PVCC’s Native Tongue

Common terms you will hear around PVCC.

A-Building (administration building) The President and the Deans offices. 

AGEC- A 35-semester credit general education program.  A block of classes which guarantee admission to an Arizona public university without loss of credit when successfully completed.

Academic advising - Staff who are trained to assist you with educational planning and course selection. 

Advisors are available on a walk-in basis and by appointment.  

Assessment testing- An evaluation of student’s skills in English, Reading and Math that allows students to choose courses that match their skills.

KSC-Building houses most of the student service offices:  Paradise Café, Student Records and Registration, Student Development and Disabilities Resource Center, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Counseling, Career Center, Public Safety, Student Life and Bookstore.

Baccalaureate Degree -A degree awarded by a 4-year college or University often referred as a B.A. or B.S. degree.

Choices@PVCC Distance learning program for students who desire or need more flexible scheduling options.  Class Schedule Printed prior to each semester, it lists courses offered for that semester, as well as the times, locations, and instructors of those courses. It also includes important dates and deadlines, and the list of classes, which meet General Education requirements.

Counselors assist students with educational-occupational and personal-social decision making skills.  Available by appointment or as needed for crises. Commencement is also known as graduation! 

Credits- A measure of time spent in a course. For example, a three-credit course will meet three 50-minute periods per week or two 75-minute periods.  

Course Description   a written definition of what the class is all about and the material to be covered in classes. Course descriptions can be found in the Catalog, Schedule or on-line. 

CR/NR credit /non-credit courses are options a student can choose; Instead of a letter grade the student can receive

CREDIT or NO CREDIT.  See the rules in the PVCC Catalog.  Course prefix and number used to identify a specific course, often included.  For e.g. Eng 101, PSY 101, Math 220.

Cyber Café   computer area in KSC building dedicated to students wanting to surf the net or check their e-mail. 

Dean’s Honor List Honors students who have completed 12 or more hours with a 3.5 GPA or better. 

E-Building Located in the center of campus; houses the Library, Computer Commons, Choices@PVCC, and the Learning Support Center.  

Electives  college level courses elected by students that complement a degree program. 

FAFSA - FREE Application for Federal Student Aid

Fitness Center Exercise center designed for convenient workouts, physical education activities and health related classes.  

Flex Express Distance Learning courses in which students attend a limited number of times. Freshmen students who have completed fewer than 30 semester units.

Full-time students  for fee payment, Financial Aid, insurance companies, international visa requirements or Veteran Benefits, full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more units a semester.

General Education Requirements designed for a breadth of knowledge outside of the major program.  Information about General Education Requirements may be found in the Catalog, in the class schedule, and on the web.

Guided Independent Learning (GIL) Distance Learning courses in which students enroll and start by an enrollment deadline. Students work independently within guidelines set by the instructor. Completion deadlines apply.

ID or Photo ID an identification card issued at Public Safety, needed to borrow library books, use campus services or for discount purposes. The first one is free , replacement are $5.00

Instructional Television IT Live-interactive televised instructional classes held in the TV studio. 

Learning support Center (LSC) the place to go for FREE tutoring in any subject, help with your writing skills, conversation groups, and other learning resources.

Lower Division Courses  courses numbered 100-299.

M- Building Most of the professors' offices as well as some of your main pre-requisite classes.

M,T,W,R,F,S Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, used in the class schedule.

Major  a program of study that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to pursue a specific career and leads to a degree in that subject.

Minor a secondary field of study in which students take enough courses to earn the minor. Minors are optional and usually average between 20-24 units. 

Online classes - Distance Learning courses administered via the Internet. Students must start by an enrollment deadline. Completion deadlines also apply. 

Open Entry/Open Exit (OE/OE) Distance Learning courses in which students enter any time during the open enrollment, work at their own pace, and exit at completion or by completion deadlines. 

Paradise Café the cafeteria in KSC. 

Part-time student when paying fees, any student who takes 6 units or less is considered part-time. In terms of course load requirements for Financial Aid, visas, Veterans Benefits, or many insurance companies, anyone who takes less than 12 units is a part-time student.  

Prerequisite a course you must complete before enrolling in a more advance course. Course descriptions usually list prerequisites.

Transcript a record of your academic career, which lists courses taken, grades received, grade point average, and other data. Students can obtain both official and unofficial transcripts at Admissions and Records or online.  

Semester 16 weeks of classes and final exams. Sophomore students who have completed 30-59 units. Syllabus a course outline containing assignments, readings, exam dates, professor’s office hours, and other important information regarding the course. 

Syllabus - A course outline containing assignments, readings, exam dates, professor's office hours, and other important information regarding the course.

Upper division courses numbered 300-499 and can be taken only at the university.  It reflects Junior/Senior courses. 

Withdrawal- officially dropping from any or all courses during a semester.  Students must notify the Admissions and Records Office in writing and request that they be officially withdraw.