Division of Student Success Glossary of Terms

 
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 professional staff person or faculty member who assists students with planning an academic program of study

Academic Calendar

(www.uta.edu/acadcal)
Official calendar of the University that lists registration dates, official holidays, important deadlines, final examinations, and commencement ceremony dates.

Academic Continuance

Academic Standing message after a student has received an Academic Warning that signals that a student has met the minimum requirement of earning a 2.5 semester GPA but is still not within the Table of Standards. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Academic Department Hold

Standard Negative Service Indicator in MyMav that prevents enrollment in courses until students meet with an Academic Advisor from their major department to remove (or ”clear”) the hold.

Academic Dismissal: One Long Term

Also referred to as Dismissal One or DISI. Academic Standing message that signals that a student is not within the Table of Standards and not allowed to enroll until one long academic term (Fall or Spring term) has passed. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Academic Dismissal: One Full Academic Year

Also referred to as Dismissal Two or DIS2. Academic Standing message that signals that a student is not within the Table of Standards and not allowed to enroll until one full academic year (entire Fall, Spring, and Summer term) has passed. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Academic Integrity

(www.uta.edu/conduct/academic-integrity)
“A firm adherence to a code or standard of values. It is a commitment on the part of the students, faculty and staff, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values – honesty, truth, fairness, respect and responsibility.” (See also Cheating)

Academic Probation

Academic standing message that signals that a student has less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average but is within the Table of Standards for the current student classification. Academic Probation reflects a level of academic standing that should not be confused with Academic Warning or Dismissal. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Academic Standing

A message that is placed on student’s transcript after grades post at the end of a term that indicates his or her overall academic performance at the University. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Academic Warning

Academic Standing message that signals that a student has not earned a grade point average that is within the Table of Standards. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Advanced Placement Credit

(www.uta.edu/testing)
Credit by examination for advanced coursework in high school that counts for college credit.

Auditing

Upon instructor and University permission, individuals can observe and participate in a class for no academic credit. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Back to top

B.A.

Abbreviation for Bachelor of Arts degree.

B.S.

Abbreviation for Bachelor of Science degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Degree earned after completion of the required credit hours and courses within a particular field of study in addition to general requirement courses (i.e., core curriculum and electives).

Blaze

The name of the UT Arlington mascot.

Blue Books

A standard examination booklet used for essay exams. Available at the UT Arlington Bookstore and the Market in the University Center.

Bridge Program

Summer Bridge is a conditional admission program designed to improve the academic success of incoming freshman students who fall short of automatic admission requirements, but who still demonstrate a high potential for academic success.

Back to top

Census

(www.uta.edu/acadcal)
The day at which class rolls are frozen, and students can no longer drop a class without receiving a grade of “W” on their transcript. State funding to the institution is based on the enrollment of students on census. Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the university, for each semester.

Cheating

(www.uta.edu/conduct/)
Copying another’s test or assignment, communication with another during an exam or assignment; seeking aid from others when not permitted by the instructor; possession of unauthorized materials during a test; buying, using, selling, stealing, transporting, soliciting a test, draft of a test or answer key. (See also Academic Integrity)

Classification

Grade level for a student in their undergraduate career based on the number of semester credit hours earned. Freshman less than 30 hours, Sophomore 30-59 hours, Junior 60-89 hours, and Senior 90 hours or greater.

CLEP

(www.uta.edu/testing)
Abbreviation for College Level Examination Program, a standardized test which grants credit by examination to a student record.

Colloquia

Presentations and discussion about current research conducted and related findings.

Collusion

(www.uta.edu/conduct/)
Without authorization, collaborating with another when preparing an assignment.

Commencement

Graduation ceremonies held at the end of the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the university.

Commuter / Commuter student

Student who does not reside in campus residence halls, apartments, or houses. (See also Off-Campus Mavericks)

Concurrent Enrollment

Enrolled at UT Arlington and another institution of higher education at the same time.

Cooperative Education Programs (Co-op’s)

Programs that alternate periods of formal study at the university and periods of work under the supervision of a UT Arlington faculty member and work supervisor.

Core Curriculum

University and State mandated courses to ensure that students obtain a well-rounded education from English Composition, Literature, Liberal Arts/Humanities, U.S. History, U.S. Political Science, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Creative Arts, and oral and computer proficiency. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Counseling and Psychological Services, CAPS

(www.uta.edu/caps/)
UTA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to helping students meet their full personal, academic, and career potential. Services are available to help students increase their understanding of personal issues address mental and behavioral health problems and make positive changes in their lives.

Course Number

Courses at UT Arlington are designated with a standard prefix and number (e.g., ENGL 1301). ENGL is a course prefix (for English) and tells a student which department offers the course or names a cluster of courses. The standard list of UT Arlington prefixed can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog under Course Abbreviations. The course number denotes the level of the course, number of credit hours, and distinguishing number in a department. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under University Requirements & Policies (https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/) for more specific information.

Counselor

Licensed, professional staff in fields such as social work, psychology, or counseling that help individuals meet their full personal, academic, and career potential. UT Arlington provides services to help students increase their understanding of personal issues address mental and behavioral health problems and make positive changes in their lives.

Counseling Ambassador

Student volunteers who serve to promote emotional well-being and mental health outreach through education and awareness initiatives throughout campus.

Credit by Exam

Academic course credit given to students based on performance on national standardized tests (e.g., AP, CLEP, IB, DANTES) or Advanced Standing Exams offered by some departments.Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (https://catalog.uta.edu/) under Undergraduate Admissions for more specific information.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Overall grade point average for all classes taken; also see Semester Grade Point Average.

Back to top

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

A standardized test that helps dental schools assess the qualification of a candidate applying for dental school.

Dean

A member of the faculty who is also the leading academic official of a school or college.

Disciplinary Probation

A sanction given to students by the Office of Student Conduct for violating any of the policies or procedures in the Student Conduct & Discipline Handbook of Operating Procedures

Dual Credit

Process by which a high school student enrolls in a college course and receives simultaneous academic credit for the course from both the college and high school.

Expulsion

A permanent suspension from the University.

Back to top

Faculty

The body of individuals that teach courses at an institution. Comprised of Professors, Associate and Assistant Professors, Lecturers and Instructors, including tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty (sometimes also called adjunct faculty).

FAFSA

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Abbreviation for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Form that must be completed annually prior to receiving federal and state financial aid.

FERPA

Abbreviation for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Policy that governs what student information can be shared with the public, including parents, spouses, siblings, etc. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under Academic Regulations for more information.

Finals

Reference for Final Examinations. Examinations given to students at the end of a session or term. Official final exam schedule can be found at the Office of Records Web Site, (www.uta.edu/records/calendars/final-exams.php). Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the University.

Financial Aid Award

Any loan, work-study employment, grant, or scholarships offered to help a student meet the cost of attaining an education and related expenses.

First Generation Student

A student who grew up in a home where none of their parents attended a four year college, or where one or both parents attempted some college but did not finish it.

FTIC (First Time in College student)

Students who are enrolled in college for the first time immediately after graduating from high school, including students who may be enrolled part-time

FTFT (First Time, Full Time student)

Similar to FTIC; however, FTFT students are those who are enrolled in 12 hours, or more, their first semester.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

(https://www.uta.edu/greek/)
An office in the Division of Student Affairs that fosters a fraternal experience that enhances student success and development though academic support, philanthropy and community service opportunities.

Full-time Student

An undergraduate student who enrolls in a long semester (Fall or Spring) for 12 or more semester credit hours. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under Undergraduate Admissions for information on full-time status in short sessions.

Back to top

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)

Graduate students hired to teach courses or assist a professor teaching a course.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

A standardized test that helps business schools asses the quantifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management.

Good Standing

Academic Standing designation for students with a cumulative GPA or 2.0 or higher.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A four-point grading system, used to measure academic performance (4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, 1.0 = D and 0.0 = F).

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

A standardized test used by graduate level programs across the nation used to assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in higher education.

Grants

A form of financial aid that does not require the student to pay the money back upon graduation or leaving school.

Greek Life

Community comprised of four governing bodies that represents 30 fraternities and sororities on campus. (See also Fraternity and Sorority Life)

Back to top

Handshake

(https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/careers/employers/handshake)
A free online job database available to UT Arlington students and employers to match students with full and part-time positions and internships off-campus. Also serves as the portal for on-campus student employment.

Harassment

Verbal or non-verbal conduct which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment.

Hazing

Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into an organization. Hazing is illegal in the State of Texas. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under the Student Involvement and Policies section for more specific information.

Back to top

Independent Study

Course credit earned by students who work one-on-one with a faculty member completing research and projects in an area of interest to the student and faculty member.

International Student

Students who enroll in college in a country other than their own; specifically, they move to the another country to study.

Internship

Experiential learning opportunity in which students can receive college credit for work conducted in the workforce under the supervisor of a UT Arlington faculty member and Work Supervisor.

Intramural Sports

Campus-sponsored recreational and competitive activities for men, women, and co-recreational teams.

Back to top

Labs

Experiential class time often used to apply information and processes presented in lecture.

Last Drop Day

A deadline during a given session in which students can drop a course with the assistance of an academic advisor in their major department. Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the University.

Late Registration

Period at the beginning of each semester for students who were unable to register during the regular registration period. Students often use this time period to add/drop/swap courses. Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the University.

Latin Honors

Honorable designation at graduation for the students earning exemplary GPAs in a certain number of credit hours; eg. Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under the Graduation section for more specific information.

Learning Community (LC)

A cohort designed to provide opportunities for students new to UTA to build academic and social cohorts and support systems. There is a course for all new Freshmen students, as well as residential learning community options for students in specific majors. LC’s aim to cohort students based on their major, therefore a student could also be placed in classes with other students in the same field.

Lecture

Oral presentation of critical information, history, background, theories, or processes by a faculty member.

Loans, Student

Funding offered to students to pay for educational expenses based on the FAFSA and available funding provided to the institution. Requires that the students repay the principal amount and interest.

Back to top

Major

A field of study (i.e., body of coursework) determined by the faculty of a given area of study or department.

Major Course

A course that is required in order to earn a Bachelor’s degree in that major.

Major Elective

A course that is offered in the major that a student can freely choose.

Master’s Degree

An advanced degree obtained in academics. Abbreviated M.A. (Masters of Arts), M.S. (Masters of Science), M.B.A. (Masters of Business Administration), etc.

Math Aptitude Test (MAT)

Placement test given to incoming students to determine their readiness to complete certain levels of the UT Arlington math curriculum. Not to be confused with the GMAT or Miller Analogies Test.

MAV Express Card

Photo identification issued to enrolled UT Arlington students. Used to access certain campus services as well as off-campus discount program.

Maverick

Term used to refer to a UT Arlington student.

Maverick Advantage

(https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/maverick-advantage)
A campus wide initiative to enhance the educational, career, and life skills of UTA students through Experiential Learning to support student success. The Maverick Advantage program encourages students to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom by participating in one or more of 5 distinguishing activities:

  • Leadership Development
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Community Engagement
  • Career Development
  • Global Engagement

These activities enhance key skills employers are looking for such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Maverick Stampede

Event series to welcome students to campus at the beginning of the Fall term.

MavMail

UT Arlington e-mail account issued to all students, faculty, and staff and source of official communication from the university.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

UA standardized test that helps medical schools assess the qualifications of a candidate applying for medical professional school.

Mentor / Mentoring

A mentor is a near peer (like a built-in friend) who is more experienced and willing to share knowledge with someone less experienced in a relationship of mutual trust. A mentor is more of a guide/sponsor/role model, someone more intricately and intimately involved in the mentee’s daily life. The Mentor helps to walk alongside the student on their journey at UTA with the goal to build capability.

Minor

A field of study (i.e., body of coursework) determined by the faculty of a given area of study or department that requires less credit hours to complete in comparison to a major.

MyMav

Term used to refer to the campus student information system that students use to enroll in courses, check their grades, view class schedule, accept their financial aid, pay their tuition, etc.

MavPlanner

MavPlanner is located in MyMav and allows students and advisors to track and plan academic progress of a student's degree.  
Back to top

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

A student who holds a Bachelor’s degree from another accredited institution, but is admitted to continue to take leveling coursework.

Off-campus Mavericks

(https://www.uta.edu/offcampus/)
A university community that supports UTA students who do not live on campus.

Office Hours

A pre-arranged time when a person, usually a faculty member, is available in their office, either physically or virtually, to answer questions or provide assistance without the requirement for an appointment. It is recommended that students come to office hours with questions or discussion topics prepared. Typical questions or discussion topics might include academic concepts, career development advice, current events relevant to the course, etc. The office hour times are usually notated on the course syllabus. Example: If you need help with the homework, the professor will be holding office hours on Thursday from 7–9pm.

Overload

A course schedule that includes more than 19 semester credit hours in a Fall or Spring term.

Back to top

Parking Permit

Allows for legal campus parking based on designation (student, faculty-staff, residential student, etc.).

Part-time Student

An undergraduate student who enrolls in less than 12 semester credit hours in a given semester.

Peer Academic Leaders (PALs)

Students assigned to the New Student Courses to assist new students (FTIC and transfer) in their transition to college life.

Peer Educator

Peer educators are students who have been selected, trained, and appointed to offer educational services to their peers. Peer Educator roles include the following positions: Mentor, e-Tutor, SI Leader, Tutor, etc.

Ph.D.

Abbreviation for Doctoral degree; persons having earned a Ph.D. should be referred to as “Dr. X.”

Plagiarism

Using someone else’s work in your assignment without appropriate acknowledgment or making slight variations in the language and then failing to give credit to the source. An offense that constitutes the “stealing” of someone else’s work or ideas. (See also Cheating)

Prerequisites

Courses that need to be taken before a student can be successful in a subsequent class or accepted into a degree program.

President

The Chief Administrator of UT Arlington.

Provost

Chief Academic Officer of the University who serves as a leader to the Deans and faculty on campus as well as academic support programs and student affairs at UT Arlington.

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners are licensed, professional staff in the medical field. Students can meet with a psychiatry provider for a diagnostic assessment and ongoing treatment of psychiatric conditions, including medication and brief psychotherapy.

Registrar

(https://www.uta.edu/records/)
Maintains student records related to the process of admission to the university, registration in courses, transcript services and graduation.

 

Registration

Period in which students can enroll in courses via the MyMav student information system. Officially indicated in the Academic Calendar for the university.

Resident Assistant (RA)

Student leader on campus that lives in the residence halls on campus and supports students within that living arrangement.

Back to top

SAP

Abbreviation for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students receiving financial aid awards must complete a minimum number of hours based on classification. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under Academic Regulations for more information.

Scantrons

A form mainly used for multiple choice exams in which students must fill in the circle of their answer. Can be purchased at the UT Arlington Bookstore or Market in the University Center.

Schedule of Classes

List of courses available for a particular session via the MyMav portal.

Scholarship

Funding offered to students to pay for educational expenses based on academic achievement or certain characteristics of the student.

Semester

Refers to the periods of instruction into which the academic year is divided. (See also Term)

Semester Credit Hours (SCH)

Number of credit hours a student earns for taking a course. It often reflects the number of class hours a student will sit in each week for that class, except for classes with laboratory credit.

Semester Grade Point Average

Grade point average for courses only taken during a given semester.

Seminar

Course taught by a faculty member on a special topic typically with a small class size to promote student-faculty discussion.

Service Indicator

A flag on a student record in MyMav that can provide information or block certain actions from occurring. Positive service indicators are marked by a “star” in MyMav, while negative service indicators are marked by a circle with a diagonal line through it. Negative Service indicators are often referred to as “holds.”

Service Learning

Volunteer activity in which students earn assignment or course credit for reflecting or applying their experience to academic course content under the supervision of a UT Arlington faculty member.

Session

Period of time when academic coursework is offered and completed. There are seven distinct sessions that comprise the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Dynamic Dated Sessions are associated with all three terms.

The Shorthorn

(https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/student-pubs/shorthorn)
Student-published newspaper at UT Arlington. Available in print and online.

SI Leader

A peer educator who has successfully taken the class before and offers weekly facilitated study sessions and attends class with the students.

SI Session

A discipline specific study session designed to help students in traditionally difficult courses.

Staff

University professionals who typically have a 12-month appointment and serve in roles that directly support students or other roles necessary to maintain the activities of the university.

Student Accounts

Office on campus that is the point of payment and billing for tuition, fees, and charges. Also referred to as Student Financial Services or Bursar Office.

Student Fees

Funding that students pay to the university that pays for the additional support services and programs that aid in their social, academic, and personal success.

Student ID

A ten-digit identification number issued to students that typically begins with 1000 or 6000. Is referred to as the EmplID in MyMav or by the layperson as the “1000 number.”

Student Money Management Center (SMMC)

One-on-one FREE service to help with any financial issues when you are preparing to attend, or are currently attending UTA. The SMMC’s goal is to help you overcome any financial roadblocks, and avoid any financial pitfalls, on the path to your degree.

Student Success Course

A learning community course that will teach new students’ academic success skills to aid their transition to college. The goal of the course is to help students identify their individual needs, determine what resources are appropriate, recognize the faculty role in their development, and formulate a plan for an actively engaged and enriched experience from campus to career. Each UNIV 1131 class section has a Peer Academic Leader (PAL), who are students who have already taken the course and assist as a discussion leader for the class under the supervision of the instructor. PALs provide guidance, raise awareness and understanding of students' majors, and help support collaborative and co-curricular opportunities available within the School/College.

Sub-plan

A specialization of coursework in a major.

Success Coach

Interns within the University Advising Center who are advocates for individuals, families, groups and communities and are focused on enhancing or restoring well-being. Some examples of the topics a Success Coach can help with include goal setting, identifying personal motivation, time management, and locating and accessing resources for basic needs such as financial crises or food insecurity. Success Coaches engage people and organizations to address life challenges by helping them to better utilize their own strengths and resources. Success Coaches can offer case management services, which integrate greater awareness of community resources and social supports to address challenges and accomplish goals.

Success Series

A workshop series designed to improve academic performance and enhance important life skills. Each semester, various departments within the Division of Student Success will offer innovative, hands-on workshops on a variety of topics, such as time management, study skills, dealing with stress, presentation skills, organizational skills, learning styles, and more.

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

SI is a support program which offers groups which are regularly scheduled, peer-guided group facilitated sessions for historically difficult courses.

Suspension

Sanction given by the Office of Student Conduct for students performing offenses against the Student Code of Conduct. Term often used interchangeable with Academic Dismissal.

Sustainability

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The practice of maintaining life and society through technologies, policies, and personal choices that help us use our planet’s limited resources more effectively.

Swap

The changing of a course or sections of a course to a student’s schedule for a given semester.

Syllabus

A document provided by faculty members to students that articulates the requirements for completing the course and grading and other policies and procedure related to the course.

Back to top

Table of Standards

Level of performance required of undergraduate students based on their GPA and hours attempted in order to continue enrollment at the University. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog under the Academic Regulations section for more specific information.

Take 15

Take 15 is a UT Arlington initiative that encourages undergraduate students to enroll in 15 credit hours for fall and 15 credit hours for spring semester in order to complete their Bachelor’s degree in four years.

Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)

(refer to CAPS website: (www.uta.edu/caps)
TAO self-help, is a completely private online library of behavioral health resources that includes interactive educational modules and practice tools to help you understand and manage how you feel, think and act. You can learn stress management, mindfulness skills, problem-solving, relationship skills and strategies to avoid dwelling on your concerns and to develop more helpful thinking patterns.

Term

A combination of sessions that make up the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms (i.e., Summer Intersession, 11-week session, 5-week I, and 5-week II sessions equal the Summer term). (See also Semester)

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

State-mandated program to ensure that entering college students have the necessary skills to perform effectively in college coursework. Students must have an exemption or take the TSI Assessment tests before enrolling in coursework. See (www.uta.edu/tsi) for more information.

The Trailblazer

A weekly student newsletter published and distributed via the UT Arlington student e-mail resources.

Transfer students

Students who enter UT Arlington and have already attempted more than 24 hours of coursework at another higher education institution.

Tutoring

A support service that can offer either a drop-in (just in time learning) or a pre-scheduled dedicated 1-1 or group support; tutoring gives students the opportunity to receive an in-depth improved conceptual understanding of the course material.

UC

Abbreviation for the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Undergraduate Catalog

Publication that provides all of the rules and regulations regarding earning a Bachelor’s degree at UT Arlington given a particular date of entry to the University. The official Undergraduate Catalog is online at https://www.uta.edu/catalog/.

Withdrawal

Dropping one or more class in a given session. Designated on a transcript as a grade of “W.” Withdrawals can either be academic or Medical and Compassionate Withdrawals. This is a type of withdrawal from University coursework, granted by the Dean of Students.

Back to top