Terms You Need to Know
A.A.
Associate of Arts (university transfer) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university.
A.A.S.
Associate of Applied Science (not traditionally intended for transfer) is awarded to students who complete the requirements as outlined in the technical programs section of the Catalog.
A.A.T.
Associate of Arts in Teaching (university transfer) is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved collegiate degree program consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification.
A.S.
Associate of Science (university transfer) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in mathematics, one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, physics, biotechnology, or related field), engineering, or computer science.
Accreditation
Professional organizations have established rules for presenting and running a strong defensible academic program at a college. Without institutional accreditation, the credit hours and the degrees granted by an institution may not be acceptable at other schools.
Academic Advisement
Process of advising students about classes that must be taken to fulfill degree and/or transfer requirements. Advanced Placement Earning of college credit prior to enrollment at the College by passing examinations (AP, CLEP tests) by the College Entrance Examination Board.
Audit
Regular credit course taken for no credit.
Blue Book
Collection of blank pages bound together between a blue cover and used specifically for examinations. Blue books are sometimes required by a professor to provide a uniform format for the presentation of answers. They are sold in the bookstore.
Catalog
General information publication printed by colleges that contain admissions requirements, outlines of degree programs, and course descriptions.
Certificates
Awarded to students who complete required courses with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 usually between 30 and 42 credit hours.
Commencement
Traditional ceremony in which students are recognized by the College as having completed all the necessary requirements for a degree.
Concurrent Enrollment
Occurs when a student is enrolled at two or more state-supported colleges or universities at the same time.
Continuing & Professional Development (CPD)
Non-credit classes, seminars, and conferences designed for adults and pre-college aged students who desire to improve their occupational, cultural, or social education. Schedules of course offerings are available in the Continuing & Professional Development division on each campus, or online at cpd.sanjac.edu
Corequisite
Required course that must be taken concurrently with, or prior to, another course.
Credit Hour
Academic credit given for a class, usually equal to the number of hours per week. There are a number of exceptions. A typical course is worth three credits; a lab is usually worth one.
Dean’s List
List of students who have completed at least 12 term hours of courses, made no failing grades, and earn a 3.5 GPA.
Drop Date
Last day on which a class may be dropped to receive a W (withdrawal) on your transcript. After this date a student will receive an F for the course.
Educational Planning
Educational Planning is an advising session between the student and an educational planner/ counselor about the student’s academic goals and provides an opportunity for students to create an educational plan. See Academic Advisement.
Generated I.D. Number (G00)
Identification number assigned to you by San Jacinto College that provides you access to various services and to the San Jacinto College computer systems. This number should be used in lieu of your Social Security Number in order to protect your identity while enrolled at the College.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade Point Average is an indicator of a student’s academic performance. Numerical values, or points, are assigned to each letter grade.
To compute GPA: Divide total grade points earned by total number of term hours completed.
Honor Societies
Organizations honoring students who have achieved distinction in academic areas of service.
In Good Standing
Student who maintains a 2.0 GPA and who has met all obligations to the College is considered in good standing.
Major
Primary academic program a student chooses to pursue based on his personal and career goals for the future.
My San Jac GPS
My San Jac GPS (Graduation Plan Strategy) is a Web-based application allowing students to track their academic progress towards degree completion, plan class schedules for future semesters, apply transfer credit and/or coursework to meet program requirements, and construct “What-if” scenarios when considering program changes. The system is designed to aid and facilitate academic advising, but it is not intended to replace face-to-face advising sessions. My San Jac GPS is available to all SJC credit students. To access the system, students should log into their S. O. S. account.
Prerequisite
Requirement that must be met before a course can be taken.
Probation
Academic warning that satisfactory progress has not been maintained and unless immediate corrective action is taken, the student risks suspension.
Recreational Sports
Variety of competitive individual, team and dual sports and recreational activities offered to students free of charge.
San Jacinto College District
Structure through which the College receives funding. The San Jacinto College District consists of the Central Campus, South Campus, North Campus, and nine extension centers. One Board of Trustees governs the District.
Scantron Form
Special form used for recording answers during an examination. Answers are recorded using a No. 2 pencil, allowing the examination to be computerscored. Scantron forms are sold in the College bookstore.
Secure Online System (S.O.S.)
Secure Online System allows you to register for classes, apply for and monitor your financial aid, check your grades, add and drop classes, access the Class Schedule and Catalog, and obtain unofficial transcripts and degree evaluations.
Suspension
Academic suspension means that satisfactory progress has not been maintained and that a student is ineligible to register for classes for at least one long term (fall, spring or the entire summer session).
T.B.A.
“To be arranged (assigned, announced).”
Transcript
Official record of a student’s grades, credits, hours, etc., from any school or college. Official and unofficial transcripts can be obtained through the Secure Online System (S.O.S.) or by going to the EPCC office. We now offer official transcripts online.
Term
There are varying lengths of academic terms including but not limited to 16-week, 13-week, and 8-week courses.
Warning
At the end of the first term in which the overall institution GPA is less than 2.0, a student will be placed on academic warning status.
Withdrawal
Removal from a class and/or college via completion of proper forms in the Admissions office, Educational Planning, Counseling & Completion office or via the Secure Online System (S.O.S).