Pace University Terms: A Comprehensive Glossary for Success

Pace University, a renowned institution of higher learning, offers a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities. Understanding the unique terminology associated with Pace University is essential for navigating its academic landscape and achieving success. This comprehensive glossary provides detailed definitions and explanations of commonly used terms to empower students, faculty, and university affiliates.

Key Pace University Terms

• Academic Calendar: An official schedule outlining the important dates and deadlines throughout the academic year, including registration, class start and end dates, exams, and holidays.

• Academic Advising: Professional guidance and support provided by faculty or designated staff members to assist students with course selection, academic planning, and career exploration.

• Academic Probation: A temporary status for students who have not met the university’s minimum academic performance standards, requiring additional support and interventions to improve grades.

  

• Academic Senate: A representative body composed of faculty, staff, and students that provides advice and input on academic policies and initiatives.

• Accreditation: Official recognition by an external body that evaluates and certifies the quality of educational programs and institutions, ensuring they meet established standards.

  

• Add/Drop Period: A designated period at the beginning of each semester during which students can make changes to their course schedules, including adding or dropping courses.

  

• Bar Examination: A standardized test required for admission to the legal profession in most states, evaluating a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of legal concepts.

• Capstone Project: A culminating assignment or project typically completed in the final year of a degree program, demonstrating students’ mastery of the field and integrating knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies.

• Class Standing: A student’s classification based on the number of credits earned, such as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.

  

• Co-curricular Activities: Non-academic events, clubs, and organizations that provide opportunities for students to develop leadership, social, and extracurricular skills.

• Concentration: A specialized area of study within a major, allowing students to focus their coursework on a specific topic.

• Course Catalog: A comprehensive guide containing detailed descriptions of all academic programs, courses, and requirements offered by the university.

• Course Load: The total number of credits a student is enrolled in during a semester, typically ranging from 12 to 18 credits.

• Credit Hour: A standardized unit of academic work, typically equivalent to one hour of instruction and two hours of outside study per week.

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): A measure of a student’s overall academic performance, calculated by dividing total quality points by total credits attempted.

• Dean’s List: A recognition bestowed upon students who achieve a high GPA during a particular semester, typically within the top 20-25%.

• Degree Audit: A review of a student’s academic record to assess their progress towards completing degree requirements.

• Dissertation: An original research project submitted by doctoral candidates as the culmination of their research and academic journey.

• Elective Courses: Optional courses that students can choose to complement their major and expand their knowledge in other areas.

• Fellowship: A prestigious financial award granted to graduate students demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and research potential.

• Financial Aid: Assistance provided to students to help cover the costs of education, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

• Full-Time Student: A student enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester.

• Graduate Assistant (GA): A graduate student employed by the university to provide teaching or research support while pursuing their studies.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): A standardized test required for admission to many graduate and professional programs, assessing verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills.

• Graduation Requirements: The specific academic, research, and experiential requirements that students must fulfill to earn a degree.

• Honor Code: A pledge of academic integrity and ethical conduct that all Pace students are expected to uphold.

• Independent Study: A course that allows students to pursue individualized learning under the supervision of a faculty member, typically exploring a specific topic or research project.

• Internship: A structured work experience in a professional setting, providing students with practical application of their knowledge and skills.

• Liberal Arts: A broad and interdisciplinary education that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.

• Major: The primary field of study that students pursue in their undergraduate or graduate program, focusing on a specific area of specialization.

• Matriculation: The official enrollment of a student into a degree program at Pace University.

• Mentor: An experienced individual who provides guidance and support to students in their academic and professional development.

• Minor: A secondary field of study that complements a major, providing additional knowledge and depth.

• Office Hours: Designated times when faculty members are available to meet with students and provide academic support outside of class hours.

• Open Enrollment: A policy that allows students to enroll in courses without prior approval or meeting specific prerequisites.

• Orientation: An introductory program for new students that provides an overview of university policies, academic expectations, and campus resources.

• Part-Time Student: A student enrolled in less than 12 credit hours per semester.

• Plagiarism: The unauthorized use or imitation of another person’s work without proper attribution, which is considered a violation of academic integrity.

• Pre-Law Program: A sequence of coursework and experiences designed to prepare students for law school and the legal profession.

• Pre-Med Program: A sequence of coursework and experiences designed to prepare students for medical school and the medical profession.

• Prerequisite: A course or requirement that must be completed before enrolling in a subsequent course.

• Probation: A status for students who have not met academic performance or conduct expectations, requiring additional monitoring and interventions.

• Provost: The chief academic officer of the university, responsible for overseeing academic affairs, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment.

• Registration: The process of enrolling in courses for the upcoming semester, including payment of tuition and fees.

• Research Assistant (RA): An undergraduate or graduate student employed by the university to assist faculty members with research projects.

• Scholarship: A financial award granted to students based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria.

• Selective Service: A U.S. government system that requires all male U.S. citizens and permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 25 to register for a potential draft.

• Semester: A period of approximately four months, during which courses are typically offered at Pace University, with two semesters constituting an academic year.

• Senior Project: A culminating project or assignment in a student’s final year of an undergraduate program, demonstrating their research and critical thinking skills.

• Syllabus: A detailed outline of a course, including course objectives, grading policies, assignments, and schedule.

• Teaching Assistant (TA): An undergraduate or graduate student employed by the university to assist faculty members with teaching and grading.

• Thesis: A substantial research project submitted by master’s degree candidates, demonstrating their research skills and mastery of a specific topic.

• Transfer Student: A student who has previously attended another college or university and is seeking to transfer credits to Pace University.

• Trimester: A period of approximately eight weeks, during which some courses are offered at Pace University, particularly during the summer semester.

• Trustee: A member of the university’s Board of Trustees, appointed to oversee its financial, academic, and operational aspects.

• Undergraduate Research: Scholarly or creative work conducted by undergraduate students, typically in collaboration with faculty mentors.

• University Student Union (USU): A student-led organization that provides services, support, and advocacy for the Pace student body.

• Withdrawal: The process of officially dropping a course after the add/drop period has ended, resulting in a “W” grade on the transcript.

Conclusion

Understanding Pace University’s unique terminology is crucial for students to navigate the academic landscape, achieve success, and make informed decisions throughout their educational journey.

Additional Resources:

• Pace University website
• Pace University Academic Calendar
• Pace University Course Catalog
• Pace University Student Handbook
• Pace University Academic Advising Center
• Pace University Writing Center
• Pace University Library
• Pace University Career Services