Glossary of College Terms
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|PQ|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
A
Academic Advisor – a faculty or staff member who will guide you in understanding your degree progress report (see Degree Progress Report/DegreeWorks) and working through requirements to complete your degree or certificate. You should meet with this person at least twice a semester – once to check in and get to know them and at least once to discuss registration requirements. Establishing a relationship with your advisor is one of the keys to success!
Academic Calendar – a calendar used by a college to highlight important dates within the academic year. The DCCC Academic Calendar has the most up-to-date information related to when classes start/end, breaks, and dates in which you can add courses or modify your schedule.
Academic Dismissal/Suspension – if a student is not performing well academically they may be placed on academic dismissal/suspension. Students have the right to appeal and, if approved, will be limited to 1-2 courses in the following semester. Students who continue to be academically unsuccessful (earning grades of C or P or better) may be academically dismissed for one full calendar year.
Academic Divisions – the division of academic fields, housed in departments determined by the College. DCCC has five academic divisions that offer associates degrees and certifications – Allied Health and Nursing (AHN); Business, Computing and Social Science (BCSS); Communications, Arts, and Humanities (CAH); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and Workforce Development and Economic Development (WDED). Visit our Academic Divisions web page to learn more about each division.
Academic Probation – a status for students who have completed six or more graded credits and whose cumulative grade point average is less than a 2.0 (C). Academic probation leads to a process known as Lack of Progress (or LOPS) in which a hold is placed on a student’s registration. Visit the Academic Probation web page to learn more.
Academic/Student Withdrawal – this is a withdrawal initiated by the student for any reason between the beginning of week 4 (during the traditional semester) through week 10. Once withdrawn from the course, the grade reflects as a W. It does not have any effect on the GPA nor will any refund be issued. Visit the Student Withdrawal web page to learn more about the different withdrawal types. Keep in mind, while this does protect your GPA, if receiving financial aid, the student must maintain at least a 67% pass rate (of ALL attempted courses) to continue to receive aid and it may impact Academic Probation status.
Act 101 Program – a resource program for Pennsylvania residents who score at the developmental level on their college placement tests for English composition, mathematics, and reading, and need financial assistance to become ready for college-level coursework. Visit the Act 101 web page to learn more.
Alumni/Alumnus – a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university.
The Arts – refers to DCCC’s contribution to the arts environment available in the Philadelphia region through DCCC’s Art Gallery that hosts exhibitions, a music concert series, speakers, collaborative projects, and workshops, as well as the Drama Department, which provides theater education at the College, and productions each semester. Check out The Arts web pages to learn more.
Assessment Services – office designed to help with the following services: testing; transfer credits; credit for prior learning; academic advisement based on special programs; and other services that help students progress towards their academic goals. The office is located on the Marple Campus in Room 4260. Check out the Assessment Services website to learn more, see their office hours and contact information.
Associate’s Degree – an undergraduate degree typically awarded by community or technical colleges upon successful completion of a program of study requiring the equivalent two-years of full-time study (usually at least 60 college-level credits).
Athletics & Campus Engagement – encompasses athletic and recreational activities, the campus Art Gallery, student theater, Student Government Association, events and cultural programs, and student clubs and organizations including: honor societies, the student newspaper - The Communitarian, literary magazine - Pegasus, and the New Media Lab. Visit the ACE web page to learn more.
B
Bachelor’s Degree – an undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon the successful completion of a program of study requiring the equivalent of four-years of full-time study (usually at least 120 college-level credits). A bachelor's degree is required before starting graduate studies (unless it is a combined program). DCCC does not offer bachelor degrees, however, scheduling an appointment and working closely with a transfer advisor will help utilize your credits the best to prepare for transfer into a bachelors degree program.
Bursar/Cashier – the office responsible for billing, processing payments, and issuing refunds. Every higher education institution has the equivalent of a bursar’s office, DCCC is encompassed by our Student Accounts Department. The Student Accounts office handles tuition, fees, and student account related policies. In addition, the office can answer questions related to billing and payments, books store credits, third party billing, and refunds. The Student Accounts team is available at all Enrollment Central campus locations.
C
Campus Shuttle – students, faculty and staff can use the College’s campus shuttle service for travel between either the Upper Darby Center or the Southeast Center and the Marple Campus. It is free, accessible, WiFi-enabled, and environmentally friendly. Visit dccc.edu/shuttle to learn more.
Campus Store – located on the Marple Campus, with smaller locations at the Southeast and Downingtown Center. The bookstore offers textbooks, apparel/clothing, gifts, supplies, and electronics for purchase. To see the hours, how to find your textbooks, and to learn more about the store, please visit the Campus Store website.
Canvas – a web-based learning management system (or LMS), that supports online learning and teaching. It allows professors to post grades, information, and assignments online, staff to post announcements, and participants to access course content online. Canvas includes a variety of customizable course creation and management tools, course and user analytics and statistics, and internal communication tools.
CARE Team (Consultation, Assessment, Referral, Education) – a team made up of an interdisciplinary group for assessing, recognizing and educating students who are in apparent or potential distress at any of the College’s campuses or sites and can benefit from the safety net of the team. Referrals can be made by students, faculty, and staff. The College’s CARE Team web page has more information as well as the form referral on the page.
Career & Counseling Services – Department with staff/faculty who are located on every campus to provide academic advising and registration services, career counseling, disability services (staff is predominantly on the Marple campus, but representatives from this department can provide assistance with contact and/or sending materials), safe space training, personal counseling, transfer advising, and workshops/events each semester, including programming by the Suicide Prevention Committee. Check out the Career & Counseling web pages to learn more about the services provided, hours of operation/locations, and how to schedule an appointment.
Career Degrees – Associates in Applied Science (A.A.S.) are associate degree-level credentials for career preparation that allows you to enter into your field without a bachelor's degree. Some examples of DCCC career degrees are: Culinary Arts, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Nursing, Paralegal Studies, and Skilled Trades. Visit our catalog web page on Career Degrees to learn more.
Center for Equity & Social Justice – a space provided by the College to contribute to dismantling systems of racism and social injustice within our community. The Center hosts a Dialogues for Diversity Series and provides additional programming throughout the year in collaboration with other departments.
Certificates – short-term educational programs focused on specific workforce skills and/or preparation for continued academic study. DCCC offers two types – certificate of competency (career program requiring 30 or less credits) and certificate of proficiency (career program requiring 30 or more credits).
Class Search – an online feature allowing students to search for course offerings by term, course subject, course number, modality (in-person, online, or hybrid), campus, and openings. It can be accessed via delaGATE under Students -> Registration & Records -> Class Search or on the dccc.edu website under Quick Links.
Commencement – the graduation ceremony where students officially receive recognition for completion of their degree and/or certificates. Commencement at DCCC is only held in May. Visit the Commencement web page to learn more.
Community Education (Continuing Education) – non-credit courses for enrichment, job training, or certifications. Offerings include: personal and professional development (e.g., PA CareerLink, test preparation, and New Choices Career Development), community education (e.g., Return to Learn 55+, ESL and language learning, and summer camp activities), and job training (e.g., CDL training, fitness training, and real estate courses). This is not an exhaustive list, please visit the Community Education web page to learn more and sign up!
Co-Requisite – a co-requisite course refers to a course that must be taken together (at the same time) as another course.
Course Catalog – a multi-page document that lists the institution’s academic programs, mission, procedures, faculty and professional staff, and the courses taught at a school/college/university by discipline, and course descriptions. DCCC has their course catalog online.
Credit for Prior Learning – the process of earning college credit for work or life experiences that equate to college-level knowledge, assessed through DCCC’s Assessment Services. This knowledge may have been acquired through life or work experiences that are closely related to the learning objectives of the College’s credit courses. These may include: professional workshops, non-credit classes at business or technical schools, volunteer activities, personal study, military training, or other pursuits. If you think you may qualify, check out the Credit for Prior Learning web page to learn more.
Curriculum – a term used to describe all of the academic courses required to complete an academic program and graduate with the correlating credential (certificate and/or degree). This includes courses required for the major as well as the courses that must be completed outside of the major to graduate. Courses required outside of the major requirements but needed to graduate are called general education requirements. Additionally, there are elective courses, or courses that count towards your credit requirements for graduation, but are not required for your program of study.
D
Dean – a person who is the head of an academic division within a college or head of a college (which colleges often call departments) within a university. Each college is made up of multiple academic divisions and each university is made up of multiple colleges. Within each of these divisions, professors report to their respective Dean; and within each of the colleges (if attending a university), professors report to department chairs (a faculty member in charge of overseeing a particular discipline, e.g., English), and the department chairs report to their respective Dean. Deans are responsible for ensuring the divisions/departments within their purview are functioning to support the institution’s mission, create a positive learning environment within their area, and advocate for the interests of their area. An Assistant Dean is their second in command.
Decoding College Courses – refers to the free non-credit courses provided by the Office of First-Generation Student Success for the first-generation student population through Canvas. The first course – Getting Acclimated – is for all new first-generation students in their first year. It covers things like support services, financial wellness and aid, and provides a space for students to interact with one another. The second course – Preparing to Launch – is for all continuing first-generation students beyond their first year. It covers things like transfer, joining the workforce, and holistic financial wellness. If you have not been added to either of these courses and would like to join, please contact firstgen@dccc.edu.
Department Chair – typically a faculty member within a particular division or college (see Dean definition) responsible for leadership in developing an academic department’s programs within the mission of the college or university.
delaGATE – DCCC’s portal system that houses all faculty, staff, and students landing pages to connect them with the College. delaGATE is accessible through the dccc.edu homepage, linked directly at the top of the page.
Degree Progress Report/Degree Works – a degree progress report is a document outlining the required courses for a student within the major they are currently enrolled in. DCCC uses Degree Works, a web-based tool located on delaGATE. Students can check this at any time by logging onto delaGATE, clicking on Apps -> Degree Works. Check out Degree Works FAQ to learn more about the functionality.
Distance Learning/Division of Innovation, Teaching, and Digital Learning Excellence – division of the College that supports distance learning and Canvas. They work collaboratively to support innovative learning environments, professional development, and technology integration. Distance (sometimes also referred to as digital or online) learning refers to course offerings that are online or offered in the hybrid (in-person and online) format, designed to be accessible outside of the traditional classroom without compromising academic integrity. As long as you have a stable internet connection, students can attend class anytime or anywhere. If a course is online synchronous, or an online course with a live meeting time, you will also need to have a camera along with stable internet access. Students should possess a variety of skills listed on our Online Learning web page before registering for online courses. Additionally, the link shows which programs can be completed online.
Doctoral Degree – the highest academic degree awarded by a university upon the successful completion of an advanced program of study. Some programs only require the completion of a bachelors degree, others require a masters degree as part of their minimum entry requirements. Completion of a doctoral degree typically requires at least three years of graduate study and signifies mastery of a specific area of study or field of profession. Recipients often complete a dissertation or a substantial research project that contributes to their field of study or profession. DCCC does not offer doctorate programs, but can be a great stepping stone in earning your bachelors degree, a degree requirement for admission.
E
Enrollment Central – a one-stop hub that integrates assistance with the following: admissions and applications, cashier (student accounts), financial aid and verification, records and registration, and general customer service. The Marple campus houses all of these services, while the branch locations have versions of services. To learn more about the specific offices, check out: Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Records, and Tuition and Fees - Payment Information. Students are also encouraged to call our Contact Center at 610-723-2000 for assistance.
Enrollment Navigator – professionals through the Office of First-Generation Student Success that help incoming first-generation students through the enrollment process.
F
Faculty Office Hours – each full-time faculty member offers a few hours each week dedicated to meet with students. These hours can be found on their class syllabus and posted on the professor’s door (if they have a permanent location or shared space). These hours may be by appointment (particularly if the faculty is not full-time), so it is important to read through the syllabus to learn their procedure. It is highly recommended that you connect with each professor at least once a semester. The time spent with them can include talking about difficulties with the course, interests in the subject material, and to connect regarding standing in the course. If the hours are drop-by and you know you want to connect with them, it is highly encouraged to make an appointment in advance to secure your spot and avoid a long wait.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – a federal online form used to apply for federal financial aid and often must be on file before scholarship money can be awarded. For continued eligibility, the FAFSA must be completed every academic year! Deadlines for filing vary by state and school, but community colleges (like DCCC) process aid on a rolling basis, meaning year round. With this said, keep an eye out for DCCC’s priority deadline to ensure you know your eligibility and for processing prior to the start of classes. DCCC’s Financial Aid Lab on the Marple Campus assists with completing the FAFSA, Verification Requirements, and other electronic document submissions. The link provided also reviews the process step-by-step, as well as provides the link to completing the form.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) – a federal privacy law that is referred to as the protector of student confidentiality and rights. FERPA mandates student access to educational records and provides mechanisms to amend them while also providing protections against the unwanted distribution of grades and other reports without certain permissions. To see the specifics, please check out DCCC’s FERPA page.
Financial Aid/Financial Aid Office – a general term used to describe any sort of aid received to help pay for college. It can be in the form of a scholarship, grant, or loan. DCCC’s Financial Aid office website has more information about these options as well as their contact information.
First Connection – refers to the Office of First-Generation Student Success’ podcast. All students are welcome to listen in when posted, as it will show up in Canvas.
Free Elective – refers to any course taken (or transferred in) that counts for college-level credit in your individualized academic degree progress report (Degree Works) towards certificate/degree completion, but is not part of the requirements for your major. Keep in mind, the distribution of courses may change based on the major you’re currently enrolled in.
G
General Education Courses – refers to any course requirement for a degree that falls outside of the major requirements and free electives. For example, all degrees require the successful completion (“C” or better) in English Composition I (ENG 100). These courses are designed to provide you with a fuller liberal arts education that will prepare you to think and communicate as a professional, understand the social and global contexts of your life, strengthen critical thinking skills to help make informed decisions, and provide overall balance to your studies. The exact number of general education or gen-ed courses needed to complete your program will depend on the program itself. It is highly recommended to connect with your academic advisor (see Academic Advisor) to learn your specific requirements and/or meet with a transfer advisor to pick out any specific courses outside of the major requirements for the highest transferability if you plan to transfer.
GPA (Grade Point Average) – a numerical measure of academic performance across all college-level courses on a scale from 0 to 4. At DCCC, GPA is calculated each semester as well as overall. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total amount of credits on the college-level that have been attempted. DCCC has a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 required for graduation. Your individualized GPA is accessible on your Degree Works, which includes a GPA calculator (click on the three dots at the top of the page).
Graduate Student/Graduate Studies – a student who has already completed their undergraduate studies and holds a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing advanced studies at a graduate school, leading to a graduate-level certificate, masters, or doctoral degree. A “graduate” can also refer to any student who has successfully completed a program of study and earned a degree.
Higher Education/Post-Secondary Institution – any type of education that happens after high school or secondary school.
I
Independent Study – a specialized course that is appropriate when a student has a specialized and compelling academic interest that cannot be pursued within the framework of a regular course. On the university-level, these courses are often reserved for students with demonstrated ability in the subject area and special interests, as it is usually a major course.
Internship (and Co-op) – Co-op refers to cooperative education, which is a program that allows students to gain academic credit for real-world work experience within your major and an opportunity to earn a paycheck. Internships also provide academic credit for work in the field but may or may not be paid. Both combine classroom theory with practical, real-world employment experience. DCCC offers both through the Student Employment Services office.
K
KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) – a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services program designed to help recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) succeed in community college through providing a Student Facilitator and a variety of services. For more information, please visit the DCCC KEYS web page.
L
Learning Commons – a space where library services, tutoring, and technology access, convene. The Learning Commons provides academic support services to help students become independent, active learners and by supporting students' technological needs. The largest is on the Marple Campus, occupying the entire fourth floor of the Founders Hall building, with satellite spaces at all the branch locations. The online resource to make reservations for study spaces, textbooks that are on reserve, and/or meeting with a tutor, as well as requesting a student laptop and seeing location times is linked above. For more about services provided, check out the Learning Commons website.
Letter of Recommendation – also known as reference letter or “rec” letter, referring to a letter a professor or professional staff may write that describes and assesses your academic performance and potential, character, and capabilities. Letters of recommendation should be requested from people who can speak to your abilities and with advanced notice, a few weeks before the deadline.
M
Major – a specific subject area that a student chooses to study.
Master’s Degree – a graduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of an advanced program of study, typically requiring one to two years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. A few examples of degree types are: Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). These programs are paid for through either loans, assistantships (a version of work-study), and/or scholarships; depending on the major, full or partial funding may also be available through research positions. DCCC does not offer master’s degree programs; however, your associate’s degree can be a great stepping stone in earning your bachelor’s degree, which is typically a prerequisite to earning a masters.
Matriculate – the process of enrolling into a program of study at a college or university, with the intention of earning a credential.
Merit Aid/Scholarship – scholastic funding based on academic performance through indicators such as GPA. Many universities offer these to transfer students upon acceptance into their institutions, however, it is more likely you will have to find and apply for these scholarships. DCCC Scholarships are open twice a year, once for new students and once for continuing students and is a good place to start.
Minor – a specific subject area that can be chosen as a secondary focus during a student’s undergraduate studies. Unlike a major, a minor is usually not required but it allows students exposure to another area different or in conjunction with their major. DCCC does not offer minors, but bringing areas of interest to a transfer appointment can help narrow down institutions with major/minor offerings.
N
No Show Withdrawal – is a withdrawal initiated by the instructor for students who did not attend/access the course within the first week of the traditional semester or equivalent for accelerated terms. The course will not be reflected on the student’s transcript but the student will be responsible for the bill in its entirety for the course.
O
Office of Disability Services (ODS) – located near the Career and Counseling Center on the Marple Campus, in Room 1335. While the main office location is on the Marple campus, representatives are available to meet at all locations. This office works to ensure students with documented disabilities have reasonable accommodations and necessary supports to reach their educational goals. To expedite the accommodation process, recent, appropriate, and comprehensive documentation provided by a licensed professional(s) must accompany requests for accommodations. Students needing support from the ODS should connect as early as possible and ensure proper documentation prior to enrollment. To learn about the Accommodations Process and services provided, visit the ODS website and/or email accommodations@dccc.edu to schedule an appointment.
Office of First-Generation Student Success (FGSS) – located on the Marple Campus in Room 2333/2334 in the Academic Building, the office of FGSS is designed to help first-generation students (any student whose parents/guardians have not earned a bachelor’s degree) navigate campus resources and develop skills to increase academic success and graduation. FGSS is funded through the Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant.
Office of Information Technology (OIT) – located on the Marple Campus in Room 4274 in the Academic Building. OIT comprises several areas including: web services (like delaGATE), telecom (phone services), media services, and providing overall technical support.
Office of Student Conduct – located on the Marple Campus in Room 3250 in the Academic Building. A reason a student might connect with the Director of Student Conduct, outside of potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct, is needing the completion of forms pertaining to “good standing” at the College for either transfer and/or employer background checks. Follow these steps to start the process.
Online Job Board – DCCC uses the Handshake Platform for students and alumni to view job openings and post their resumes. Employers are able to view resumes and post openings free of charge! Check out the Student Employment Services web page to register.
Orientation – a college or university’s official process of welcoming new students to the college/campus and providing them with information and policies before classes begin. At DCCC, the Office of First-Generation Student Success offers a “First to Finish” new student orientation for first-generation students (neither parents/guardians earned a bachelor’s degree), an official Online Orientation for all new and returning students, and orientations for students who are on F1 visas. All students who are new to college are required to complete an orientation.
P
Placement Testing – refers to a national test through Accuplacer to help institutions assess a student’s readiness for college-level courses and make reliable placement decisions if the student is unable to have their placement determined by alternate means (e.g., SAT, ACT, high school transcripts, etc.). DCCC recommends that students who need to take the placement test study prior to scheduling an appointment for a testing session to feel prepared. Remember, placement test scores determine which courses a student is eligible for! Students should always have all official high school transcripts sent to assess@dccc.edu and official college/university transcripts should be sent to records@dccc.edu for review.
Plagiarism – the act of using another person or entity’s words and/or ideas and passing them off as your own, without acknowledging the source. If you’re unsure about plagiarism, please reach out to a reference librarian, meet with a tutor, and/or utilize online resources like Turn It In (need to be enrolled in a course using it), Grammarly’s plagiarism checker, or Chegg’s plagiarism checker.
Post Baccalaureate (Post-Bacc) Program – refers to a program that begins after the completion of a bachelor’s degree. These programs tend to be for students who did not have a strong academic record or wish to enter a field different from the degree earned. Additionally, they are designed to support a student’s transition to a professional program, such as medical school, while enhancing the student’s competitiveness for admission.
Prerequisite – refers to a course that is required before taking the given course. For example, if a student tests into ENG 050 – Developmental English, they are required to take this course prior to enrolling in ENG 100 - English Composition I). Pre- and co-requisite courses are listed in the course catalog when you search for the course needed.
Proctor – a person who monitors students during an exam. This could be because it is required by the instructor or organization (if it is a state/national exam) or it could be an accommodation provided to a student permitted to take their exam in the Testing Center. The Testing Center at DCCC is housed in Assessment Services and they can be reached at either 610-325-2776 or testingcenter@dccc.edu. The Testing Center’s webpage has all the information needed to prepare for scheduling a test (if needed).
R
Registrar – a person at a college or university in charge of processing and maintaining students’ records. At DCCC, the Registrar is located in the Student Records Office at the Marple Campus. To speak with a staff member from this Office, email records@dccc.edu or call 610-325-2838.
Registration – also called “enrollment,” refers to registration for classes each semester. It is recommended to meet with an Academic Advisor prior to the start of registration to map out the class schedule desired. Students are responsible for connecting with an advisor.
Room and Board – are fees associated with housing and/or meal plans for students who wish to live on campus. DCCC does not provide this option, however, this term is widely used when talking about transfer, as it is usually an option for four-year colleges and universities. These fees are listed in an institution’s annual estimated cost of attendance.
Rubric – a document (usually located in a syllabus) provided by an instructor that gives an explanation of how an assignment is graded: expected timeline, expectations and criteria for grading including how each section of the assignment will be graded, and the metric or point system used.
S
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) – also referred to as “Good Academic Standing”; a student remains in good academic standing as long as at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or GPA is maintained for all work attempted at the College. Please keep in mind, some programs may have a higher minimum average, and if receiving financial aid, this GPA must be maintained along with a 67% pass rate of ALL attempted courses.
Special Application Procedures – refers to the required special process for admission to a program. For example, students will not be considered for the Nursing program unless they complete a separate application and all the required steps/courses. Check out the Special Application Procedures webpage to learn more about the programs and/or populations that may require a special admissions process.
Student Accounts – The Student Accounts Office handles tuition, fees, and student account related policies. In addition, the Office can answer questions related to billing and payments, books store credits, third party billing, and refunds. The Student Accounts team is available at all Enrollment Central campus locations.
Student Employment Services and Co-Op Center – located in Room 1305, next to the Student Resource Center and the Career & Counseling Center on the bottom floor of the Academic Building on the Marple Campus. The Student Employment Services and Co-op Center provides support for current students and alumni with the job search process. Additionally, staff are available to help students who wish to participate in the work study program and/or co-op and internship program. To connect with a staff member, please call 610-359-5304 to schedule an appointment or email studentemployment@dccc.edu.
Student Handbook – an online handbook that outlines the College’s academic information and policies, offices geared towards student success, student life, as well as the College’s policies and procedures. Every college/university has a student handbook that covers the above information. If questions arise related to policies, procedures, or college departments, check out the handbook.
Student Records – office responsible for the processing and maintenance of students’ academic records which include the processing of grades, transcripts, diplomas, and verification of either enrollment or graduation. The Student Records Office processes applications for graduation, coordinates with the academic divisions to process final grades, change of grades, no show withdrawals, and requests to audit a course. Additionally, the office reports ACT 48 credits for educators and assists students, staff, and faculty with registration matters. They can be reached at either records@dccc.edu or by calling 610-325-2838.
Student Resource Center – located in Room 1301 in the Academic Building on the Marple Campus. The Student Resource Center, or SRC, houses several of the College’s student support services and programs. For example, the SWRC houses a pantry that includes: food, toiletries, school supplies, and gently worn professional attire; Avenue C Bucks for immediate food needs; SEPTA Key Cards or Uber Rides for transportation emergencies; and textbook loan program. Other services and programs housed in the SRC include peer mentoring, academic advising and advocacy, and co-curricular programs.
Student Government Association (SGA) – a student organization on the majority of college/university campuses that act as the “voice of the student body” attending the institution. Please contact Athletics & Campus Engagement to learn more about DCCC’s SGA.
Study Abroad – the opportunity to study one or more courses in another country to experience a new culture while continuing to study.
Swap – a function that refers to switching from one course to another during the allotted time frame after the semester begins. It is slightly different from the “drop” function, which removes a course altogether without replacing it. It’s highly recommended to speak with an advisor if there are concerns with a course or courses beforehand.
Syllabus – a document provided by every instructor that describes the course in which you are enrolled. Information on the syllabus includes; meeting times/location; the instructor’s name and contact information; readings, assignments, and due dates for the course; and class expectations and grading rubric. It is important to review this early and often to know when things are due and how they’re graded.
T
Title IX/Title IX Office – a statute of the Education Amendments of 1972 that protects people from discrimination based on sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity) in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This applies to schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal assistance from the Department of Education. DCCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal laws as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable statutes. Visit the Title IX web page to learn more, including who is a Title IX investigator and the reporting form.
Transcripts – a student’s academic record that includes: enrollment history, grades received, credits earned and attempted, and grade point averages – both for each semester of enrollment and cumulatively. Classes are arranged in chronological order. Students have access to their transcripts on their Degree Works (located on delaGATE under Apps) and the College uses Parchment for official transcript and diploma replacement requests. Visit the Transcripts web page for more information.
Transfer Degrees – degrees designed to mirror the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. These programs are mostly designed for transferring to a bachelor’s degree granting institution versus jumping straight into the workforce. Associate of Art (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and an Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) are associate degree-level credentials students can earn at DCCC. Some examples of DCCC’s transfer degree programs are: Business Administration, Communication Arts, Computer Science, Science for Health Professions, and Studio Arts. To learn more and see an extensive list of credentials, refer to the catalog web page which lists Transfer Degrees.
Transfer Services – are offered through the Career & Counseling Services to help students search for institutions to potentially transfer to, sign transfer agreements (if applicable), and map out their time at DCCC through course selection. For basic transfer questions such as what schools are partnered with DCCC for [insert your program] major, students can check out their drop-in hours. For a more comprehensive and/or individualized appointment, a transfer appointment will need to be made.
Tuition and Fees – refers to an amount of money charged by an institution per term, per course, or per credit, in exchange for instruction and training. Tuition, unless otherwise specified, does not include the costs of textbooks, materials, or housing/food (also known as room and board). DCCC has a Tuition & Fees web page that is updated frequently to reflect upcoming and current tuition and fee structures.
U
Undergraduate Student/Undergraduate Studies – a student who is enrolled in a two- or four-year program of study at an accredited college or university after the completion of the equivalent of high school studies (high school diploma or general equivalency diploma or GED). Undergraduate studies refer to certificates, associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. DCCC has two types of associate's programs – career degrees and transfer degrees. Career degrees aim to train graduates to join the workforce upon graduation, while transfer degrees aim to help graduates transfer to a bachelor’s degree granting institution to obtain their bachelor’s degree. Please see “Career Degrees” and/or “Transfer Degrees” to learn more. You can view all of DCCC’s undergraduate programs online.
V
Veterans Services – this department assists student veterans and military connected families access Veteran’s benefits and necessary student supports. Please visit our Veteran Services web page to learn more about getting started.
Visiting Students – students who are matriculated (enrolled) at another college or university and wish to take courses at DCCC to transfer back to their home institution. This population has specific enrollment steps to complete to enroll in courses at the College.
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Work Study – a financial aid program that provides funding for eligible students to work in part-time jobs either on-campus or at local non-profit organizations. Students can work up to 10-15 hours a week (based on available funds) and receive a paycheck through the college. Eligibility is determined each semester. If you’d like to learn more, check out the DCCC Work Study web page and connect with Student Employment Services and Co-op Center (specifically, schedule an appointment with the Work Study Coordinator).
