An Associate’s of Arts degree. Typically this degree is for art-related fields, and students either enter the workforce or transfer to another institution of higher learning. Programs offering this degree have published sequences wherein students complete approximately 65 credit hours of required 100- and 200-level coursework.
A.A.S. Degree
An Associate’s of Applied Science degree. Typically, students who earn this degree proceed directly into the workforce. Programs offering this degree have published sequences wherein students complete approximately 65 credit hours of required 100- and 200-level coursework.
A.S. Degree
An Associate’s of Science degree. Typically, students who earn this degree intend to transfer to a college or university and pursue a Bachelor’s degree. Programs offering this degree have published sequences wherein students complete approximately 65 credit hours of required 100- and 200-level coursework.
Academic Calendar
A schedule of important dates that students need to know each semester. Dates such as the last day to drop a class, the withdrawal deadlines, and final exam week are published on the academic calendar on the College’s website.
Adjunct Faculty
A highly qualified teaching faculty member who is employed by the College on a part-time basis. Many adjunct faculty are currently or formerly employed experts in the fields in which they teach.
Alumni
Students who have graduated from Westchester Community College.
Audit
Taking a credit course for no academic credit. To audit a course, students must formally register for the course and receive permission from the instructor to receive the AUDIT grade. Students who are permitted to audit a credit course must pay all tuition and fees. The audit grade is designated as AU (No Credit).
Assessments
Tests and other measures given to students to assess their proficiency and/or competency with course learning outcomes or to identify levels and/or course placement for English, math, reading, and writing.
Bachelor’s Degree
The next level of education after graduating from WCC. Often referred to as a four-year degree, it is very similar to the Associate’s degrees in that students may pursue a Bachelor of Art or Science. Courses taken for this degree are generally 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses. WCC does not offer Bachelor’s Degrees.
Blackboard
A course management system used to support web-based teaching and learning at WCC.
Certificate
A qualification students earn after completing a series of WCC courses geared toward employment in a specific field. Although it is not a degree, students typically earn 15 to 24 credit hours and a credential in that particular discipline.
Certificate of Residence
WCC students must file a “Certificate of Residence” once each academic year (September-August) to certify legal residence in New York State for the past year and county residency for the past six months. The Certificate of Residence should be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office prior to registration.
Co-requisite
A course which must be taken with another course.Other co-requisite courses might include a reading class with a composition class or a support course with a credit course, such as ENG 099 and ENG 101
College Catalog
A reference that focuses on college policies and procedures, as well as on campus resources, educational programs and requirements, and course descriptions. The catalog used to be a book published once a year, but now the College has transitioned to an electronic, interactive catalog available online.
Course Syllabus
A document that students receive from instructors that lists course learning outcomes and important policies. Students should receive a syllabus within the first week of class in all classes.
Credit Hour
The number of hours a class is scheduled to meet each week determines the value of a course or the number of credit hours students will receive for that course. For example, ENG 101 (College Composition) involves three class hours each week and is worth three credit hours
Curriculum
A program of courses approved for a specific degree or certificate. To earn a degree or certificate in a specific program, students must complete the curriculum for that program. The term can also refer to the content of a specific course and how the professor intends to help the students achieve the course learning outcomes.
Dean
The head of the School in which a student’s program is housed. The deans decide grievance cases and supervise the department chairs.
Dean’s List
An honor earned by full-time students who have obtained a 3.5 to 3.74 semester grade point average (sGPA).
Deferments
Alternative methods of time-lines for payment of tuition. Contact the Student Accounts Office to see about making tuition payments.
Degree Works
Degree Works is WCC’s computerized degree audit/advising system designed to help students achieve their academic goals efficiently. Degree Works tracks course and requirement completion so efficiently that students, Academic Counselor, and faculty advisors can spend less time on record keeping and more time on program planning to achieve academic and career objectives.
Department Chair
The person who supervises the adjunct and full-time faculty in a particular department. The department chair would hear legitimate complaints about a class after students have expressed their concerns to their professor.
Distance Education
Instructor and students are in different locations.
Drop-Add
Times students may change their original class choices by dropping a course and/or adding a new one. Dropped courses will not appear on an academic transcript. This is generally the first week of classes, and exact dates can be found on the academic calendar.
Electives
Courses of a student’s choice, which may be taken for credit toward a degree or certificate. They may be chosen from a wide variety of courses. Some programs require specific course electives, so students need to make sure they are aware of the requirements of their major or program.
Email (Electronic Mail)
WCC’s official means of communication. WCC will use the system to conduct and notify students of college-related business and important general information. All students receive an email address to access from a home computer or the on-campus computer labs. Faculty can send students electronic messages and they can send messages to classmates, faculty, and staff, as well as to any external email address. Email is the primary method of communication with the College, so it is important students read their email regularly.
FAFSA
The online financial aid application. The FAFSA must be filled out every year, as soon as possible after students or their parents have filed their tax return. Be sure to regularly check email as they often ask for additional documentation. Once approved, financial aid applies to the fall and spring of the upcoming academic year. Financial Aid used in the summer will be deducted from the following spring semester’s award. Workshops to help fill out the FAFSA are offered regularly.
Financial Aid Office
An office to help students obtain funds for their college education. There are various scholarships and financial aid awards for which students may be eligible.
Full-Time Student
A student enrolled for twelve (12) or more credit hours in a semester.
General Education
Enables students to acquire knowledge and skills that are useful and important for all educated persons, regardless of their jobs or professions.
Goals
Benchmarks or targets we set for ourselves to help us achieve what we want to achieve in school and in life. Educational goals are academic objectives a student plans to achieve at MCC and at additional academic institutions, if applicable. Personal goals are important as well and help us lead healthier and happier lives.
Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.)
The overall average from the grades and grade points received and the credits earned in all the courses a student has taken. Grade points range from 4.00 for an A to 0.00 for an F. Students must have at least a 2.00 (a C average) to graduate.
Graduation
Occurs when the college determines students have successfully completed all the requirements for their degree. Commencement is a ceremony acknowledging students’ accomplishments of graduation from WCC.
Graduation Application
Candidate for a degree or certificate, must complete and submit a Graduation Application during their final semester of study. Forms and deadline dates may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation with Distinction
Graduation recognition for students with a cumulative average of 3.50-3.74.
Graduation with Highest Distinction
Graduation recognition for students with a cumulative average of 3.75 or higher.
Hybrid
Blend of face-to-face instruction with online learning activities. In a hybrid course, a significant par of the learning in online an seat time is reduced.
Incomplete
An Incomplete or “I” may be assigned in a course when extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing a course. This grade is is requested by the student and is not a student right and is granted only upon approval of the Instructor, Department Chair and Academic Dean to ensure fairness and consistency in the assignment of this grade.
Learning Objective
An outcome statement that captures specifically what knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes learners should be able to exhibit following instruction.
Long-term Goals
Goals that are reached over a longer period of time by achieving short-term and mid-term goals along the way. Examples of long-term educational goals include graduating from WCC or transferring to another institution.
Major Change
Switching to a different program of study. This is also referred to as a change to a curriculum program of study. All major (curriculum) changes must be requested before selecting your courses for the next semester. The change is not official until the Curriculum Change Request form is singed by your Academic Counselor and the Curriculum Chair of the program you wish to enter, and then processed by the Registrar’s Office.
Matriculated Student
A student who has applied for and been formally accepted as a candidate for a degree in a specific curriculum. Students must be matriculated in a degree program before becoming eligible for a degree or certificate from the College.
Mid-term Goals
Goals that come in between long-term and short-term, usually lasting about a semester in length. Examples of mid-term educational goals include passing all classes and making the dean’s list.
Mnemonics
Tricks for memorizing lists and data. They create strong links to information, making study and recall easier.
Module
A unit of study.
Multiculturalism
Accepting and respecting the ideas, feelings, behaviors, and experiences of people different from oneself.
Netiquette
Using common courtesy in online communication.
Non-Matriculated Student
A student who is taking courses to satisfy personal needs and interests without applying for candidacy for a degree. Non-matriculated students are not eligible to receive financial aid. The college reserves the right to require placement testing and/or a personal interview for anyone wishing to register for classes. Non-matriculated students required to take placement testing must score at a satisfactory level according to Westchester Community College in order to register.
Office Hours
Times that faculty members are available for students to come see them. Usually, no appointment is necessary. Full-time faculty members hold five office hours per week and post those times on their office doors and course information sheets. Although not required to do so, many adjunct faculty hold office hours and/or make appointments to meet with students outside of class. Students are encouraged and welcomed to take advantage of their professors’ office hours.
Orientation
The process of making the transition to college life. New Student Orientation describes the requirements and opportunities specific to WCC and includes the photo ID process, tours, and a classroom expectation presentation, along with an academic orientation that may include school- or program-specific information and requirements.
Part-Time Student
A student taking fewer than twelve (12) credit hours in a semester.
Pell Grant
A federal form of financial aid for eligible students. Students must apply by filling out a FAFSA to determine if they are eligible.
Plagiarism
Submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one’s own work without attributing those same portions to their correct sources.
Pre-requisite
Courses that provide important foundational knowledge and must be completed first in a sequence as preparation for other courses. Pre-requisite requirements can be found in the course’s official course description.
Readmitted Student
A student who has stopped out, reapplied, and been reaccepted to the College.
Registration
Registration is the process of selecting and “signing up” for courses.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
WCC expects students to remain in good academic standing. WCC reviews satisfactory academic progress by term. Students are expected to earn a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher and maintain progress towards degree completion.
Schools
WCC assembles related programs of study into four academic homes called Schools to provide students with clear and supported pathways towards achieving their academic and personal goals.
Short-term Goals
Small manageable goals that often serve as steps towards achieving mid- and long-term goals. Short-term goals are achievable in the very near future (that day, week, or month). Examples include reading a textbook chapter, filing the FAFSA, or working out.
S.M.A.R.T.
An acronym for setting specific (S), measurable (M), attainable (A), relevant (R), and time-bound (T) goals.
Semester
Fall and spring semesters at WCC are traditionally 15 weeks long. Summer sessions typically span 4 to 6 weeks while intersession lasts 3 weeks. Courses with compressed time frames meet for the same amount of hours regardless of the number of weeks. For example, a three-credit course always meets for a total of 45 hours, whether that equals three hours a week or fifteen.
Student ID Number
A student’s permanent, official college identification number.
Syllabus
An instructor’s description and outline of a class, assignments, due dates, and required text(s).
TAP
A New York State form of financial aid for eligible students. Fill out a FAFSA application or by speak with a financial aid officer to determine if eligibility.
Transcript
An official record of the courses taken and the grades received. Students wish to transfer to another institution will be required to obtain an official transcript and have it sent to the transfer institution so they can accept the courses and the credits earned at WCC.
Viking Success
WCC’s early alert system may be used by instructors and support staff to send kudos or concerns, suggest action items, or make appointments at learning centers. Viking Success is one more reason to check WCC email regularly.
Web Browser
Software to navigate the Internet .
Withdrawal from Courses
You may withdraw without scholastic penalty up to halfway through a semester. The withdrawal will be noted on your record as a “W.” After the halfway point in the session, only your professor may initiate a withdrawal and only if there are personal emergency circumstances that warrant this action. This type of withdrawal from class is noted on your record as either “WP” (Withdrawal Passing) or “WF” (Withdrawal Failure).
Work Study
A financial aid award program which enables students to be employed on our campuses. For more information, check with the Financial Aid Office and/or indicate interest on the FAFSA.
