Academic Advisor

A staff member who provides advice and guidance to students on academic matters

Commencement

A ceremony where diplomas are given to graduating students. AKA Graduation

Core Requirements

Required courses that must be completed to earn a degree, regardless of major

Course Load

The amount of courses a student is taking in a academic term (semester, 6-week, 4-by-4, etc.)

Dean

The head of a college or university faculty or department

Electives

Courses that students can choose to take, but aren't required for a degree. (Some degrees require a certain amount of electives to graduate)

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

You need to complete the FAFSAto be eligible for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of aid to help you pay for college or career school.

"I" Grade

Stands for "Incomplete"

Grade when you have completed 75% or more of a class, but external circumstances prevent you from completing the course. "I" Grades give you until the end of the following semester (unless a different deadline is discussed with your professor) to complete remaining course materials.

Internship

An experience that allows students to work in a professional environment to gain training and skills and earn college credit. May be paid or unpaid.

Matriculate

To enroll in a program of study with the intention of earning a degree

Midterm Exam

An exam that is halfway through the school-year that can go over all content up until that point.

Office Hours

Time set aside by instructors to be available to students

Pass-Fail

A grading system where students either recieve a "pass" grade or "fail" grade, rather than a letter grade.

Provost

The senior academic officer who oversees all academic policies and curriculum-related matters

Registrar

The official who is responsible for registering students and keeping their academic records

Registration

The process where students choose and enroll in courses

Seminar

A course offered to a small number of students who talk about specialized topics

Syllabus

A document that outlines all the essential information about a college course such as grading scale, topics, assignments, exam dates, and office hours

TA (Teaching Assistant)

A student who assists a professor with teaching a course

Transcript

An official record of a student's coursework and grades. Official transcripts must be requested

Transfer Credit

Credit that was taken at another college or university that have been transferred to your new institution

"W" Grade

Stands for "Withdraw"

A grade that indicates that a student dropped a course after the add/drop period. This grade does not affect your GPA or penalize you academically

Withdraw

To formally stop participating in a course or attending university. To withdraw at MSU, you must contact your academic advisor.

Work Study

A financial aid program that allows students to work part-time on campus