ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

Any combination of courses and/or requirements leading to a degree or certificate, or to a major, co-major, minor, or concentration. Example: Film Studies minor, Analytics Certificate, Mathematics major, Gerontology doctoral degree. 

Recognition of outstanding achievement by a degree recipient, according to standards established by the Board of Trustees and as noted on the diploma and transcript.

Example

• Summa cum laude

Two-year degrees which are generally offered on regional campuses. An associate’s degree requires completion of 62 semester credit hours and should not exceed 65 semester credit hours unless it can be shown that the additional coursework is required to meet professional accreditation or licensing requirements.

A four-year undergraduate degree. Basic requirements include: (1) at least 124 semesterhours—at least 30 must be from Miami; (2) at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA; (3) fulfillment of theMiami Plan; (4) fulfillment of divisional and major requirements.

A bachelor of arts degree generally requires ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to complete a distribution of courses thatsupplement the field. The B.A. also allows flexibility to explore multiple disciplines outside themajor.

The bachelor of science degree typically is used for either a STEM major or for professional orvocational majors such as nursing or business and usually includes more credit hourrequirements in the major field than a Bachelor of Arts degree does.

An academic program in which ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs complete a prescribed course of study. Certificates come in a variety of forms:

• Credit-bearing;
• Noncredit-bearing;
• Graduate or professional level learning;
• Undergraduate level learning;
• Enrolling only matriculated ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs;
• “Freestanding,” meaning may enroll nondegree-seeking ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs.

Certificates are typically designed as: (1) supplementary to other degree programs by providing ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs with new competencies for professional development, technical knowledge, or lifelong learning; or (2) building blocks toward future degree completion.

Credit-bearing certificates at the undergraduate level carry at least 12 credits.

A graduate certificate program is typically 12-17 graduate credit hours. Some certificates require the ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to be seeking another degree program at Miami, while others allow for ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to be a Continuing Graduate Study ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Students who are Continuing Graduate Study ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs are not eligible for financial aid.

For ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs who are seeking other degrees/majors at Miami, this type of certificate is designated on University transcripts when the certificate is awarded. For ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs who are onlypursuing the certificate, the certificate is designated on University transcripts upon completion.

Examples

• Geographic Information Systems Certificate (offered to degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs)
• Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Certificate (offered only to Miami degree-seeking ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs)

A certificate offered by the University or by the University in partnership with another organization. These ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs are not currently recorded in the official ºÚÁÏÉçÇø information systems and all records are kept by the offering unit. These programs do not involve credit courses.

Example

• "Get Lean" Certification Program

The co-major is designed to provide a complementary perspective to a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s primary majorand carries at least 27 credits. A ºÚÁÏÉçÇø taking a co-major must also complete a primary majorin one of the academic divisions at Miami. Students from a wide range of majors should be ableto pursue the co-major, and the subject area should not duplicate that of existing majors orminors. Twelve credits of the co-major coursework can be applied only to that co-major.

Co-majors are typically career-oriented, applied, professionally-oriented, or they focus on aninterdisciplinary or pioneering new field.

Students receive the degree designation of their primary major with the co-major listed on thetranscript. Some co-majors may have areas of concentration.

Designated programs arranged between undergraduate and graduate/professional programs. 

Upon earning a minimum of 64 credit hours and a 3.00 cumulative GPA, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs may apply to a combined program by completing the Graduate School application and submitting the required materials.

Students should confer with the Graduate School  for the terms and benefits of the combined program.

Examples

• B.S./M.S.
• B.S./M.Ed.
• B.S./ M.Acc.

Coordinated grouping of courses, typically one-third of a major, representing a sub-specialization or emphasis within a major field available for ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs majoring in that discipline. Concentrations may be offered at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level. Majors with a concentration are designated on University transcripts when the degree is awarded. Note: Concentration is the only approved term for transcribing a sub-specialization or sequence within a major. Terms such as “option,” “sequence,” “track,” or “specialization” should no longer be used (even for academic advising or marketing purposes) to denote specializations within a major.

Examples

• Global Cultural Relations Concentration in the International Studies Major
• Cross-Cultural Leadership Concentration in the Bachelor of Integrative Studies major
• Environmental Technology Concentration in the Master of Environmental Science program.

Two programs at the same level (undergraduate or graduate) in which the same ºÚÁÏÉçÇø is enrolled in two programs.  Both degrees are awarded either in same term or different terms, depending on when the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø completes the requirements for the degree.

Examples

• M.D./J.D. program is a common example at the graduate level. 
• Miami’s B.A. Journalism Program requires that ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs complete the requirements of that program as well as another program from a different department. 

Courses with large enrollments are divided into sections. Sections are identified by letters. A five-digit CRN (Course Reference Number) also identifies a course section. Course sections at the undergraduate level should have a minimum enrollment of 12 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, and course sections at the graduate level should have a minimum enrollment of 7 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs.

No grade is received for this course. Students receive credit for a D- or better. A credit/no-credit course is not figured in the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s GPA. Students can only take ten percent of their coursework on credit/no-credit basis and usually cannot take courses in the major this way. First-year ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs may register for courses on a credit/no-credit basis providing they are concurrently enrolled for 12 hours for grades. If at any time during the semester, a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø drops below 12 hours for grades (four hours for the summer term), the credit/no-credit status will be removed. Courses offered only on a credit/no-credit basis are not factored in. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may register for one or more courses per semester on a credit/no-credit basis. Students may not enroll on a credit/no-credit basis in any course in which they have previously earned credit.  A ºÚÁÏÉçÇø may not enroll for a grade in any course for which they have received “credit” on a credit/no-credit basis. Some courses are only offered as credit/no credit.

Example

• EDL 110, The University and the Student is a credit/no credit course.

The ºÚÁÏÉçÇø may receive different grade symbols for courses taken credit/no credit including CR1, CR2, or NCR (no credit earned).

Courses that must be taken during the same semester because their subject matter is similar or complementary. Co-requisites are given at the end of course descriptions.

Example

• The co-requisite of CHM 144, "College Chemistry Laboratory" is CHM 141 "College Chemistry".

The unit used to measure coursework. The number of credit hours is usually based on the number of hours per week the class meets; for example, a three-hour course typically meets three times a week for 50 minutes each time. One credit hour is usually assigned for two or three hours in laboratory and studio courses.

Example

• HST 111, Survey of American History, is a three-credit hour course.

A course where material taught crosses multiple disciplines or in which faculty members from two or more departments are eligible to teach. The course may or may not be offered by two or more departments during the same term. Cross-listed courses should have two and no more than three subject codes. Cross-listing should only occur when the course is taught by faculty whose home is in two (or three) different departments.

Example

• "Images of America" is a cross-listed course with American Studies and Art (AMS/ART 183).

A coherent program of study that is responsive to the needs and circumstances of the pedagogical context and is carefully designed to develop ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs' knowledge, abilities, and skills through multiple integrated and progressively challenging course learning experiences.

Example

• All of the course and other requirements leading to a particular degree.

An award by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Miami Board of Trustees as official recognition of the completion of a prescribed course of study following matriculation.

Examples

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Arts

An administrative unit within a college or school that deals with particular disciplines or fields of knowledge (e.g., the Department of English; the Department of Mathematics). Some departments administer more than one major (e.g., the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering). In some cases programs (such as the Western Program) function like departments.

Examples

• Department of Political Science
• Art Management and Arts Entrepreneurship Program

A course is a unique combination of title, course number, credit hours, and other course attributes that may include terms offered, cross-listed courses, contact hours, pre- or co-requisites, credit type, and level.

Example

• ENG 111, "Composition and Rhetoric"

A set of courses or specific requirements as defined by the individual school or college that are a required component of a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s academic program.

Example

• CAS required courses, such as CAS-A (Foreign language); CAS-B (Humanities); CAS-B-Lit (Literature requirement of CAS-B); CAS-C (Social Science); CAS-D (Natural Science); CAS-D-Lab (Laboratory requirement of CAS-D; and, CAS-E (Formal Reasoning).

The highest award a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø can earn for graduate study. Doctoral degrees generally require the successful completion of at least 90 semester hours of work beyond the bachelor’s degree or at least 60 semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Deviations from these credit hour guidelines require proper justification and state approval.

A ºÚÁÏÉçÇø who meets the major requirements of two departments may declare, and have recorded on the transcript, a double major. The ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs must obtain prior approval from both departments (as well as the appropriate school(s) and college, if the majors are housed in separate divisions). One major must be declared the primary major. Students who graduate with a double major or degree across two academic divisions are required to complete all University requirements and the requirements of both majors and academic divisions. 

Two separate programs residing in separate departments (departments are typically housed in separate divisions) that focus on an interdisciplinary field but provide a distinct angle or perspective on that field.  While the two programs may share some common courses, each program offers a unique mission and set of curricular requirements. Students typically select one of these to pursue.

Example

• B.S. and B.A. in Public Health.  The B.S. is offered in College of Education, Health and Society, while the B.A. is offered in the College of Arts and Science.

A program established, coordinated, and awarded jointly between two higher education institutions. Example: Master’s degree in population and social gerontology (MPSG) between ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and Mahidol University.

It can also be a single program at Miami that focuses on an interdisciplinary field of study, involves an integrated curriculum, and leads to a single joint degree.  It draws heavily from multiple disciplines represented in at least two departments and is also coordinated and offered jointly by two or more academic divisions.  All aspects of the program are jointly administered by the departments and divisions involved.  All of the involved divisions are listed on the diploma.

Example

• Master's program in eSport Management is jointly led by the Department of Emerging, Technology, Business + Design (in College of Creative Arts) and Department of Sport Leadership & Management (in College of Education, Health & Society)

Lecture and laboratory; used to indicate how many credit hours are earned in lecture and/or in laboratory.

Example

• 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

A major is the cohesive combination of courses including introductory, intermediate, and
advanced coursework designates a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s primary area of undergraduate study.  Majors can
be established or restructured to include required or optional concentrations. A major must have
a minimum of 30 credits and typically ranges up to 76 credit hours. Majors should have 15 credit
hours that are distinct from other majors. Majors are designated on University transcripts at the
time the degree is awarded.

Example

• Music Performance major

An award that requires the successful completion of at least 30 semester credit hours of work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees such as the Master of Arts and the Master of Science are typically considered research graduate degrees, and involve preparation to carry out research and to discover new knowledge—whether the field is pure or applied. Master’s degrees may also recognize preparation for professional practice and typically do not require a thesis.

The Miami Plan is the University’s general education program for undergraduate ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs. It includes three components: Perspectives, Signature Inquiry, and Knowledge-in-Action.   All courses in the MP advance Four Pillars of learning as well as specific outcomes that relate to the component.  For more information, consult the Office of Liberal Education .

Microcredentials are short, focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills, know-how and experience. Stackable microcredentials can also provide a pathway to a certificate or full
degree.

They may be designed for different ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, including:

• current degree-seeking ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs
• alumni, other adults and working professionals seeking to advance their career, increase their earning potential or upskill or make a career change; or adults wishing to come back to the job
• anyone looking for fun, engaging, learning to support a hobby or interest

They may be credit bearing or noncredit bearing, and they differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend to be more narrowly focused on specific professional or lifelong learning knowledge, skills, or competencies. They can be offered online, in the classroom, or via a hybrid of both. Once the ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs complete the program, they receive a certificate of completion or badge which is provided by the Department or unit offering the program. They are also not transcripted.

The designated sequence of courses in a discipline or defined area of undergraduate study. Like the major, it is expected to have coherence and increasing sophistication. A minor carries a minimum of 15 credits (including pre-requisite courses) and typically up to 24 credit hours and is independent of the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s major. Nine credits of the minor coursework can be applied only to that minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s major, concentration, an undergraduate certificate, or another minor. Minors are designated on University transcripts.

Example

• Major - History
• Minor - English

Courses may be offered every two or three years.

Course(s) that must be taken to provide background for the course requiring the prerequisite. Sometimes permission of the instructor or another requirement (such as graduate standing) may be a prerequisite to a course.

Example

• The prerequisites for FIN 301, Introduction to Business Finance, are ECO 201 and 202 and ACC 221 and 222.

See Microcredentials entry above. 

Academic organizational division of the university offering curricular programs leading to associate, baccalaureate, and advanced degrees.

Example

• College of Arts & Science, Farmer School of Business

A course that meets for less than the full 14-week term or semester, usually in durations of four, six, eight, or twelve weeks.

Example

• ART 149, Beginning Digital Photography, is a sprint course.