Understanding the language of higher education is crucial for success, especially for those navigating the complexities of college for the first time. This glossary decodes common “Ecu Words,” university terms, and phrases, providing a clear understanding of the academic environment at East Carolina University (ECU) and beyond. Knowing these terms will empower you to confidently engage with faculty, staff, and fellow students.
Essential ECU Words and General College Terminology
Academic Advisor: A dedicated staff member guiding students in course selection, major/minor declaration, and fulfilling graduation requirements.
Academic Dean vs. Department Chair: A Department Chair, a professor with administrative duties, manages faculty, curriculum, and departmental operations, reporting to the Dean. The Academic Dean oversees multiple departments, securing funding and setting strategic goals.
Accelerated Program: A fast-tracked program with stricter admission requirements, enabling quicker graduation.
Accreditation: Validation of academic quality, often linked to professional licensing requirements.
Add/Drop Period: The initial period allowing course adjustments without academic penalty. At ECU, this is the first five days of the semester.
Adjunct Faculty/Professor: Part-time instructors hired on a contractual basis.
Assistantship: Primarily for graduate students, offering tuition reimbursement for work related to their field of study.
Associate Degree: A two-year undergraduate degree.
Audit: Attending a class without formal grading or credit.
Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year undergraduate degree requiring a declared major.
Campus: The university’s physical grounds and buildings.
Career Services: Department assisting students with job searches, career exploration, resume building, and networking.
Certification: A non-degree credential validating specific skills.
Clinical Education: Supervised practical experience in healthcare fields.
Cohort: A group of students progressing through a program together.
College vs. University: Colleges primarily focus on undergraduate education, while universities offer broader graduate programs.
Commencement: The formal graduation ceremony.
Continuing Education: Part-time education for working adults.
Course Catalog: A publication detailing academic programs, courses, and policies.
Course Load: The total credit hours taken per term.
Credit for Prior Learning: College credit granted for knowledge acquired outside traditional settings.
Credits/Credit Hour: Unit quantifying academic work, roughly equating to one hour of class and two hours of outside work per week.
Cupola: ECU’s iconic landmark; legend says walking under it delays graduation.
Curriculum: The content and structure of a course or program.
Degree: A qualification awarded upon completing a program of study.
Department: A specialized academic division within a college or university. For instance, the Department of Engineering or the Department of Biology.
Dean: The administrative head of a college or faculty.
Department Chair: The leader of a specific academic department.
Dissertation: A doctoral student’s extensive research document.
Doctoral/Terminal Degree: The highest academic degree in most fields.
Electives: Courses chosen outside major requirements.
Employer Education Assistance Benefit: Employer-provided financial aid for education.
Faculty: Academic staff, including professors.
Faculty Member vs. Staff Member: Faculty teaches; staff supports institutional operations.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Application for federal financial aid.
Federal Grants vs. State Grants: Need-based financial aid that doesn’t require repayment; federal grants are awarded via FAFSA, state grants have varying eligibility.
Final Exam: A comprehensive exam at the end of a course.
Financial Aid: Monetary assistance for education expenses.
First-Generation College Student: A student whose parents haven’t earned a four-year degree.
Fraternities and Sororities: Social and academic student organizations.
Freshman/First-Year Student: A student with 0-29 accumulated credit hours.
General Education Courses: Foundational courses across disciplines.
Grade Point Average (GPA): The average of a student’s grades.
Grading Scale: System converting letter grades to numerical values for GPA calculation.
Higher Education: Formal education beyond high school.
Income-Driven Repayment Plan: Loan repayment based on income and dependents.
Internship vs. Externship: Internships are often paid work experiences; externships are shorter, unpaid observation periods.
Junior: A student with 60-89 accumulated credit hours.
Lecture: An oral presentation by a professor.
Liberal Arts: Interdisciplinary studies in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The Mall: ECU’s central green space.
Major: The primary field of study.
Matriculate: To formally enroll in a college or university.
Master’s Degree: A graduate degree requiring 1.5-2 years of study.
Mentor: An experienced advisor providing guidance.
Midterm: An exam given midway through a course.
Minor: A secondary field of study complementing a major.
No Quarter: ECU’s flag symbolizing unwavering determination.
Net Price: Tuition minus scholarships and grants.
Non-Traditional Student: Typically an older student with varying life circumstances.
Orientation: Program introducing students to the institution and resources.
Pass-Fail Course: Graded as Pass or Fail instead of letter grades.
PeeDee the Pirate: ECU’s mascot.
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): The highest university degree, recognizing advanced research.
Plagiarism: Presenting someone else’s work as one’s own.
Postgraduate Education: Education pursued after a bachelor’s degree.
Post-Secondary: Any education after high school.
Practicum: Supervised practical application of learned theory.
Prerequisites: Required courses before taking advanced courses.
Private College vs. Public College: Public colleges receive state funding; private colleges rely on tuition and private contributions.
Probation: Academic status indicating risk of dismissal due to low GPA.
Professional Certificate: A credential enhancing specific skills.
Provost: A senior academic administrator overseeing academic programs.
Purple and Gold: ECU’s official colors.
Registrar: Office managing academic records and registration.
Registration: The process of enrolling in courses.
Residence Hall: On-campus student housing.
Room and Board: Costs associated with on-campus housing and meals.
Scholarship: Merit-based financial aid that doesn’t require repayment.
Semesters: Academic terms dividing the academic year.
Seminar Course: A small, discussion-based course focused on advanced topics.
Senior: A student with 90 or more accumulated credit hours.
Servire: ECU’s motto, meaning “to serve.”
Sophomore: A student with 30-59 accumulated credit hours.
Stafford Loan: A federal student loan with a fixed interest rate.
Student Code of Conduct: Behavioral guidelines for the university community.
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loan: Subsidized loans have interest paid by the government while in school; unsubsidized loans accrue interest immediately.
Synchronous Learning: Real-time online learning with interaction.
Tenure: Permanent faculty position granted after a probationary period.
Thesis: A research paper submitted for a master’s degree.
Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Student: Traditional students enter college directly after high school; non-traditional students are older with diverse backgrounds.
Transcript: An official record of academic performance.
Transfer Credits: Credits earned at another institution and applied towards a degree.
Tuition: The fee for instruction.
Tutors: Individuals providing academic assistance.
Undecided or Undeclared: A student who hasn’t declared a major. At ECU, these students are in the Major Advisement Program (MAP).
Warning: Academic status indicating low GPA and potential probation.
Waitlist: A list for students hoping to enroll in full courses.
Withdraw: Dropping a course after the add/drop period, resulting in a “W” on the transcript.
Work-Study Program: Federally or state-funded part-time employment for students with financial need.
This comprehensive glossary of ECU words and college terminology empowers students to navigate their academic journey with confidence and understanding.
