Graceland University Policy and Procedure Glossary

CIP (CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM) CODE:

Department of Education standard educational program classification system where code numbers identify program subject. Used by IPEDS, ICCPHSE. For a complete listing of all CIP codes, see http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2002165.

COURSE:

A unit of instruction focused on a specific subject area and listed in the GU Catalog for which the student earns academic credit toward a certificate or degree.

DISTANCE EDUCATION:

DOE Definition: An educational process that is characterized by the separation, in time or place, between instructor and student; any delivery method or combination excluding face-to-face classroom.

DISTANCE LEARNING:

Graceland term specifying delivery method* of programs that utilize correspondence and/or a combination of telecommunications delivery methods (Addiction Studies, BSN, MSN, MEd); formerly referred to as Outreach Programs.

GLOBAL CAMPUS:

Graceland term used to refer to the sum total of Graceland’s distance education programs, including face-to-face classes offered from locations other than the Lamoni Campus.

POLICY:

Policy, when used with a capital P, refers to the section of the master Policy that reflects deliberate administrative decisions that have been made by appropriate GU units and individuals in order to guide systematic actions by Graceland University. The Policy includes general statements of position.

PROCEDURE:

Procedure, when used with a capital P, refers to the section of each Policy that identifies procedural elements and assigns responsibility for operationalizing the Policy to specific positions and departments. The Procedure may include an outline of administrative action to be taken and/or the procedure to be followed to implement the policy. It serves the purpose of providing continuity of operation in various administrative areas of responsibility, and gives staff the basis for their work. Detailed, department-specific procedures will be developed and maintained by the responsible department(s) identified in each Master Policy and Procedure.

PROGRAM:

A sequence of courses leading to a general or occupationally-related credential. The term does not apply to a major but rather to a combination of courses (which may include those required for a major) linked to a specific type of academic award.

PROGRAM DELIVERY METHODS*:

It is important to correctly identify Program Delivery Methods because DOE regulations differ according to delivery method.

DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY (DIS): Same as DOE Term, CORRESPONDENCE: Delivery method utilizing primarily paper-based, U.S. Mail, electronic transfer of papers (E-mail and attachments), telephone. At Graceland, we use “DIS” in place of “correspondence” to refer to these programs because student-faculty interaction is stronger than the term “correspondence” generally conveys and Graceland’s programs require a face-to-face classroom component.

DISTANCE LEARNING, formerly OUTREACH: Graceland term specifying programs that utilize correspondence and/or a combination of telecommunications delivery methods (Addiction Studies, BSN, MSN, MEd).

FACE-TO-FACE CLASSROOM: DOE Definition: Student and instructor are together in a classroom on a regularly scheduled basis; this may be on-campus or at an off-campus location (off-site). At Graceland, face-to-face programs include Lamoni Campus, Independence Campus, CPS, Elementary Education and Masters in Education programs in Trenton, Centerville, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Independence.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: DOE Definition: One or any combination of web-based, tape-based, video, or network (Iowa Communications Network) delivery systems including on-line (Web-CT and e-College). At Graceland, this term is rarely used except when referring to the Distance Learning programs, Seminary, and on-line MEd for the purposes of administering financial aid.

PROGRAM TERM STRUCTURE

It is important to understand DOE definitions of term structure in order to define the academic year for the purpose of awarding financial aid consistently.

STANDARD TERM, UNDERGRADUATE: 24 credit hours in 30 weeks within one academic year. Semester and Trimester programs are usually standard term programs. At Graceland: Lamoni Campus, Independence Campus, and College of Professional Studies

STANDARD TERM, GRADUATE: The institution determines what is full-time in an academic year. At Graceland: MSN telecommunications (18 credit hours in an academic year), MEd classroom and telecommunications (15 credit hours in an academic year).

NON-STANDARD TERM, UNDERGRADUATE: A program with defined payment periods in an academic year where full-time is less than 24 hours in a 30 to 36 week period. At Graceland: BSN telecommunications (three sixteen week terms each with eight week mini-terms, full time equals 24 semester hours per year).

NON-STANDARD TERM, GRADUATE: Graceland has none.

NON-TERM, UNDERGRADUATE: Non-terms begin the day an individual student begins his/her academic work and continue for 365 days; no more, no less. At Graceland, the non-term academic year is divided into two, six-month payment periods for the Addiction Studies and RN-BSN “rolling enrollment” students. For the purposes of direct student loans, the academic year is called a BORROWER-BASED ACADEMIC YEAR (BBAY) and eligibility is determined from a single FAFSA. Pell eligibility may be determined by one or two FAFSAs.

NON-TERM, GRADUATE: Non-terms begin the day an individual student begins his/her academic work and continues for 365 days; no more, no less. At Graceland, the non-term academic year is divided into two, six-month payment periods for the MSN programs and graduate students are eligible for loans only.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)

The grade requirements for satisfactory academic progress are defined by each Academic degree program. The term is used by the office of financial aid to identify the level of academic achievement a student must reach in order to maintain eligibility for federal student aid and applies to all standard and non-standard programs. SAP for non-term programs require successful completion of each course before the student is again eligible for federal aid. Students who withdraw or fail must retake the course at their own expense.

SESSION

need definiation

QUARTER: need definiation

WINTER TERM: need definiation

SUMMER TERM: need definiation

* GLOSSARY *