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Glossary of Terms

This glossary contains terms found in Commission publications, on this website, and in the education community. Several subsets of this glossary are available; click on the description in the menu to view them.

Definitions of Education Terms

View a subset of the Glossary.

Acronyms  | Calendar System  | Degree Types  | Eligibility  | Financial Aid  | Historic Regions  | Institution Codes  | K-12
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4 - 1 - 4

Academic year consisting of:
  • Four courses taken for four months
  • One course taken for one month
  • Four courses taken for four months
(Data Element Dictionary)

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ABD "All But Degree" or "All But Dissertation"

Not a formal degree; applies to someone who has completed all the requirements for a Ph.D. except the dissertation.

Ability to Benefit

A determination made by a college to determine if a potential student will be able to benefit, with or without remedial education/training, from the program(s) offered at the school. The ability to benefit is generally applied as the primary entrance requirement for the California Community Colleges.

Academic Advisor

The officer (a member of the faculty or another professional) who provides academic advice and guidance to students.

Academic Calendar

The period that makes up the school year, usually divided into two terms (semesters), three terms (trimesters), or four terms (quarters). (Data Element Dictionary)

Academic Library Current Operations & Acquisitions Price Index (LPI)

The LPI reports the relative year-to-year price level of goods and services purchased by postsecondary institution libraries for their current operations. The priced components of LPI are organized into three parts -- personnel compensation, acquisitions and contracted services, and supplies and materials.

Academic Performance Index (API)

The Academic Performance Index (API) is the cornerstone of California's Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 (PSAA). The purpose of the API is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. It is a numeric index (or scale) that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. A school's score on the API is an indicator of a school's performance level. The statewide API performance target for all schools is 800. A school's growth is measured by how well it is moving toward or past that goal. A school's API Base is subtracted from its API Growth to determine how much the school improved in a year.

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Academic Year

An academic year is the period of time K-12, colleges and universities use to measure a quantity of study. Academic years vary from school to school. Typically, the length of an academic year runs August/September through May/June. The academic year usually equates to two semesters, two trimesters, three quarters, or the period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system. The Commission has standardized its data around an academic year starting with the Summer term or session and ending with the Spring term or session. For example, the 2004-05 academic year consists of the Summer 2004, Fall 2004, Winter 2005, and Spring 2005 terms.

ACCJC

Acronym for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC, one of the Commissions of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), evaluates and accredits public and private postsecondary institutions offering one or more educational programs of two academic years in length that grant the associate degree.

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Accreditation

Accreditation in higher education is a collegial process of self-review and peer review for improvement of academic quality and public accountability of institutions and programs. This quality review process occurs on a periodic basis, usually every three to 10 years. Typically, it involves three major activities:
  • A self-evaluation by an institution or program using the standards or criteria of an accrediting organization
  • A peer review of an institution or program to gather evidence of quality.
  • A decision or judgment by an accrediting organization to accredit, accredit with conditions, or not accredit an institution/program.
The purpose of this process is to provide a professional judgment as to the quality of the school or program(s) offered and to encourage continuous improvement.

Accrediting Agencies

Agencies that establish operating standards for educational or professional institutions and programs, determine the extent to which the standards are met, and publicly announce their findings. Voluntary, non-governmental, institutional accreditation, such as that practiced by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and other regional commissions, is a unique characteristic of American education. In many other countries the maintenance of educational standards is a governmental function. No institution in the United States is required to seek accreditation, however, because of the recognized benefits, most of the eligible institutions in the six accrediting regions of the United States have sought to become accredited. Institutional accreditation in higher education is a collegial process of self-review and peer review for improvement of academic quality and public accountability of institutions and programs. This quality review process occurs on a periodic basis, usually every three to 10 years. Typically, it involves three major activities:
  • A self-evaluation by an institution or program using the standards or criteria of an accrediting organization
  • A peer review of an institution or program to gather evidence of quality.
  • A decision or judgment by an accrediting organization to accredit, accredit with conditions, or not accredit an institution/program.
Regional accrediting bodies accredit institutions, not individual programs; however, programs are actively reviewed by the regional accrediting associations through the substantive change process. A second type of institutional accreditation is one that focuses on single mission institutions, such as theology (Association of Theological Schools – ATS), art and design (the National Association of Schools of Art and Design – NASAD), and music (the National Association of Schools of Music – NASM). Another type of accreditation is specialized or professional accreditation, which focuses on programs in a specific discipline, and not the institution. Examples are specialized accreditation in education, law, medicine, chiropractic, computer science, and more than 90 other disciplines.

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is one of the Commissions of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is one of six regional accreditation associations covering the United States. ACCJC evaluates and accredits public and private postsecondary institutions offering one or more educational programs of two academic years in length that grant the associate degree. Its member institutions are in California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Achievement Tests (ACH)

Subject examinations, administered by the College Board, used to measure academic achievement and for student placement.

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ACT

ACT is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides more than a hundred assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development. ACT administers a standardized external battery of tests administered by the American College Testing Program covering English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. The tests are designed to assess the student's educational development and readiness for college-level study and may be used by institutions in lieu of SAT.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, each State must establish a definition of "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) to use each year to determine the achievement of each school district and school. For California, there are four components.
  1. A minimum percentage of students at each school, each district, and each student subgroup perform at or above the proficiency level in English-language arts and mathematics each year on state assessments.
  2. All schools, districts, and student subgroups must have at least 95 percent of their students take the designated state tests.
  3. The school and district must show growth in their Academic Performance Index (API) score.
  4. The school and district must show growth in the high school graduation rate (high schools, high school districts, or unified school districts only).

Adjunct Faculty

Faculty members who teach part-time without appointments in the regular faculty.

Admissions Office

The office responsible for admitting students to the institution.

Advanced Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies past the baccalaureate level. These degrees include:
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
  • Post-Masters Certificate
  • Further Professional Certificate
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Middle/Intermediate Degree
  • First-Professional Degree

Advanced Placement Courses

Courses in high school that prepare students to take examinations that allow them to earn college credits while in high school.

Advanced Standing

The practice of placing a student in a course based on previous achievement levels, e.g., study at another institution, by challenge examination, AP or CLEP examination results.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

Advancement Via Individual Determination is a middle school and high school program designed to prepare motivated but under performing students for four-year college eligibility. AVID students enroll in rigorous curriculum, including Advanced Placement courses and the AVID elective class. In this class, students receive academic support as well as tips on how to get organized and stay motivated.

A-G Courses

Refers to the University of California's Subject Requirement for admission, prospective freshmen must complete a series of high school courses known as the "a-g" requirements. The "a-g" requirements include 16 units of high school courses, seven units of which must be taken in the last two years of high school. A unit is equal to one academic year, or two semesters, of study. In the Commission databases, the "a-g" Completions indicate the number of high school graduates that completed all "a-g" courses with a grade of “C” or higher.

The Requirements are in the following subjects:

  • (a) History/Social Science
  • (b) English
  • (c) Mathematics
  • (d) Lab Science
  • (e) Lang Other Than English
  • (f) Visual & Performing Arts
  • (g) College Prep Elective

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AICCU

Acronym for the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. The AICCU represents a group of 76 California independent colleges and universities. These seventy-six institutions work together to maintain the high standards of a private college education in the association and report information about member schools to State, federal, and private agencies. AICCU members account for an estimated 98 percent of the independent sector’s total enrollment in California postsecondary education. Student’s attending AICCU institutions also receive 93 percent of the State financial assistance received by students attending an independent college or university in the state. The AICCU nonprofit independent colleges and universities should not be confused with "proprietary" schools or "for-profit" and degree-granting institutions that are not regionally accredited. Examples include Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine University, National University, the University of Pacific, and University of Southern California.

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AP

Acronym for Advanced Placement Program, referring to high school courses that prepare students to take examinations which allow them to earn college credits while in high school and, therefore, lessen the time it takes to earn a baccalaureate degree.

Application Deadline

The last date on which a college will accept applications for admission to the coming term.

Application Fee

The amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.

Articulation

Articulation is the process by which coursework completed in one education system is given credit in another. In California, this process generally refers to sets of community college courses that CSU and UC faculty agree to accept as having the focus, content and rigor necessary to meet course requirements at the baccalaureate institutions. Formal course articulation agreements generally fall within one of three areas: (1) general education breadth agreements, such as those represented by IGETC, (2) transferable course agreements, such as those approved by the State University in various systemwide decrees, and (3) course-by-course agreements, which are generally used to build articulation of lower-division coursework required for a particular major.

Articulation Agreement

An official agreement in which one collegiate institution agrees to accept specific courses or groups of courses from another collegiate institution in place of its own courses. In California, this process generally refers to agreements involving sets of community college courses that CSU and UC faculty agree to accept as having the focus, content and rigor necessary to meet course requirements at the baccalaureate institutions.

ArtsBridge

UC ArtsBridge is the arts education outreach program of the University of California. The mission of UC ArtsBridge is to work in partnership with California public schools to provide high quality arts education to California's K-12 school children. UC ArtsBridge provides scholarships to qualified UC arts students, graduate and undergraduate, to teach the arts and conduct arts-related workshops in art, dance, drama, and music.

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ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer)

ASSIST is a computerized student-transfer information system that can be accessed over the World Wide Web. It displays reports of how course credits earned at one California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s colleges and universities and therefore provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available about student transfer in California. ASSIST is a student-centered, electronic information system for students planning to transfer. It serves as a key component of a comprehensive statewide information and advising system to enhance student transfer, and provides universal online access to articulation. ASSIST's mission is to facilitate the transfer of California Community College students to California's public four-year universities by providing an electronic system for academic planning which delivers accurate, timely, and complete information and operates as the official repository of articulation information for the state of California.

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Assistant Professor

A junior member of the faculty who has not yet received tenure.

Assistantship

Award granted to graduate students and which consists of tuition remission and a stipend for part-time teaching or research.

Associate Degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Associate Degree Recipient

Refers to students who are currently enrolled at California Community Colleges, who have already received an associate degree.

Associate Professor

A tenured member of the faculty.

Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. The AICCU represents a group of 76 California independent colleges and universities. These seventy-six institutions work together to maintain the high standards of a private college education in the association and report information about member schools to State, federal, and private agencies.

AICCU members account for an estimated 98 percent of the independent sector’s total enrollment in California postsecondary education. Student’s attending AICCU institutions also receive 93 percent of the State financial assistance received by students attending an independent college or university in the state. The AICCU nonprofit independent colleges and universities should not be confused with "proprietary" schools or "for-profit" and degree-granting institutions that are not regionally accredited.

Examples include Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine University, National University, the University of Pacific, and University of Southern California.

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ATP Code

The American Testing Program (ATP) Code or College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code is a 6-digit number that is used by standardized tests such as SAT and ACT. The first 2 digits indicate the state; all California schools start with "05". The ATP Code is a 4-digit number for higher education institutions.

Attrition

Students that leave or dropout prior to completion of their education program.

Auditing

Taking a class to acquire knowledge but not for credit or grades. Audited courses do not count toward degree requirements.

Average Cost per Student

A calculation which divides selected funds spent in a higher education system by the number of students enrolled in that system.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a middle school and high school program designed to prepare motivated but under performing students for four-year college eligibility. AVID students enroll in rigorous curriculum, including Advanced Placement courses and the AVID elective class. In this class, students receive academic support as well as tips on how to get organized and stay motivated.

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AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, each State must establish a definition of "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) to use each year to determine the achievement of each school district and school. For California, there are four components.
  1. A minimum percentage of students at each school, each district, and each student subgroup perform at or above the proficiency level in English-language arts and mathematics each year on state assessments.
  2. All schools, districts, and student subgroups must have at least 95 percent of their students take the designated state tests.
  3. The school and district must show growth in their Academic Performance Index (API) score.
  4. The school and district must show growth in the high school graduation rate (high schools, high school districts, or unified school districts only).

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Baccalaureate

Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor's Degree

An award that normally requires at least 4 but not more than 5 years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes all bachelor's degrees conferred in a 5-year cooperative (work-study plan) program. A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies. Also includes bachelor's degrees in which the normal 4 years of work are completed in 3 years.

Bachelor's Degree Recipient

Refers to students who are currently enrolled at California Community Colleges, who have already received a bachelor degree or higher.

Boeckh Construction Index (Boeckh)

The Boeckh Division of the American Appraisal Company computes the Boeckh index. It is a measurement of inflation on building apartments, hotels and office buildings -- a mix of facilities relatively applicable to structures built on college campuses. The Boeckh index is a "fixed input" type of index of wage rates and building material prices weighted together. It covers the structural portion of building and all the integral plumbing, heating, lighting and elevators.

Bond Funds

The capital outlay displays identify two types of bonds "General Obligation Bonds" and "Other State Bonds." "General Obligation Bonds" are general issue bonds that are approved by the Legislature and State voters with repayment guaranteed from the State's general revenue source (i.e., taxes). "Other State Bonds" are revenue bonds that are sold to fund specific projects whose repayment is guaranteed by revenues that the funded project is expected to generate. Examples of the types of projects funded by revenue bonds are parking structures and dormitories. These operations charge fees to their users, and those fees are used, in part, to retire the accumulated debt of the bonds.

Books and Supplies

The average cost of books and supplies for a typical student for an entire academic year (or program).

BPPVE

Acronym for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. The BBPVE is a branch of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The BPPVE serves as the state's oversight and regulatory agency for private proprietary institutions. NOTE: BPPVE has closed due to the sunset clause in its establishing legislation. Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs for more information.

Branch Institution

A campus or site of an educational institution that is not temporary, is located in a community beyond a reasonable commuting distance from its parent institution, and offers organized programs of study, not just courses.

Bulletin

An institution's catalog of programs, curricula and courses.

Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE)

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) is a unit in the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The BPPVE serves as the state's oversight and regulatory agency for private proprietary postsecondary institutions. NOTE: BPPVE has closed due to the sunset clause in its establishing legislation. Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs for more information.

Bursar

A university official responsible for collecting student fees.

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Cal Grant Financial Aid Programs

Through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the State operates the Cal Grants A and B Entitlement Program and Cal Grant A and B Competitive Program. The Entitlement program is not limited to the number of annual awards. The Cal Grant A Entitlement Program helps needy students with the tuition and fees portion of the costs involved in attending college. The Cal Grant B Entitlement Program provides a living allowance and sometimes tuition and fee aid for low-income students. Grant winners are selected on the basis of both financial need and grade point average. The Competitive program is limited to 22,500 awards. For both Cal Grant A and B Competitive Programs, eligibility is based on financial need and academic qualification. CSAC also operates the Cal Grant C Program, which helps vocational education students with tuition and training costs. This program provides assistance with tuition & fee and books & supplies to vocationally oriented low- and middle-income students. Eligibility for the "C" program is based on financial need.

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Cal Grants A and B Entitlement Program, and Cal Grant A and B Competitive Program

The Entitlement program is not limited to the number of annual awards. The Cal Grant A Entitlement Program helps needy students with the tuition and fees portion of the costs involved in attending college. The Cal Grant B Entitlement Program provides a living allowance and sometimes tuition and fee aid for low-income students. Grant winners are selected on the basis of both financial need and grade point average. The Competitive program is limited to 22,500 awards. For both Cal Grant A and B Competitive Programs, eligibility is based on financial need and academic qualification.

Cal Grant C Program helps vocational education students with tuition and training costs.

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California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP)

The California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) is a partnership between California higher education institutions and public schools. CAPP awards grants to partnerships between schools, higher education institutions and business entities to improve academic programs so that more students are prepared for college.

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California Community Colleges

One of the three public segments of higher education in California, the community colleges is the State's system of two-year public institutions. It is composed of 109 colleges statewide organized into 71 districts, serves about 2 million students and represents the largest system of higher education in the world. Primary missions of the community colleges are to offer academic and vocational education at the lower division level for both recent high school graduates and those returning to school. Another primary mission is to advance California's economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous workforce improvement. Essential and important functions of the colleges include: basic skills instruction, providing English as a second language, adult noncredit instruction, and providing support services that help students to succeed. Fee-based Community Service education is designated as an authorized function. To the extent funding is provided the Colleges may conduct institutional research concerning student learning and retention as is needed to facilitate their educational missions.

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California Consumer Price Index ( CPI )

The California Consumer Price Index is calculated by the State's Department of Finance, in consultation with the California Department of Industrial Relations, and is conceptually based upon the U.S. CPI. It was initially established as a population-weighted average of the five-county Los Angeles area and the 10-county San Francisco all-items survey in the late 1940s.

California Personal Income

California Per-capita personal income is derived by dividing the State’s total personal income (TPI) by its population. TPI is the sum of all of the money earned by all of the residents of the State in a given year.

California State University

One of the three public segments of higher education. The California State University (CSU)system includes 23 campuses across the state and serves more than 368,000 students annually. The CSU is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. It is the gateway institution for the great majority of students seeking a baccalaureate education in California, and for those who seek professional training as teachers, nurses, social workers, and engineers. The individual California State Colleges were brought together as a system by the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. In 1972 the system became The California State University and Colleges and in 1982 the system became The California State University. The oldest campus--San Jose State University--was founded in 1857 and became the first institution of public higher education in California. The newest campus-- California State University, Channel Islands accepted its first freshmen class in 2003. Today the campuses of the CSU include comprehensive and polytechnic universities and, since July 1995, the California Maritime Academy, a specialized campus.

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California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)

California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) is designed to improve the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college. The Cal-SOAP program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), with individual projects applying each year for continued state funding. The CSAC is assisted in administration of the program by a 12-member, legislatively mandated advisory committee. Cal-SOAP is designed to improve the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college.

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California Subject Matter Projects (CSMP)

The California Subject Matter Projects (CSMP) are a professional development network of nine discipline-specific projects.
  • The California Arts Project
  • California Foreign Language Project
  • California History-Social Science Project
  • California International Studies Project
  • California Mathematics Project
  • California Physical Education and Health Project
  • California Reading and Literature Project
  • California Science Project
  • California Writing Project

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Cal-SOAP (California Student Opportunity and Access Program)

Cal-SOAP (California Student Opportunity and Access Program) is designed to improve the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college. The Cal-SOAP program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), with individual projects applying each year for continued state funding. The CSAC is assisted in administration of the program by a 12-member, legislatively mandated advisory committee. Cal-SOAP is designed to improve the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college.

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CAN (California Articulation Number System)

The California Articulation Number System (CAN) is a course identification system for common core lower-division transferable, major preparation courses commonly taught on CCC and CSU campuses. Colleges and universities that demonstrate common acceptance of courses through traditional articulation agreements can qualify courses for CAN designations. Courses with CAN designators are accepted by any other CAN participating institutions as being comparable to their local courses with the same CAN designators to meet local requirements, even if the receiving university has not established an explicit traditional articulation agreement with a particular California Community College. Specifically CAN is designed as a cross-reference course identification for a common core of lower-division, transferable, major preparation courses commonly taught on CCC, CSU, and UC campuses. This system eliminates the need for every single campus in the state to separately articulate their entire curriculum with every other campus in order to provide necessary information about major preparation for transfers. CAN was created to promote the transfer of CCC students to UC/CSU institutions by simplifying the identification of transferable CCC courses and indicating the specific disciplines and programs for the UC/CSU institutions to which those course are transferable. CAN works to promote the development of a common method of course identification within each segment. CAN is funded by the state, through the CSU and CCCs. Not every public postsecondary institution participates in CAN. The UC has historically not been an advocate of CAN, therefore, most UC campuses do not participate in CAN.

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CAPI (Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiative)

Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiatives (CAPI) is a California State University grant-funded partnership. The program is a collaborative partnership between CSU Monterey Bay and the three target schools. The collaborative is made up of CSU faculty, high school faculty, and college and high school students.

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Capital Outlay Funds used for Public Higher Education (COFPHE)

Capital outlay funds used for public higher education are defined as COFPHE. They are derived from Tidelands oil revenues and collected by the State Lands Commission.

CAPP (California Academic Partnership Program)

The California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) is a partnership between California higher education institutions and public schools. CAPP awards grants to partnerships between schools, higher education institutions and business entities to improve academic programs so that more students are prepared for college.

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Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act

Known as the Perkins Act, this federal program supplements state secondary, postsecondary, and adult vocational education programs, with the goal of improving educational programs leading to academic, occupational, training, upgrading and retraining skill competencies needed to work in a technologically advanced society.

Carnegie Classification Code

A classification system created by the Carnegie Foundation. This classification, which dates back to 1970, currently includes 3,600 colleges and universities in the United States that are degree-granting and accredited by an agency recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. According to the 1994 classification, there are 10 categories that are based on the highest level of offering, the number of degrees conferred by discipline, and the amount of federal support for research received by the institution. The new system of classification was created in 2000. (Data Element Dictionary)

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Carnegie Unit

A standard unit of measurement developed by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education designating the number of clock hours of instruction associated with an academic course.

Catalog Rights

A policy that allows, in certain circumstances, a college student to select the set of requirements, he/she will follow to qualify for university graduation. Course articulation, major-specific – Sets of courses that CSU and UC faculty accept as having the focus, content and rigor necessary to meet course prerequisite requirements for specific majors that have lower division requirements. The term discipline-specific is often used within SB 121, by former Senator Gary Hart (Chapter 1188, Statutes of 1991) to refer to major-specific course articulation agreements. This articulation is also referred to as “Major Prep” articulation and, for prospective transfer students, is generally preferable to course-to-course articulation. Articulation agreements specific to the community college student’s major of choice are more focused and tend to require that the student take fewer courses in general than non major-specific agreements.

CCC

Acronym for the California Community Colleges. The CCC system of two-year public institutions is composed of 109 colleges statewide organized into 71 districts. The community colleges serve about 2 million students and represents the largest system of higher education in the world.

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CCC College ID

The 3-digit code used by the California Community College Chancellor's Office to identify the reporting college in data submitted to the Chancellor's Office.

CCCCO

Acronym for the California Community College’s Chancellor’s Office. The Chancellor’s Office is the administrative branch of the California Community College system. Located in Sacramento, this state agency provides leadership and technical assistance to the 109 community colleges and 71 community college districts in California. It is also responsible for allocating state funding to the colleges and districts. The Chancellor's Office operates under the guidance of the Board of Governors, which sets policy and provides long-range planning and guidance to the Chancellor and his staff. The Chancellor’s Office includes seven major divisions conducting the business of the system: College Finance and Fiscal Policy Planning; Legal Affairs and Contracts; Educational Services and Economic Development; Policy, Planning and External Affairs; Student Services; Human Resources; and Internal Affairs.

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CDE

Acronym for the California Department of Education.

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CDS Code

The CDS (County-District-School) code system is an administrative convenience designed to provide the California Department of Education (CDE), the Department of Finance (DOF), and postsecondary institutions with a basis for tracking schools. The CDS code is a unique identifier that allows schools to be easily sorted and tracked in databases. This 14-digit code is the official, unique identification of a school within California. The first two digits identify the county, the next five digits identify the school district, and the last seven digits identify the school. A CDS code is a number assigned to a school. CDS codes are not assigned to programs. Evidence that the entity is a school rather than a program is provided by the governing board action approving formation of the school and board action establishing the school. Governing boards can act only by a majority vote at a public meeting (Education Code §§ 1011, 1013, 1040, 35163, 35164; Government Code § 54950 and following (the Brown Act)).

CEEB Code

College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code (aka ATP Code) is a 6-digit number that is used by standardized tests such as SAT and ACT. The first 2 digits indicate the state; all California schools start with "05". The CEEB Code is a 4-digit number for higher education institutions.

Census Date

Refers to the day a statistics or report is prepared. For the California State University, the census date is the close of the third week of instruction for campuses on a quarter system and fourth week of instruction for campuses on a semester system.

Central Coast Historic Region

One of eleven regions used by the Commission for planning and statistical analysis prior to 2003. This region consists of three counties just south of the San Francisco Bay Area (View a map):
  • Monterey
  • San Benito
  • Santa Cruz

Central Coast Region

One of fourteen regions used by the Commission for planning and statistical starting in 2003. This region consists of the following counties (View a map):

Central Valley Programs

Links and coordinates various outreach programs in the Central Valley. The goal is to ensure that students from the area are encouraged and supported to attend college. The program also seeks to provide a pipeline of students for the new UC Merced campus, which is expected to open in 2004.

Certificate

A formal award certifying the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education program which usually require two or less years of undergraduate course work and are vocationally/occupationally oriented.

Challenge Examination

Examination created by an institution as the equivalent to a course. Students who pass challenge tests are commonly exempted from, or given credit for, the course counterpart of the examination.

Charter School

Schools run independently of the traditional public school system but receiving public funding, run by groups such as teachers, parents, or foundations. Charter schools are free of many district regulations and are often tailored to community needs.

CIP

Acronym for the Classification of Instructional Programs. This is a National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) publication that provides a numerical classification and standard terminology for secondary and postsecondary instructional programs.

CIP Code

A 6-digit code in the form XX.XXXX that identifies instructional program specializes within educational institutions.

Class Rank

The relative position of a student in his or her graduating class, determined by grade average.

Classification of Instructional Programs

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) publication that provides a numerical classification and standard terminology for secondary and postsecondary instructional programs.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

A program offered by the College Board designed to offer students the opportunity to earn college credit by examination.

Closed Course

Fully-subscribed course which is no longer enrolling students.

Cohort

A specific group (of students) established for tracking purposes.

Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiatives (CAPI)

Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiatives (CAPI) is a California State University grant-funded partnership. The program is a collaborative partnership between CSU Monterey Bay and the three target schools. The collaborative is made up of CSU faculty, high school faculty, and college and high school students.

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College

A general term for postsecondary education. It often refers to institutions which offer undergraduate programs or to the undergraduate divisions of large universities.

College Board

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,500 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves over three million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns. The Board contracts with the Educational Testing Service to create and administer its Admissions Testing Program (SAT I, SAT II - Subject Matter, and Advanced Placement tests), as well as reports to students indicating their performance on the tests.

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College Board Code

College Board Code (aka ATP Code or CEEB Code) is a 6-digit number that is used by standardized tests such as SAT and ACT. The first 2 digits indicate the state; all California schools start with "05". The College Board Code is a 4-digit number for higher education institutions.

College Entrance Examinations

A series of standardized examinations required by colleges and universities as part of an admissions application process. The examinations are designed to provide information on the level of academic preparedness of applicants for successful collegiate study at either the undergraduate or graduate levels.
ACT Assessment - a standardized test offered by the American College Testing service.
SAT I Reasoning - a standardized test offered by the College Board through a contract with the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
SAT II Subject Matter Tests - a series of standardized tests offered by the College Board through a contract with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to assess the proficiency of prospective students in specific subject areas (e.g., chemistry, history, calculus, Spanish, etc.).
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - a standardized test taken most often by students for whom English is not the native language. It is intended to provide information on the level of readiness of the student to learn in the English language.

College Going Rate

The college going rate is used to show the proportion of public high school graduates who elect to enroll each year in a California public college or university immediately following high school graduation. You can find this in our Custom Data Reports as college going count.

College Guide

A document published by the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC)and also available online which gives information on California's degree granting institutions and the degree, certificate, and credential programs offered by each.

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College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

A program offered by the College Board designed to offer students the opportunity to earn college credit by examination.

College Prep Initiative (UCCP)

UC College Prep Initiative (UCCP) provides online Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses, textbooks, tutoring, and AP test preparation at no cost to eligible high school students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to achieve eligibility or competitive eligibility for admission to the University of California and other top universities.

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Commencement

Graduation ceremony, usually held in May or June at the end to the academic year.

Community College

In California, a full-service, separately accredited, degree and certificate-granting institutions offering a full complement of lower-division programs and services, usually at a single campus location owned by the district; community colleges enroll a minimum of 1,000 full-time equivalent students. By law (EDUCATION CODE SECTION 66010.1-66010.8) the California Community Colleges shall admit any California resident with a high school diploma or the equivalent and may admit anyone who is capable of profiting from the instruction offered. Primary missions of the Colleges are to offer academic and vocational education at the lower division level for both recent high school graduates and those returning to school. Another primary mission is to advance California's economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous workforce improvement. Essential and important functions of the colleges include: basic skills instruction, providing English as a second language, adult noncredit instruction, and providing support services that help students to succeed. Fee-based Community Service education is designated as an authorized function. To the extent funding is provided the Colleges may conduct institutional research concerning student learning and retention as is needed to facilitate their educational missions.

Comprehensive Examination

Broad examinations covering material in several courses, typically taken at the end of master's degree programs or after the end of doctoral course work before writing the dissertation.

Concurrent High School

Includes students who are taking college classes while still enrolled in their K-12 school.

Continuing Education

Educational programs offered by colleges and universities to adults in the community during the evening and on weekends. It usually refers to non-credit course work.

Continuing Education Revenue Fund

Revenue generated by fees from the following nontraditional programs: concurrent enrollment, extension, and external degree.

Cooperative Education Plan

A program offered by many colleges that enables a student to combine work and study, often in order to gain degree-related experience. A cooperative program may be alternating (work and study in alternating terms) or parallel (work and study scheduled within the same term).

Core Curriculum

General education requirements set as a defined series of interdisciplinary courses that must be taken by all undergraduates enrolled in degree programs at an institution.

COSAR Code

Refers to California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office Systemwide Administrative Reporting Code. This is the 6-digit school code portion of the 14-digit County-District-School (CDS) Code.

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance for a student is generally determined by adding the following expenses: tuition and fees; books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses; room and board; and dependent care, if applicable. Each institution determines its own student cost. Some of these expenses are not included in the cost of attendance for less than half-time students, or study for telecommunications technology. In some cases, the cost of attendance may include additional costs: if the student is disabled, the cost of attendance includes an allowance for extra costs related to the disability; if the student is enrolled in a formal course of study outside the United States, the cost of attendance may include the cost of travel to and from the foreign place of study.

Course

A discrete subject studied during one semester or quarter.

Course Articulation, System Wide

Agreements by faculty that a set of courses offered by community colleges are equivalent to similar courses offered at CSU and UC. Credits earned by students in these courses are accepted by every campus within CSU or UC and are applied toward degree requirements. Generally, these courses are lower-division, general education courses.

Course Load

The number of courses taken in a given term. Colleges usually specify a range for the number of courses or credits to be taken by full-time students. While the academic institution is allowed to determine what constitutes a full course load, it generally means a minimum of twelve semester credit hours during each term.

CPEC Code

Each higher education institution in California is assigned a 6-digit code by the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC). The first digit, which is a letter code, refers to the Segment; the other 5 digits refer to a specific institution.

Credential

A certificate of competency in a specialized field, usually related to the ability to teach in that field.

Credit

Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.

Credit by Examination

Academic credit granted by a college when a student has demonstrated proficiency in a subject as measured by an examination.

Credit Course

A course that, if successfully completed can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.

Credit Hour

A unit of measure representing an hour of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate or other formal award.

Credit Unit

A measure describing coursework at institutions of higher learning. The unit may be either semester or quarter units.

CSMP (California Subject Matter Projects)

The California Subject Matter Projects (CSMP) are a professional development network of nine discipline-specific projects.
  • The California Arts Project
  • California Foreign Language Project
  • California History-Social Science Project
  • California International Studies Project
  • California Mathematics Project
  • California Physical Education and Health Project
  • California Reading and Literature Project
  • California Science Project
  • California Writing Project

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    CSU

    Acronym for the California State University, which is administered by the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University. The California State University is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. It is the gateway institution for the great majority of students seeking a baccalaureate education in California, and for those who seek professional training as teachers, nurses, social workers, and engineers. The CSU offers more than 1,800 bachelor's and master's degree programs in some 240 subject areas. Many of these programs are offered so that students can complete all upper-division and graduate requirements by part-time late afternoon and evening study. In addition, a variety of teaching and school service credential programs are available. A limited number of doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and with private institutions in California.

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    Cumulative Grade Point Average

    The numerical average of all the student's grades achieved during the period of study at an institution.

    Curriculum

    (plural curricula): A plan of instruction that details what students are to know, how they are to learn it, what the teacher's role is, and the context in which learning and teaching will take place.

    Curve Grading

    A system of relative grading based on the performance of all members of a class on an examination. It is also called norm-referenced grading.

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    Dean

    Middle-level academic or administrative officer in charge of an administrative unit.

    Dean's List

    A published list of students who have earned a specific high grade-point average in a term.

    Default

    A default occurs when a borrower misses a number of payments or simply stops making payments on a loan that is due. If a student defaults on a loan, the student’s credit rating will be affected and the IRS could take away any tax refund the student expects to receive. In addition, a lender (or the federal government) could charge the borrower whatever collection fees are necessary to collect on the loan, and possibly refer the matter to a court for handling.

    If a borrower allows a loan to go into default, the borrower loses the opportunity for deferment (or postponement of repayment), and the borrower will not be able to receive any federal financial aid until satisfactory arrangements to repay the loan have been made with the lender or guarantor or the loan obligation is discharged (handled).

    Deferment

    A deferment is a period of time that a borrower can postpone making loan repayments. For some loans, interest will not accrue during a deferment period. Even though payments are postponed, repayments are not cancelled – the repayment period is simply extended by the period of deferment. A deferment for full-time or part-time study at an eligible college or university is referred to as an “in-school deferment.”

    Deferred Admission

    The practice of permitting students to postpone enrollment for one or more terms after acceptance to a college or university. Some institutions do not permit deferred admissions.

    Degree

    An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies. Types of degrees include:
    • Certificate
    • Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate - Less than 1 Year
    • Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate - At least 1 but less than 2 Years
    • Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate - At least 2 but less than 4 Years
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
    • Post-Masters Certificate
    • Further Professional Certificate
    • Associate Degree
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Master's Degree
    • Doctoral Degree
    • Middle/Intermediate Degree
    • First-Professional Degree

    Degree-Granting Institution

    Refers to any institution that offers an associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctor's, or first-professional degree. Institutions that grant only certificates or awards of any length program (less-than-2-years or 2-years or more) are categorized as non-degree-granting institutions.

    Degree-Seeking Students

    Refers to students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or formal award. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.

    Delinquent

    A loan is considered to be delinquent when a borrower doesn’t make a payment or file a deferment form on time. A borrower can be charged late fees for being delinquent in payment. If a borrower misses a number of payments in a row, the loan can be considered in default.

    Department

    The formal faculty group, together with its support staff, responsible for instruction in a general subject area.

    Department of Education

    The California Department of Education (CDE) oversees the state's diverse and dynamic public school system that is responsible for the education of more than seven million children and young adults in more than 9,000 schools. The CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are responsible for enforcing education law and regulations; and for continuing to reform and improve public elementary school programs, secondary school programs, adult education, some preschool programs, and child care programs.

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    Dependency Status

    For federal student aid purposes, a student’s dependency status determines whether or not the student is financially dependent on his or her parents. All students are considered dependents of their parents unless the student is at least 24 years of age as of January 1, is married, is a graduate or professional student, has a legal dependent other than a spouse, is a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or is/was an orphan or ward of the court (or was a ward of the court until 18 years of age).

    Differs/Program

    The academic calendar is set for each program offered by the institution.

    Diploma

    A formal document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed program of studies.

    Discipline

    An area of academic study.

    Dissertation

    The formal writing requirement--often an original contribution to knowledge--for a doctoral degree.

    Distance Learning

    A system and a process that connects learners with distributed learning. It is usually characterized by (1) separation of place and/or time between student and instructor; and (2) a level of interaction between student and instructor conducted through one or more media.

    Distribution Requirement

    The part of general education designed to ensure that each student takes a minimum number of courses or credits in specified, varying academics areas.

    Doctoral Degree

    The doctoral degree classification includes such degrees as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Public Health, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in any field such as agronomy, food technology, education, engineering, public administration, ophthalmology, or radiology. For the Doctor of Public Health degree, the prior degree is generally earned in a closely related professional field of medicine or in sanitary engineering.

    Double Major

    Program of study in which a student completes the requirements of two majors at the same time.

    Drop

    To withdraw from a course.

    Drop-Add

    A period at the beginning of each term when students are allowed to change their class schedules by dropping or adding courses.

    Drop-Out

    A person who has withdrawn from all courses. One who leaves school entirely is known as a 'dropout'.

    Dual Degree

    Program of study in which a student receives two degrees from the same institution.

    Dunn & Bradstreet Number

    Refers to Data Universal Numbering System. This 9-digit number is assigned by the Dunn & Bradstreet Information Corporation to any entity providing products, goods, or services.

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    EAOP (Early Academic Outreach Program)

    EAOP (Early Academic Outreach Program) is an academically challenging college-preparatory program for students who have the potential for college, they just need a little help getting ready. From elementary school on, students work with EAOP counselors and participate in challenging, rewarding academic programs that provide the extra academic edge which many students in private schools take for granted.

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    Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)

    Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) is an academic college-preparatory program designed for students who have the potential for college, but who need early encouragement. From elementary through high school, students work with EAOP counselors and participate in challenging, academic programs that will prepare them for university work.

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    Early Admission

    A program allowing well-qualified high school students to enter college full time before completing secondary school.

    Educational Center

    An educational center is an off-campus enterprise owned or leased by the parent institution. A center must enroll a minimum of 500 FTES, maintain an on-site administration, and offer certificates or degrees to be conferred by the parent institution. Educational centers within the California State University or the University of California systems must offer courses and programs only at the upper division and graduate levels.

    Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

    The EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) is designed to improve access and retention of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. EOP students have the potential to perform satisfactorily in CSU but have not been able to realize their potential because of their economic or educational background. The program provides admission, academic, and financial assistance to EOP-eligible undergraduate students.

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    Elective

    A course chosen freely by the student from the institution's offerings. Also called 'free elective'.

    Elementary School

    Primary school (grades 1-6 or 1-8)

    Elementary-Secondary School Price Index (SPI)

    The SPI measures the effects of inflation on the current operations of elementary and secondary schools. It reports relative price levels that schools pay for a fixed group of goods and services for their daily operation. These expenses include administration, instruction (mostly teacher salaries), plant operation and maintenance, and other costs. Costs excluded are capital outlay and debt service.

    Enrollment

    The actual headcount number of students; a total count of all students who are currently enrolled.

    Enrollment Status

    Refers to a coding system which classifies the current enrollment of students into new, continuing, and returning students. (Data Element Dictionary)

    EOP (Educational Opportunity Program)

    The EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) is designed to improve access and retention of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. EOP students have the potential to perform satisfactorily in CSU but have not been able to realize their potential because of their economic or educational background. The program provides admission, academic, and financial assistance to EOP-eligible undergraduate students.

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    Equity

    The state of educational impartiality and fairness in which all children—minorities and nonminorities, males and females, successful students and those who fall behind, students with special needs and students who have been denied access in the past—receive a high-quality education and have equal access to the services they need in order to benefit from that education.

    Commission reports on equity

    Ethnicity

    Racial/ethnic designations reported in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS) do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. The categories are:
    Black, non-hispanic - a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (except those of Hispanic origin).
    American Indian or Alaska Native - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.
    Asian or Pacific Islander - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or Pacific Islands. This includes people from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, American Samoa, India, and Vietnam.
    Hispanic - a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central, or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
    White, non-Hispanic - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East (except those of Hispanic origin).
    (Data Element Dictionary)

    Exemption

    The practice of exempting a student from a requirement. For example, if a college required all students to take a freshman English, but on the basis of evidence of outstanding prior achievement (such as high scores on an examination) waived the requirement, this would constitute exemption.

    Experiential Learning

    Learning which takes place outside of the classroom through formal courses or other life activities.

    Extramural Funds (University of California)

    All funds not included in the University of California's budget; hence, the terms extramural and non-budgeted are used interchangeably. These funds include sponsored research financed by federal contracts and grants, federal appropriations for the Department of Energy Laboratories, funds related to State agency agreements, and funds from private gifts and grants. These resources are designated as extramural because, with the exception of the laboratories, they are negotiated from year to year (or are negotiated after the end of the contract or grant period) and have no permanence attached to them. They are, therefore, appropriated outside of the budget.

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    Faculty

    (1) The body of teaching personnel in a department, division, or an entire institution. (2) An academic administrative unit, e.g., The Faculty of Engineering.

    FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free form distributed by the U.S. Department of Education to collect information used to determine a student’s need for federal financial aid. These forms are available from the schools and colleges which participate in federal student aid programs. Check with your school to find out if the form can be used to qualify for non-federal aid.

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    Fall Term

    That part of the academic year that begins between late August and November 1.

    FC – Family Contribution

    The family contribution is the combined contribution reasonably expected during the enrollment period from the student and his or her spouse (self-help contribution from assets and benefits) as well as from the student’s parents if the student is dependent.

    Federal Mineral Tax

    Funds generated from federally leased lands used for the production of geothermal energy, oil, gas, and minerals. The federal government collects all lease revenue and turns over half to the State.

    Federal Sources

    Pell Grant Program, State Educational Opportunity Grant Program, Stafford Loan Program (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan Program), Federal Perkins Loan Program, (formerly National Direct Student Loan Program), PLUS Program (Parents Loans for Undergraduate Students), Federal College Work Study.

    Federal Unit ID

    A Federal Unit ID number is a 6-digit identification number assigned to institutions that are in the Postsecondary Education Participants System (PEPS). This system is maintained by the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) which tracks the eligibility status of postsecondary institutions. This number is an unique identification assigned to postsecondary institutions surveyed through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS).

    Fellow

    A student (graduate or undergraduate) granted a 'fellowship' on the basis of academic achievement. May include monetary compensation and registration fee remission.

    FICE Code

    FICE code is a 6-digit code maintained for historical purposes. This identifier was originally created by the Federal Interagency Committee on Education (FICE) to distinguish postsecondary schools that qualified as institutions of higher education from other postsecondary institutions. As of 1997, this code is no longer maintained.

    Final Examination

    A course-based examination taken at the end of the term.

    Financial Aid

    Grants, loans, and funds provided for financial aid by the government. These resources, such as for work-study, are used to pay fees or tuition and sometimes the living costs of students. Such aid comes in many forms and from a variety of sources.

    Financial Aid "Package"

    A financial aid package is a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and work study funds. A postsecondary institution awards a package as a means of meeting the financial need of each student in the most effective way possible.

    First Professional

    Refers to students who are enrolled in programs leading toward a first-professional degree in the fields of chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, podiatry, theology, and veterinary medicine.

    First-Professional Degree

    An award that requires completion of a program that meets all of the following criteria: 1) completion of the academic requirements to begin practice in the profession; 2) at least 2 years of college work prior to entering the program; and 3) a total of at least 6 academic years of college work to complete the degree program, including prior required college work plus the length of the professional program itself. First-Professional degrees are discipline-specific and may be awarded as follows:
    • Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
    • Medicine (M.D.)
    • Optometry (O.D.)
    • Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
    • Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.)
    • Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
    • Law (L.L.B, J.D.)
    • Theology (M.Div, M.H.L., B.D., or Ordination)
    • Chiropractic Medicine (D.C. or D.C.M.)
    • Pharmacy (D. Phar.)

    First-Time Freshman

    Entering freshmen who have never attended any college (or other postsecondary institution). You can find this in our Custom Data Reports.

    Forbearance

    Forbearance is an arrangement that allows a borrower to make smaller payments or no payment at all for a short period of time or additional time to make a payment on a student loan.

    Foreign Student Advisor

    Official employed by the institution to assist foreign students, scholars and faculty with immigration, visas, orientation, insurance, and other such matters.

    Foreign students, scholars and faculty are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of State for up-to-date information.

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    Freshman

    Refers to a first-year undergraduate student. At the California State University, freshman refer to students who have completed fewer than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. At the University of California, freshmen refer to students who have completed between 0 and 44.9 quarter units (0 to 29.9 semester units).

    FTE

    The acronym FTE refers to the term “full-time-equivalent” enrollment, a calculation used by the state to determine funding levels per student. The California State University and the University of California use FTE, to describe units of student workload measure for funding purposes for the systems. For the California State University, the term FTE enrollment is defined to be 15 semester or quarter units. Variations in the academic calendars of the campuses of the CSU are taken into consideration in the definition of the annual FTES, which is equivalent to 30 semester or 45 quarter units. With these definitions, the number of individual students on campus is difficult to determine, but the total volume of instructional activity is more accurately reflected. For the University of California, one undergraduate FTE in the semester system is student enrollment in 15 semester units for two semesters. One graduate FTE in the semester system is student enrollment in 12 semester units for two semesters. In the quarter system, the totals are 45 undergraduate credit units and 36 graduate credit units per academic year, respectively. Though the terms FTE and FTES are often used interchangeably, it is important to note that FTE enrollment and FTES are determined through entirely different methodologies.

    Full Time Equivalent Student (FTES)

    The accronym FTES refers to the term "full-time-equivalent student" enrollment, a calculation used by the state to determine funding levels per student. For the California Community College, one FTES represents 525 class (contact) hours of student instruction/activity in credit and noncredit courses. The number, 525, is derived from the fact that 175 days of instruction are required each year and a student attending three hours per day for 175 days will be in attendance for 525 hours. That is, three times 175 equals 525. The California State University and the University of California use "full-time-equivalent," or FTE, to describe units of student workload measure for funding purposes for the systems. Though the terms FTES and FTE are often used interchangeably, it is important to note that FTE enrollment and FTES are determined through entirely different methodologies.

    Full-Time Student

    Refers to a student who is taking a full load each term. At the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC), 15 or more semester units is considered Full-time for undergraduate. At CSU and UC, 12 or more units is considered full-time for graduate students. Full-time for Community College students is 12 or more units.(Data Element Dictionary)

    Funded Units of Enrollment

    Government services are usually funded based on workload measures that typically are a statistical calculation of the number of clients to be served. For California public K-12 education, the unit of workload measure is "Average Daily Attendance," or ADA. One ADA in public K-12 education equals the number of days a student attended school during an academic year (generally 182 days) divided by the number of days school was in attendance that year. A student is assumed as being in attendance for a school day if she or he is there for one session during the day.

    California's two public baccalaureate degree-granting education systems, The California State University and the University of California, use the term "full-time-equivalent" enrollment (or, FTE) to describe units of student workload measure for funding purposes for the systems. The California Community Colleges use the term "full-time-equivalent students" (or, FTES) as its student workload measure for funding purposes. FTE student enrollment is based upon the number of course units a student enrolls in during a semester, while FTES are determined by student contact hours of classroom instruction. Though the two terms are used interchangeably here and in other most publications, it is important to note that FTE enrollment and FTES are determined through entirely different methodologies.

    For the California Community College, one FTES represents 525 class (contact) hours of student instruction/activity in credit and noncredit courses. The number, 525, is derived from the fact that 175 days of instruction are required each year and a student attending three hours per day for 175 days will be in attendance for 525 hours. That is, three times 175 equals 525.

    For the California State University, the term FTE enrollment is defined to be 15 semester or quarter units. Variations in the academic calendars of the campuses of the CSU are taken into consideration in the definition of the annual FTES, which is equivalent to 30 semester or 45 quarter units. With these definitions, the number of individual students on campus is difficult to determine, but the total volume of instructional activity is more accurately reflected.

    For the University of California, one undergraduate FTE in the semester system is student enrollment in 15 semester units for two semesters. One graduate FTE in the semester system is student enrollment in 12 semester units for two semesters. In the quarter system, the totals are 45 under-graduate credit units and 36 graduate credit units per academic year, respectively.

    Further Professional

    Includes all students who are enrolled in a "professional degree" program, and are not categorized as "first professional".

    Further Professional Certificate

    An award that requires completion of an organized program of study beyond the doctoral or first-professional degree.

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    General Education Breadth Requirements

    A specific program of courses that a student may use to fulfill CSU general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree prior to transferring to a CSU campus. Some of these courses may be taken at a community college or other accredited college or university prior to transfer to a CSU campus.

    General Education Requirements

    A program of courses in the arts and sciences that provides students with a broad educational experience. Courses typically are introductory in nature and provide students with fundamental skills and knowledge in mathematics, English, arts, humanities, and physical, biological, and social sciences. Transfer students often take these classes while attending a community college. Completion of a general education program is required for the baccalaureate degree.

    GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

    A standardized external examination of verbal and quantitative skills usually required by graduate schools of business and used to assess the qualifications of applicants for MBA programs.

    Grade

    An evaluation (normally by letter on a scale of A-F) of a student's performance on an examination, a paper or in a course.

    Grade Point Average (GPA)

    A system of scoring student achievement used by many colleges and universities. A student's GPA is computed by multiplying the numerical grade received in each course by the number of credits offered for each course, then dividing by the total number of credit hours studied.
    Most institutions use the following grade conversion scale: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, and F = 0.
    High school Advanced Placement (AP) courses and “Honors” courses use a grading system which translates to a 5-point scale.

    Graduate

    A graduate is a student who has completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and who is enrolled in a master’s or higher degree program in a postsecondary institution.

    Graduate Advisor

    The faculty member who serves as advisor to all graduate students in a department.

    Graduate I

    Includes all students who hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent (or first professional degree) and (a) are enrolled in a doctoral degree program, but have not earned a master's degree and have fewer than the equivalent number of credits normally required for a master's degree, or (b) are enrolled in a special, unclassified, visitor, or non-degree seeking status, or (c) are enrolled in an educational specialist certificate, degree, or coordinate intermediate level degree program, whether or not they possess an earned master's degree.

    Graduate II

    Includes all students who are enrolled in a doctoral degree program (except "first professional" and "further professional") except those who are classified as Graduate I.

    Graduate School

    The academic unit within an institution which administers graduate education.

    Graduate Student

    A student who holds a bachelor's or first-professional degree, or equivalent, and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

    Graduate Study

    A program leading to a master's degree or doctoral degree; advanced study generally following the bachelor's degree.

    Graduation Rate

    Refers to the proportion of entering undergraduates who earned a degree in a specified number of years. Generally three types of rates are calculated - 4-year, 5-year, and 6-year graduation rates.

    Grant

    A grant is gift aid which does not have to be repaid. Through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the State operates the Cal Grants A and B Entitlement Program, the Cal Grant A and B Competitive Program, and the Cal Grant C Program.

    GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

    A two-part standardized external examination designed to measure general verbal, quantitative and analytical skills (General Aptitude Test) and knowledge and understanding of subject matter basic to graduate study in specific fields (Advanced Tests). The GRE is generally required by graduate schools and is used to assess the qualifications of applicants to master's and Ph.D. programs.

    Gymnasium

    The building which houses the sports facilities on a campus.

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    Hastings College of the Law

    Hastings College of the Law was founded in 1878 as the first law department of the University of California by Serranus Clinton Hastings, the first Chief Justice of the State of California. On March 26, 1878, the Legislature provided for affiliation with the University of California. Policy for the college is established by the Board of Directors and is carried out by the Dean and other officers of the college. There are 11 directors on the board—one is an heir or representative of S.C. Hastings, and the other 10 are appointed by the Governor and approved by a majority of the Senate. Directors serve for terms of twelve years. The juris doctor degree is granted by The Regents of the University of California, and is signed by the President of the University of California and the Chancellor and Dean of Hastings College of the Law.

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    Headcount

    An unduplicated count of enrolled students enrolled in an institution. Unlike FTE or FTES enrollments, which are funding constructs of student counts, headcount enrollment refers to actual students.

    HEGIS

    Acronym for the Higher Education General Information Survey system. HEGIS operated between 1966 and 1985.

    High School

    Secondary school (grades 7-12 or 9-12). In the 6+6 scheme, the first three years (grades 7-9) are known as 'junior high school' and final three years (10-12) as 'senior high school'.

    Higher Education Price Index (HEPI)

    Dr. Kent Halstead of Research Associates of Washington developed The Higher Education Price Index (HEPI). It measures the average relative level of prices for goods and services purchased by postsecondary institutions through current educational and general expenditures (E&GE). In this way, HEPI shows changes in the costs of services unique to colleges and universities (such as, faculty salaries, instructional equipment, etc.) in addition to more traditional expenditure categories, such as plant maintenance and utilities. Sponsored research, sales and services of education departments, and other for profit or auxiliary enterprises are not included in the calculation of HEPI.

    Specifically, according to Dr. Halstead, HEPI is based upon the following: (1) salaries of college personnel, from f