Glossary of Terms - Academic Advising

A

Academic Advisor
A faculty member who provides a proactive advising approach with students to explore a student's choice of major and career goals. Academic advisors work with students to create educational plans that will lead to academic and social success. Academic Advisors maintain extensive knowledge of academic programs and student services and collaborate with College faculty and staff to enhance student performance and retention.
Academic Amnesty
Is limited to grades of "D" and "F" received in courses which are peculiar to and required by the student's previous curriculum.
Academic Calendar
The calendar reflects major term dates and activities scheduled primarily at the Main Campus and the Regional Centers. Term start and end dates, refund periods, the final day to drop course (s) and deadlines to change "I" grades; planned breaks and exam schedule.
Academic Offerings
programs that prepare you for in-demand careers or transfers in Architecture and Construction; Art; Design and Media; Business and Technology; Health Care; Law and Public Service; Liberal Arts; Science; Social and Human Services; and Technical Trade.
Academic Probation
The status of a student whose academic performance is unsatisfactory in relation to grade point average and/or academic progress. See the Policy on Academic Standards and Progress for more information.
Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)
Allows students to complete multiple developmental English courses within a semester. The ALP community has a maximum of 13 students, providing more individualized instruction.
Amnesty
refers to "forgiveness" of a student's grade of "D", "F", and/or "W". Amnesty results in the recalculation of GPA and a reassessment of a student's academic progress.
Assessment Center
Where new students can complete placement tests prior to orientation and registration in order that they may demonstrate their skill level in the areas of reading, writing and math.
Associate's Degree
A diploma granted by community and junior colleges after successful completion of the credits equivalent to two years of college work. Types of associate degrees include:
  • Associate in Arts (A.A.)
  • Associate in Science (A.S.)
  • Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) are degrees for those who plan to transfer to bachelor's degree-granting institutions.

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) a degree that provides students career-specific skills leading directly to employment. Students with this degree may also transfer to bachelor's degree-granting institutions.

Articulation
Articulation deals with the transfer of credits among colleges and universities. Articulation agreements guaranteeing acceptance of certain courses and programs are in place between the College and a number of area colleges and universities.

C

Canvas
Is a learning management system used to deliver online and hybrid courses.
Career Services Center
Offers individual appointments and workshops on resume and letter writing, interview preparation, job search strategies and career decision making and planning.
Center for Male Engagement
Geared towards African-American males. Provides its members with targeted academic and non-academic supports designed to enhance their skill sets, cultivate a sense of belonging and build resolve as they pursue a degree at Community College of Philadelphia and continue beyond.
Certificate
Granted by community and junior colleges upon successful completion of a number of specific courses in a curriculum less than the equivalent of two years of college.
Academic certificates prepare students for a variety of opportunities, including workplace preparation
Proficiency certificates are short-term, focused course offerings that are primarily developed to prepare students for employment.
Child Development Center
Students may enroll their children, ages six weeks to five years of age.
College Catalog – Is the official source of information regarding college policies and procedures; college's degree and certificate programs; course requirements; academic calendar; admissions information; student support services; transfer opportunities and specialized offerings.
Center on Disability
Reviews and approves student requests for academic accommodations related to disability.
Counseling Center
The College offers free, comprehensive counseling to all its students. The Counseling Center is staffed by professional counselors. Educational, career and personal counseling are available to individuals and groups.
Core-to-Core
The approved Community College of Philadelphia associate's degree programs are accepted because the general education requirements meet the core requirements of the transfer college's curriculum.
Corequisite
A requirement (usually another course) that students must take simultaneously.
Course Reference Number (CRN)
This five-digit number is used to register for a course.
Credit by Examination
Credit granted for proficiency demonstrated through testing.
Curriculum
A course of study or academic program offered by an educational institution.

D

Developmental Course
A pre – college level course to develop skills in reading, writing or math that prepares students for college-level English and math.
Dual admissions
Agreements designed to facilitate smooth transition of community college students to a four-year institution. These agreements provide guaranteed admission with junior-level standing plus scholarships, assuming you have the appropriate cumulative GPA. You must earn a degree in an approved college program to qualify. Students complete an intent form for identified college (s) by the time they have completed a defined number of credits.
Dual Enrollment
Program which allows currently enrolled high school students (including home schooled students) to enroll in college-level courses. Upon successful completion, students will receive college credit. High school credit is granted at the direction of the high school.

E

Electives
Courses that a student may choose as part of a program of study. The choice may be open (general elective) or restricted in some way (directed elective).
Excused Withdrawal
If a student experience a personal or medical emergency which causes them to withdraw from College. Requests for excused withdrawals will not be considered if supporting documentation (medical or court documents, death certificate, and etc) is not included.

F

Fees
Charges not included in the tuition.

FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student records.
Financial Aid
Community College of Philadelphia participates in the following federal and state – funded programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study Program, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Grant, William D. Ford Direct Student Loans (Direct Loans), and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). And private sources available to eligible students who are enrolled in eligible degree or certificate programs.

H

Hold
A notation place on a student's record that indicates that the student is restricted from receiving services because of an unmet obligation. Holds may prevent registration or graduation, or prevent the production of transcripts, enrollment verification documents and grade notification.
Honors Program
A program for high-achieving students who wish to excel in a diverse and interdisciplinary learning environment. The program maintains academic rigor while allowing flexibility for qualified students.
Hybrid Course
A course that combines face-to-face classroom instruction with online learning.

I

Intensive English Language Program (IELP)
Offers the option to accelerate language studies as you prepare to begin your college education.

K

KEYS
Assists students who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) support in their pursuit of postsecondary education.

L

Learning Labs
Provide supplementary instructional assistance by faculty and peer tutors to students registered in a variety of college courses.

M

Matriculation
To enroll in a college or university as a candidate for a degree.
Mid-term Grades
Mid-term grades are indicators of a student's progress. They are posted after students complete the first half of the semester. Mid-term grades are not recorded on student academic records.
MyCCP
is the College's portal and is where students access College wide and personalized announcements, College supplied e-mail accounts and student records such as registration status, financial aid information, and registration.
My Degree Path
A web-based degree audit and academic advising tool that helps you, your advisor, or counselor manage your degree and/or certificate requirements.

O

Office of Collegiate Recovery
Focused on coordinating efforts that will help you stay free of drugs and alcohol while simultaneously pursing a college education.

P

Placement Tests
Tests given prior to admission that are used to determine the student's skill level in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
Prerequisite
A course you are required to take before another course.
Program-to-Program
These are agreements in which an entire curriculum or program is accepted, so graduates of these specific associate's degree programs transfer with advanced standing in a specific bachelor's degree program at the transfer college./dd>

R

Registration
The process whereby a continuing students, or a new or reentering student whose application has been accepted, formally enters the College by selecting courses for a specific semester. Registration is official when tuition and fees are paid by the deadline for that semester.

S

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The status of a student who has met or exceeded the percentage of credits completed as specified in the College's Policy on Academic Standards and Progress. A student must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to be eligible for financial aid.
Semester
The two consecutive periods of academic instruction (fall and spring) into which the academic year is divided at the College. In addition to its fall and spring semesters, the College has two summer sessions (summer I and summer II).
Single Stop
A service for students that connects them to state and federal financial resources and local community services. The aim is to help students overcome economic barriers, continue with their education and move towards economic mobility.
Student Academic Computer Center
Offers students free access to computer workstations to assist them as they conduct research or complete other academic work for their classes.
Student Code of Conduct
– An outline of acceptable and expected conduct for Community College of Philadelphia students. This code of conduct is published in the Student Handbook.
Student Tuition Services
Responsible for all financial transactions of the college including tuition payment.
Syllabus
Written description of course content distributed by instructors to students.

T

Term Code
A two or three character code identifying the start and duration of a class.
Time Amnesty
Applies to students who have interrupted their attendance for three or more years and affects all courses in which a grade of "D", "F" or "W" was earned.
Transfer
Changing from one collegiate institution to another after having met the requirements for admission to the second institution.
Transcript
The official record of a student's grades and the credits earned.

U

Undergraduate
A student at a college or university who has not yet received a bachelor's degree.

V

Veterans Resource Center
Is dedicated to serving students who are veterans and dependents of veterans.

W

Withdrawal
A student may withdraw from a course or courses without academic penalty up to and including the eleventh (11th) week of a regular term, and up to and including the equivalent of the eleventh (11th) week in a nonstandard term.
Women's Outreach and Advocacy Center
Provides service that address the academic, social, emotional and personal development needs as well as the health and safety concerns, of female students.