University Advising Center
4301 Broadway, CPO 286 | Administration Building Room 105 | 210.805.5814
Advising Terms Explained
Advisor
An administrator or faculty member that helps shape your academic growth. This process is done in partnership to facilitate the needs of the student. If you don’t know who your advisor is, please contact the Advising Center at 829-5814.
Academic literacy
Literacy requirements in Rhetoric and/or Math as prescribed by placement documentation (i.e., TAKS, SAT, ACT, testing). Student can challenge through testing at the Learning Assistance Center (LAC). College level courses in Math or Rhetoric cannot be taken until this requirement has been successfully completed. Academic Literacy requirements do not count towards total 128 credit hours but will toward GPA.
Academic Load
Minimum of 12 semester hours is required for full-time status for Fall or Spring semester. Full-time status for summer terms is 6 semester hours.
Add/drop
Done when your course schedule is changed after completion of registration. Forms can be found in Academic Advising and at the Registrar’s office. An advisor and/or an instructor’s signature are required on the form. After a date posted by the Registrar’s office, students will be charged a fee to add/drop.
Apply to the Major (ATM)
Procedure for obtaining an official degree plan. Usually completed when a student fulfills ATM requirements for their major, or completed 32 credit hours, whichever comes first.
Attendance
Policies for individual classes are set by the instructor and posted in the outline/syllabus. If you are unable to attend, contact the University Advising Center. This will not excuse the absence, and the student must arrange make up work with the instructor.
Academic Progress/Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA minimum requirement at the end of each academic year for all credit hours attempted at UIW – Undergraduates 2.0. If the GPA standard is not met, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.
Blackboard
Online teaching tool that many professors use to supplement their instruction. Information such as class documents and quizzes may be posted on Blackboard, and you can also submit assignments electronically. You can even send email between Instructors and classmates. In addition, many student organizations use Blackboard to communicate with its members. The website is http://blackboard.uiwtx.edu.
Bulletin
Candidates for bachelor’s degree graduate upon completion of the degree requirements stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of their initial enrollment provided they graduate within 8 years. After that time, or when a change of major is made, the degree candidates will be held to the requirements of the current Undergraduate Bulletin.
Challenge examinations
Examination must be approved by the faculty member and the presiding Dean. Only students enrolled in a degree program can challenge and the exam must be completed with a C or better and a P will be recorded. The fee, 40% of the tuition for the course being challenged will be charged.
Classification
Students are classified by the number of hours completed:
Freshman – 1-31 semester hours
Sophomore – 32-63 semester hours
Junior – 64-95 semester hours
Senior – 96 or more semester hours
CLEP
General examination and subject examinations are available in a variety of disciplines at the Learning Assistance Center. The university faculty in each discipline area sets the standards for satisfactory credit.
Core Curriculum
As a community- oriented institution dedicated to developing responsible and well-rounded graduates, UIW has developed a liberal arts- based core curriculum for its students. The core curriculum requirements count for about 53 hours of a student’s degree plan.
Cum Laude
Graduation distinction for students completing with a 3.5 GPA.
DANTES
These are an extensive series of exams in subjects that are comparable to the final or end-of-course exam in particular courses. Contact the Learning Assistance Center for more information.
Dean’s List
Admission is based on achievement during a semester. Student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours, have no IP grades, and have a GPA of 3.5 or above.
FAFSA
Free Application For Federal Student Aid. This form needs to be completed every year, and is the first step in applying for financial assistance. The information reported on this form determines what federal aid a students receives, such as the Pell Grant.
GPA
Grade Point Average
IP
Prescribed course work is incomplete or the student has been unable to take the final examination. This grade is not automatically given and student must make the work up within 6 months or an F will be assessed.
Internships
Internships are for 2 consecutive semesters and may only begin in the fall. Interns must meet the University deadlines for registration for the internship and meet eligibility requirements outlined by the University and presiding department.
LAC
Learning Assistance Center – located in AD206.
Learning Communities
Two or more courses linked together to share common themes to create an interactive learning partnership between the courses. That allows students to become a sharing community; and, along with their instructors, they collaborate and learn together.
McNair Scholar’s Program
The McNair Scholars Program prepares students from underrepresented group for success in achieving a Ph. D. degree. Their offices are located on the first floor of the Administration Bldg.
Magna Cum Laude
Graduation distinction for students completing with a 3.7 GPA.
Part-time
A registration status of less than 12 semester hours.
Pass/Fail
Grading choice for students that want to take a class without it affecting their GPA. There is, however, a limit to the number that can be applied to a degree program.
Prerequisite
A course or courses that are required before a particular course can be taken.
Probation/Scholastic Probation
Students may be placed on probation if their academic status does not meet University requirements. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for the details on probation.
Student Disability Services
Located in AD105, this office provides services to those students with documented disabilities.
Student Success Program
A federally-funded program for freshmen and sophomores which provides support services designed to help its participants graduate. The SSP office is located in AD 115.
Study Abroad
The Study Abroad Program allows many UIW students the opportunity to visit different countries to study and explore cultures other than their own. Students who wish to learn more about this office are encouraged to check out the program online at www.uiw.edu/studyabroad.
Summa Cum Laude
Graduation distinction for students completing with a 3.9 GPA.
Syllabus
Course guideline and requirements as determined by the course instructor.
Transcripts
Academic history within a given institution. Official – given by the Registrar’s Office. Unofficial – can be printed via Banner.
Waiver
Form that when completed, will remove a fee or requirement. Commonly use in the Business Office to waive insurance or parking fee.
Welcome Week-
Series of events at the beginning of the fall semester to kick-off a new Academic year.
Withdrawals
Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for details.
