Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at your institution.
Applicant
First-time, first-year: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution). Transfer: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit.
Application Fee
That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for acceptance. This amount is not creditable toward tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Class Rank
The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade point average, whether weighted or unweighted.
College-Preparatory Program
Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study.
Cooperative (Work-Study) Program
A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government.
Cooperative Housing
College-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing in which students share food and housing expenses and participate in household chores to reduce living expenses.
Credit
Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.
Credit Course
A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Credit Hour
A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.
Deferred Admission
The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one year.
Degrees Awarded
An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.
Degree-Seeking Students
Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential. At the UG level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
Developmental Services
Instructional courses designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and educational setting.
Double Major
Program in which students may complete two undergraduate programs of study simultaneously.
Dual Enrollment
A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
A course of study designed specifically for students whose native language is not English.
Faculty
All employees with instructional appointments and whose 9-month salary is greater than zero.
Fall Cohort
The group of students entering in the fall term established for tracking purposes.
First-Time In Any College (FTIAC)
A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).
First-Year Student
A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1 full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30 semester hours (in a 120-hour degree program) or less than 900 clock hours.
Full-Time Student (Undergraduate)
A student enrolled for 12 more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.
Graduate Student
A student who holds a bachelor's or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.
Graduation Rate
The rate required for disclosure and/or reporting purposes under Student Right-to-Know Act. This rate is calculated as the total number of completers within 150% of normal time divided by the revised adjusted cohort.
Honors Program
Any special program for very able students offering the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or some combination of these.
Independent Study
Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor's supervision, and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure.
International Student (Nonresident)
A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely.
International Student Group
Student groups that facilitate cultural dialogue, support a diverse campus, assist international students in acclimation and creating a social network.
Internship
Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to a student's major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid.
Learning Center
Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops, computer programs, or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing, math, and skills such as taking notes, managing time, taking tests.
Legal Services
Free or low cost legal advice for a range of issues (personal and other).
Living Learning Community
Residential programs that allow students to interact with students who share common interests. In addition to living together, students may also participate in shared courses, special events, and group service projects.
Minority Student Center
Center with programs, activities, and/or services intended to enhance the college experience of students of color.
Model United Nations
A simulation activity focusing on conflict resolution, globalization, and diplomacy. Assuming roles as foreign ambassadors and "delegates," students conduct research, engage in debate, draft resolutions, and may participate in a national Model UN conference.
On-Campus Day Care
Licensed day care for students' children (usually age 3 and up); usually for a fee.
Part-Time Student (Undergraduate)
A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each term.
Personal Counseling
One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore personal, educational, or vocational issues.
Postsecondary Award, Certificate, or Diploma
Includes the following three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates, and diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact/clock hour requirements: Less Than 1 Academic Year: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) or in less than 900 clock hours by a student enrolled full-time. At Least 1 But Less Than 2 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours. At Least 2 But Less Than 4 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours.
Race/Ethnicity
Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may be counted in only one group. Include international students only in the category "Nonresidents." Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the US and who is in this country on a student visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Do not include DACA, undocumented, or other eligible noncitizens in this category. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South American (including Central America) and maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories.
Recognized Postsecondary Credential
Includes both Title IV eligible degrees, certificates, and other recognized postsecondary credentials. Any credential that is received after the completion of a program that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid. Credentials that are awarded to recognize an individual's attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry occupation. (Generally based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations).
Required Fees
Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the student who does NOT pay is the exception. Do not include application fees or optional fees such as lab fees or parking fees.
Semester Calendar System
A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session.
Student-Designed Major
A program of study based on individual interests, designed with the assistance of an adviser.
Study Abroad
Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.
Summer Session
A summer session is shorter than a regular semester and not considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term of an institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an institution operating on a quarter calendar system. The institution may have 2 or more sessions occurring in the summer months. Some schools, such as vocational and beauty schools, have year-round classes with no separate summer session.
Teacher Certification Program
Program designed to prepare students to met the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high, and secondary schools.
Transfer Student
A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.
Tutoring
May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to tutoring in an area such as math, reading, or writing. Most tutors are college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified.
Unit
A standard of measurement representing hours of academic instruction (e.g., semester credit, quarter credit, clock hour).
Undergraduate Student
A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities offered to undergraduate students to make original contributions in an academic discipline via the exploration of a specific research topic. Research opportunities may or may not be associated with a specific course or earn credit.
Veteran's Counseling
Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits for their selected program and provides certifications to the Veteran's Administration. May also provide personal counseling on the transition from the military to a civilian life.
Women's Center
Center with programs, academic activities, and/or services intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles of women.
A 12-month period defined by an institution for reporting a full year of activity. All institutions must use the July 1-June 30 reporting period.
25th Percentile
The score at or below which 25 percent of students submitting test scores to an institution scored.
50th Percentile (Median)
The score at which 50 percent of students submitting test scores to an institution scored above and 50 percent scored below (i.e., midpoint of the test score distribution).
75th Percentile
The score above which 25 percent of students submitting test scores to an institution scored.
Academic Program
An instructional program leading toward an associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctor's, or resulting in credits that can be applied to one of these degrees.
Academic Rank
A status designated by the institution according to the institution's policies. IPEDS includes the ranks of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, and Lecturer.
Academic Year
The period of time generally extending from September to June, usually equated to 2 semesters/trimesters or 3 quarters.
ACT
ACT, previously known as the American College Testing program, measures educational development and readiness to pursue college-level coursework in English, mathematics, natural science, and social studies. Student performance does not reflect innate ability and is influenced by a student's educational preparedness.
Adjunct Instructional Staff
Non-tenure track instructional staff serving in a temporary or auxiliary capacity to teach specific courses on a course-by-course basis. Includes both instructional staff who are hired to teach an academic degree-credit course and those hired to teach a developmental or ESL course; whether the latter three categories earn college credit is immaterial. Excludes regular part-time instructional staff (who, unlike adjuncts are not paid on a course-by-course basis), graduate assistants, full-time professional staff of the institution who may teach individual courses (such as a dean or academic advisor), and appointees who teach noncredit courses exclusively.
Admitted Students
Applicants that have been granted an official offer to enroll in a postsecondary institution.
Applicant
An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn by applicant or institution.
Application Fee
That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
CIP/CIP Code
A taxonomic coding scheme for secondary and postsecondary instructional programs. It is intended to facilitate the organization, collection, and reporting of program data using classifications that capture the majority of reportable data. The CIP is the accepted federal government statistical standard on instructional program classifications and is used in a variety of education information surveys and databases; A six-digit code in the form of xx.xxxx that identifies instructional program specialties within educational institutions.
Completer
A student who receives a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential. In order to be considered a completer, the degree/award must actually be conferred.
Completers Within 150% of Normal Time
Students who completed their program within 150% of the normal (or expected) time for completion.
Completions
Institutions report all degrees and other awards conferred during an entire reporting period, from July 1 of one calendar year through June 30 of the following year.
Continuing/Returning Student (Undergraduate)
A student who is not new to the institution in the fall, but instead is continuing his or her studies at the institution (i.e., not first-time and not transfer-in).
Cooperative (Work-Study) Program
A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government.
Credit
Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) hat can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a postsecondary degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential, irrespective of the activities unit of measurement.
Credit Course
Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) hat can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a postsecondary degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential, irrespective of the activity's unit of measurement.
Credit Hour
A unit of measure representing the equivalent of an hour (50 minutes) of instruction per week over the entire term. It is applied toward the total number of credit hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Degrees Awarded
An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.
Degree-Seeking Students
Students enrolled in courses for credit who are seeking a degree, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential. This includes students who: a) received any type of federal financial aid, regardless of what courses they took at any time; b) received any state or locally based financial aid with an eligibility requirement that the student be enrolled in a degree, certificate, or transfer-seeking program; or c) obtained a student visa to study at a U.S. postsecondary institution. High school students also enrolled in postsecondary courses for credit are not considered degree/certificate-seeking.
Developmental Courses
Instructional courses designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and educational setting.
Developmental Education
Courses or programs designed to develop the reading, writing, and/or math skills of students who are determined-typically by a standardized test-to be academically underprepared for college-level, credit-bearing courses.
Developmental Services
Instructional activities designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and educational setting.
Disability Services
Programs designed to provide reasonable academic accommodations and support services to empower students who have disabilities to competitively pursue postsecondary education. May also include assistance to campus departments in providing access to services and programs in the most integrated setting possible.
Dual Enrollment
Refers to students who enroll in college courses offered by an institution of higher education while enrolled in high school or seeking a recognized equivalent. Student performance is recorded on a college transcript and postsecondary credit is awarded for a passing grade in the course. Includes: All postsecondary courses, independent of course delivery mode, course location, course instructor, whether secondary credit is also offered, and whether the student enrolls through a formal state/local program or enrolls outside a formal state/local program. Excludes: Credit-by-exam models such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate in which the student is not enrolled in a postsecondary institution.
Enrolled for Credit
Credit can be measured in units such as clock hours or credit hours. Credit is the recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a postsecondary degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential, irrespective of the activity's unit of measurement.
Entering Students (Undergraduate)
Students at the undergraduate level, both full-time and part-time, coming into the institution for the first time in the fall term (or the prior summer session who returned again in the fall). This includes all first-time undergraduate students, students transferring into the institution at the undergraduate level for the first time, and non-degree/non-certificate-seeking undergraduates entering in the fall.
Faculty
Persons identified by the institution as such and typically those whose initial assignments are made for the purpose of conducting instruction, research or public service as a principal activity (or activities). They may hold academic rank titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, lecturer or the equivalent of any of those academic ranks. Faculty may also include the chancellor/president, provost, vice provosts, deans, directors or the equivalent, as well as associate deans, assistant deans and executive officers of academic departments (chairpersons, heads or the equivalent) if their principal activity is instruction combined with research and/or public service. The designation as "faculty" is separate from the activities to which they may be currently assigned. For example, a newly appointed president of an institution may also be appointed as a faculty member. Graduate, instruction, and research assistants are not included in this category.
Fall Cohort
The group of students entering in the fall term established for tracking purposes. For the Graduation Rates component, this includes all students who enter an institution as full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduate students during the fall term of a given year.
First-Time In Any College (FTIAC)
A student who has no prior postsecondary experience (except as noted below) attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. This includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs. It also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer session, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits or recognized postsecondary credential earned before graduation from high school).
FTE Faculty
The full-time equivalent (FTE) of faculty is calculated by summing the total number of full-time faculty and adding one-third of the total number of part-time faculty.
FTE Students
The full-time equivalent (FTE) of students is a single value providing a meaningful combination of full-time and part-time students. IPEDS data products currently have two calculations of FTE students, one using fall student headcounts and the other using 12-month instructional activity.
FTE Staff
The full-time equivalent (FTE) of staff is calculated by summing the total number of full-time staff and adding one-third of the total number of part-time staff.
Full-Time Student (Graduate)
A student enrolled for 9 or more semester credits, or 9 or more quarter credits, or a student involved in thesis or dissertation preparation that is considered full-time by the institution.
Full-Time Student (Undergraduate)
A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, or 12 more more quarter credits or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.
Graduate Assistants (Other)
Graduate assistants not included in the graduate assistant teaching or research sections.
Graduate Assistants (Research)
Graduate assistants whose specific assignments customarily are made for the purpose of conducting research.
Graduate Assistants (Teaching)
Graduate assistants who assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing teaching or teaching related duties, such as teaching lower level courses, developing teaching materials, preparing and giving examinations and grading examinations or papers.
Graduate Student
A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or may not be enrolled in graduate programs.
Graduation Rate
The rate required for disclosure and/or reporting purposes under Student Right-to-Know Act. This rate is calculated as the total number of completers within 150% of normal time divided by the revised adjusted cohort.
Headcount (Unduplicated)
The sum of students enrolled for credit with each student counted only once during the reporting period, regardless of when the student enrolled.
Housing Capacity
The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.
Housing Charges
The charges for an academic year for housing accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.
In-State Student
A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.
Initial Cohort
A specific group of individuals established for tracking purposes. For the Graduation Rates and Outcome Measures components of IPEDS, the initial cohort is defined as the enrollment count before removing revisions and exclusions of all degree/certificate-seeking students who enter in either (1) the fall term of a given academic year, or (2) between September 1st and August 31st of the following year. For the GR component of IPEDS, the initial cohort is only for full-time, first-time students. For OM, all undergraduates are placed in one of four initial cohorts: full-time, first-time; part-time, first-time; full-time, non-first- time; and part-time, non-first time.
Instructional Staff
An occupational category that is comprised of staff who are either: 1) Primarily instruction or 2) Instruction combined with research and/or public service. The intent of the Instructional Staff category is to include all individuals whose primary occupation includes instruction at the institution.
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), conducted by the NCES, began in 1986 and involves annual institutional-level data collections. All postsecondary institutions that have a Program Participation Agreement with the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), US Department of Education (throughout IPEDS referred to as "Title IV") are required to report data using a web-based data collection system.
Non-Degree-Seeking Student
A student enrolled in courses for credit who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential.
Non-First-Time Entering Student (Undergraduate)
A student who has prior postsecondary experience before attending the reporting IPEDS institution.
Non-Tenured
A faculty member who teaches part-time or those who are full-time but do not have tenure-track status.
Noncredit Course
A course or activity having no credit applicable toward a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential at the institution or within the postsecondary educational system.
Normal Time to Completion
The amount of time necessary for a student to complete all requirements for a degree or certificate according to the institution's catalog. This is typically 4 years (8 semesters or trimesters, or 12 quarters, excluding summer sessions) for a bachelor's degree in a standard term-based institution; 2 years (4 semesters or trimesters, or 6 quarters, excluding summer sessions) for an associate's degree in a standard term-based institution; and the various scheduled times for certificate programs.
Not on Tenure Track
Personnel positions that are considered non-tenure earning positions.
Off-Campus Housing
Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.
Official Fall Reporting Date
The date (in the fall) on which an institution must report fall enrollment data to either the state, its board of trustees or governing board, or some other external governing body.
On-Campus Housing
Any residence hall or housing facility owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by the institution in direct support of or in a manner related to, the institution's educational purposes.
Out-of-State Student
A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.
Part-Time Student (Graduate)
A student enrolled for less than 9 semester or quarter credits.
Part-Time Student (Undergraduate)
A student enrolled for either less than 12 semester or quarter credits, or less than 24 clock hours a week each term.
Post 9/11 GI Bill
A federal education benefit program for veterans, who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. This Department of Veterans Affairs benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits at an approved institution for the following college costs: tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing. The tuition and fees payment, which is the cost for an in-state student attending a public institution, is made directly to the postsecondary institution whereas payments for books and supplies and housing are sent directly to the student.
Program
A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the institution.
Program Participation Agreement (PPA)
A written agreement between a postsecondary institution and the Secretary of Education. This agreement allows institutions to participate in any of the Title IV student assistance programs other than the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) and the National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership (NEISP) programs. The PPA conditions the initial and continued participation of an eligible institution program regulations, and any additional conditions specified in the program participation agreement that the Department of Education requires the institution to meet. Institutions with such an agreement are referred to as Title IV institutions.
Race/Ethnicity
Categories developed in 1997 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that are used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. The designations are used to categorize U.S. citizens, residents, and other eligible non-citizens. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino. Second, individuals are asked to indicate all races that apply among the following: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or White. U.S. Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: The category used to report students or employees whose race and ethnicity are not known.
Recognized Postsecondary Credential
A recognized postsecondary credential includes any credential that is recognized by the institution's appropriate governing body and received after completion of an academic program or that is awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry/occupation. These technical or industry/occupational skills generally are based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations.
Required Fees
Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the student who does not pay the charge is an exception.
Residence
A person's permanent address determined by such evidence as a driver's license or voter registration. For entering freshmen, residence may be the legal residence of a parent or guardian.
Resident (and Other Eligible Non-Citizens)
A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States but who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident status (and who holds either a registration card (Form I-551 or I-151), a Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688), or an Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94) with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian).
Retention Rate
A measure of the rate at which students persist in their educational program at an institution, expressed as a percentage. For four-year institutions, this is the percentage of first-time bachelors (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduates from the previous fall who are again enrolled in the current fall. For all other institutions this is the percentage of first-time degree/certificate-seeking students from the previous fall who either re-enrolled or successfully completed their program by the current fall.
Revised Cohort
Initial cohort after revisions are made. Cohorts may be revised if an institution discovers that incorrect data were reported in an earlier year.
SAT
Previously known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, this is an examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and used to predict the facility with which an individual will progress in learning college-level academic subjects.
Semester Calendar System
A calendar system that consists of two sessions called semesters during the academic year with about 15 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session. Note: the standard term length range is defined by the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Standardized Admissions Tests
Tests prepared and administered by an agency that is independent of any postsecondary education institution. Tests provide information about prospective students and their academic qualifications relative to a national sample. Examples are the SAT and the ACT.
Stop Out
A student who left the institution and returned at a later date.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The ratio of students to FTE instructional staff, i.e., students divided by staff. Students enrolled in "stand-alone" graduate or professional programs and instructional staff teaching in these programs are excluded from both full-time and part-time counts. "Stand-alone" graduate or professional programs are those programs such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry, social work, or public health, in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students (also referred to as "independent" programs). Each FTE value is equal to the number of full-time students/staff plus 1/3 the number of part-time students/staff.
Study Abroad
Arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.
Teacher Certification Program
A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high, and secondary schools.
Tenure
Status of a personnel position with respect to permanence of the position.
Tenure Track
Personnel positions that lead to consideration for tenure.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
A standardized test designed to determine an applicant's ability to benefit from instruction in English.
Total Cost of Attendance
The sum of the cost of attendance components used to compute the average net price for first-time, full-time degree or certificate seeking students for IPEDS reporting purposes. This amount is typically based on a nine-month period for institutions using a traditional academic calendar.
Transcript
An official record of student performance showing all schoolwork completed at a given school and the final mark or other evaluation received in each portion of the instruction. Transcripts often include an explanation of the marking scale used by the school.
Transfer of Credit
The policies and procedures used to determine the extent to which educational experiences or courses undertaken by a student while attending another institution may be counted for credit at the current institution.
Transfer Student
A student entering the reporting institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate). This includes new students enrolled in the fall term who transferred into the reporting institution the prior summer session. The student may transfer with or without credit. For systems of coordinated institutions (multi-campus system), students are to be identified as transfer-in students upon entering an institution from another institution within the same coordinated system. Also referred to as a transfer-in (non-first-time entering student).
Transfer-Out Rate
Total number of students who are known to have transferred out of the reporting institution within 150% of normal time to completion divided by the adjusted cohort.
Transfer-Out Student
A student that leaves the reporting institution and enrolls at another institution. For systems of coordinated institutions (multi-campus system), students are to be identified as transfer-out students when leaving an institution within the same coordinated system.
Tuition Payment Plan
A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without interest or finance charges.
Two-Year Institution
A postsecondary institution that offers programs of at least 2 but less than 4 years duration. Includes occupational and vocational schools with programs of at least 1800 hours and academic institutions with programs of less than 4 years. Does not include bachelor's degree-granting institutions where the baccalaureate program can be completed in 3 years.
Unclassified Student
Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a postsecondary degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential, irrespective of the activity's unit of measurement.
Undergraduate Student
A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.
Yellow Ribbon Program
A voluntary program through which participating public and private institutions can provide veterans and eligible beneficiaries additional institutional aid to cover the costs of tuition and fees at their institutions. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a supplementary program to the Post 9/11 GI Bill coverage of in-state tuition and fees. The Department of Veterans Affairs matches the institutional aid provided beyond the in-state tuition and fees, but up to a certain limit each year.
The number of prior year degree program offerings are reported for the following academic program levels: Postsecondary Award, Certificate, or Diploma (Less Than 1 Academic Year): A program that requires completion of an organized course of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters) or in less than 900 contact hours by a student enrolled full-time. Postsecondary Award, Certificate, or Diploma (At Least 1 But Less Than 2 Academic Years): A program that requires completion of an organized course of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 contact hours. Associate Degree Program: A program leading to an award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work. Post Associate Awards Program: A program leading to an award that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate) of at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours. Bachelor's Degree Program: A program leading to an award that normally requires at least 4 but not more than 5 years of full-time equivalent college level work. This includes programs conferring degrees in a 5-year Cooperative (Work-Study Program). Also includes bachelor's degree programs in which the normal 4 years of work are completed in 3 years. Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program: A program leading to an award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credits beyond the bachelor's degree; designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master. Master's Degree Program: A program leading to an award that requires completion of a program of study of at least the full-time equivalent of 1 but not more than 2 academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Post-Master's Certificate Program: A program leading to an award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credits beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctor's level. Doctor's Degree - Research/Scholarship Program: A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or D.M, and others, as designated by the awarding institution. Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice Program: A doctor's degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as first-professional and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution. Doctor's Degree - Other Program: A doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor's degree-research/scholarship or a doctor's degree-professional practice.
Academic Support Program
Activities providing support services related to instruction, research, and public service including retention, preservation, and display of materials and the provision of services that directly assist the instruction, research, and public service functions of the institution.
Academic Terms
Academic term is determined based on when the instruction takes place as follows: Prior Year Summer Term - Term generally beginning after July 1 of prior academic year. Prior Year Fall Term - Term generally beginning after August 20 of prior academic year. Prior Year Winter Term - Term generally beginning after January 1 of prior academic year. Prior Year Spring Term - Term generally beginning after May 1 of prior academic year. Current Year Fall Term - Term generally beginning after August 20 of current academic year.
CIP/CIP Code
CIP is the United States Department of Education's standard educational program classification system. For more detail see the Classification of Instructional Programs published by the National Center for Education Statistics, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, United States Department of Education.
Course Level
Course level is that instructional level (lower division, upper division, master, and the three doctor's degree programs) for which the course is approved as determined by the academic governance structure of each institution. Course instructional levels are as follows: Lower Division: Courses intended for freshman and sophomore level instruction. Upper Division: Courses intended for junior and senior level instruction. Master's Level: Courses intended to lead to a post baccalaureate certificate or master's degree. Doctor's Degree - Research/Scholarship: Courses intended to lead to a Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice: Courses intended to lead to a doctor's degree required for professional practice. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as first-professional and may include: Chiropractic; Dentistry; Law; Medicine; Osteopathic Medicine; Veterinary Medicine; and others. Doctor's Degree - Other: Courses intended to lead to a doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree - professional practice.
Current Year Fall Term
Term generally beginning after August 20 of the current academic year.
Enrollment
Headcount, student credit hour, and fiscal year equated student data are reported by student level, residency, and academic term. However, certain instructional activity is not to be reported pursuant to section 289 (previously 701) of the higher education appropriation act. Excluded student credit hours under section 289 are: (a) Student credit hours generated through instructional activity by faculty or staff in classrooms located outside Michigan, with the exception of instructional activity related to international study-abroad programs or field courses. (b)Student credit hours generated through credit by examination. (c) Student credit hours generated in new degree programs created on or after January 1, 1975 and before January 1, 2013, that were not specifically authorized for funding by the Legislature, except spin-off programs converted from existing core programs, and student credit hours generated in any new degree programs created after January 1, 2013, that are specifically excluded from reporting by the Legislature under current requirements in section 289. Also excluded in HEIDI enrollment are credit hours earned at any other institution, even in cases of dual or concurrent enrollment, or even if the reporting university handles financial aid for both institutions. Headcount and student credit hours should be counted at a specific date for each academic term and year to year according to policy established by the institution's governing board.
FTE Faculty
The number of prior fiscal year full-time equated faculty are reported separately by CIP code by the faculty categories identified below. Positions should be equated on an academic year basis. Academic year is defined as the fall and winter semesters. A faculty member working full time for an entire academic year, as defined by the institution, equals 1.00 FTE position. A faculty member working full time for a fiscal year as defined by the institution equals 1.22 FTE positions. A faculty member who works full time in any semester in excess of an academic year, as defined by the institution, equals .22 FTE position. Faculty employees working more or less than this standard should be apportioned according to the fraction of full-time employment. The following examples serve as guidelines in the calculation of other than full-time faculty employment for a full academic year. Part-time during regular academic year: Full time, one semester Half time, one semester Quarter time, one semester Half time, two semesters 1 x 1/2 = .50; 1/2 x 1/2 = .25; 1/4 x 1/2 = .13; 1/2 x 2/2 = .50. Overload, where faculty is paid extra compensation to teach above and beyond the normal load for a given term is calculated as follows: 1/3 overload, one semester 1/3 x 1/2 = .17; 1/4 overload, two semesters 1/4 x 2/2 = .25.
Prior fiscal year faculty staff compensation is reported for tenure faculty, tenure-track faculty, non-tenure-track faculty, and instruction/research assistants corresponding to the reported number of fiscal year full-time equated (FTE) faculty.
FYES (Full Year Equated Student)
FYES are derived from prior year headcount or prior year student credit hour data for each student level as follows: Freshman FYES - divide prior year freshman student credit hours by 30. Sophomore FYES - divide prior year sophomore student credit hours by 30. Junior FYES - divide prior year junior student credit hours by 30. Senior FYES - divide prior year senior student credit hours by 30. Master's FYES - divide prior year master's level student credit hours by 24. Doctor's Degree - Research/Scholarship FYES - divide prior year doctorate level student credit hours by 16. Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice FYES - divide the total prior year headcount for the Fall and Winter terms by 2 and add one-half of the applicable prior year spring and/or summer headcount. Doctor's Degree - Other FYES - divide prior year doctorate level student credit hours by 16.
Freshman FYES
Prior year freshman level student credit hours divided by 30.
First-Time In Any College (FTIAC)
A student taking courses in the first full-year equivalent year of study in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.
Full-Time Faculty Total
Total number (headcount) of the institution's faculty as of fall term who have a full-time appointment as a faculty member.
Geographic Origin Headcount - Fall Term
The current year fall headcount based on geographic residency for counties in Michigan and other states and foreign countries.
Graduate Student
A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.
Headcount Total
The unduplicated count of the total number of students enrolled for the academic term.
Instruction Program
Activities involving academic instruction, occupational and vocational instruction, and special session instruction conducted by the teaching faculty for the institution's students. Instruction activities are reported according to CIP code.
Graduate Teaching Assistants
Instructional students who are masters or doctoral degree candidates and are employed on a part-time basis for the primary purpose of assisting in classroom or laboratory instruction. These positions are typically held by graduate students having titles such as: teaching assistant, teaching associate, or teaching fellow. Exclude any student in the College Work-Study Program, students working as a Graduate Research Assistant but not teaching, or employees hired on a full-time basis (not students).
Junior FYES
Prior year junior level student credit hours divided by 30.
Junior Student Level
A student taking courses in the third full-year equivalent year of study in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.
Lower Division Courses
Courses intended for freshman and sophomore level instruction.
Lower Division Student Level
A student taking courses at the freshman and sophomore level in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.
Master's Level Courses
Courses intended to lead to a post-baccalaureate certificate or master's degree.
Master's Student Level
A student taking courses leading to a post-baccalaureate certificate or master's degree in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level. For those students who bypass a master's degree program to enroll directly in a doctorate level program, the first 30 student credit hours are considered as master's student level.
Part-Time Faculty Total
Total number (headcount) of the institution's faculty as of fall term who do not have a full-time appointment as a faculty member.
Prior Year Fall Term
Term generally beginning after August 20 of prior academic year.
Prior Year Spring Term
Term generally beginning after May 1 of prior academic year.
Prior Year Summer Term
Term generally beginning after July 1 of prior academic year.
Prior Year Winter Term
Term generally beginning after January 1 of prior academic year.
Programs Offered
The number of prior year degree program offerings at the following levels: Postsecondary Award, Certificate, or Diploma (Less Than 1 Academic Year); Postsecondary Award, Certificate, or Diploma (At Least 1 But Less Than 2 Academic Years); Associate Degree Program; Post Associate Awards Program, Bachelor's Degree Program; Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program; Master's Degree Program; Post-Master's Certificate Program; Doctor's degree - Research/Scholarship Program; Doctor's degree - Professional Practice Program; and Doctor's degree - Other Program
Senior FYES
Prior year senior level student credit hours divided by 30.
Senior Student Level
A student taking courses in the fourth full-year equivalent year of study in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.
Sophomore FYES
Prior year sophomore level student credit hours divided by 30.
Sophomore Student Level
A student taking courses in the second full-year equivalent year of study in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.
Student Credit Hours
Number of semester credit hours offered for each course multiplied by the number of students taking each course including auditors and visitors provided that fees are assessed and an entry is made on the student's official record of academic progress.
Undergraduate Student
A student enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.
Upper Division Courses
Courses intended for junior and senior level instruction.
A student enrolled in credit bearing courses who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential.
Academic Year
Includes fall, winter, and summer semesters; begins with fall.
Academic Rank
A status designated by the institution according to the institution's policies. Typically includes the ranks of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, and Lecturer.
Advanced Placement Test
Students who took AP high school courses, and earn at least a three on the corresponding AP tests, will be granted at least two hours of credit in each subject area in which they have earned that score.
Applicant
An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission.
Application Count
For Data Book and Tableau: the number of application forms. For other reports (including, but not limited to, Moody's), application count is the number of applicants.
Application Fee
That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Articulation Agreement
Agreement with another institution that allows students to complete an associate degree and transfer into a related bachelor's degree program with minimum duplication of coursework and loss of credit. EMU has articulation agreements with 21 community colleges and three other states.
Calendar Year
The one-year period that begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.
Census Date (100% Drop Deadline)
The date on which EMU certifies student enrollment for financial aid recipients. Courses dropped by students on or prior to the census date will not appear on permanent records.
CIP/CIP Code
NCES's Classification of Instructional Programs. The current version is CIP: 2020, the fifth revision of the taxonomic coding scheme.
CLEP Test
A way for students to receive academic credit for specific EMU courses by achieving a minimum score. Credit will not be awarded when EMU credit has already been earned or transfer credit awarded for courses covering the same subject matter.
Cohort
A group of students that share a common characteristic(s) and who are followed throughout their academic careers, with the original number always remaining the same. In institutional research, cohorts usually consist of full-time, first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates who begin college in a given fall (or previous summer) term.
Concurrent Prerequisites
Designated in the catalog description of courses, state requirements that must be completed before or at the same time as the course selected.
Co-Requisites
Designated in the catalog description of courses, state requirements that must be completed simultaneously as the course selected.
Credit
Enrollment in an academic course for which credit can be applied, upon satisfactory completion, toward the requirements for a degree.
Credit by Examination
Students may receive academic credit for courses where CLEP tests are not available by achieving a minimum score on a departmentally administered examination.
Credit Hour
An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: (1) one hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester hour of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.
Decision GPA (DECN_GPA)
Decision GPA is calculated from high school GPA for admission purposes. It is used in IRIM admission scores reports. For graduate students, DECN_GPA is calculated from their undergraduate GPAs.
Degree Requirements
The requirements prescribed by EMU for completion of a program of study are generally termed degree requirements. Requirements may include a minimum number of credit hours, required GPA, prerequisites and elective courses within the specified major and/or minor area of study.
Degree-Seeking Students
Students who are recognized as enrolled in for-credit courses in an academic program and seeking a degree upon satisfactory program completion.
Dual Enrollment
A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.
Early College Alliance (ECA)
Dual-enrolled (F9) students with a major in ECA. It is open to high school students in Washtenaw County, or any county contiguous to Washtenaw. Note: Pure ECA students are those who enroll in ECA courses exclusively and bear no EMU student credit hours, and are not included in EMU enrollment headcount; Non-Pure ECA students are those who bear EMU student credit hours and are included in EMU enrollment headcount.
Eastern Scholars Program (ESCH)
Dual-enrolled (F9) students with a major in ESCH. The ESCH program is concurrent enrollment, which offers college-level courses at high schools. This academic program is customized to meet the needs of both EMU and the high school. It prepares students to receive academic credit upon completion of the course work. It differs from ECA in that the courses are offered at the high school, where ECA students attend their course(s) on EMU's campus.
Enrollment
Registration for coursework and payment of tuition/fees constitutes official enrollment.
Faculty
All employees with instructional appointments and whose 9-month salary is greater than zero.
Fall Cohort
The group of students entering in the fall term established for tracking purposes.
First-Time In Any College (FTIAC)
EMU defines FTIAC as those enrolling in college for the first time in the fall, where IPEDS also includes those who enrolled for the first time in the prior summer semester. IRIM indicates on the website which definition is used for each report; some reports follow the IPEDS definition and other reports follow EMU's definition.
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year starts July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year.
FTE Faculty
Calculated using total full-time faculty headcount plus one-third of total part-time faculty headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE; Excludes teaching assistants and graduate assistants.
FTE Students
Calculated using total full-time student headcount plus one-third of total part-time student headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE
FTE Staff
Calculated using total full-time staff headcount plus one-third of total part-time staff headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE
Full-Time Student (Undergraduate)
Undergraduate students must be registered for 12 or more credits.
Full-Time Student (IRIM definition)
Fall/Winter: UG >=12 credit hours; GR >= 9 credit hours. Summer: UG >=6 credits; GR >=4 credit hours. IRIM follows the IPEDS definition for reporting purposes/consistency.
FYES (Full Year Equated Student)
Calculated by course level SCH: 30 for UG level (000-499); 24 for Master's level (500-699); 16 for Doctoral level (700-999).
Graduate Student
A student who holds a bachelor's degree or equivalent, is taking courses at the post baccalaureate level and is admitted to a graduate program.
Graduation GPA
Does not equate to the final-term cumulative GPA. Graduation GPA takes into account only credits that are included towards earning a degree.
Graduation Rate
The percentage of first-time, full-time freshmen who graduate with a bachelor's degree within 6 years from the time they started.
Headcount
Number of individual people, whether full-time or part-time, at a given point-in-time.
Headcount (Unduplicated)
In a given period of time, the total count of students enrolled in for-credit courses with each student being counted only once regardless of when the student enrolled.
International Baccalaureate
Students who submit their IB scores to EMU will receive at least two hours of academic credit for a score of four or higher on the higher-level IB exam. The IB Diploma does not equate automatically with sophomore standing, nor does it automatically waive general education requirements.
Non-Resident Status
This includes any student who has not lived continuously in Michigan/Ohio for one full year prior to enrollment.
Non-Tenured
A faculty member who teaches part-time or those who are full-time but do not have tenure-track status.
Official Record (OR)
End of term data captured from Banner 3 or 4 weeks after term ends. Provides a static snapshot for reporting purposes.
Opening Term (OT)
Start of term data captured from Banner once on the 10th day of classes (Census Date). Provides a static snapshot for reporting purposes.
Part-Time Student (Graduate)
Graduate students registered for 4-7 credits.
Part-Time Student (Undergraduate)
Undergraduate students registered for 6-11 credits.
Prerequisite
Designated in the catalog description of courses, state requirements that must be completed with credit or necessary to understand the course selected.
Race/Ethnicity
Categories developed in 1997 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that are used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. The designations are used to categorize U.S. citizens, residents, and other eligible non-citizens. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino. Second, individuals are asked to indicate all races that apply among the following: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or White. U.S. Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: The category used to report students or employees whose race and ethnicity are not known.
Retention Rate
The percentage of those first-time, full-time freshmen who returned during the second year after they started at an institution.
Semester Calendar System
A calendar system that consists of fall, winter, and summer 15-week semesters.
Standardized Admissions Tests
Typically the SAT or ACT, required of some entering undergraduate students for admission.
Student Classification
Class is determined by the progress toward a degree. At the undergraduate level, students are classified as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. Determined by the academic hours earned as follows: Freshman 0-24 hrs, Sophomore 25-55 hrs, Junior 56-84 hrs, Senior 85 hrs or over.
Tenure
Status of a personnel position with respect to permanence of the position.
Tenure Track
Personnel positions that lead to consideration for tenure.
Transfer Student
A student who previously attended another higher ed institution, either with or without credits. Official transcripts must be submitted from all colleges/universities the student attended and those transferring in less than 12 credits must also submit an official high school transcript/GED score report and ACT or SAT scores.
Undergraduate Student
A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.
