Some American academic terms may differ from those used in your country. Don't let them confuse you; brush up on the meaning of some commonly used words with this glossary.
Academic Advisor—Most colleges assign students an advisor to help them with problems relating to specific classes, changing majors, or curriculum requirements.
Accreditation—The process by which colleges and universities are granted approval by an official review board, indicating that the institution has met certain requirements.
Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna, Alumnae—These Latin words refer to graduates of a college or university.
Associate Degree—Awarded after completing a program of study at a two-year college.
Bachelor's Degree—Awarded after four years of study at a college or university. Also referred to as an undergraduate degree.
Campus—A college or university's buildings and grounds.
College/University/School—These terms are often used interchangeably, as in "Where do you go to school?" or "Where do you go to college?" Differences among the terms do exist, however. Colleges primarily award bachelor's degrees and concentrate on providing a general, or liberal arts, education. Universities tend to be larger and award advanced degrees (master's and doctoral degrees) along with bachelor's degrees. In addition, portions of a university are also referred to as colleges, as in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Co-op—Also known as cooperative education, this opportunity partners education and industry to apply the theories taught in the classroom to the workforce. When taking part in a co-op, you will usually work during the semester or quarter in order to gain valuable on-the-job experience and typically to fulfill a requirement in your program of study.
Credit Hour—A unit of study at a college or university, usually represented by one hour of class per week per term. Most classes are worth three credit hours and meet for three hours per week.
Culture Shock—Confusion or anxiety caused by sudden exposure to a new culture.
Doctoral Degree—The most advanced degree, awarded after three to five years of additional study following completion of a master's degree.
Dormitory—Residence halls (called dorms, for short) that students live in on campus. Each room generally accommodates two students. Bathrooms can either be private or shared among a number of students. Students living in dorms eat their meals at a central location on campus or in on-campus restaurants. Some dormitories are single sex, which means all male or all female residents live in them.
Extracurricular—This term describes activities that take place outside the classroom, including athletic, social, and cultural events (sometimes referred to as cocurricular).
Faculty—The teaching staff of a college or university. The term does not refer to a department within the university, as it does in some countries.
Final Exam—The test at the end of the term. Most courses also have midterm exams in the middle of the semester or quarter.
Financial Aid—Money supplied by a source other than the family to help pay for education costs. Financial aid may be "need-based" or awarded based on the financial need you possess. It can also be "merit-based" or awarded for special talents or achievements you've made.
Fraternity—A social or honorary club of male students. Members often live in a fraternity house.
Freshman—The first year of undergraduate study.
Grade Point Average (GPA)—A student's average for the semester or quarter. Letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F) are converted to points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1) and averaged to determine the GPA.
Hate Speech—A term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against someone based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The term covers written as well as oral communication.
Homestay—A living arrangement in which an international student lives with an American family in the home. These opportunities immerse international students in the English language and allow them a unique perspective on the way of life in the United States.
I-20 Immigration Form—The certificate of eligibility for the F-1 student visa. You will need this form to obtain your visa and to enter the United States.
Internships—Practical work or training experience that allows students to apply what they have learned in class. Generally, you'll participate in an internship when you are not taking classes—perhaps during the summer.
Junior—The third year of undergraduate study.
Major—Chosen area of academic specialization.
Master's Degree—An advanced degree awarded by a university following completion of studies beyond a bachelor's degree.
Minor—A secondary area of academic specialization.
Police officers—Members of an organized police force who are sworn into that post to serve and protect all citizens. Police officers carry guns; security guards do not.
Professor—A teacher at a university or college.
Public/Private—Public schools receive public funding and are generally less expensive than private schools for in-state students, which do not receive public funding. Public schools are also referred to as state schools.
Semester/Quarter/Term—Most colleges and universities divide the school year into two semesters (fall and spring), while others have three slightly shorter quarters (fall, winter, and spring). "Term" is the general word for either a semester or a quarter, as in "fall term."
Senior—The fourth year of undergraduate study.
Social Security Number—A nine-digit identification number, assigned by the U.S. government, that citizens provide to employers for tax purposes.
Sophomore—The second year of undergraduate study.
Sorority—A social or honorary club of female students. Members often live together in a sorority house.
Study Abroad—A program in which students attend school in a country outside the United States and receive academic credit toward their major. Visit colleges' Web sites to determine whether they offer study abroad.
Syllabus—An outline of topics to be covered in a course for the duration of the semester or quarter.
Teaching Assistant—A graduate student who handles classroom instruction duties for the professor.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)—A standardized test required by most schools. The test measures a student's proficiency in the English language.
Transcript—Official record of a student's academic courses and grades received.
Tuition—The cost of attending classes at a college or university. Tuition does not include room and board or other living expenses.
Visa—Official designation on a passport that the holder is authorized to travel or live abroad.