When you don’t know what you don’t know, it’s hard to know how to find what you need.
We’ve put together a list of common college vocabulary words and terminology with
the words you may hear around campus. Learn more about everything from admissions
and orientation to registration and graduation.
Use the Sort Order column to see terms related to each other. Or, use the search bar
below to look for a specific word. Explore related concepts and departments using
the references included on the definition card.
A UVU staff member who guides students through the academic process, including course
selection, registration, major selection, and graduation planning.
The semester and deadline schedule UVU follows, including admissions deadlines,
registration days, semester start dates, student breaks, and final exam schedules.
Also known as the
Schedule.
A petition that students on Academic Suspension or Dismissal must submit and get approved
before returning to their academic studies. Academic Suspension Tuitions are separate
from the other
petition forms to remove a hold or contest a grade.
Reasonable adjustments to a student’s academic experience that address barriers to
education and ensure equal access. Examples of accommodations include more time to
take tests, an American
Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, and use of technology in class.
The office that recruits and helps students apply to UVU, provide university tours,
adjust residency information, and navigate deferment.
higher_education_basics
Adult Learner
University students who are over 25 years old and have unique identifiers that impact
their education access, including a military connection, being a parent or guardian,
employed full time, and
more. Also known as a nontraditional student.
student_types
Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
High school classes that offer rigorous, college-level classes and the opportunity
to
earn college credit by scoring well on AP exams. AP classes are separate from concurrent
enrollment.
The collective group of past students of a university. Alumni is plural and refers
to a
group of both male and female graduates; “alumnus” means one male graduate and “alumna”
means one female
graduate.
The administrative software UVU uses to maintain student records, organize course
schedules, administer financial aid, and other administrative uses.
technology
Block Classes
An accelerated class that takes half of a semester to complete for the same number
of
credits. Block classes are offered as “First Block” and “Second Block” courses.
A learning management system (LMS) where students access course materials, submit
assignments, take quizzes, participate in class discussions, and more.
The UVU CARE Hub helps students access food, housing, health, and safety resources,
along
with other campus and community resources to help meet students’ foundational needs.
uvu_programs_and_services
Certificate
A shorter academic program that requires around 15-20 course credits or more, depending
on the program. Offered as Certificates of Completion and Certificates of Proficiency.
The office that enforces tuition payment plans and helps students resolve their payment
account balances and achieve financial stability.
tuition_scholarships_and_financial_aid
Colleges and Schools
Academic divisions within a university that group similar programs and departments
together by field of study. For example, the Department of Mathematics is housed under
the College of
Science.
A group of student leaders assigned to off-campus housing complexes to support the
student experience. Community leaders live on-site or off-site depending on the program.
A more specific area of study within a program that allows students to focus on one
specialized area of their field. For example, the English department offers Creative
Writing, Literary
Studies, and Writing Studies emphases.
A program that allows high school students to take classes for credit with a specific
university. Participating in concurrent enrollment creates a permanent college transcript.
Concurrent
enrollment is separate from Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
A class that is taught over the course of a semester or block. Courses offer between
1-5
credit hours that contribute towards your degree’s credit requirements.
A measurement unit indicating the amount of coursework for a class and overall program
completion, often indicating the number of hours per week dedicated to attending class
and completing
homework. Also called credit hours and semester credits.
A list of students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance during a semester.
UVU’s Dean’s List recognizes students who complete 12 credit hours in any semester
with a semester GPA of
3.6 or higher and a cumulative GPA over 2.0.
The process in which students can be accepted into a university and begin classes
later
while holding their scholarship and other benefits. Students defer for reasons including
humanitarian or
religious missions, military service, and family responsibilities.
A federal law that protects student records and information and requires a student’s
consent for a university to release that information to parents and family members.
A final exam at the end of a course that includes all materials covered throughout
the
term. Some courses may require a final essay or project instead of an exam.
The difference between a student’s total cost of attendance and the estimated amount
the
student and family are expected to contribute based on federal income formulas.
The academic advising office that supports first-year students and helps students
navigate campus, explore majors and programs, and settle into campus life.
The department that supports freshmen and first-year students throughout their first
year
at UVU by connecting students to resources and encouraging participation in campus
life.
A schedule created with your academic advisor that outlines every class you need to
take
each semester to graduate from a degree program within four years.
UVU’s library that houses computers, the Writing Center, technology and book checkouts,
and subject librarians to help students with research. The library website provides
students access to
academic databases for finding scholarly sources.
A shared academic curriculum that provides all students with the foundational knowledge,
skills, and abilities that are expanded on in their individual disciplines.
A class that includes discipline-specific global and intercultural education in its
curriculum.
classes_and_registration
Grade Point Average (GPA)
A number that indicates your overall academic performance by averaging the grades
a
student receives for a given semester (semester GPA) or across their entire academic
career (cumulative
GPA).
academic_basics
Graduate School
A program or school for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
An online recruiting platform where UVU students and graduates can search for jobs
through organizations with relationships with UVU.
technology
Higher Education
Postsecondary education that occurs after a student graduates from a high school or
secondary school.
higher_education_basics
Holds
An administrative pause that prevents students from registering for classes. This
can
occur due to academic performance, unpaid tuition, or unmet prerequisites for a course.
A week of events to welcome alumni back to the university, celebrate school traditions,
and support a school’s flagship athletics team. At UVU, homecoming occurs in February
to support the men’s
basketball team.
A specialized academic program with additional academic and professional requirements
for
students seeking a more rigorous, enriching college experience.
A grade assigned to students who are unable to complete a class within the standard
time
frame because of extenuating circumstances. Incomplete grades may negatively impact
a student’s GPA and
scholarship eligibility.
A networking event where multiple employers from the community and different industries
meet with students to pitch job opportunities, discuss career growth, and practice
networking and
interviewing skills.
The required language learning credits for an associate in art (A.A.) and bachelor
of
arts (B.A.) degrees. Associate and bachelor of science degrees do not have a language
requirement.
A document from a teacher, mentor, or employer that recommends a student for a college
program or job opportunity.
academic_success
Liberal Arts
An approach to education that includes multiple disciplines such as the humanities
and
social sciences to foster critical thinking and communication skills.
The 1000 and 2000 level classes included in general education courses and within a
specific discipline, usually completed during a student’s freshman and sophomore years.
The formal process of enrolling as a student at a college or university, or when applying
for admission to a specific major after meeting prerequisite requirements.
The program that supports student veterans, service members, and military-affiliated
students access GI Bill® and related benefits and access resources specific to military-affiliated
students.
uvu_programs_and_services
Minor
A secondary concentration or field of study that a student pursues in addition to
their
major. Students must declare their minor and have it listed in Wolverine Track prior
to graduation.
The certification by a public official that a document or statement is true and
authentic.
admissions
Office Hours
A set time for students to meet with instructors and teaching assistants outside of
their
normal class schedule. Office hours are set by individual instructors and usually
announced ahead of time in
class, on Canvas, or in the syllabus.
A neutral party who acts as a confidential resource to resolve conflicts between a
student and their instructor, advisor, another student, or other university individuals
or groups.
higher_education_basics
Online Course
A class that is fully taught online through Canvas or another online platform.
An online form that allows a student to contest a hold, request late withdrawal, or
adjust their records based on qualifying extenuating circumstances.
A proctored exam that determines a student’s existing knowledge on a subject and
recommends placing them in the appropriate course for their skill level.
A student who has not been enrolled for two or more semesters who is coming back to
the
university.
student_types
Satellite Campus
An additional campus location beyond the main Orem campus, such as West Campus across
I-15, Wasatch Campus between Park City and Heber City, and the Provo Airport Campus.
A form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid and may take the form of a
tuition waiver or a grant. Scholarships can be funded through the university or a
private entity and may be
granted based on merit, extracurricular involvement, financial need, and other factors.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
A group of disciplines that share skills like critical thinking and problem solving.
disciplines_and_majors
Section
A specific class time and delivery method within a course. For example, students who
are
both enrolled in MATH 1010 but attend class at different times are enrolled in different
sections.
The academic division that includes STEM departments such as Computer Science, Mechanical
and Civil Engineering, and Information Systems and Technology
The behavior standards that students agree to follow while enrolled at a university.
A
code of conduct includes guidelines around cheating, plagiarism, and the disciplinary
process.
The personally identifiable information a university maintains about a student, including
academic records, financial aid information, and disciplinary records. Student records
are protected by
FERPA.
A library staff member who specializes in one or more subjects or disciplines and
helps
students conduct research, find articles and books, and use academic databases.
A student attending college for an associate or bachelor’s degree.
student_types
University or College
A postsecondary educational institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate
degrees. Separate from “Colleges and Schools” as academic divisions within a university.
The 3000 and 4000 level classes that provide more advanced instruction in a student’s
discipline, usually completed during a student’s junior and senior years.
The student leadership program at UVU in which the student body president and their
vice
presidents support the student body and represent student interests to university
administration.
The program through the UVU Store that provides students with all required textbooks
each
semester for a flat fee. Students are automatically opted in.
