A

Accreditation

The process of recognizing an educational institution as maintaining standards that qualify graduates for admission to higher or more specialized practice or for professional practice. Learn more about accredited schools.

ACT Test

An exam that measures your readiness for college by testing your knowledge of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. It is required and preferred by more four-year public universities and private colleges than any other entrance exam. Practice this test. 

Admissions Office

The department at a particular school that is responsible for accepting or approving your application. 

Alumni

Those who have attended or graduated from a particular school, college or university.

Associate Degree

The degree awarded when you successfully complete a two-year program at a community or junior college. Available as an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS). With this degree, you can transfer to a four-year college or university and earn a bachelor's degree.

B

Bachelor Degree

The degree awarded when you successfully complete a four-year college or university program. It is available as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

C

Coeducational

The term describing a school that allows both women and men to study there. Most US colleges and universities are now coeducational. There are some colleges that admit only women (e.g. Smith College) and some that admit only men (e.g. Pope John XXIII National Seminary )

College

A higher education institution offering a four-year course of general studies that leads to a bachelor's degree. Can also mean an institution providing instruction in professional, vocational or technical fields, such as a business college or technical college. Some colleges also offer graduate programs leading to a Masters Degree. Learn more.

Community College

A publicly-funded higher education institution providing only a two-year academic or technical program that leads to an associate's (AA) degree. Sometimes referred to as a junior college. Learn more.

Curriculum

The courses that comprise a particular field of study, for example, a course in Life Drawing would be part of the Fine Arts curriculum.