Glossary

The subjects that you study in high school or college. The scholarly activities of a school or university, of or relating to a college, academy, school or higher education institution, especially one for higher education.

The academic year a student starts their degree or certificate. The catalog year is assigned to a student based on their first quarter in a degree or certificate. It determines which catalog the student uses to complete their program. Each academic year runs summer quarter through spring quarter. For example, a student who starts classes in fall 2025 has a 2025–26 catalog year. If the student later updates their program of study in summer 2026, their catalog year changes to 2026–27.

A certificate is awarded after completing a shorter program that concentrates on a specific field of expertise rather than an entire course of study. Different certificate types are not random — each type designates a different number of required units to complete. The common practical difference between a Certificates of Achievement and the respective Associate’s Degrees that the degree includes general education requirements in addition to major courses.

Stackable credential pathways enable you to earn multiple credentials — such as a certificate and degree — by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements.

A class is a particular instance of a course.

Course that you need to complete with a given course.

In higher education, a course is a unit of teaching that typically lasts one academic term, is led by one or more instructors (teachers or professors), and has a fixed roster of students. A course usually covers an individual subject.

A list of courses in a GE (General Education) area from which a student selects one.

A strategy to help students get credit for what they already know and can do, saving them time and money on their educational path.

Dual enrollment – also known as concurrent enrollment – enables high school students to take college courses, taught by college professors, at their high school campus. These courses can also count toward your high school diploma, allowing students to get a head start on their higher education goals.

A course that helps you meet the unit requirement for a degree or a certificate.

A pathway is a collection of programs of study and support services that enable a student to satisfy graduation, transfer, and employment requirements as well as earn industry-recognized credentials.

A program is an approved set of academic requirements that lead to an accredited higher education award, such as a degree or a certificate.

Second two years in high school or college; junior and senior years.