College Terminology

Understanding the Language of Higher Ed

Universities use many different terms that may be new to students and their supporters. Below you will find definitions for commonly used terms at higher ed institution and some that are specific to Stout. 

General Terms 

• Instructor/Professor: Your main point of contact in class.
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): An application that helps determine the amount you receive in grants and scholarships.
• First Generation: Your guardian(s) has not earned a bachelor’s degree.
• First-Year Advisor: The person who advises you on classes and can direct you to whoever you need during your first year.
• Faculty Advisor: After your first year you will get a faculty advisor to support you until graduation.
• Major: The primary topic you are studying in college and will show on your diploma.
• Minor: An additional topic area.
• Discipline: Your area of focus.
• Concentration: A specific area of concentration within your degree program.
• Stout Core (General Education): Classes outside your major/program designed to build confidence and the collaborative, analytical/quantitative, communication and critical-thinking skills in high demand by employers.
• Winterm: 3 weeks in January, when students can take an accelerated class.
• Summer Term: Typically May to August, with several start date and duration options for classes.
• Fall Semester: Typically, from September to December.
• Spring Semester: Typically from late January to early May.
• Cohort: A group of students within your major that start in the same term and plan to graduate at the same time as you.
• College: Academic division within the university that focuses on specific areas of study.
• University: The institution at large.
• Continuing Education: This refers to part-time education for working adults.
• Higher education: Refers to any form of schooling after high school.
• Orientation: onboarding for new students coming onto campus.
• Post-Secondary: Any education after high school.
• Provost: A senior academic administrator who works closely with the deans, department heads, and faculty advisors.
• Chancellor: The person in charge of the whole university.
• Dean of Students: The person in charge of the students on campus and connecting with them if they need support.
• College Dean: The person responsible for overseeing a college within the larger university. They are responsible for the staff and faculty within their division.
• Department Chair: Each department has a chair who oversees the course scheduling and faculty within that department.
• Program Director: The main point of contact for a program/major. They oversee the program plan and often advise students within the program.
• Registrar: Oversees logistics within areas of academia. They are in charge of class selection process, student transcripts, and class schedules.
• Foundation Office: In charge of the relationship with UW-Stout graduates (alumni), fundraising, and scholarships.
• Traditional Student: A student who attends college right after high school and are attending full time.
• Non-Traditional Students: Adult students who may work full time, are financially independent, have children, or attend college part time.
• Work Study: An award through Financial Aid to fund student employment. Students must go through the process of obtaining a job on campus and will be paid as they earn the money. This is based on financial need as determined by FAFSA.
• Add/Drop Period: A time frame when you can add classes to your schedule and where you can drop classes without seeking special permission.
• Audit: An opportunity for a student to attend a class they are interested in without being required to complete assignments and take classes to learn the material. (you will NOT get credit for auditing)
• Office Hours: Time instructors and faculty set aside specifically for meeting with students.