Definition of Academic Terms
Definition of Academic Terms
Certificate is a package of courses available for credit but not typically fulfilling graduation requirements.
A credit means a semester hour credit.
Doctoral Degree: May be earned in:
- Physical Therapy (DPT) – 111 credits
- Education (ED.D) – at least 60 credits
- Philosophy (Ph.D.) - at least 60 credits
An endorsement is a focused group of courses within a graduate program that leads to state licensure.
An emphasis is a focused group of courses within a graduate program that may or may not lead to a certification or licensure.
Full-time graduate students are students who have been formally accepted into a graduate degree program and enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits in a semester. Half-time Graduate Students are students who have been formally accepted into a graduate degree program and are enrolled in three to five credits in a semester. Visiting students” are those students who have registered for graduate courses but have not been admitted to a program.
A Master’s Degree: at least 30 credits. Master of Arts (MA) degrees are typically offered in arts, education, and humanities (i.e., communications and education). Master of Science (MS) degrees are typically offered in science and technology (i.e., exercise science and information technology). For situations in which the discipline does not have a clear MA or MS offering, or for situations in which a program desires an alternate offering, supporting rationale for the degree offering should be provided.
There are three 16-week semesters offered at Concordia University. Graduate students typically take two eight-week courses each semester.
Specialization: at least 30 credits beyond the Master’s degree. It may be earned in:
- Education – Principal Licensure/Superintendent Licensure (ED.S)
A transcript of credits is a certified record of all grades earned and all courses attempted at a given school, college, or university.