APSU Terminology

Academic Advisor:
A professional staff member who helps you make decisions about your class schedule based on your major. Their role is to make sure you are taking the correct classes at the correct time. Recommended to meet with them several times a semester, required to meet with them at least once a semester in order to be cleared for registration for the following semester (e.g., you need to meet with your advisor in the Fall to be cleared to register for Spring classes)

Add/Drop Period:
The time at the start of the semester where you can change your classes without penalty. These dates are available on the academic calendar.

Associates degree (A.S., A.A.S.):
A college degree that takes about two years to complete and requires 60 credit hours.

Bachelors degree (B.S., B.A.):
A college degree that takes about 4 years to complete and requires at least 120 credit hours. You need to choose what to study for your bachelor’s degree (your major).

Bulletin
An online catalog that has information about a university. It includes but is not limited to requirements for graduation, required classes for all majors, grading practices, and other important information. Can be found by searching "bulletin" in A-Z index.

Classification:
This refers to your academic level. Unlike in high school, classification is not based on how many years you have been enrolled but on how many credit hours you have earned.

• Freshman= 0-29 credit hours
• Sophomore= 30-59 credit hours
• Junior= 60-89 credit hours
• Senior= 90+ credit hours

Credit hour:
The numerical value of how much a class is worth. You need a minimum of 120 credit hours for a bachelor’s degree or 60 for an associate’s degree. Classes can be between 1-4 credit hours.

Course Co-Requisite:
A class that needs to be taken at the same time as another class (e.g., BIOL 1010 must be taken with BIOL 1011 as one class is the science lab while the other is the science lecture)

Course Pre-Requisite:
A class that must be taken before you can take a different class (e.g., you need to take ENGL 1010 before ENGL 1020).

Elective:
A class you take that isn’t required for your major. A major may require you take a certain number of electives to graduate, but the specific classes you choose are up to you.

Faculty Advisor:
An advisor who is an expert in their field. They provide more in-depth advice and information about the profession or major you have chosen. Most students start with an academic advisor their freshman and sophomore year then transition to their faculty advisor as a junior and senior.

Full-time Enrollment:
Being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester is full-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment is required for most financial aid.

GedEd Core:
Set of classes completed by all students no matter that degree they are pursuing. All students need to take at least 1 math class, 2 fine arts classes, 2 science classes, 3 english classes, 1 public speaking class, 1 freshman seminar class, 2 history classes, and 2 social or behavioral science classes.

Hold:
A hold on your account prevents you from doing things like registering for classes and requesting transcripts. A hold is usually placed on your account if an office or department needs something from you. This could include but is not limited to a technology checkout that isn't returned, a missing high school transcript, or unpaid fees and tuition.

Lab:
A hands on class that goes with a lecture, especially for science courses.

Lecture:
A class where the instructor teaches while students listen and take notes.

Major:
Your main area of study for your bachelor’s degree. It’s the subject you focus on and take the most classes in (e.g., if your major is Biology, you will take a lot of science classes; if your major is Management, you will take a lot of business classes).

Minor:
A smaller area of study that you can choose in addition to your major. A minor is not a separate degree and will not appear on your diploma. Some majors require a specific minor (Education majors are required to have the Professional Education minor to graduate).

Office Hours:
Hours that professors set aside to meet with students. These hours are usually listed on the syllabus.

Orientation:
An event to help new students learn about campus and resources.

Semester:
The period of time when classes are in session. APSU has Fall, Spring, Winter, and Summer Semesters. The specific dates for these semesters can be foinf on the APSU academic calendar.

Syllabus:
A document your instructor will give you at the start of their class. This document explains what the course will cover, how your grade will be calculated, due dates, and other very important information on how to be successful in the course and what the instructor expects.

TN Promise:
TN Promise is a scholarship for students in an associate’s degree program. It’s called a “last dollar” scholarship because it only helps cover the costs that aren’t already paid for by other financial aid. If you’re using TN Promise, you need to be enrolled in the University Studies (A.S.) program. Even though you’re in this program, you’ll still get guidance based on the major you eventually want to pursue. For example, if you’re using TN Promise and plan to major in Psychology, you’ll meet with a Psychology advisor who will guide you just like a declared Psychology major. When you finish your associate’s degree, you’ll be able to move into the bachelor’s program in your chosen major without any interruption.

• AD: Art and Design

• CL: Clement

• CX: Claxton

• HH: Harned Hall

• KB: Kimbrough

• MC: McCord

• MMC: Music/Mass Communication

• MMCS: Maynard Math and Computer Science

• MX: Marks

• SSC: Sundquist Science Complex

• TB: Technology Building

• TR: Trahern Building