Transfer Glossary
These are common definitions used by NCCCS and its member institutions. Each individual institution may define these terms differently.
Types of Degree Programs and Areas of Study
Apprenticeships – Structured programs combining paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction in a specific trade. See more here.
Associate Degree: A two-year college degree that may lead directly to a career or be used to transfer to a four-year college.
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of 64-76 semester hours of coursework to provide entry-level employment education; An AAS program must include a minimum of 15 hours of general education and a minimum of 49 hours of major courses with numbers 110-199 or 210-299.
Associate in Arts (A.A.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses.
Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (A.A.T.P.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses, with an emphasis on elementary, middle, and special education fields.
Associate in Engineering (A.E.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses, with an emphasis on preparing students for transfer to meet the prerequisite requirements of the University of North Carolina engineering programs. The Associate in Engineering to Bachelor of Science in Engineering Uniform Articulation Agreement establishes the procedures governing the transfer of credits for students who graduate from North Carolina Community College associate in engineering programs and apply to bachelor of science engineering programs at constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.
Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses, with an emphasis on the arts.
Associate in General Education (A.G.E.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 64 semester hours and a maximum of 65 semester hours from curriculum courses at the 110-199 and 210-299 levels and that are comprised of courses from the college’s other approved programs of study. This degree is designed for students who desire a general, liberal arts education that will prepare them for advancements within their field of interest. This is degree is a non transferable degree, however individual courses within the degree that are part of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement course list will transfer.
Associate in General Occupational Technology (A.G.O.T.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 64 semester hours and a maximum of 76 semester hours from curriculum courses (100+ level) and that are comprised of courses from the college’s other approved programs of study. This degree is designed to provide students with an opportunity to upgrade skills and to earn an associate degree, diploma, and/or certificate by taking courses suited for individual occupational interests and/or needs. The curriculum content will be customized for students according to occupational interests and needs.
Associate in Science (A.S.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses, with an emphasis on the natural sciences.
Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (A.S.T.P.) – A degree granted for successfully completed programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours and a maximum of 61 semester hours of college transfer courses, with an emphasis on STEM-focused teacher licensure programs.
Career Credentials – Certificates, diplomas, or recognized qualifications earned after completing a career-specific program.
Career & College Promise (CCP) – A dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to take tuition-free courses at community colleges.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways – A broad term for education that combines academic and technical skills with the knowledge and training needed to succeed in today’s labor market. CTE prepares students for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies in a real-world, applied context.
Certificate Program: A short-term program focused on specific job skills, often completed in less than one year.
College & Career Readiness (CCR) – Includes Adult Basic Education, High School Equivalency, Adult High School, English as a Second Language (ESL).
Continuing Education (ConEd) (CE) – Departments offering a variety of non-credit bearing courses, including basic skills, short-term workforce training, HRD, and more.
Continuing Education to Curriculum Credit (CE to CU) – A process allowing students to receive curriculum course credit for successful completion of certain continuing education courses, applying toward graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) – Credits awarded for participation in continuing education activities, often required for maintaining professional licenses.
Credential – An official recognition, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate, awarded upon successful completion of an academic program.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) – The opportunity for students to be awarded college credit based upon knowledge and skills gained outside of a college classroom. See more here.
Developmental Education – Developmental Education consists of courses and support services that include diagnostic assessment and placement, tutoring, advising, math and writing assistance. These programs are designed to address academic preparedness, development of general learning strategies, and barriers to learning. Developmental courses do not earn credit toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. These courses do count towards your financial aid award unless you are enrolled in CCR developmental courses.
Diploma – Diploma programs provide entry-level employment training. A diploma program may be a stand-alone curriculum program title, or a college may award a diploma under the college's associate in applied science degree curriculum program for a series of courses taken from the program of study and structured so that a student may complete additional non-duplicative coursework to receive an associate in applied science degree. The program includes 36-48 semester hours.
Distance Education – Courses offered remotely, allowing students to study without attending on-campus classes.
Dual Enrollment – A program allowing high school students to take college courses for both high school and college credit.
Fast Track – An accelerated program or course that allows students to complete requirements more quickly than the standard timeline.
Integrated Education & Training (IET) – An adult dual enrollment program allowing College and Career Readiness students to take curriculum and/or continuing education courses.
Internship – A supervised work experience related to a student's field of study, providing practical exposure and skill development.
Noncredit Education – Educational offerings that do not provide college credit but may offer certificates or personal and professional development.
Post-Secondary Education – Education beyond high school, including community colleges, universities, and vocational schools.
STEM Programs – Academic programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines, aiming to prepare students for careers in these fields.
Technical degree – An associate degree focusing on technical skills and practical knowledge for specific careers, such as an Associate in Applied Science.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) – Programs that integrate work experience with academic coursework.
Workforce Continuing Education – Non-credit courses that provide job training opportunities, spanning myriad programs.
Who and What (Admission, Financial Aid, Registration, Paying)
Adult Student – Students 25 and older, who are often balancing work, family and school. They have their own unique characteristics, often attending school half- or part-time, online or on a non-traditional schedule. They may require re-entry program, technology skills training, daycare, attendance flexibility, and more.
Application for Admission - See CFNC Application.
Bursar / Business Office: The office that handles billing, payments, and refunds.
CFNC (College For North Carolina) – College For North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina provided by a collaboration of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, Pathways (the University of North Carolina System, the N.C. Community College System, the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities, and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction) and College Foundation, Inc. CFNC promotes access to N.C. higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning and applying and paying for college.
CFNC Application – The online portal for students to apply to North Carolina colleges through CFNC. See more here.
Community College – Two-year institutions providing education and training, or preparing students to transfer to four-year universities.
Enrollment – The process of registering for courses at a community college.
Enrollment Status – A classification based on the number of credit hours a student is registered for in a semester, such as full-time or part-time, which can affect tuition rates, financial aid eligibility, and other considerations.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – The form used to apply for federal student aid in the U.S. See more here.
Financial Aid – Money provided to help students pay for college, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
First Generation – Students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Full-Time Student – A student enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester (6 in the summer).
Higher Education – Post-secondary education offered by colleges and universities.
Learning Management System (LMS) – A digital platform used to deliver, manage, and track courses and learning activities. An LMS supports functions such as posting materials, collecting assignments, administering quizzes, facilitating communication, and monitoring student progress.
Major – A student's chosen field of specialization.
NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) – The state agency that oversees K–12 public education in North Carolina, implementing laws, setting academic standards, managing funding, and supporting districts, charter schools, educators, and students under the leadership of the State Board of Education.
Non-resident – Student who does not have domicile or permanent legal residence in North Carolina.
North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) – The system overseeing North Carolina's 58 community colleges.
North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) – The process that determines if a student qualifies for in-state tuition.
Part-Time Student – A student enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours per semester (9 in the summer).
Pell – Grants awarded to help undergraduates pay for post-secondary education. Pell grants are restricted to undergraduates enrolled in at least 6 semester or quarter hours per term.
Program of Study – A listing of the exact courses the college offers to fulfill the requirements of a curriculum program.
Records/Registrar/Registration: The office responsible for course registration, grades, and academic records. Transcripts can be available from this office or some colleges have you order online
Registration – The process of enrolling in classes.
Resident – A North Carolina resident for tuition purposes who has established and maintained legal residence in North Carolina for at least 12 months.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Minimum academic standards students must meet to remain eligible for financial aid.
Semester (or Term) – A semester is traditionally 16 weeks in the fall and spring, with a shorter summer term. Courses may be offered in various lengths—8, 12, 14, 16 weeks, or other compressed or extended formats. Courses with compressed schedules cover the same learning objectives and content but are delivered at an accelerated pace.
Transcript – A record of a student’s completed courses, grades, credits, and GPA. Official transcripts are certified by the institution and sent directly to authorized recipients. Unofficial transcripts contain the same information but lack certification and are typically for personal use.
Withdrawal (W): The course appears on the transcript without a grade. Does not allow for a refund for the class(es) withdrawn from. May also be called Official Withdrawal.
Advising, Taking a Class, and Graduation
Academic Probation: A warning status given when a student’s grades fall below the required standard.
Academic Suspension: A temporary removal from enrollment due to continued low academic performance.
Advisor: A college staff or faculty member who helps students plan classes, understand requirements, and stay on track to graduate.
Asynchronous – An asynchronous class is an online course that does not require students to log in at specific, scheduled times. Instead, students can access pre-recorded lectures, readings, and assignments at any time, as long as they complete the work by the given deadlines.
Audit a Class: To attend a class without earning college credit or a grade.
Benchmark Scores: Placement test scores used to determine which courses a student can take.
Contact Hours: The number of hours a student meets in class each week.
Co-requisite – A course that must be taken during the same term as the course that requires it.
Core requirement – Mandatory courses that all students in a particular program must complete to earn their degree or certificate.
Credit Hour – A unit of measurement for coursework, typically representing one hour of class time per week.
Credit load – The total number of credit hours a student takes in a given term.
Curriculum Course: A course that counts toward a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Degree Audit: A tool that tracks completed and remaining requirements for a program.
Drop/Add: The period when students can change their class schedule without penalty.
Elective course – A course that students choose to take according to their interests, which counts toward degree requirements but is not specifically mandated.
General Education (Gen Ed) – Core courses required for all students, ensuring a broad foundation of knowledge.
Grade Point Average (GPA) – A numerical representation of a student's average performance across all courses, calculated on a scale (usually 4.0).
Graduation Requirements – The specific criteria students must meet to earn their degrees or certificates, including completed courses, credits, and any assessments.
Hybrid (or Blended) – Courses that combine in-person (seated) instruction with online components.
In-person (seated) – Traditional classroom-based instruction where students and instructors are physically present.
Matriculation – The formal process of entering a postsecondary education institution for a degree, diploma, or certificate, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements such as formal examination. This timing of matriculation varies among institutions.
Office Hours: Scheduled times when instructors are available to help students.
Prerequisite – A course that must be completed prior to enrolling in an advanced course.
Syllabus: A document that outlines course expectations, assignments, and grading policies.
Synchronous – A synchronous class is a course that requires students and instructors to meet at a specific, scheduled time, either in-person or online, for live sessions
Tutoring Services: Free academic support services to help students succeed in their courses.
Transfer
Articulation – Articulation is the structuring of educational programs between different educational segments so that course work fits into a systematic whole. Agreements between institutions allow students to transition smoothly between those institutions without losing credit for work already done or being forced to repeat work.
Articulation Agreement – An agreement ensuring smooth credit transfer between NC community colleges and universities. See more here.
Bilateral Agreement – A formal agreement between two institutions that outlines how specific courses or programs will transfer or articulate between them, ensuring students receive agreed-upon credit and a clear pathway toward degree completion.
College Transfer Programs – Programs intended for transfer to four-year senior institutions, including the AA, AS, AE, AATP, ASTP & AFA.
Common Core Courses – Courses that have been identified as part of a guaranteed transfer articulation with the University of North Carolina system. See Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.
Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) – An agreement ensuring credits transfer from NC community colleges to UNC System universities. See more here.
Credit Transfer – The process by which academic credits earned at one accredited institution are accepted by another institution, allowing students to apply these credits toward their program requirements.
Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) – The Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the North Carolina Community College System and the Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) provides a smooth transfer for community college students who complete and AA or AS degree and wish to continue their education at an NCICU Signatory Institution. See more here.
NC Guaranteed Admission Program (NC GAP) – A program encouraging students to start at a community college before transferring to a UNC university.
NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities) – The statewide organization representing 36 of North Carolina’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities, providing advocacy, collaboration, resources, and support to member institutions.
North Carolina Transfer Assured Admissions Policy (TAAP) – A policy guaranteeing admission to one of the UNC university for students with an associate in arts or an associate in science degree.
Priority Deadline – The recommended date for submitting applications to receive best consideration.
Reverse Transfer – The process of transferring credits from a four-year institution back to a community college to complete an associate degree.
Transfer – The articulation and awarding of curriculum coursework earned from another higher education institution. CPL is not transfer credit and should not be treated as such.
Transfer Credit – Credits earned at one institution that are accepted toward a degree at another institution.
UNC System – The UNC System (University of North Carolina System) is North Carolina's public university system, comprising 16 universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics.
UNC System Transfer Guides – The UNC System's Transfer Guides are major-specific roadmaps for NC Community College (NCCCS) students, outlining specific community college courses that align with UNC institution majors, ensuring a smoother path to associate degree completion, university admission, and a bachelor's degree. These transfer guides are available via CFNC and university websites.
Uniform Articulation Agreement – A statewide agreement between the North Carolina Community College System and the UNC System (and, when applicable, independent colleges) that guarantees how specific transfer pathways and associate degree programs will articulate. It outlines course requirements and ensures that students who complete the designated pathway receive junior-level status and appropriate credit at participating four-year institutions.
Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) – A set of courses guaranteed to transfer and fulfill general education requirements.
University Transfer – Programs preparing students to transfer from a community college to a four-year university.
To add to this list, or for additional information, please email kamens@nccommunitycolleges.edu