GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Comprehensive Major

A series of courses prescribed by an academic department which result in an area of specialization. The comprehensive major is an alternative to the selection of a major and minor in meeting baccalaureate degree requirements.

Degree Audit

An analysis of a student's progress toward meeting degree requirements. The Audit provides a summary of institutional requirements, General Studies and major/minor program requirements. Students have access to degree audit on-line from their academic advisor or the Office of Student Records and Registration.

Elective

A course in the curriculum in the choosing of which a student has some options, as opposed to a required course. The term free or unrestricted elective denotes that the student either has complete choice in the selection of a course or choice among courses in several different fields. A restricted elective is one limited to a certain discipline or group of disciplines, such as an English elective or a social science elective.

Endorsement, Teaching Field Endorsement

A field of study in a broad area which qualifies a person for graduation and eligibility for certification to teach in the State of Nebraska. The field endorsement will normally qualify a person for teaching two or more subjects, i.e., Physical Science includes the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science and Physical Science.

Endorsement, Teaching Subject Endorsement

Study in a specific subject area leading to teacher certification. A student must have two subject endorsements to qualify for graduation and certification.

Junior Check

The Junior Check is an analysis using the degree audit system to determine which degree requirements have been satisfied and which requirements remain to be completed. The Junior Check summarizes the student's progress toward institutional requirements, the general studies program, and the student's designated major and minor program of study. Students should request a Junior Check from the Registrar's Office once they have reached junior standing (58-88 completed/earned credit hours).

Major

A student's chosen field of study. The major may fall within a single department of instruction or may overlap several departments. In the latter case, the major is described as a combination or interdisciplinary major.

Matriculation

The first registration following admission as a classified student.

Minor

A student's secondary field of study.

Senior Check

A Senior Check is a final listing of the degree requirements remaining for the student to complete. The Senior Check is what the Office of the Registrar will follow for graduation checkout. Students may request a Senior Check once they have reached senior standing (89 or more earned credit hours).

Supplemental Endorsement

A program of study (e.g. coaching, driver's education) which can be used to complement field or subject endorsement(s). A supplemental endorsement cannot be used to meet graduation requirements in teacher education.

Transcript

A copy of the permanent academic (educational) record at an institution of higher education. It becomes an official transcript when the seal of the institution is affixed and the signature of the Registrar is appended.