WSU Glossary

Academic Advisor
A professional who assists students in navigating the WSU system, discussing educational and career goals, course selection, and understanding university policies. Advisors are available at both the department and college levels.​

Academic Calendar
A schedule of important dates for the academic year, including deadlines for adding or dropping courses, holidays, breaks, withdrawal deadlines, reading days, and exam periods. WSU's academic calendar can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website.​

Academic Dismissal
At WSU, students who do not meet the terms specified by their academic probation requirements may face dismissal from the university. Specific criteria and processes are outlined in the university's academic regulations.​

Academic Integrity
WSU upholds strict standards of academic honesty. Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication. Students are expected to adhere to the WSU Academic Integrity Policy.​

Academic Plan
A roadmap created to help ensure that you understand the requirements of your degree, including major and University Common Requirements (UCORE). The plan is a tentative outline representing how you may fulfill your degree requirements.​

Academic Probation
A status given to students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Such students must meet specific requirements to return to good academic standing.​

Academic Status
Indicates a student's academic performance, which can be classified as "Good Standing" (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher), "Academic Probation" (cumulative GPA below 2.0), or "Academic Dismissal" (after two semesters on probation without improvement).​

Add/Drop Period
A designated timeframe at the beginning of each semester when students can adjust their class schedules without penalties. Specific dates are outlined in the WSU Academic Calendar.​

Advisor
A faculty or staff member who assists students in selecting courses, understanding degree requirements, and planning for graduation. Advisors can also provide guidance on career goals and academic challenges.​

Application Deadline
The date you'll need to submit your application and all required materials to be reviewed for admission. WSU's application deadlines vary based on applicant type and desired semester of admission.​

Appointment & Registration Status
On myWSU, this section provides students with their assigned time and date for class registration.​

Attempted Credits
The total number of credits a student has enrolled in at WSU, regardless of completion.​

Auditing a Class
Enrolling in a course for no credit, where the student is not obligated to attend regularly, prepare assignments, or take exams. Audited courses do not count towards full-time or part-time status.​

Bachelor’s Degree
An undergraduate degree typically requires approximately four years of study and a minimum of 120 credits.​

Benchmark Requirements
At WSU, certain majors may have specific entry-level courses that must be completed within a designated timeframe, often with a minimum grade requirement. It's essential to consult with your academic advisor regarding any benchmark requirements for your major.​

Bursar
At WSU, the equivalent office handling student billing and payments is the Bursar's Office. They manage tuition payments, billing statements, and other financial transactions related to student accounts.​

Canvas
WSU's online learning management system where students can access course materials, submit assignments, participate in discussions, and receive grades.​

Catalog Year
The academic year during which a student declares their major, determining the specific set of program requirements they must fulfill.​​

Co-requisite
A course that must be taken simultaneously with another specified course.​

Credit Hours
Units measuring educational credit, typically based on the number of classroom hours per week throughout a term.​

CUB (Compton Union Building)
The central hub on the Pullman campus housing student services, dining options, meeting spaces, and the First Gen Student Center.​

Degree
A qualification awarded upon successful completion of a program of study. At WSU, undergraduates typically pursue bachelor’s degrees requiring around 120 credits.

Disability Access Services / Access Center
WSU’s Access Center provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities. Services include alternative testing, note-taking support, assistive technology, and more. accesscenter.wsu.edu

Drop
The process of removing a course from your schedule within a designated timeframe. If completed early enough in the semester, a dropped course won’t appear on your transcript.

Electives
Courses that count toward your degree but are not specifically required for your major or general education requirements. Electives offer flexibility to explore new interests.

Enrollment Verification
An official document showing your student status (e.g., full-time or part-time), often used for insurance, scholarships, or student loan purposes. You can request this through myWSU.

Experiential Learning
Opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in hands-on settings, such as internships, service learning, undergraduate research, or study abroad programs.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. At WSU, students must give written permission for others (including parents) to access their academic information.

Financial Aid
Money to help pay for college, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study. Eligibility is determined primarily through the FAFSA or WASFA.

First-Year Focus (FYF)
At WSU, some colleges or departments may offer first-year interest or living-learning communities, but “First-Year Focus” is not a widely used term. Consider confirming with specific program staff.

Full-Time Student
An undergraduate student enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester. This status is required for most financial aid packages and scholarships.

General Education Requirements (UCORE)
WSU’s University Common Requirements (UCORE) are designed to provide foundational learning across disciplines such as humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

GPA (Grade Point Average)
A numeric summary of your academic performance, calculated on a 4.0 scale.

Hold
A restriction placed on your student account—often due to unpaid fees, missing documents, or academic issues—that can block registration or access to transcripts.

Internship
A short-term work experience related to your field of study, offering real-world practice and professional connections. Some WSU departments help students secure internships.

Living Learning Communities (LLC)
Groups of students taking classes together or living in the same residence hall around a common interest or major. These can support academic success and engagement.

Letter of Recommendation
A formal letter written by a professor, advisor, or employer to support your application for jobs, scholarships, or graduate school.

Major
Your primary academic focus or field of study, such as Psychology, Civil Engineering, or Digital Technology & Culture. You declare your major through your college’s advising office.

Midterm Exams
Tests given around the midpoint of a semester to evaluate your progress in a course. Performance on midterms can indicate how well you're understanding the material.

Minor
A secondary academic concentration requiring fewer credits than a major. For example, a student majoring in Communication might minor in Business.

myWSU
WSU’s online student portal for class registration, financial aid, student records, holds, and academic information. my.wsu.edu

Office Hours
Designated times faculty and teaching assistants set aside to meet with students. Office hours are for discussing class content, seeking help, or exploring academic interests.

Orientation
A program to introduce new students to campus resources, student life, academic expectations, and registration procedures. First-year students typically attend summer orientation.

Part-Time Student
An undergraduate student enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours during a semester. This may affect financial aid and eligibility for campus services.

Pass/Fail Option
Some courses at WSU can be taken as pass/fail, meaning you won’t receive a letter grade. These courses may not count toward major or core requirements.

Peer Mentor
A trained student who provides guidance and support to help peers navigate college life. Peer mentors often work in residence halls, TRIO programs, or student centers.

Placement Exams
Tests (usually in math or writing) that help determine the appropriate starting level for college courses. These are often required before course registration.

Plagiarism
The act of using someone else's words or ideas without giving credit. WSU considers plagiarism a serious academic violation under its Academic Integrity Policy.

Prerequisite
A course that must be completed before enrolling in a more advanced course. For example, Biology 106 may be a prerequisite for an upper-level biology course.

Priority Registration
An earlier registration period granted to certain students—such as those in TRIO, the Honors College, or with documented disabilities—to help ensure access to required classes.

Program of Study
Your chosen area of academic focus, including major and any minors or certificates, leading to a degree.

Registrar
The university office responsible for maintaining student records, processing enrollment and grades, and issuing transcripts and diplomas. registrar.wsu.edu

Resident Assistant (RA)
A student leader who lives in the residence halls and supports students with community building, conflict resolution, and campus resources.

Residency Status
Indicates whether you are considered a Washington resident or non-resident for tuition purposes. Residency affects your tuition rates and eligibility for some aid.

S&A  (Service and Activities) Fees

The Services and Activities (S&A) Fee is a mandatory fee charged to all WSU students, separate from tuition, that funds non-academic programs and services enhancing student life. For detailed information on current S&A Fee rates and allocations, students can visit the WSU Student Fees website.

SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
Federal financial aid regulations require students to make progress toward their degree by maintaining a minimum GPA and completing a certain percentage of their classes.

Scholarship
A financial award based on merit, need, talent, or other criteria. Scholarships do not need to be repaid. WSU offers scholarships through colleges, departments, and donor programs.

Study Abroad
Academic programs that allow students to study in other countries while earning WSU credit. Opportunities vary in length from a few weeks to an entire academic year.

Syllabus
A document outlining a course’s requirements, expectations, assignments, grading, and schedule. Students receive syllabi at the beginning of each class.

TA (Teaching Assistant)
A graduate or undergraduate student who assists an instructor by leading lab or discussion sections, grading, or offering office hours.

Transcript
An official record of your academic performance, including courses taken, grades earned, and degrees awarded. Unofficial transcripts can be viewed in myWSU.

Transfer Student
A student who has completed coursework at another college or university before enrolling at WSU.

Tuition and Fees
The cost of attending college, including instruction (tuition), facility use, technology access, and other services. WSU’s tuition structure varies by residency status and major.

Undergraduate
A student pursuing a bachelor's degree. This is the first level of post-secondary education following high school.

University Common Requirements (UCORE)
WSU’s general education curriculum, designed to help students develop critical thinking, communication, quantitative reasoning, and interdisciplinary learning skills.

Withdrawal
Dropping a course after the official add/drop period. A withdrawn course appears on your transcript with a “W” but doesn’t affect your GPA.