ADVISING
Glossary
Universities have a language all their own and that can be confusing. But don’t worry; terms like GPA, faculty, prerequisite and convocation will be rolling off your tongue in no time. Until then, this list should help you understand some of the most commonly used university lingo.
These people know the ins and outs of a particular group of programs. They can help you sign up for courses, figure out the registration system, declare your major and so much more. Learn more about academic advising.
A giant, formal online document (400-plus pages) that is a comprehensive guide to the university’s programs, courses, services and academic policies. Also includes the academic schedule (see below).
An official list of university dates and deadlines (think the start of classes, deadlines to add or drop classes, payment of fees, etc.) published as part of the academic calendar. Not to be confused with the university’s events schedule, which includes dates from the academic schedule, but also lists things like speaker series and other special events on campus.
The assessment of your overall academic performance across the academic standing year (May 1 to April 30).
A period of time at the beginning of each term when you can change your schedule and drop or enrol in courses. When you drop courses during the add/drop period, your tuition and fees will be adjusted, and there is no academic penalty. Just keep in mind that dropping courses can impact student loan funding. The deadline for each term is published in the Academic Schedule. Also see “Withdraw.”
What you’ll be called after you graduate from your program. Alumni is plural. A female graduate is an alumna and a male graduate is called an alumnus, but the informal term “alum” does the trick as a singular or gender-neutral term.
Money awarded to students based on criteria such as volunteerism or leadership (additional criteria such as academic achievement may be considered as well). Also see “Bursary” and “Scholarship.”
Usually one of the final experiences in your program that brings together the big ideas that have been covered. A capstone can take many forms including a course, a research project or a creative project.
An undergraduate program that typically involves one year of study.
A class is an individual offering of a course (see below) with a specific instruction mode at a set time, day and classroom. May also be called a section.
See “Experiential learning.”
An formal ceremony to celebrate the academic achievements of graduates. MacEwan celebrates convocation twice each year: in November and in June. Also see “Graduation.”
Some programs offer a co-op stream that combines practical work experience offered for academic credit with classroom-based education. In a co-op, you alternate between paid full-time work terms and study terms throughout your program.
Courses with corequisites require you to take and complete another specific course at the same time. Also see “Prerequisite.”
A specific subject or topic of instruction offered through a set of classes such as Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 101) or Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 235). Each program is made up of a combination of courses that you complete to earn credits toward your credential.
Think of a course outline (sometimes called a syllabus) as a road map for your course. It tells you how your course is structured provides and key information like the course objectives, assignment due dates, office hours, required textbooks, readings and how your grade is calculated.
The designation you earn after you successfully complete your program requirements. Also see “Parchment.”
Courses (see above) are offered for credit. Each course is assigned a credit value; many are three credits each. When you successfully complete a course, you earn the credits. Each program has a specific number of credits you must complete to get your credential.
The person who has authority over a specific academic unit. At MacEwan, each of our faculties and schools has a dean.
An undergraduate program that typically involves two years of study.
This can be tricky. Before you do either of these things for the first time, it’s a good idea to talk to an advisor in your faculty or school. There are deadlines for when you can drop or withdraw from a course. If you drop a course before the add/drop deadline, academically, it’s like the whole thing never happened. It doesn’t appear on your academic transcript (but there can be other implications when it comes to student loans and funding and whether you’ll get all or part of your tuition fee back).
Withdrawing from a course happens after the add/drop deadline. The course still shows on your academic transcript, but it appears as “W” and doesn’t affect your GPA. Dropping or withdrawing from a course is a big decision; make sure to talk to your program advisor first.
A program requirement that allows you to choose a course that you take for credit toward your credential. This is a great opportunity to choose a course of personal interest.
Sometimes referred to as “register,” enrolling is the process of adding yourself to classes using myStudentSystem.
Opportunities to earn course credit while working with community partners. Also known as work-integrated learning or community-engaged learning. Can be placement-style with students working at a community partner site (e.g., internship, practicum, field placement, clinical placement, co-op or work placement) or project-style where students have a consulting-type relationship with a community partner (e.g., community-based research, community-service learning, community-engaged learning, consulting or live case studies).
Every program belongs to a faculty or school. There are six faculties and schools at MacEwan: Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Faculty of Nursing, School of Business and School of Continuing Education.
Can refer to members of the university’s teaching staff (e.g., assistant professors, associate professors, etc.) or to one of the university’s academic areas (see “Faculties and schools” above).
The abbreviation for grade point average. GPA is an average of the final grades you receive in courses during a term (“term GPA”), at certain points during your program (“cumulative GPA”) or when you graduate (“graduation GPA”).
Found on your transcript, grades are the final score you achieved in a course, calculated by combining all the graded components you complete in a class. Also see “Mark.”
The awarding of credentials after successful program completion. Students have to apply to graduate and receive their parchment.
What you are called during the short period of time between finishing the coursework in your program and receiving your degree or diploma. When you walk across the stage at convocation, you become a graduate (and an alum of MacEwan University).
See “Graduand.”
An honours degree usually involves extra research training, has different requirements than a standard degree and is often an advantage when applying for graduate school. Not every degree has an honours program. Check with individual faculties to see if the program you’re interested in has an honours option.
MacEwan has many options for how you can take your classes:
- In-person classes are face-to-face on campus at scheduled times.
- Online asynchronous is fully online with no scheduled class time, so all course content is available for you to access at the time that works best for you.
- Online synchronous classes are online but happen live at regularly scheduled times.
- Hybrid combines in-person and online learning and varies per instructor.
Some courses include a lab section. This is a separate, scheduled part of a course where you might perform experiments or have hands-on access to instruments and equipment.
An educational class that typically involves a faculty member speaking about a topic. Lectures can also involve other activities.
Some programs require you to choose a major: a particular area of study you specialize in during your program. For example, in the Bachelor of Arts program, you might major in anthropology or English, while in the Bachelor of Commerce, you might choose marketing or international business. Not all programs have majors (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
The total score assigned to an individual assessment. Throughout the term, your instructor updates your marks in mêskanâs (see below).
A master’s degree is the first level of graduate study. To apply to a master’s program, you must already hold an undergraduate degree (a bachelor’s degree). Master’s degrees usually take two years to complete. Note that MacEwan is an undergraduate university and does not offer master’s programs.
An abbreviated name for the university's digital learning environment (paskwâwi-mostos mêskanâs), where you’ll find information about your courses, participate in discussion boards and view your marks.
Most programs that have majors (see above) often also have minors: a secondary area of focus. For example, a Bachelor of Arts student might major in psychology and minor in sociology.
The university’s student information system, which you use to track your application, enrol in courses, pay fees and manage your personal information.
Faculty members hold regular office hours during the semester. This is a great time to introduce yourself or ask questions. (Making sure to talk to your profs is the number one piece of advice our graduates share.) Check the course outline (syllabus) to see if your faculty member prefers students to drop in or make an appointment during office hours.
A flexible way to take courses and earn university-level credits without applying to a specific certificate, diploma or degree program. Open studies is part-time and limits the number of courses you can complete.
A set of courses defined by your program that you can choose between to fulfill your program requirements. Unlike electives, you have a specific list of courses to choose from.
Your parchment is the official document (either paper or electronic) you receive after you graduate. Think of it as what you would frame on your wall. Also see “Credential.”
The university’s learning system. See “mêskanâs.”
A doctoral degree (also called a doctor of philosophy, or PhD for short) is the next level of graduate study after a master’s degree. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve and is based on extensive research in a person’s chosen field. Note that MacEwan is an undergraduate university and does not offer doctoral programs.
An on-the-job learning experience that is part of a course. Practicums are generally unpaid (as opposed to co-operative education) because they involve learning how to do a job in a closely supervised setting rather than performing work duties all day long.
A requirement that must be completed to enrol in a course, typically successfully completing or achieving a certain grade in another course. These requirements can vary, so double-check any prerequisites for all your courses. Also see “Corequisite.”
Also known as “program of study.” This is the broader area you focus on in your studies. It’s made up of related courses that you must complete to earn your credential. For example, a Bachelor of Science degree or a Social Work diploma.
A university’s chief academic officer. The provost is responsible for creating and implementing the university’s academic priorities.
See “Enrol.”
A university’s registrar is the person responsible for keeping students’ records. The registrar oversees the Office of the University Registrar, which handles enrolment services, admissions and convocation.
Money awarded to students based on academic performance. Also see “Award” and “Bursary.”
See “Term.”
An official body that represents and advocates for all students at a university and at all levels of government. At some universities, this body is called the students’ union. At MacEwan, it’s the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU).
Officially called Education Abroad, this includes opportunities to study in different parts of the world including exchanges, summer programs, internships, and volunteer and work experiences.
See “Course outline.”
The academic year is divided into three terms: Fall (September to December), Winter (January to April) and Spring/Summer (May to August). The Spring/Summer term is also divided into eight separate sessions, which are periods of time within the term with their own start and end dates. The academic schedule includes dates for every term and session. Sometimes the words “semester” and “term” are used interchangeably.
An official and certified statement of your academic record that includes the grades from your courses at MacEwan, any withdrawals and your total transfer credits (if you have any). The University has two official transcripts: undergraduate and continuing education.
Tuition fees cover the cost of instruction and are based on the number of credits you take in a term. Tuition is one part of your university fees. Other costs include books, supplies and mandatory fees for things like the students’ association, health care, information technology, etc.
MacEwan offers certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees. All degree programs at MacEwan are undergraduate programs, often referred to as “undergrad.”
Provides students with access to Edmonton, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, and Beaumont transit services. The U-Pass is a mandatory service for most students and is paid for as part of your tuition and term fees.
If a class you want to enrol in is full, you can join the waitlist. When other students drop the class, you get moved up the list. If a seat becomes available and you are next in line, you automatically get enrolled if you meet the requirements to join the class.
After the add/drop deadline passes, students can withdraw from courses until the last day of classes. Your GPA isn’t affected, but the course shows on your academic transcript with a grade of “W,” and you are still responsible for paying the tuition and fees for the course(s) you withdraw from. Withdrawing can affect your program progression, so it’s a good idea to talk to an advisor in your faculty or school first. See “Drop.”
Opportunities to work and gain hands-on experience in your field while completing program requirements. Can be placement-style with students working with an organization (e.g., internship, practicum, field placement, clinical placement, co-op or work placement) or project-style where students have a consulting-type relationship with a community partner (e.g., community-based research, community-service learning, community-engaged learning or live case studies). See “Experiential learning.”