Glossary of Terms

As a student, it is important that you are familiar with various words or phrases related to educational institutions. Below are some of the most common terms that you will see at the College.

Add Course
Adding a course to your official class schedule. Consult with an academic advisor or counselor before adding a class. The procedure will require that you complete a drop/add form, obtain an advisor's signature, and return the completed form to Records and Registration.

Advisor
A faculty member who provides information and makes recommendations on courses, requirements, prerequisites, and programs of study.

Corequisite
A requirement (course) that you must take at the same time, if not before, you are enrolled in a particular course.

Counseling
Guidance provided by professional counselors in collegiate, vocational, social, and personal matters.

Course Number and Name
The official name and number assigned to each course in the curriculum.

Curriculum
A course of study or academic program offered by an educational institution. The College offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs.

Dean
The administrative head of an academic department or student support division.

Department Chairperson
The administrative head of an academic department. Student Affairs has a department chairperson for the Counseling department.

Drop Course
Official ending to enrollment in a course. Dropping a course requires that you complete a drop/add form. Obtain an advisor's signature and return the form to Records and Registration.

Fees
Monies paid to the Cashier's Office to cover the cost of your education and the College's services.

I.D.
A plastic photo identification card with a magnetic stripe on back. Your I.D identifies you as a Community College of Philadelphia student and is an optional debit card for food services. It allows you to use the library, purchase student tickets for activities, and enter and use equipment in the gymnasium.

Major
The academic area in which represents a student's educational concentration.

Midsemester Grades
Instructors determine this grade after students complete the first half of a semester. It is a guide to how you are performing in the class at that point. These are not permanent grades. They will be mailed to students from the Office of Student Records and Registration.

Midterms
Tests held or papers due approximately half way through the semester. Generally, they are developed to assess how well a student knows information taught since the beginning of the semester through the date the test is held or the paper is due.

MyCCP
Through the MyCCP portal, you have the ability to interact with the College in numerous ways; from receiving official College correspondance to on-line class discussions. Be sure to activate your MyCCP account.

Prerequisite
The requirement (of a course completed or the placement of scores attained), in which must be met prior to the enrollment in a particular course.

Regional Centers
College sites located in the Northeast, Northwest, and West regions of the city that offer credit and noncredit courses.

Registration
This is a two-step process. First, you select the courses at the times and locations you prefer with an advisor or counselor. He/she will sign your completed registration form. Second, you will go to the Office of Student Records and Registration to officially be placed in the same courses. Continuing students in good academic standing have the ability to register online via MyCCP. Your registration is final when you pay by the deadline for that semester.

School Colors
The Community College of Philadelphia school colors are blue and gold.

Semester
A semester is normally a fifteen-week long period of instruction. There are two semesters in each academic year Ð fall and spring. There are also ten-week long periods of instruction during the fall and spring. Each of the three summer sessions are generally seven weeks long.

Student Code of Conduct
An outline of acceptable and expected conduct for Community College of Philadelphia students. This code of conduct is published in the Student Handbook. The Dean of Student Life adjudicates violations of the student code.

SGA
The Student Government Association. SGA is responsible for helping to influence policy for students at the College. All registered clubs and organizations are members of the general assembly. The SGA office is located in room S1-11 in the Winnet Student Life Building.

Syllabus
A form of course description distributed by the instructor in the beginning of the semester, usually during the first class meeting. The course syllabus contains important information about lecture topics, homework assignments, attendance requirements, class projects, exam dates, grading procedures, and instructor office hours.

Vanguard
The Vanguard is the student newspaper and is distributed bi-weekly on newsstands around the College.