining a student's degree program. Initially, it is the Catalog in use during the student's first semester at Kent State University.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The Regional Campus system awards certificates to students who successfully complete a course of study designed to meet a specific need and which has been designated a Certificate Program and properly approved as such. These programs consist of no less than 15 credit hours and no more than 30.

CERTIFICATION
Formal "licensing" of a professional program according to the standards of an external professional body, for example, the certification of graduates in approved curricula of the College of Education.

CLEP
The College Level Examination Program is a testing program administered by Academic Testing Service. The successful completion often results in college-level credit.

COLLEGE
Academic organizational division of the University offering curricular programs leading to baccalaureate or advanced degrees. The College of Fine and Professional Arts is an example.

COLLOQUIUM
An academic seminar on a broad topic usually led by a different lecturer at each meeting.

COMBINED BACCALAUREATE AND MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS
Programs of study available to students with outstanding undergraduate records or exemplary professional credentials.

COMPASS TEST
COMPASS is a computer-adaptive test used to assess mathematics, reading and writing skills of entering freshmen. COMPASS results are used by trained academic advisers to place students into appropriate courses and to advise students on course selection.

COMPOSITION
A Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of 6 hours of College English I and II.

CONCENTRATION
A major area of study within the bachelor's degree program usually encompassing several allied disciplines.

CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENT
Any student attending credit workshops, seminars and conferences, whether for credit, continuing education units or noncredit.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEU)
Awarded for successful completion of a noncredit course or program. One continuing education unit equals 10 contact hours in an academically sound program sponsored by an accredited educational institution.

COURSE LOAD
Total number of semester credit hours for which a student registered during any semester

COURSE WITHDRAWAL
Process by which student removes a course(s) from his/her schedule subject to the deadlines published in the "Schedule of Classes" booklet. A mark of "W" will be recorded on the student's transcript if the withdrawal is after the second week of the fall and spring semesters. Refer to the "Schedule of Classes" booklet for the summer sessions deadlines.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Credit earned in selected approved courses by taking a departmental examination to test knowledge already possessed without previous course enrollment. Contact Academic Testing Services.

CREDIT HOURS
Units acquired for completed coursework which are applied toward a degree.

DEAN
The head of a division, faculty, college or school of a university.

DEAN'S LIST FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Recognition given students who attained a semester average of 3.40 or better during the most recent term and who completed at least 12 graded hours.

DEAN'S LIST FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
Compiled after spring semester grades are issued, the Dean's List for Part-time Students will recognize a student with at least a 3.40 grade point average in 12 or more graded hours taken during the previous summer, fall and spring semesters. Students must have registered for fewer than 12 hours in each of the semesters under consideration.

DEGREE

• Associate's Degree - Two-year degree of a technical or general nature offered only through the Regional Campuses.
  Baccalaureate Degree - Academic degree conferred by a university or college. Generally requires a minimum of four years of full-time study. Also called a "bachelor's degree".
• Master's Degree - Academic degree conferred by a university for completion of an integrated program of study at the graduate level beyond the bachelor's degree; usually involves one or more years of work and completion of a research project or thesis.
• Doctoral Degree - Highest degree conferred by a university following advanced graduate study and research.
• Combined Baccalaureate and Master's Degree Programs - Programs of study available to students with outstanding undergraduate records or exemplary professional credentials.

DEPARTMENT
Academic unit within a college or school. For example the Department of Accounting is an academic unit within the College of Business Administration.

DISCIPLINE
Specific area of study; formally organized body of knowledge, such as biological sciences.

DISMISSAL
Process by which a student whose academic performance indicates little chance of obtaining the minimum grades required for graduation is no longer allowed to enroll at the university.

DISTANCE LEARNING
Any form of learning in which the instructor and student are geographically separate, e.g., televised or Web-based instruction.

DISTRIBUTED LEARNING
Distributed learning is interactive distance learning; any type of education in which students work on their own at home or at the office and communicate with faculty and other students via e-mail, electronic forums, video conferencing or another form of computer-based communication.

DIVERSITY
Coursework required of all undergraduate students. Normally students must complete two courses from the list of approved Diversity courses, including at least one from the Diversity list within the Liberal Education Requirements program.

DOCTORAL DEGREE
Highest degree conferred by a university following advanced graduate study and research.

DOUBLE MAJOR
The pursuit of two or more programs of academic study for a single degree within the same college.

DUAL DEGREE
The pursuit of programs of study in two different colleges within the university leading to degrees in both colleges. Students may also pursue two separate degrees, as available, within the same college.

ELECTIVE
Courses or programs pursued in addition to the collegial, departmental, major and liberal education degree requirements.

EMERITUS SENIOR SCHOLAR PROGRAM
Special classes open only to senior Guest Students, taught by emeritus faculty. A fee is assessed for each class.

EVENING AND WEEKEND STUDENT
One who takes 50 percent or more of his or her credit coursework in evening and/or weekend classes.

EXIT
(see UNIVERSITY EXIT)

FINANCIAL AID
Financial assistance for an eligible student; available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships and federal work-study employment.

FINE ARTS

1. The fine arts are concerned primarily with the creation of aesthetic objects or performances-such as music, art and theater-which are created for the specific purpose of being observed and experienced for the power of their effect on the perceiver.
   
2. Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of coursework in the following areas: architecture, art, music and theatre.

FLASHcard (IDENTIFICATION CARD)
Identification card issued to all registered students; is also used for admittance to athletic, cultural, social events, borrowing of library materials and purchasing goods and services on the Golden Flash debit plan or the Food Services board plan.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
Financial information document submitted by an applicant for student financial aid; supplies information concerning income, assets, expenses and liabilities. Available in the university Financial Aid Office.

FRESHMAN
An undergraduate student who has earned less than 30 semester hours.

FRESHMAN RULE FOR RECALCULATION OF GRADE POINT AVERAGE
(Freshman Forgiveness)
Refer to the policy as described in the General Requirements and Regulations section of the Catalog.

FULL-TIME STUDENT
Any undergraduate student enrolled in the university who is carrying a course load of 12 or more hours per semester.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
General requirements address a broad range of matters such as degree requirements, requirements for graduation, residency requirements and academic standing.

GOLDEN FLASH DEBIT PLAN
A debit account maintained through the FLASHcard office, whose value is determined by the student.

GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE)
Grade point average is determined by the number of hours attempted at Kent State University and the grades received. Refer to the section on Grade Point Average in the General Requirements and Regulations section of the Catalog.

GRADUATE STUDENT
A student who is pursuing a graduate program of study, i.e., a master's or doctoral degree.

GRANT (FINANCIAL AID)
A nonrepayable award to an eligible student based upon determined financial need and program criteria.

HUMANITIES

1. The branches of learning having primarily a cultural character such as art, philosophy, history, music, English and foreign languages.
   
2. Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of coursework in the following areas: classical studies, communication studies, English, history, Pan-African studies and philosophy.

ID CARD
(see FLASHcard)

IN PROGRESS
A grade given to indicate that research, individual investigation or similar efforts are in progress and that a final grade will be given when the work is completed. Refer to the section on Academic Grades and Administrative Marks in the General Requirements and Regulations section in the Catalog.

INCOMPLETE
An administrative mark which may be given to students who are unable to complete the last three weeks of a semester because of factors beyond their control. Refer to the section on Academic Grades and Administrative Marks in the General Requirements and Regulations section of the Catalog.

INDEPENDENT STUDENT (FINANCIAL AID)
A person may be considered independent for student financial aid purposes if he/she is one of the following: (1) is born before January 1, 1975; (2) is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; (3) is a graduate or a professional student; (4) is married; (5) is an orphan or a ward of the court, or was a ward of the court until age 18; (6) has legal dependents other than a spouse; or, (7)* is a student with other unusual circumstances.
*A student with unusual circumstances must meet with a Financial Aid officer to complete a dependency appeal. The student should be aware that documentation is required to support a claim of independence.

INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION
A method of independent study that, if approved by the appropriate university authorities, allows the student to pursue topics of interest in a flexible time frame.

INDIVIDUALIZED MAJOR
Individually designed program of study developed in consultation with the dean of the college and with faculty recommendations.

INTERCOLLEGIATE
Activities involving two or more colleges or universities.

INTERDISCIPLINARY
Course or program of study involving two or more major areas and departments of study.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
A student who is not a citizen of the United States and who has entered the United States on a temporary basis for the purpose of enrolling in an educational institution.

INTERNSHIP
A work experience in a position related to the academic field of preparation.

INTRAMURALS AND RECREATION
Athletic activities between and among groups on one campus.

JUNIOR
An undergraduate student who has earned between 60-89 semester hours.

KENT ACADEMIC PROGRESS SYSTEM (KAPS)
An automated degree audit system to monitor students' progress toward completion of degree requirements.

KentLINK
The university's online public catalog. KentLINK offers author, title, subject and keyword searching of the extensive holdings of the university libraries.

LATE REGISTRATION
Process of initial class enrollment for a given term once the term has begun. A late registration fee is assessed beginning the second week of classes. Refer to the "Schedule of Classes" booklet for summer sessions deadlines.

LIBERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (LER)
Coursework required of all Kent State undergraduate students regardless of college, school or specific academic program. Encompassing 36 hours of academic credits in five areas to be completed during the first two years of study, LERs are designed to provide a common nucleus and an appropriate breadth of inquiry, understanding and perspective to the Kent State undergraduate education experience. It is essential, therefore, that students consult the Catalog descriptions for their college and degree program.
Categories of LERs consist of:
* Composition
* Mathematics, Logic and Foreign Languages
* Humanities and Fine Arts
* Social Sciences
* Basic Sciences

LICENSURE
Formal "permission" of a professional program according to the standards of an external professional body, for example, the certification of graduates in approved curricula of the College of Education.

LOWER DIVISION
A student with freshmen or sophomore standing; or may refer to a course whose number begins with a 1 or a 2.

MAJOR

MASTER'S DEGREE
Academic degree conferred by a university for completion of an integrated program of study at the graduate level beyond the bachelor's degree; usually involves one or more years of work and completion of a research project or thesis.
Subject of focus for academic study in which student pursues a prescribed curriculum and is a formal degree candidate.

MATHEMATICS, LOGIC AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE
A Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of 6 hours of coursework in the following areas: classical studies, critical languages, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, math, Pan-African studies, philosophy, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

MATRICULATION
The process of being admitted into a group, especially a college or university.

MINOR
Secondary field of study represented by a set of department determined courses, generally between 18 and 24 credit hours.

NATURAL SCIENCES
Any of the sciences that deal with matter, energy and their interrelations and transformations or with objectively measurable phenomena, such as physics, chemistry or biology.

NONCREDIT
Courses or programs for which no academic credit is given.

NONDEGREE
(see SPECIAL NONDEGREE ADMISSION)

NONRESIDENT
Student who has not established status as a resident of Ohio as defined by Ohio Board of Regents. Refer to the policy on Ohio Student Residency in the Fees and Expenses section of the Catalog.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (NEOUCOM)
A consortium of The University of Akron, Kent State University and Youngstown State University which provides a combined, six-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program. NEOUCOM is fully accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

OHIO INSTRUCTIONAL GRANT (OIG) / FINANCIAL AID
A nonrepayable award made by the Ohio Board of Regents to an eligible undergraduate student who is an Ohio resident. The OIG is applied to the cost of tuition and fees.

OhioLINK
A statewide electronic library catalog and database system, OhioLINK provides online access to the collections of 52 institutions in Ohio.

OMBUDS
Swedish term meaning "representative." Person appointed by the university to assist students in resolving concerns, complaints and grievances through established channels.

ORIENTATION
Program designed to familiarize the new student with university facilities, policies and procedures.

OVERLOAD
Enrollment for class hours in excess of 18 during fall or spring semester, in excess of 6 hours during Summer I or III, or 10 hours during Summer II. Refer to "Schedule of Classes" booklet for additional information. An overload requires dean's permission and results in assessment of an additional fee.

PART-TIME STUDENT
Any undergraduate student enrolled in the university who is carrying a course load of less than 12 hours per semester.

PASS (Placement, Advising and Scheduling System)
The Placement, Advising and Scheduling System provides a one-day orientation to Kent State University for new freshmen and their families. The program is designed to acquaint participants with the campus and provide academic advising and course registration services to new students.

PASS-FAIL
System by which undergraduate students can take elective courses for a grade of pass or fail in lieu of a letter grade.

PELL GRANT
A nonrepayable financial aid award provided by the federal government directly to an undergraduate student; formerly named Basic Educational Opportunity Grant.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES
The natural sciences that deal primarily with nonliving materials such as mineralogy, astronomy, meteorology or geology.

POSTUNDERGRADUATE
A student with a baccalaureate degree who is enrolling in additional undergraduate-level classes.

PRACTICUM
A school or college course, especially one in a specialized field, designed to give the students supervised practical experience.

PREPROFESSIONAL
Preparation for professional training through undergraduate programs of study.

PREREQUISITE
Course(s) or condition(s) required before enrollment in a more advanced class. Example: Biology 10181 is a prerequisite for Biology 10182.

PRESIDENT'S LIST
Recognition given students who attained a semester average of 4.00 during the most recent term and who completed at least 15 graded credit hours (all of which must have regular letter grades).

PROBATION (ACADEMIC)
A warning to students who fail to maintain a semester and/or an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better. Failure to improve the academic record within a specified time may result in academic dismissal.

PROGRAM
Plan of academic study.

PROVOST
Chief academic officer of the University.

QUALITY POINTS
The number of points assigned per credit hour for each letter grade: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, F=0 points.

QUARTER
School term (about 11 weeks long) that is one-third of academic year. (see SEMESTER).

QUARTER HOUR
Each hour of coursework in the quarter system plan is called a quarter hour, which can be converted to semester hours (i.e., for transfer students): 1 quarter hour converts to .67 semester hours.

REGISTRAR'S OFFICE
The university office that plans and oversees registration activities, academic record maintenance, transcript preparation and degree audit system.

REGISTRATION
Process of initial class enrollment for a given term.

REINSTATEMENT
Process by which a student may gain re-entry to the university after dismissal. Please refer to the policy on "Reinstatement" in the General Requirements and Regulations section of the Catalog.

REQUIREMENT
Course or condition that must be fulfilled as part of a particular program.

ROTC (RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS)
Program leading to commission as officer in military service (Army or Air Force).

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT
A change to a class schedule for a student who has already enrolled in at least one course for the term. Deadlines for schedule adjustments are published in the "Schedule of Classes" booklet.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
List of courses to be offered for a given semester providing the days, time, meeting place and usually the instructor of the course. Also contains semester calendar information, including deadlines for registration transactions, and additional course fees, financial aid, and other pertinent information.

SCHOLARSHIP
A nonrepayable award to an eligible student based upon academic achievement and determined financial need or, in some cases, based upon academic achievement alone.

SCHOOL
Term applied to academic units within a particular college or to a single academic unit offering curricular programs leading to a baccalaureate or advanced degree. An example is the School of Journalism and Mass Communication

SEMESTER
School term (about 16 weeks long) that is one-half of the academic year.

SEMESTER HOUR
Each unit of academic credit assigned to a course as the credit value for that course under the semester system is known as the semester hour. Generally, semester hours of credit for a course are directly equivalent to the number of classroom contact hours per week.

SENIOR
An undergraduate student who has earned 90 or more semester hours and has not received a baccalaureate degree.

SENIOR GUEST STUDENT
An adult 50 years old and retired, or 60 years old regardless of retirement status, who wishes to sign up for regular course offerings on a space available, noncredit, tuition-free basis.

SEQUENCE
Courses that must be taken in a definite order.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

1. A science dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society such as sociology, psychology, political science or economics.
   
2. Liberal Education Requirement category consisting of 9 hours of coursework in the following areas: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology and sociology.

SOPHOMORE
An undergraduate student who has earned between 30-59 semester hours.

SPECIAL NONDEGREE ADMISSION
An admission category for students who have had no previous college-level work and who do not express an intent to pursue a baccalaureate degree.

SUBMAJOR
A subset of program requirements within a major where two or more explicitly designated choices share a common core. The submajor can contain three levels: concentration, option and emphasis.

SYLLABUS
An outline or a summary of the main points of text, lecture or course of study.

SYMPOSIUM
A meeting or conference for discussion of topic, especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations.

TRANSCRIPT
The accurate and complete record of a student's academic coursework attempted at an institution, presented in either electronic or paper format.

TRANSFER MODULE
Developed by the Ohio Board of Regents, a specific subset or the entire set of a college or university's general education requirements. A transfer module completed at one Ohio college or university will automatically meet the requirements of the transfer module at the receiving Ohio  institution, once the student is accepted. Students may be required, however, to meet additional general education requirements that are not included in the transfer module.

TRANSFER STUDENT
Any student applying to Kent State University who has attended any institution of higher learning since leaving high school.

TRANSIENT COURSEWORK
Coursework approved for Kent State University students who attend another accredited institution.

TRANSIENT STUDENT
Any student enrolled in another college or university who will attend Kent State University for one term.

TRUSTEES
(see BOARD OF TRUSTEES)

TUITION
A fee for instruction, especially at a formal institution of learning.

TUTOR
Person providing special study skills and assistance in a particular subject or academic program.

UNDERGRADUATE
A term applied to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

UNIVERSITY EXIT
Withdrawal from all university coursework by a specified deadline, as published in the "Schedule of Classes" booklet, in a given semester or summer term. Refer to the "Schedule of Classes" booklet for summer sessions deadlines.

UPPER DIVISION
A student with junior or senior standing; may refer to a course whose number begins with a 3 or 4.

WITHDRAW
(see COURSE WITHDRAWAL)

WORKSHOP
A credit or noncredit activity that focuses on a participant's professional tasks. Instructional emphasis is given to mastery and application of knowledge, skills and attitudes that address a narrowly defined range of problems or issues related to practice. All credit workshops are graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U).

WORK-STUDY (FINANCIAL AID)
An employment program based upon determined financial need. An eligible student may be employed on campus for not more than an average of 20 hours per week to earn money to help pay for educational costs.

WRITING-INTENSIVE REQUIREMENT
A graduation requirement for all undergraduate students requiring completion of at least one upper-division course designated as "writing-intensive," with a grade of C or better.