academic concentration
Specialization in one academic discipline or field of study. See also major.
academic year
Refers to an academic school year that is divided into four quarters beginning with
summer quarter; followed by fall, winter and spring quarters.
accreditation
Certification that a school or an instructional program meets standards set by an
outside reviewing organization. Many forms of financial aid are available only to
students attending accredited institutions.
admission
Approval for a student to attend an educational institution. The admission process
usually involves an application and may require transcripts or other supporting documents.
application
The first step in requesting admission to an institution of higher education. Usually
there is a form to fill out by a certain deadline; sometimes there is an application
fee to pay.
articulation
A formal agreement between high schools and colleges or between community/technical
colleges and other four-year colleges or universities, designed to make it easy for
students to move from one educational level to the next without any gaps or repetition
in their coursework. Articulation agreements may help students transition into the
institution as a whole, or into specific programs at junior status in a specific major.
assessment
A method used to determine a student’s knowledge or skill level, often through an
exam, to identify the most appropriate starting point in a sequence of courses such
as English, world languages, math or science. At CBC, assessment also refers to the
evaluation of skills and abilities as part of the college’s general education learning
outcomes.
associate degree
A diploma earned after successfully completing a required program of study in a community
or technical college. It typically requires 90 or more credits and takes two years
of full-time study. Some associate degrees enable students to continue on to bachelor's
degrees, others prepare students to go directly into the workforce in a professional/technical
field.
asynchronous online
Course instruction is provided online without specific days and times assigned to
the class. All students are expected to complete coursework online according to the
deadlines set by the course instructor.
audit
A student who audits a course formally registers for it and attends class sessions
but earns no credit and has no obligation to complete homework projects or take tests.
baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree
A college degree that can often be earned by following a four-year instructional program.
It typically requires 180 or more credits.
campus
The land and buildings that a college or university uses for instruction or student
services.
catalog
A comprehensive resource publication that lists college regulations, program and course
descriptions, degree and graduation requirements, transfer requirements and other
essential information.
centering equity
This means that an organization has prioritized equity as a core value; this also
means that it is the center of learning, teaching, student success as well as the
organization’s employees’ success. It involves our ways of being and ways of doing
that ensure we meet people where they are on their educational journey to ensure that
all students have access to and participate in quality robust learning opportunities.
Educators are intentionally making sure that students' perspectives and lived experiences
are represented and considered in curriculum content, decision making, and the focus
on institutional practices to ensure successful outcomes for students.
certificate
A document granted by a college or university indicating that a student has successfully
completed specified courses and requirements (compare with degree, which usually requires
more time and coursework).
class
(1) A specific group of students meeting for specific instructional purposes. It can
mean the whole series of scheduled meetings (Dr. Owen is teaching two English Composition
classes this quarter) or just one session (we had a guest speaker in my Economics
class today).
(2) Often means the same as course (she’s taking classes in Welding Technology).
(3) A group of students who start at a school together and expect to complete their
studies at the same time (he’s in the graduating class of 2025).
class permissions
A code that students receive from the division office allowing them to register for
a class that requires permission for a variety of reasons. Some examples include permission
required, not meeting a prerequisite, overloading the class capacity, and enrolling
after the last day to register for a class.
class schedule
(1) A publication listing detailed course and section information (instructional modalities,
days, times, room numbers, etc.) for a specific semester or quarter. The published
schedule is subject to change. Students should check their schedule to confirm details.
(2) The specific courses that an individual student is taking or plans to take for
a given semester or quarter.
college-level study
Curricula and instruction that assume the student has already mastered certain skills
and abilities and has the level of commitment needed for postsecondary schoolwork.
Compare to developmental-level study. At CBC, college-level courses are numbered 100
or above.
commencement
The ceremony at the end of an academic year when students receive their degrees or
diplomas (compare to graduation).
common course numbering
The Common Course Numbering system identifies courses that are commonly shared among
Washington community and technical colleges. Visit the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges website for more information.
competency
In competency-based courses or instructional programs, students must demonstrate certain
skills and abilities (instead of just earning passing grades in classes) before moving
from one level to the next or earning the final certificate or degree.
completion coach
A staff member who assists students with planning academic schedules as well as their
overall programs of study. Completion coaches may also help with career planning,
connection to campus/community resources, and general student success. See also counselor.
contract day
A day faculty members are expected to be engaged in teaching activities or other designated
activities as part of their annual 176-day contract.
counselor
A member of the college faculty who has special training in guidance and who assists
students in academic or personal matters. See also completion coach.
course
(1) Often means the same as class.
(2) A planned sequence of instruction in a particular topic; may include class meetings,
lectures, readings, demonstrations, exercises, assignments, examinations, etc.; offered
repeatedly to different groups of students.
credit
A unit of measure for college work. Generally speaking, one credit hour represents
one hour of classroom instruction each week for one term, plus the study time, homework,
etc. that go along with it. At CBC, credits are measured on a quarterly basis unless
otherwise noted.
credit load
The total credit value of the courses a student is currently enrolled in.
cross-listed course
A single course which is offered for credit in more than one academic discipline.
A student may not use equivalent cross-listed courses for the same graduation requirement.
curriculum (plural: curricula)
(1) An established sequence of information to be learned, skills to be acquired, etc.
in a specific course or in a complete instructional program.
(2) Collectively, all the courses offered by a department, division or college.
dean
An academic administrator or official at a school, college or university, especially
one with responsibility for students or faculty.
degree
A rank conferred by a college or university and earned by a student who has successfully
completed specified courses and requirements (compare with certificate, which usually
requires less time and coursework).
department
An organizational unit within a college or university, offering courses about closely
related topics (at a small school there may be one world languages department, at
a large school there may be separate departments for Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.).
developmental skills
Usually refers to a level of competency—specifically in reading, writing and mathematics—which
is required for successful college-level work in all fields of study.
developmental-level study
Instruction that helps students improve their English, math, and reading abilities
and prepare them for college-level study. At CBC, developmental-level courses are
numbered 99 or below.
diploma
An official document issued by a college or university indicating that a student has
earned a certain degree or certificate.
distribution requirements
Course requirements included in an instructional program to make sure that the student
is well-rounded and gains some perspective outside their specific focus or major.
diversity
All the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics
that make one individual or group different from another.
division
An organizational unit within a college or university consisting of two or more related
departments.
drop
To cancel registration in a course after enrolling into it. Students often add and
drop courses before settling on a class schedule for a particular quarter. See also
withdrawal.
dynamic dated session/classes
Classes with dynamic dated sessions are classes that don't follow the academic deadlines.
They may start/end on different dates and have different deadlines.
educational equity
Every student receives what they need to develop their full academic and social potential.
When we work towards equity, we are ensuring equally high outcomes for all participants
in our educational system by removing the predictability of success or failures that
currently correlates with any social or cultural factor (such as race, gender identity,
age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, home language, nationality, religion
or other dimensions of identity); This requires us to interrupt inequitable practices,
examine biases, and create inclusive multicultural educational environments.
ELA (English Language Acquisition)
Usually refers to developmental-level instruction in English language skills for non-native
speakers.
elective
A course that is not required for a particular instructional program. Many programs
require a certain number of elective credits, and many recommend certain electives
for students to choose from.
enrollment
(1) The process of signing up and paying for courses. See also registration.
(2) The total number of registered students attending classes in a particular instructional
program or the whole school.
evaluation
(1) The process and standards by which an instructor judges a student’s work and assigns
a grade.
(2) At CBC, the process of determining that a student has met all requirements to
complete a degree or certificate and is ready to graduate.
face-to-face
Course instruction is provided at a specific location on a specific day and time in
person. All students are expected to meet in real time at scheduled class times, in-person,
in an on-campus location.
faculty
The instructors or teaching staff at a school. At CBC, librarians and counselors are
considered faculty members along with classroom instructors.
final exam or finals
An assessment administered at the end of a term or course to evaluate a student's
knowledge and understanding of the material covered. The final examination shall make
up no more than 33% of the course grade.
financial aid
Money available from various sources to help students pay college expenses. These
funds come as loans, grants or scholarships from the state or federal government or
other organizations. Work Study is also a form of financial aid.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The application required for students to be considered for federal student financial
aid. The FAFSA is processed free of charge and is used by most state agencies and
colleges. A new electronic application is required for each academic year. FAFSA applications
are available at fafsa.gov.
freshman
A student in the first year of a typical four-year bachelor's degree program (or one
who has earned fewer than 45 quarter credits or 30 semester credits so far).
GED® (General Education Development)
A certificate representing the equivalent of a high-school diploma.
general education
At CBC, a set of requirements designed to help every graduating student achieve competence
in a variety of learning outcome areas.
grade
A formal indicator of a student’s overall performance in a course, recorded on the
official transcript. Traditional letter grades are A for outstanding achievement,
B for high achievement, C for satisfactory achievement, etc.
grade point average (GPA)
The GPA is computed by multiplying the number value of the grade earned in each course
(generally, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) times the number credits for each course, then
dividing the result by the total number of credits taken.
graduation
The formal completion of an instructional program or course of study. Students graduate
after successfully meeting all credit and course requirements and other criteria set
by the college or university (compare to commencement).
grant
A type of financial aid that does not have to be paid back after the student leaves
school. Grants are available through the federal government, state agencies and educational
institutions.
Health Science Center (HSC)
Many of CBC’s Health Sciences classes are located in a facility in Richland at 891
Northgate Drive. See also Richland campus.
hybrid course
Course instruction is provided at a specific location on a specific day and time (as
with face-to-face classes), and part of the course is also completed online either
synchronously or asynchronously, depending on the course content. All students are
expected to follow specific course policies and guidelines individually set by the
course instructor.
hyflex course
Course instruction is provided in three different modalities: face-to face, synchronously
online, or asynchronously online, and students have the option to attend each class
period in any of three modalities. Students sign up for one single class and choose
how, when, and where they attend class to have an equitable learning experience regardless
of the modality of their choice.
incomplete
A temporary grade given to a student who is doing satisfactory work but is forced
by illness or other emergency to miss an exam or a major assignment. The instructor
and student arrange how and when the student will complete the work and have the I
changed to a final grade. At CBC, the student must finish the incomplete work by the
20th calendar day after the beginning of the next quarter (does not include summer
quarter).
independent study
An arrangement that allows a student to earn college credit through individual study
and research, usually planned with and supervised by a faculty member.
instructional day
A contract day in which classes are scheduled for students and faculty.
instructional faculty
Faculty whose primary assignment is teaching.
instructional year
Three consecutive academic quarters beginning with fall quarter.
internship
A supervised short-term apprenticeship or temporary job in a real-world setting closely
related to a student’s field of study. The student may or may not be paid but earns
college credit for the work experience. See also practicum.
in-service days
Up to ten contract days for all faculty, five of which are Welcome Week days and three
of which are Teaching & Learning Days each year. In-Service days include scheduled
activities, trainings and meetings, which promote personal, professional development,
and/or support meeting College goals and objectives. Faculty members may have specific
work assignments during In-Service days defined by division, department, or program
needs.
junior
A student in the third year of a typical four-year bachelor's degree program (or one
who has earned 90-135 quarter credits or 60-90 semester credits so far).
late start classes
Classes that begin after the official first week of the quarter.
learning outcomes
The knowledge, skills and abilities students will acquire at the course, program and
institutional levels.
librarian faculty
Faculty who are employed as librarians.
loans
A type of financial aid that must be repaid to the government agency or other lending
organization when the student leaves school.
lower division
The courses students are generally expected to complete during the first two years
of a typical four-year bachelor's degree program.
major
Specialization in one academic discipline or field of study. At CBC, you will choose
one of our eight school pathways.
Medical Science Center (MSC)
Many of CBC’s Health Sciences classes are located in a facility in Richland at 940
Northgate Drive. The Kadlec Regional Medical Center Family Residency Clinic is co-located
at the MSC. See also Richland campus.
noncredit
Courses or instructional programs that do not require extensive homework or examinations
and do not offer college credit. Students frequently take noncredit courses for basic
skills improvement, training, career enhancement or personal enrichment.
non-instructional days
Days within the instructional year which the College is open, but there are no classes
scheduled. These are not contract days for the instructional faculty. They may be
contract days for the counselor and librarian faculty.
open admissions
The policy of some colleges to admit nearly all applicants, regardless of high school
grades and admission test scores. It means different things at different schools.
Community and technical colleges in Washington state admit anyone who is over 18 or
has a high school diploma or GED®.
pass/passing
At most schools, a student will earn credit and pass a class with a grade of A through
D. A student who earns an F grade fails the class and earns no credit. Different schools
have different standards, so a student who passes a class with a D may or may not
be able to use that class to meet prerequisites or fulfill requirements.
placement
The appropriate course level for a student to begin a sequence, based on their existing
skills, commonly used in foundational subjects like mathematics or English composition.
See also assessment.
postsecondary
Refers to all educational programs for students past high-school age; it includes
community and technical colleges and job training programs as well as bachelor's colleges
and universities.
practicum
A course that includes job-related activities and stresses the practical application
of theory in a field of study. See also internship.
prerequisite
A course that must be completed (often with a minimum grade) or a skill that must
be demonstrated before a student can enroll in a more advanced course (for example,
first-year French is a prerequisite for second-year French).
professional/technical programs
A course or instructional program that emphasizes job skills training for a particular
field of work; often called occupational, vocational, or workforce education and often
contrasted with academic or transfer education.
program
A very general term used in many ways in a college or university:
(1) The courses that an individual student plans to take (the completion coaches can
help you plan your program each year).
(2) The courses required to complete a particular degree or certificate (he’s almost
finished with the Diagnostic Ultrasound program).
(3) The courses that make up a department or the departments that make up a division
within the college organization (the Social Science Division at CBC offers instructional
programs in many fields).
(4) Organized activities with a specific function (CBC offers support programs and
services for students of color).
quarter
Some schools (including CBC) organize the academic year into three main periods—fall,
winter and spring quarters—plus a shorter summer quarter (compare to semester).
records
Refers to all the information the college might keep regarding a student; it includes
registration activity (enrollment, withdrawal, etc.), grades, payments, awards received,
financial aid applications and award notices and notes on disciplinary actions, as
well as address, phone number and student identification number.
refund
Tuition and fees that are paid back to a student who has withdrawn from a course.
At CBC, the amount to be refunded depends on how many credits the student is taking
and exactly when the student dropped the course(s). The refund policy is published
in the catalog. Refund deadlines are published each quarter in the academic calendar.
register/registration
To enroll in a course or courses. Registration activity includes enrolling, dropping/withdrawing,
making payments, etc.
requirements
Minimum standards defined by the college, for example for admission or graduation.
See also prerequisite; distribution requirements; general education.
resident
For purposes of calculating a student’s tuition and fees, someone who has lived in
the state for a specified length of time as shown by specified types of evidence.
restricted elective
Courses that are generally not transferable to a four-year institution, limited to
15 credits in AA/DTA/MRP degrees. At CBC, restricted electives are designated with
an [RE] after the course title.
Richland Campus
Many of CBC's Health Sciences classes are located at facilities on Northgate Drive
in Richland. See also Health Science Center and Medical Science Center. A variety
of classes are offered in the RA Building at 901 Northgate Drive.
scholarship
A type of financial aid. Organizations may give scholarships according to academic
achievement, financial need or any other basis. Usually there is a competitive application
process.
section
A specific class with its own unique days, hours, location and instructor. A number
of sections of a certain course may be offered during a quarter or semester, each
with different days, times, locations and instructors but presenting the same curriculum.
self-paced
Start and complete competencies, assessments and assignments at the student's own
pace. Learning is not tied to the pace of other students or due dates.
semester
Some schools organize the academic year into two main periods, fall and spring semesters,
plus a shorter summer semester (compare to quarter).
senior
A student in the fourth year of a typical four-year bachelor's degree program (or
one who has earned 135-180 quarter credits or 90-120 semester credits so far).
sophomore
A student in the second year of a typical four-year bachelor's degree program (or
one who has earned 45-90 quarter credits or 30-60 semester credits so far).
syllabus
An outline plan for a particular class, including textbook requirements, class meeting
dates, reading assignments, examination dates, the instructor’s grading standards,
etc.
synchronous online
Course instruction is provided online on specific days and times assigned to the class.
All students are expected to meet online in real time at scheduled class times.
teaching & learning days
Three scheduled days each instructional year during which faculty engage in assessment
work required by the College’s assessment plan for accreditation purposes and/or in
scheduled professional development activities related to scholarship of teaching and
learning.
term
A unit of time that can refer to either a quarter or a semester, depending on which
system the college or university follows.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
A standardized test that assesses the English language abilities of students who are
not native English-speakers.
transcript
An official record of the courses and quarter credits a student has taken at a college
or university, the grades and degrees or certificates earned and any awards and honors
received.
transfer
To move from one college or university to another and have the second institution
recognize and accept some or all of the courses taken and credits earned at the first.
tuition & fees
Tuition is a student’s basic payment toward the cost of instruction at a college or
university. Most institutions also charge fees for laboratory equipment and materials,
computer use, parking and other miscellaneous costs.
undergraduate
A student who has not yet earned a bachelor’s degree; also refers to the courses and
instructional programs such a student enrolls in.
unrestricted elective
Academic courses that are generally transferable to a four-year institution, including
any course from the AA/DTA distribution courses.
upper division
The courses students are generally expected to complete during the last two years
of a typical baccalaureate degree program.
waiver
To waive a right or a claim is to voluntarily give it up.
(1) If a student meets specific criteria, the college may waive some of their tuition
and fees (that is, some of the money owed to the college will be forgiven).
(2) If a student demonstrates certain knowledge and abilities, the college may waive
a course prerequisite (that is, allow the student to take the class even though they
haven’t completed the listed requirements for it).
WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid)
The application required for undocumented individuals, who are not eligible for federal
financial aid through FAFSA, to be considered for state student financial aid. The
WASFA is processed free of charge and is used by most Washington state colleges and
universities. A new electronic application is required for each academic year. WASFA
applications are available on the Washington Student Achievement Council webpage.
welcome week
Five scheduled In-Service days the week before the start of fall quarter in which
faculty and staff attend keynotes and trainings, and campus, division and department
meetings are held, as well as other sessions for professional development, personal
growth, resources and operational support.
withdrawal
The process of formally dropping a class or classes after the quarter has started.
work study
A type of financial aid earned, paying students to work part time, often on campus,
during the academic year.
workshop
A type of class offered by a variety of academic departments throughout the year;
many are exploratory or one-time options. Most often they are zero credits.
X building
The X Building houses our Education classes, faculty and staff. The building is located
at 1620 N. 20th Ave in Pasco.