Glossary of terms
academic placement: Unless direct from a high school which provides an ACT or SAT score, most entering credit students are required to take institutional placement tests which determine knowledge in basic reading, writing and math or provide formal documentation of basic learning skills.
academic calendar: Important dates for each semester; e.g., registration, when classes begin, withdrawal deadlines, holidays and exams.
academic advisor: KCC staff member who assists students in planning course work to complete their academic goals.
area of concentration: Courses that create a foundation for an intended major or electives to meet credit-hour requirements for a degree.
associate degree: Various types are offered at KCC including Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Engineering Science (A.E.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), and Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.).
articulated course: A course that meets the requirements for a specific course or elective credit at a four-year college or university. This term could also apply to a high school course that meets the requirements of a specific college course.
attendance policy: The number of absences permitted will vary from class to class.
audit: Taking a class to benefit from experience without receiving a grade or college credit. The cost of auditing a course is the same as that charged for enrolling for credit. Special registration procedures apply.
certificates: Certificates and advanced certificates are awarded to students who complete specific requirements in career education certificate programs.
cooperative agreement: The understanding between KCC and other community colleges that residents can pay in-district rates when enrolled in programs named under the agreement.
credit by examination: Course credit awarded to students demonstrating knowledge through proficiency exams.
credit hour: The unit used to quantitatively measure courses. The number of credits assigned to a course is usually determined by the number of in-class hours per week and the number of weeks per session.
degree: Awarded to a student who has completed all requirements for a program of study.
developmental course work: Provides the knowledge of basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills that are necessary for success in the course or program of study chosen by the student. Developmental courses often do not meet graduation requirements.
disciplinary action: Students who fail to comply with KCC policies, regulations, and rules will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the college.
district: The communities within the geographic boundaries of the college.
division associate dean: Person who assists in the organization of curricula, scheduling of classes, and management of faculty members within his/her division.
drop a course: Action taken when a student no longer wants to take a course for which he/she has registered. A course dropped during the refund period does not appear on the student’s transcript. Dates when a drop is permitted are listed in course syllabi.
elective: Course that a student chooses (elects) to take in order to reach the required number of hours for a certificate or degree. Some curricula have “suggested electives” or “program electives.”
extension sites: An outreach center of KCC offering credit and/or non-credit courses.
extracurricular activities: Activities and events offered beyond regularly scheduled coursework; e.g. intramural sports.
fee: Money charged for additional services other than tuition (e.g. laboratory fee).
financial aid: Financial assistance designed to bridge the gap between the resources of students and their families and the cost of attending KCC. The different forms of financial aid are: grants, loans, work on or off campus, scholarships, and veterans’ benefits.
flexible scheduling: Classes offered with varying times, course lengths and locations that respond to the students’ needs.
full time: Enrollment in 12 or more credit hours per semester (six credit hours in summer).
general studies: A type of associate degree (A.G.S.) intended for students whose educational goals cannot be precisely met by other degree programs. The A.G.S. is awarded in personalized curricula that have been agreed upon by the student and his/her advisor within college regulations.
grade point: Numerical value assigned to the letter grade received in a class. Used to calculate a grade point average.
graduation petition: A form required for a student to be considered for graduation.
incomplete grade: If a student is passing a course and misses the final examination (with authorization of the appropriate division associate dean) or fails to complete a major course assignment, the instructor may assign a grade of “I” – Incomplete. Coursework must be completed within the time period stated on the approval request, not to exceed six months.
international student procedure: Non-U.S. citizens who plan to attend KCC must comply with the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) application procedure.
lecture/lab: Number of hours students spend in a course per week in lecture and/or laboratory time.
orientation: An information session designed to introduce students to KCC programs, services, and facilities.
part time: Enrollment in fewer than 12 credit hours per semester (less than six credit hours in summer).
permanent record: The college’s internal document reflecting the unabridged academic history of the student at the institution.
placement tests: Institutional placement tests in reading, writing, and math are required for most credit-seeking students. Students enrolling in an English or math course, or six credit hours or more must have ACT Compass, ACT and/or ASSET scores on file.
prerequisite: A course or courses that must be completed before taking another.
probation (disciplinary): Students who fail to comply with college rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the college. Disciplinary hearings are conducted.
refund: A student who officially withdraws from any class may be refunded the course tuition, depending on when withdrawal is made.
registration: The process of completing forms and steps necessary to enroll in classes.
repeating a course: Students may repeat courses in which they have received D and/or F grades but may not receive credit for the courses more than once. Only the most recent of the two grades will be used in computing the grade point average. This policy pertains to courses taken and repeated at KCC.
schedule (class): A publication providing a complete listing of dates and times for courses offered for a semester.
schedule (student): A listing of times, days and locations of a student’s courses.
selective admission programs: Programs that have restrictive or competitive enrollment requirements.
semester: The period when courses are conducted. KCC has fall and spring semesters and a summer term.
semester hour: See credit hour.
short-term loan: Agreement to delay a portion of your balance due to the college for a specified time period. Apply for this loan at the Office of Financial Aid.
standards of academic progress: Standards that identify students’ expected progress in terms of credits earned and time elapsed.
syllabus or syllabi (plural): An outline of the learning outcomes (and related course and instructor information) and requirements for a specific course.
transcripts: Documents which are forwarded to persons or agencies for their use in reviewing the academic performance of the student. An official transcript is a legal document which contains an official signature, date of issuance and college seal. An unofficial transcript has no signature, date, or seal and is intended for reference or advising purposes only.
transfer credit: Credit that has been earned at another accredited college or university which is applied to the student’s KCC record.
tuition: Cost of enrollment based on the number of semester hours enrolled and residency status.
withdrawal: Procedure to terminate enrollment in a class after the add/drop period.