Academic Advising – Provides support and guidance that will help in clarifying educational and professional goals.  Assist in developing education plans that will help you to achieve these goals.  Provides accurate information on Shepherd University policies, procedures, and academic programs.  Academic advising occurs in November and April of each year.

Academic Advisor – Advisors are available throughout the academic year.  They assist in the selection of appropriate courses and help you develop an academic program that is consistent with your academic interests, aptitudes, and professional goals.  Your academic advisor will offer suggestions and provide support, but will not make decisions for you.  It is your responsibility to make final decisions regarding your educational and professional goals.

Academic Calendar – Yearly calendar published at the beginning of the fall semester. Important dates include: first day of class, last day to Add/Drop a class, holidays, exam week, etc.  A copy of this calendar may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, the information Desk (located on the first floor of the College Center), as well as most Academic Offices. 

Academic Change Form – This form is completed when any of the following is changed: degree, major, teaching field, advisor, minor, or concentration.  This form can be obtained from your advisor and/or the Office of the Registrar.

Academic Probation – a student is placed on Academic Probation when Shepherd University and/or cumulative average falls below a 2.0 GPA.  At the end of every semester, each student’s Shepherd University and cumulative grade point average is calculated.

First Year Students must obtain 2.0 Shepherd University and cumulative GPA (including course work attempted from another institution) to be removed from probation.

New Transfer Students must obtain 2.0 Shepherd University and cumulative GPA (including coursework attempted from another institution) to be removed from probation.

Academic Suspension – A student is suspended when the required cumulative grade point average is not achieved.  Students are first placed on Academic Probation.  During a period of academic suspension, no credits earned at another institution will be accepted at Shepherd University.  Appeals to these procedures and regulations may be made in writing to:  Admission & Credits committee  c/o Office of the Registrar

Add/Drop – First five days of the regular semester (first two days of each summer session).  During this time, students are permitted to change their original course schedule via RAIL.

Advanced Placement (AP) – This program allows talented high school students to take college level courses in their high school.  Shepherd University will award credit for AP exams as listed in the Admissions Section of the Shepherd University catalog.

Bachelor Degree – Granted upon successful completion of a four-year program.  The Bachelor’s degree requires successful completion of at least 128 credit hours, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.  Higher GPAs and additional requirements may apply to some majors.

Class Standing – Determined by the number of credit hours successfully completed.

	First Year Student (24 semester hours or less)
	Sophomore (25-56 semester hours)
	Junior (57-91 semester hours)
	Senior (92+ semester hours)

CLEP Tests – College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  Testing program for students with experience and/or knowledge in a specific subject area that is extensive enough to waive course credit through examination.  Credit for some subjects is available through CLEP testing.  For more information, contact the Career Development Center.

Comprehensive Major – Consists of one major field and no minor field.  Shepherd University offers comprehensive majors in Art, Computer and Information Sciences, Elementary Education, Environmental Studies, Music, Nursing, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Secondary Education, and Social Work.  The Office of the Registrar will not evaluate a minor field with this major.

Computer Literacy Requirement – In order to be eligible for graduation, students must master four basic computer skills: (1) email, (2) internet use, (3) electronic library research, and (4) word processing.  Every student must demonstrate computer skills by taking one of four courses or demonstrate computer skills to his/her advisor.  The General Studies Computer Literacy certification document is available from your advisor or the Registrar’s office.

Concentration – Group of courses that are taken to compliment a student’s chosen major.  Concentrations give students the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest  For example, a student may choose to Major in Environmental Studies and obtain an Aquatic Science concentration. 

Credit Hour – Courses taken in college are measured in terms of credit hours. To earn one credit hour, a student must attend a class for one classroom hour (usually 50 minutes) per week for the whole semester (usually 16 weeks). Classes are offered in 1 - 4 credit hour increments.  (Exception: Physical Education classes and science labs earn less credit hours for the required meeting times.)

CRN – “Course Request Number”.  Five digit number found in the Shepherd University Schedule of Classes.  It is an identification number for each section of a course and is required for RAIL or in-person registration.

Dean’s List – Students carrying at least 15 credit hours per semester and obtaining 3.4 GPA (or better) will be named to the Dean’s List.

Double Major – One degree is satisfied with two major fields in the same degree category.  The Office of the Registrar will not evaluate an additional minor field.

FAFSA – “Free Application for Federal Student Aid”. The almost universal application for financial aid, including loans, grants, college work-study and other federal and state programs.

Foreign Language Requirement – All Bachelor of Arts students (excluding education majors) are required to complete 12 hours in the same foreign language.  Music students must have their requirements approved by the chairs of the Music and English and Modern Language Departments.

Full-Time Student – Any student enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per fall/spring semester.  Students taking 6 hours in one summer session are defined as “full-time”. 

General Studies Program – required for all bachelor degree students (except the RBA degree).  General studies courses are generally completed during the first two years of college work and are designed to give the student a foundation in humanities, life or physical sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and physical education.  A total of 47 semester hours of course work is required. 

Grade Point Average (GPA) – determined by dividing the number of hours attempted into the number of quality points earned.

Grades:

W – Withdrawal (received when a student withdraws from class after the first five days of class (Add/Drop period) through Friday of the 12th week of classes.  To withdraw from a course, a form must be signed by your Academic Advisor and course instructor, then turned into the Office of the Registrar.

I – Incomplete (given to a student who has completed the majority of requirements for the course but, because of extenuating circumstances may be unable to complete all stated requirements for the course.  In order to receive an “I”, a student must communicate with the professor of the course.  If the professor is in agreement, the professor will submit the proper form to the Office of the Registrar with the final grade roster containing the Incomplete grade.  If the “I” is not made up in one semester, the grade will become an “F”.

Pass/Fail – General electives may be taken pass/fail.  General studies courses, required courses and electives in the major, or required courses and electives in the minor may NOT be taken pass/fail.  

IF – Failure due to irregular withdrawal (An “IF” is received if a student does not attend class and does not officially withdraw from class by the deadline listed in the Academic Calendar.)  “IF” is computed as an “F” in the GPA.

Honors Program – The Honors Program is an opportunity for talented and motivated students to enrich their educational experience while in college.  To complete the honors curriculum, students must earn 27 credits in Honors courses, including 6 credits for the Directed Readings and Thesis.  Success in these courses can earn you special awards or a degree with Honors.

Late Registration – First three days of classes.  This is for those returning student who missed the earlier registration dates.

Major – Concentration of courses in an academic curriculum of study.  In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree, a student must declare a major field of study.

Minor – Unless the student is participating in a comprehensive major, the student must also choose a minor field of study.  The minor usually complements the chosen major.

Part-Time Student – Any student taking 11 or fewer credit hours per fall/spring semester.  A student taking less than 6 hours in one summer session is defined as “part-time.

Office of the Registrar – The Office of the Registrar is responsible for the maintenance of all academic records.  This office also maintains records on class enrollment, certification of athletic eligibility and student eligibility for honor rolls, and certification of veteran’s eligibility.   They are also responsible for administering probation and retention policies and verifying completion of degree requirements for graduation.

PIN – “Personal Identification Number”.  Each person’s PIN is the student’s birth date – unless previously changed.

Pre-Professional Programs – Non-degree programs that are not eligible for Financial Aid.  Students may begin their educational requirements for degrees in Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law, and Theological Studies and transfer to another institution to complete their studies.

Pre-requisites – A prerequisite course is a course taken in preparation for another course. For example, English 101 is a prerequisite for English 102.

RAIL (Remote Access Information Line) – RAIL enables students to register by computer, add and drop classes during the Add/Drop period, access their class schedule, and access final grades.

Registration Holds – RAIL will inform students of any holds that may be on their records.  Students with outstanding financial or other obligations will not be permitted to register for classes until all obligations are cleared by the appropriate campus office. 

Scheduling Packet – Complete listing of every course that will be offered at the institution to students each semester.  Information includes times and dates of classes, professors, pre-requisites and eligibility, and location where classes will be held.

Syllabus – An outline of important information about a course. Written by the professor or instructor, it usually includes important dates, assignments, expectations and policies specific to that course.

Term Personal Identification Number (PIN) – Provided to each student by his/her advisor during academic advisement.  Students must have a PIN and a Term PIN to register for classes.

Transcript – A student’s permanent academic record at college. It will show courses taken, grades received, academic status and honors received.  Some employers may request final transcripts as part of their application and hiring procedures.

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Last modified: Friday March 09, 2007.