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Glossary of U.S. Higher Education Terms

The following terms are used in describing IUPUI's admission and academic procedures. Most are in common use in American higher education.

Academic Plan:

The term used by the IUPUI Student Information System to represent a course of study in a specific academic field; for example, Chemistry.

Academic Program:

The term used by the IUPUI Student Information System to represent the combination of level of study and school or division to which a student is admitted; for example, undergraduate science or graduate business.

Bachelor's Degree:

Generally, in the U.S., the first four years of full-time college or university study are known as undergraduate study and usually lead to a bachelor's degree. Most U.S. bachelor's programs include general education in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, and a field of specialized study called the "major." The major may be combined with one or two less intensive areas of study called "minors."

College (or College-level):

The first level of higher education in the U.S. Also called undergraduate education.

Course Load:

The number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled during a semester.

Doctoral or Ph.D. Degree:

The doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest degree awarded in the U.S. Admission to a doctoral program requires completion of at least a four-year bachelor's degree and in some cases a master's degree. Earning the degree requires course work, comprehensive examinations, original research, and a dissertation.

Grading Scale used at IUPUI:

The following values are used to compute a student's grade-point average (GPA):

Grade	GPA
A = highest passing grade
A+	4.0
A	4.0
A-	3.7
B = average passing grade
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B-	2.7
C = below average, passing grade
C+	2.3
C	2.0
C-	1.7
D = lowest passing grade
D+	1.3
D	1.0
D-	0.7
F = failure
Any F	0.0

Most graduate programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to maintain good standing and for graduation. Professional programs may use a different scale.

Graduate Degree:

A master's or doctoral degree. These degrees are called graduate (or post-graduate) because one is required to have graduated (earned a bachelor's degree) to be eligible for admission.

High School:

The final four years of secondary education, generally defined as grades 9 through 12 in the U.S.

Master's Degree:

The introductory level of graduate study. Generally, in the U.S., a four-year bachelor's degree following 12 years of primary/secondary education is required for admission. Depending on the field of study, a master's degree may require from one to three years to complete. A student entering a master's degree program in a different subject from the undergraduate major may be required to complete undergraduate courses in the new subject to make up deficiencies in the new subject area.

Major:

The subject on which a student concentrates. The major usually represents at least 30 semester hours of study in a single subject or in a group of closely related subjects. The term is used primarily with undergraduate education, but can also refer to graduate study.

Non-degree Study:

Study not leading to a degree. Only under special circumstances are students from overseas admitted to non-degree study. Acceptance into non-degree status does not guarantee admission to a degree program later. Non-degree courses taken may not apply toward degree requirements if the student is later admitted to a degree program.

Prerequisite Courses:

A specific group of courses required for admission to a particular major or field of study. In some cases, you must complete all prerequisite courses before you can be admitted to the degree program that specifies prerequisite courses.

Professional Degree:

The degree that is required to practice a profession. Indiana University offers professional degrees in Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Physical Therapy at IUPUI.

School:

At IUPUI, schools are the degree-granting units within the University (e.g., the School of Liberal Arts or the School of Science).

Second Bachelor's Degree:

A bachelor's degree earned after the student has already received a bachelor's degree. A second bachelor's degree is required for admission to graduate study in some programs if the first bachelor's degree was earned in a different subject area. For example, in nursing, if a student already holds a bachelor's degree and wants to practice the profession, earning a second bachelor's degree to obtain basic clinical skills may be necessary. In other professions, it may be preferable to proceed directly to graduate study after completing additional prerequisite courses. In all cases, applicants should consult with an advisor in their chosen field before deciding to pursue a second bachelor's degree.

Transcript:

An official record of courses and grades.

Undergraduate Degree:

An associate's, bachelor's, or any degree program that does not require a bachelor's degree to be eligible for admission.

Undergraduate Student:

A student who is working on a bachelor's or an associate degree, or any college student who is taking courses or following a study program that does not require a bachelor's degree to be eligible for admission. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree and return to school to earn a second bachelor's degree are still undergraduate students.