College
There are eight colleges in the University, each of which offers degree programs leading to the baccalaureate degree. A college may consist of a number of departments and schools.
School
A school is a unit which lacks one or both of the following: (1) a distinct and separate faculty and (2) degree-granting power. The Graduate School, for example, has degree-granting power but not a separate faculty. It coordinates the work of students who have already obtained a baccalaureate degree and have been admitted to the School for advanced work toward the master’s or doctoral degree.
Within the College of the Arts, the School of Architecture and the School of Music offer training in single fields of study.
Department
The unit of instructional organization in a particular discipline is called a department (for example, Department of English).
Academic Year
The term “academic year” is generally used to refer to that period of time covering the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Junior Division
The Junior Division, Academic Success Center, is that unit of the University responsible for providing academic counseling and support services to students from the time they are admitted to the University until they are accepted into the upper division of their degree-granting college. All freshmen, transfer, and re-entry students are classified as students in Junior Division until they meet the requirements for admission into the Upper Division of their academic college.
Upper Division
In order to take 400-level courses, a student must be in Upper Division. Note: Some colleges may have restricted entrance to 300-level courses as well
Prerequisite
A prerequisite is an academic requirement which must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a course. A student requesting a course must have completed all prerequisites listed for that course or must otherwise satisfy the instructor and the head of the department that s/he has had the equivalent preparation.
Corequisite
A corequisite is an academic requirement which must be satisfied concurrent with enrollment in a course. A student requesting a course must satisfy all corequisites for that course or must otherwise satisfy the instructor and the head of the department that s/he has either had the equivalent preparation or is currently satisfying the requirement by some other means.
Credit
A credit is a measurement of course work completed satisfactorily. Ordinarily, one semester-hour credit is given for one hour of class attendance a week for a period of one semester. However, in some courses, such as laboratory courses, two or three “clock hours” of attendance a week are required to earn one semester hour. A specified number of credits must be earned for a degree. Other colleges and universities may operate on a “quarter basis,” that is, dividing the year into four quarters and giving quarter credits. Quarter credits multiplied by two-thirds equal semester credits. Semester credits multiplied by one and one-half equal quarter credits.
Continuing Education Unit
One Continuing Education Unit or CEU is defined to be ten hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
Curriculum
The term curriculum is generally used to refer to the total academic program of the University or the academic program of a single college or the academic program of an individual department. The curriculum thus includes both course offerings and degree programs
Undeclared Option
The undeclared option is a temporary option for first year students who have not yet decided on a particular major. Four colleges offer the undeclared option: Applied Life Sciences, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences. During the first year, undeclared students are advised to take core courses which fit into all majors. The career counseling and/or testing provided by the professional staff in Junior Division is recommended for undeclared students, along with the course ACSK 140, Career Decision Making. Undeclared students must declare a major upon the completion of 45 credit hours; failure to declare a major after earning 45 credit hours will result in blocking the student’s registration.
Students
Undergraduate
This term is applied to a student who has not yet received his or her baccalaureate degree.
Upperclassman
A student who is classified as a sophomore, a junior, or a senior is called an upperclassman.
Post-Baccalaureate Student
A Post-Baccalaureate Student is one who holds at least the bachelor’s degree but who has not been admitted to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Graduate School and is not pursuing a degree, but who wishes to take courses for undergraduate credit. A post-baccalaureate student may not take courses for graduate credit. Any course taken while classified as a Post-Baccalaureate Student cannot be later counted toward a graduate degree. A student pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree should apply as a degree-seeking student.
Graduate Student
The term “Graduate Student” is applied to a student who has been officially admitted to the Graduate School.
Resident
The term “resident” is generally used to refer to the resident status of a student for fee purposes. A student who meets the criteria as specified in the section entitled Residency Regulations is a Louisiana resident for fee purposes. A student who does not meet these criteria is a non-resident for fee purposes.
In Residence
A student “in residence” is enrolled in regular university classes as opposed to extension classes or correspondence study. Students regularly admitted to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are considered to be “in residence” when enrolled in either day or evening classes. |
