Glossary of Terms

Combination of terms as defined in Western Michigan University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, edited to reflect website addresses instead of phone numbers.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Academic advisor

A faculty or professional staff member trained to help students select courses and plan programs of study for degree or program completion. ^Top

Academic dismissal

Dismissal from an academic unit or program for not maintaining the required grade point average (GPA). Dismissal indicates that a student is no longer admitted to the University and may not register. ^Top

Academic standing

The status of a student determined by the student's grade point average (GPA). ^Top

Advanced placement

Credit granted for examination programs or for transfer work. ^Top

Assistantship

A University-administered salary (payment for service) and stipend (gift) awarded by an academic or service unit to an appointed graduate student who is enrolled in a program leading to a graduate degree. Assistants are apprentices in the profession and assist in doing part of the work of the department, teaching or research or service. ^Top

Associateship

A specially designated assistantship awarded to an appointed doctoral student. ^Top

Audit

A registration category in which a student registers for and attends class(es) regularly without being held responsible for the work required for credit. A student who registers for a course in this way is not eligible to sit for examinations, earns no credit hours for the registration, and pays full tuition. The designation "AU" appears on the transcript if the auditing student attends at least three-fourths of the class or laboratory sessions and gives evidence to the course instructor that the role as auditor has been satisfactory. Also see Graduation Audit (below). ^Top

Baccalaureate-level writing requirement

An upper-division requirement for all students. Each academic department designates courses to fulfill this requirement. ^Top

Bachelor's degree

A degree granted after completing a specified amount of academic study beyond the completion of high school and fulfilling all graduation requirements. ^Top

Board

A term used for the meal plan (as in, room and board) at the University (see Dining Services). ^Top

Capstone course or experience

A culminating holistic experience designed to review and more broadly understand the major issues, themes, theories, and research findings of the student's discipline, often to enable the student to examine the relationship of the discipline to other areas. ^Top

CELCIS

The Career English Language Center for International Students (CELCIS) provides intensive English language instruction for those prospective students who need further training in English in order to qualify for regular admission to the University. Courses at various levels include: Speaking and Listening Comprehension, Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary, Writing, Research Paper Writing, and work in the Language Laboratory. For further information and application forms, contact the Center. ^Top

Center

An organizational unit formed for purposes of linkage and visibility, focused on a theme, issue, or set of skills. A Center will frequently be interdisciplinary in nature. A Center does not offer degree programs but may, on rare occasions, offer a course or courses. ^Top

Certificate program

A graduate certificate is awarded for the satisfactory completion of a nondegree graduate program designed around a narrow, applied, and coordinated curriculum which has a professional focus. A graduate certificate program may be either multidisciplinary or unidisciplinary in organization and may be taken separately or in conjunction with a graduate degree program. The graduate certificate is not an award of license, accreditation or certification to render professional services; rather, it signifies that a student has satisfactorily completed an approved graduate certificate program curriculum. ^Top

Class or credit hour load (G)

For all graduate students taking courses for a stated degree or certificate program, six hours constitutes full-time status, and three hours constitutes half-time status in fall and spring semesters. In the summer I and summer II sessions, three hours in either session constitutes full-time status for that session and two hours constitutes half-time status.

For all undergraduate students 12 credit hours constitutes full-time status for fall and spring semesters. Less than 12 hours is considered part-time status. In the summer I and summer II sessions, 6 hours in either sessions consititues full-time status for that session and 5 or less constitutes half-time status.

Students who have completed all of the course work for their master's or doctoral level program and who have only the thesis or dissertation to complete are required by Western Michigan University to enroll for a minimum of one-hour in thesis or dissertation credits. An enrollment of one-hour for thesis or dissertation will satisfy WMU's continuous enrollment requirement.

However, students must be aware that FICA regulations and some federal loan deferment regulations require at least half-time enrollment, which at WMU is now at least three hours of enrollment. Graduate students, even those enrolled for thesis or dissertation hours, must be enrolled for at least half-time (3 hours at WMU) to be qualified for FICA tax exemption or to be eligible for loan deferments.^Top

Class or credit hour load (U)

The number of credit hours carried by a student each semester or session. A first semester freshman may not enroll for more than eighteen hours of work except by special permission, which is seldom granted unless the curriculum demands it. This regulation applies to total credit for work taken by extension or in some other institution, in addition to credit earned in residence at WMU. The normal maximum load for the summer sessions is nine hours. ^Top

Class standing

A classification based on the number of credit hours earned which indicated the level of a student. Freshman: a student credited with 0-25 hours inclusive. Sophomore: a student credited with 26-55 hours inclusive. Junior: a student credited with 56-87 hours inclusive. Senior: a student credited with 88 or more hours. ^Top

Closed class

A term used during the registration process to indicate that a course has reached its maximum enrollment limit and is therefore "closed" to further registration. ^Top

Cognate

A course, or courses, related in some way to courses in a major. Cognates may be, and often are, courses outside the department of the degree program. ^Top

College

An administrative division of the University housing one or more academic departments or schools. ^Top

College-level writing requirement

A lower-division writing requirement for all students. On the basis of test scores a basic writing course may be required as a prerequisite. ^Top

Complete withdrawal

A complete withdraw means that the student withdraws from every course enrolled in for the semester. A "W" appears on the transcript for each class withdrawn. A "W" does not affect grade point average. Withdrawal form required.

Concentration

A concentration (or option or emphasis) is a thematically coherent block of courses that are more similar to one another than to others in the degree program. A concentration has a title and constitutes a significant percentage (e.g., 10%) of courses in the degree program. Concentrations (or options or emphases) may be recorded on the student transcript. ^Top

Concurrent study

A specially approved program which allows students to pursue simultaneously an undergraduate and graduate degree. In most cases, the student would be permitted to take two or three graduate courses during the senior year, which would count toward completion of both the baccalaureate and master's degree. All such programs are approved through the regular curriculum review process and appear in this catalog, when approved, under the appropriate department program listing. ^Top

Continuing education courses and programs

Graduate courses and programs offered through Extended University Programs in the branch campuses of Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Muskegon or elsewhere away from the Kalamazoo campus. ^Top

Continuing education unit (CEU)

Recognition for participation in a noncredit program or workshop. ^Top

Continuous enrollment

Following a student's first enrollment in 700 (Master's Thesis ) or 720 (Specialist Project) or 730 (Dissertation), the student must have continuous enrollment in 700/720/730 until all thesis/project/dissertation requirements are completed satisfactorily and approved by the appropriate bodies. A student unable to complete the thesis/project/dissertation within the program-stipulated hours of registration will be required to continue to enroll in 700/720/730; however, only the program-stipulated hours will count toward meeting the program requirements for the degree. For students not enrolled in the summer I and summer II sessions, pre-enrollment in the subsequent fall semester is necessary for access to library resources during summer I and summer II. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in all fall and spring semesters from the initial enrollment to the semester in which the student graduates. If the student will graduate in summer I or summer II, the student must be enrolled in that session. ^Top

Coordinate major

A major-often interdisciplinary-that must be taken in conjunction with another major. ^Top

Corequisite

A course that must be taken at the same time as another course. See also Prerequisite below ^Top

Course numbering system

The course numbering system is limited to four digits. Undergraduate courses are numbered from 1000 through 4999. Graduate courses are numbered 6000-7999. Courses numbered 5000-5999 are for graduate and advanced undergraduate students.

Course numbers

0-890 = non credit courses
090-999 = terminal course credit that may not be applied toward degree programs.
1000-1999 = courses primarily for first-year students.
2000-2999 = courses primarily for Sophomores.
3000-3999 = courses primarily for Juniors and Seniors.
4000-4999 = courses primarily for Seniors.
5000-5999 = courses for graduate students and advanced undergraduate students.
6000-6999 = courses for graduate students only.

7000-7999 = graduate seminars, theses, independent research, etc. ^Top

Credit/no credit

A method used to evaluate performance in courses which is separate from the grade point system. Course grade does not affect GPA. "Credit" is earned for grades of "C" or better. Grades of "DC" or below earn "No Credit." Students may elect for Credit/No Credit any course approved for General Education or General Physical Education credit, as well as other courses not counting toward their major or specified in their curriculum as defined in this undergraduate catalog.

Students can elect to take a course credit/no credit through the drop/add period (the first five days of each semester or session). ^Top

Credit hour

A unit of academic credit. One credit hour usually represents one hour of class time per week. See also semester hour and quarter hour below. ^Top

Credit load

The total number of credits for which a student registers during a semester or session. ^Top

Curriculum

A complete program of studies, as defined by a college, leading to a baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree. ^Top

Dean's list

A public announcement at the end of fall and spring semesters listing students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 in at least twelve semester hours of course work. ^Top

Degree student

A student who has been admitted to a degree category and is seeking a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a planned course of study. ^Top

Distribution requirement

A General Education requirement. Each undergraduate candidate must complete at least one course in each of eight (8) distribution areas: fine arts; humanities; United States: Cultures and Issues; other cultures and civilizations; social and behavioral sciences; natural science with lab; natural science and technology; health and well-being. ^Top

Drop

An official procedure for withdrawing from individual courses without removing registration from all courses. The deadline for the last day to drop a course without academic penalty (grade of "W" is on the transcript) is noted each semester or session on the Academic Calendar. Students who do not follow the official procedure when dropping a class will receive a grade for the course. ^Top

Dual enrollment - high school students

Western Michigan University considers current high school students for dual enrollment who meet the following criteria: (a) Freshman through junior with an overall grade point average of at least a 3.50, or senior with an overall grade point average of at least a 3.25. (b) Meet the criteria established by your school system for dual enrollment eligibility, and (c) Have the permission of your school and parent or guardian.

To apply, see the Admissions website, http://www.wmich.edu/admissions. ^Top

Dual enrollment - undergraduate/graduate levels

Dual enrollment admission(that is, admission to a master's program while yet enrolled in a baccalaureate program) may be granted to any WMU senior who has an acceptable academic record (with a grade point average of 3.0 or better for the two years prior to admission date) and who has no more than 15 credit hours remaining for completion of the bachelor's degree.

Once granted dual enrollment status, the student may enroll in a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate course work that has been approved by the appropriate departmental advisor in addition to those undergraduate courses required to complete the bachelor's degree.

Dual enrollment is permitted for the calendar year only, and no graduate credit earned in this way may be used to meet undergraduate requirements. If the bachelor's degree is not completed in the period of one calendar year, the student may not continue on dual enrollment.

A student must request dual enrollment status on the application for admission to a master's degree program; however, official entry is not immediate. Graduate credits earned accumulate but the official entry date must follow the semesters or sessions of dual enrollment status and the completion of the bachelor's degree. ^Top

Elective

A course will count as credit toward a degree, if approved by the advisor, but is not a specified requirement in the program's course requirements. ^Top

Emphasis

A designated group of courses within a major program (see concentration). ^Top

Fellowship

A University administered stipend (gift) awarded by an academic or service unit within the University or by another donor to an appointed graduate student who is enrolled in a program leading to a graduate degree. The fellowship stipend is a gift to help the Fellow achieve an educational goal, rather than a payment for services. ^Top

Field experience, practicum, work experience, co-op

Field Experience

Actual practice, often away from the college campus, in a practical or service situation. In a teacher education program, it is usually conducted in schools.

Practicum

1. A course of instruction aimed at closely relating the study of theory and practical experience, both usually carried on simultaneously;
2. an academic exercise consisting of study and practical work; and
3. supervised experience in counseling or a similar activity through such procedures as role-playing, recorded interviews, abstraction, analysis, and supervisory evaluation with interviewing techniques.

Work experience, co-op or internship

A sponsored learning experience in an occupational area for persons preparing for full-time employment, conducted in connection with a course of study, where the students spend a part of their time on an actual job in a school, business, or industry.

Cooperative education

A program for persons enrolled in a school that provides for parallel or alternating study in school with a job in industry or business, the two experiences being so planned and supervised cooperatively by the school and the employer that each contributes definitely to the students' development in their chosen occupation.

Cooperative program

An organizational pattern of instruction which involves regularly scheduled employment and which gives students an opportunity to apply classroom learning. ^Top

Full-time students

An undergraduate student who enrolls for twelve credit hours during fall or spring or for six credit hours during Summer I and Summer II. The University does allow full-time status to some co-op and intern courses, when it is the only class allowed a student during a semester or session.

University Housing has its own regulations on the definition of hours needed to be eligible for housing contracts. Students should contact the University Housing Office for this information. The above definitions are Western Michigan University regulations and may or may not be accepted by other agencies. ^Top

Gate course

A course in fundamentals in which a student must achieve a grade of "C" or "Credit" in order to qualify for enrollment in upper division courses of a curriculum. ^Top

Good standing

A designation that signifies that a student is eligible to continue, to return, or to transfer elsewhere. It implies good academic standing; that is, an overall GPA of 2.00 or better for undergraduates, 3.00 or better for graduate students. ^Top

Grade point

The numerical value given to letter grades. For example, an "A" is equivalent to 4 points per semester hours. A "BA" to 3.5 points, a "B" to 3 points, "CB" to 2.5 points, "C" to 2 points, "DC" to 1.5 points and "D" to 1 point. An "E" or "X" is equivalent to zero points. ^Top

Grade point average (GPA)

A student's scholastic average computed by dividing total grade or honor points by total credit hours attempted. ^Top

Graduate certificate program

See Certificate Program above. ^Top

Graduate faculty

Faculty who are approved to perform the functions of graduate education, to include teaching graduate courses, advising graduate students, and serving on graduate student committees. Only members of the graduate faculty may serve on thesis, specialist project, and dissertation committees. ^Top

Graduate Research and Creative Scholars Award

The Graduate Studies Council and The Graduate College annually present two categories of recognition awards to graduate students: the Department Graduate Research and Creative Scholars Award and the University Graduate Research and Creative Scholars Award. These awards acknowledge graduate students' contributions to the scholarly and artistic productivity of WMU. Each department with a graduate program may nominate one graduate student for each level of degree offered by the department; by virtue of this nomination, the student will be designated as a Department Graduate Research and Creative Scholar. From amount the Department awardees, a faculty committee will select those students who's research or creative activity has exceptional merit to be designated as University Graduate Research and Creative Scholars. ^Top

Graduate Student Advisory Committee

The Graduate Student Advisory Committee is a standing committee of the Graduate Studies Council. It reviews services and needs of graduate students; makes recommendations to appropriate officials and offices; recommends graduate students for appointments to University councils and committees; and serves as liaison between departmental graduate student organizations. The Graduate Studies Council, and the dean of The Graduate College. ^Top

Graduate Student Permanent Program Of Study

A Graduate Student Permanent Program Of Study is a document composed by a graduate student's program advisor, listing all course and other requirements necessary for completion of the degree program to which the student was admitted. The program of study is approved by the program advisor and the graduate dean, filed in the student's academic folder in the Records Office, and used to audit the student's eligibility for the degree at the time the student applies for graduation. ^Top

Graduate Studies Council

The Graduate Studies Council of the Faculty Senate reviews, develops, and recommends policy regarding graduate education at WMU. ^Top

Graduation audit

A formal, required evaluation of the student's academic record and program of study to determine the student's eligibility for graduation. The audit, initiated by a student's application for graduation, determines whether all University, degree, and program requirements have been met satisfactorily. See Audit above

Deadlines for all degree recipients to apply for graduation are August 1 for December graduation, December 1 for April graduation, February 1 for June graduation and August graduation.

Students who change a graduation date need to complete a new application for graduation. No fee for the fee is required. The Records Office will not change a student's graduation date unless the student submits this new application for graduation. ^Top

Grant

Financial assistance awarded to a student which does not have to be repaid; usually based on need. ^Top

Guest student

A degree student from another college who is taking courses at WMU for one semester. The credits earned are usually transferred back to the student's home institution. See MIGS below ^Top

Guidelines for the Preparation of Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The University's official formatting guide for master's theses, specialist projects, and doctoral dissertations, published by the Graduate College [download as pdf] and on sale in the WMU Bookstore. ^Top

Hold

A restraint placed on a student's ability to register for courses as a result of an unfulfilled monetary obligation or other action by the University. ^Top

Honor points

A numerical value of the letter grade and credit earned in a course, determined by multiplying the grade point earned in the course by the number of credit hours for the course. See Grade point above ^Top

Honors

Designation indicated on the college degree and transcript to reflect outstanding scholarship.

Honors are conferred upon graduating students who have displayed a high level of performance during their University career.

Recipients of honors receive their degrees: Cum laude-when their grade point average is 3.50 to 3.69, inclusive. Magna cum laude-when their grade point average is 3.70 to 3.89 inclusive. Summa cum laude-when their grade point average is 3.90 to 4.0 inclusive. ^Top

Honors College (Lee Honors College)

An academic administrative unit of the University whose mission is to design and foster curricular and CO-curricular programs for the academically-talented student. ^Top

Honors courses

Special courses offered by Western's Lee Honors College designed to pose intellectual challenge and give personal attention to particularly able students. ^Top

Human Subjects Institutional Review Board (HSIRB)

Human Subjects Institutional Review Board of WMU. All research involving contact with human research involving contact with human research subjects requires prior approval by this Board. No research involving human subjects is exempt from review by this Board. ^Top

Incomplete

A temporary course grade ("I") granted by an instructor when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the semester or session. A student must be passing the course to be eligible for an "I". An "I" is not given as a substitute for a failing or low grade. Incomplete grades will convert to an "X: if not removed within one calendar year, or sooner if so stipulated by the instructor.

The instructor assigning the grade of "I" will complete an official Report of Incomplete Work form indicating the remaining requirement(s) for the student to complete and the time allowed for the completion of this work. The instructor will keep a copy of this form, and the student will receive another copy along the grade report issued by the Office of the Registrar. ^Top

Independent learning

Individual Learning courses are credit-bearing undergraduate courses designed for students who choose to take a course on an individual learning basis, either on paper or online.

Independent studies or readings courses

Enrollment in an appropriately designated, variable credit course for a specific plan of study, authorized and supervised by a designated, consenting faculty member. Normally, it is a project designed to allow students to investigate areas of interest not within the scope of a regular course or to obtain an educational experience outside that normally offered by a regular course. A contract is developed between a faculty member and a student to obtain the experience of to complete the research on a specific topic.

A student is on his/her own in Independent Study in that it involves no class meetings or formal lectures, but the faculty member is the responsible custodian of the project, obliged to provide guidance, assistance, criticism, suggestion, and evaluation, and shall be the instructor of record who is responsible for turning a grade to the Registrar's Office. See also Readings course below. ^Top

Independent study

A course of study undertaken outside the classroom by a student under the supervision of one or more faculty members. ^Top

Institute

An organizational unit similar in nature to a Center, as defined above, but which is degree-granting. Typically an Institute will be interdisciplinary. Course work for a degree offered through an Institute may include some offered by the Institute itself but will be primarily comprised of courses in various disciplines/departments already in existence. ^Top

Intellectual skills requirements

The requirement that all students demonstrate entry-level competency in reading, writing, and mathematics by test or course. ^Top

Interdisciplinary

Designating a combination of subject matter from two or more disciplines within a course or program. ^Top

Internship

Work in a firm or agency related to a student's major program and/or career plans. Usually involves earning college credit and may involve receiving payment. See Field Experience, practicum, work experience, co-op above. ^Top

Late Drop

An official procedure for withdrawing from individual courses without removing registration from all courses that takes place after the last day to drop a course without academic penalty. ^Top

Loan

Financial assistance to students which must be repaid. Low interest loans are available and financial need may or may not be a factor. ^Top

Lower division

Courses at the 1000-2000 level; freshman or sophomore standing. ^Top

Major

A concentration of related courses generally consisting of thirty to fifty semester hours of credit. ^Top

Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program

An admissions category for guest graduate students from all Michigan institutions offering graduate degree programs to take advantage of unique educational opportunities on the campuses of other institutions. WMU participates in this program. Information is available from The Graduate College. ^Top

Michigan residence requirements

The requirements for identifying or establishing permanent residence in Michigan for tuition assessment purposes. ^Top

Minor

A concentration of courses generally consisting of a minimum of twenty semester hours of credit. ^Top

Multiple topic or "umbrella" course

A variable topic, variable credit course that focuses on a current or a special interest in a specific field or academic area. The course may be repeated for credit with different topics. ^Top

Non-Degree Students

A status awarded specifically to eligible students who are not seeking a degree, but want to take courses. Students applying for non-degree status must meet established admissions criteria. Students may register for any course for which the prerequisites have been met. However, certain University courses, as well as financial aid, may not be available. Acceptance with non-degree status does not constitute degree admission to WMU. ^Top

Part-time student

An undergraduate student who takes fewer than twelve hours during a semester or fewer than six hours during a session.

A graduate student who takes fewer than nine hours during a semester (fall or spring) or fewer than five hours during a session (Summer I or Summer II). See also Course or Credit hour load above. ^Top

Partial withdrawal

A partial withdrawal is withdrawing from one or more courses but not all the enrolled courses. A "W" appears on their transcript for each class withdrawn. A "W" does not affect grade point average. Exception: If a class does not meet for the first time until AFTER the last day to register then the student has a 24-hour grace period to drop the class for a full 100% refund. After that, a student must withdraw to stop taking the class. Depending on the dates, students may receive a partial refund of tuition, however, even if they haven't paid anything they are still financially responsible for their tuition. ^Top

Portfolio

A collection of work (e.g., paintings, writings, etc.) which may be used to demonstrate competency in an academic area. ^Top

Practicum

See Field experience, practicum, work experience, co-op above. ^Top

Prerequisite

A requirement, usually the completion of another course, which must be met before a student may register for a course. See Corequisite above. ^Top

Probation

As a condition of admission: Probationary admission may be granted by a department to a student who does not meet all normal requirements for regular admission. The probationary student may then establish eligibility for regular admission by completing satisfactorily the specified departmental prerequisites declared in the letter of admission. See also Academic standing above. ^Top

Probationary admission

Probationary admission is granted to the student with a bachelor's degree and a somewhat less than satisfactory academic record or anyone having a bachelor's degree from a non-accredited college. A GPA of at least 2.5 in the final two years of undergraduate study, as well as the approval of the department or unit in which the student plans to pursue graduate study, is required for probationary admission. ^Top

Proficiency

A General Education requirement. Each undergraduate candidate must show proficiency in four (4) areas: college-level writing; baccalaureate-level writing; college-level mathematics or quantitative reasoning; enhanced proficiency (one of the six options). ^Top)

Program of study

A document listing the course and other requirements necessary to earn a degree in a specific discipline. The program of study is composed by the advisor and the student, and approved by the graduate dean as meeting all University, program, and degree requirements. The Graduate Student Permanent Program is used to conduct the graduate audit, and therefore must be filed well in advance of the student's application for graduation. See graduate student permanent program above. ^Top

Project committee

A specialist project committee shall be appointed for each student undertaking a project as partial fulfillment of the requirements for a specialist degree. The purpose of the project committee is twofold: 1) to provide the range of expertise necessary to advise a student in the conduct of the specialist project, and 2) to ensure that evaluation of the project represents a consensus of professionals in the student's chosen discipline.

The specialist project committee is charged with the supervision and evaluation of the specialist project, a task that includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities: a) advise the student on selection and/or development of a specialist project topic; b) review and approve a proposal for the specialist project; c) provide consultation regarding progress on the project; d) evaluate the final document; and e) in those departments requiring an oral defense, evaluate the oral defense of the project .

In addition to the previously described responsibilities that are generic to all project committee members, the chairperson of the committee assumes the following additional responsibilities: a) in those departments where this responsibility is not discharged through other mechanisms, advise the student regarding selection of project committee members; b) routinely monitor student progress on the project; c) call project committee meetings; d) evaluate the readiness of the project proposal and of the project for committee review and action; and e) inform the student of the need to adhere to the Guidelines for The Preparation of Theses, Projects, and Dissertations.

Each project committee shall consist of a minimum of three members or associate members of the graduate faculty of WMU. Two of the committee members must be from the department or academic program in which the student is pursuing the specialist degree. The appointment of a specialist committee is a three-stage process requiring, first, a mutual agreement between the specialist student and the formal appointment by the chairperson of the department (or the chairperson's designee); and third, notification of and approval by the office of the dean of The Graduate College regarding this appointment.

Each unit offering a specialist degree in which the project is either required or optional may approve and disseminate additional guidelines concerning specialist project committees, including the qualifications for committee membership, the procedures used to select and appoint committee members, and the specific functions and responsibilities that the members of these committees have. Additionally, each unit is encouraged to disseminate an updated list of faculty who qualify to serve on specialist project committees and their respective areas of expertise. ^Top

Quarter or term hour

A unit of academic credit, usually representing one hour of class time per week for one quarter or term. A "quarter" or "term" is a unit of time, usually 10-12 weeks long, in the academic calendar of an institution. Western Michigan University uses the semester calendar. See also Semester hour below ^Top

Readings course

A form of independent study, designed to provide a graduate student with an opportunity to read intensively within an area in which further knowledge would be appropriate. Enrollment in the appropriately designated course (589 in most departments) requires a specific plan of study, authorized and supervised by a consenting faculty member, which includes the amount of reading, a description of the student's reporting method(s), and the number of credit hours to be earned by the completion of the plan of study. The maximum number of credits able to be earned and applied to a degree program is four, whether the readings course credits are all taken in one department or more than one and the grade earned will be a letter grade. ^Top

Readmission

An appeal procedure for a student who has been dismissed or suspended. Consult your college advising office to begin the procedure. Readmission must be sought in the area of intended study. See Academic Standards above. ^Top

Re-entry

An enrollment procedure followed by a student who was previously enrolled in good standing at WMU but whose attendance was interrupted for two consecutive semesters, including the summer II session. Admission Status above. ^Top

Registration

The process of enrolling in and paying tuition and fees for courses each semester or session. ^Top

Repeated course

Undergraduate

Any course in which a student may have been enrolled more than once is considered a repeated course. A grade must be presented for each time the course is taken.

Beginning in Fall 1989, only the most recent grade for a repeated course is used in calculating a student's grade point average. The number of times a course may be taken is limited to three, although courses in which grades of "W", "CR", or "NC" are received will not count as attempts in limiting the maximum number of times a student can register for a course. Appeals may be addressed to the department chairperson. There is no limit on the number of different course that may be repeated.

A repeated course is not removed fro the students record. All grades earned are shown on the transcripts.

Graduate

With the exception of courses that are approved by the University Curriculum Review Policy as repeatable for credit (e.g., multi-topic or umbrella courses), no more than two courses may be retaken and no course may be repeated more than once during the student's graduate career (inclusive of both master's and doctoral programs) at WMU. Individual departments may further limit this number. Permission to retake a course must be obtained from the program advisor and graduate dean before registration for the course to be repeated takes place. The original grade for the course will remain on the student's transcript, and both the original and repeated course grade will be computed into the degree program grade point average. ^Top

Research tool

An ability that serves in the manner of a tool that assists in one's research. Doctoral students are expected to acquire the ability to use two research tools, at minimum. Normally, the research tools are selected from among foreign language, statistics, research methodology, and computer programming, although other tools are acceptable in some doctoral programs. Consult the program advisor for a full explanation. ^Top

Residence requirement

The requirement that a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work for the bachelor's degree be completed at WMU. In addition, 10 of the last 30 credits must be completed at WMU. In specialist and doctoral degree programs, the student will devote at least one academic year of two consecutive semesters to sustained, full-time study to meet the "residency requirement" (Full-time enrollment in consecutive summer I and summer II  sessions may count for one semester.) Some academic programs, however, have different residency requirements, and the student should consult with the appropriate program advisor for information about a specific program's requirements. See also Class or credit hour load above. ^Top

Scholarship

Financial assistance to students awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Financial need may or may not be a factor. ^Top

School

A single-discipline organizational unit which has an identification in the public mind beyond that of a department. Schools may have significant subdivisions such that students will apply for admission and take degrees through the subdivision rather than through the central unit as a whole. ^Top

Semester

A unit of time, 15 weeks long in the academic calendar at WMU. The semesters occur in the fall and the spring. See also Session below. ^Top

Semester hour

A unit of academic credit usually representing one hour of class time per week for one semester. A "semester" is a unit of time, usually 15 weeks long, in the academic calendar of an institution. WMU uses the semester calendar. See also Quarter or term hour above. See also credit hour. ^Top

Senior Citizen SCOPE admission status

A special admission status for persons sixty-two years of age or older that provides senior citizens with special privileges and opportunities for study at WMU. The Registrar's Office should be consulted for eligibility and registration information. ^Top

Senior institution

An institution of higher learning offering baccalaureate programs. WMU is a public senior institution: a minimum of sixty hours toward the bachelor's degree must be completed at a senior institution. ^Top

Session

A unit of time, 7 ½ weeks long, in the academic calendar at WMU. ^Top

Student employment

Part-time jobs made available to students with financial need through federally-funded program (Work Study)and to students without need through the Student Employment Office. ^Top

Teachable major/minor

A state-approved major/minor program for teacher certification at the secondary and/or elementary level. ^Top

Time limit for completion of a degree

Master's students must elect and complete all work for the degree, including transfer work, within six years preceding the date on which the master's degree is conferred; specialist students entering with a master's degree, within five years preceding the date on which the specialist degree is conferred; specialist students entering with a bachelor's degree, within six years preceding the date on which the specialist degree is conferred; doctoral students, within seven years preceding the date on which the doctoral degree is conferred. Students whose degrees are taken primarily through part-time study have the option of requesting an extension from the graduate dean; extensions may also be granted for other students by the graduate dean for such legitimate reasons as illness, injury, or hardship.

Thesis committee

A master's thesis committee shall be appointed for each student undertaking a thesis as partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree. The purpose of the thesis committee is twofold: a) to provide the range of expertise necessary to advise a student in the conduct of the master's thesis and b) to ensure that evaluation of the thesis represents a consensus of professionals in the student's chosen discipline.

The master's thesis committee is charged with the supervision and evaluation of the master's thesis, a task that includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities: a) advise the student on selection and/or development of a master's thesis topic; b) review and approve a proposal for the master's thesis; c) provide consultation regarding progress on the thesis; d) evaluate the final document; and e) in those departments requiring an oral defense, evaluate the oral defense of the thesis.

In addition to the previously described responsibilities that are generic to all thesis committee members, the chairperson of the committee assumes the following additional responsibilities: a) in those departments where this responsibility is not discharged through other mechanisms, advise the student regarding selection of thesis committee members; b) routinely monitor student progress on the thesis; c) call thesis committee meetings; d) evaluate the readiness of the thesis proposal and of the thesis for the committee review and action; and e) inform the student of the need to adhere to the Guidelines for the Preparation of Theses, Projects, and Dissertations.

Each thesis committee shall consist of a minimum of three members or associate members of the graduate faculty of WMU. Two of the committee members must be from the department or academic program in which the student is pursuing the master's degree. The appointment of a master's thesis committee is a three-stage process requiring, first, a mutual agreement between the master's student and the prospective committee members; second, a formal appointment by the chairperson of the department ( or the chairperson's designee); and third, notification of and approval by the office of the dean of The Graduate College regarding this appointment.

Each unit offering a master's degree in which the thesis is either required or optional may approve and disseminate additional guidelines concerning master's thesis committees, including the qualifications for committee membership, the procedures used to select and appoint committee members, and the specific functions and responsibilities that the members of these committees have. Additionally, each unit is encouraged to disseminate an updated list of faculty who qualify to serve on master's thesis committees and their respective areas of expertise. ^Top

Transcript

A copy of a student's permanent academic record at a particular institution. The transcript, at minimum, lists all courses taken and credit hours and grades earned. ^Top

Transfer credit

Credit earned at another accredited institution and accepted toward a WMU degree. Grades earned at another institution do not transfer and hence do not affect the WMU GPA. ^Top

Transfer credit evaluation

An official statement which indicates the number and type of transfer credits awarded. ^Top

Transfer credit evaluation form

An official form which indicates approval of a request to transfer credit and which states the number and type of transfer credit awarded. Credit is not transferred nor applied to a program of study unless the transfer credit evaluation form is completed and approved by the program advisor and the credit evaluator in the Office of the Registrar. ^Top

Tuition

The amount of money which must be paid for courses based on the number of credits for which the student registers. ^Top

Unit definitions

Center, Institute, and School ^Top

Unit of credit

The unit of credit is the semester hour; the number of semester hours credit given for a course generally indicates the number of periods a class meets each week. ^Top

Upper division

Classification of students with 56 or more semester hours of credit earned towards a bachelor's degree; courses at the 3000, 4000, and 5000 levels. ^Top

Variable credit course

Some courses list a range of credit hours (e.g., 1-4 hr.) for which the course may be elected, and as such are called "variable credit" courses. Students will determine, in prior consultation with the course instructor or the program advisor, the specific number of course credit hours to elect during the registration period. ^Top

Withdrawal

An official procedure for withdrawing from a course or from the University. Deadlines for the last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty (grade of "W" is on the transcript) is noted each semester or session in the Schedule of Course Offerings publication and on the WMU academic calendars website. Students who do not follow the official procedure when withdrawing from a class will earn the grade of "X" for that course; the "X" grade carries no honor points and affects the GPA in the same manner as an "E" or failing grade. See partial withdrawal or complete withdrawal. ^Top

X Grade

The symbol "X" on a student's transcript indicates that the student has never attended the class or has discontinued attendance and does not qualify for any other grade, including an "I" grade. The "X" will be computed into the student's grade point average as hours attempted with zero honor points.