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The following information may help you better understand frequently used college terminology.

Academic Program
A series of courses leading to the completion of a degree, certificate, or certification.
Associate's Degree
An award issued to a student that signifies a completion of a two-year program. Six associate's degrees are offered at SVCC. Four of them are designed to transfer to a four-year college or university: the Associate in Art (AA), Associate in Engineering (AES), Associate in Fine Art (AFA), Associate in Science (AS) degrees. The Associates in Applied Science (AAS) degree is intended to lead to employment and is not designed to transfer. The Associates in Liberal Arts Studies (ALS) is a non specialized, non-transfer degree designed to meet the individual needs of a student.
Canvas
The online platform that SVCC utilizes for it's online courses, as well as to support instruction in some face-to -face courses.
Certificates
An award given at the completion of specific career training programs. Having a certificate means that the student is qualified to enter the workforce in a particular career area. A certificate requires fewer credit hours to complete than an associate's degree.
Contact Hours
The number of hours a student is in class each week.
Co-Requisite
If a course has a co-requisite, a student must take the two courses during the same semester.
Course code
Each course is assigned a six-digit code (three letters and three numbers), along with a two-character section to use when a student signs up for a class. Example: Intro to Business, BUS 103 N. The first three digits describe the subject (BUS for business), followed by the course number (103 for Intro to Business). The last two characters (section) help to identify when the course is offered or type of course (examples N - for sections starting after 4:00pm, OL - internet courses, SY - live streaming, HY - live streaming blended).
Course Delivery Options
  • Live Streaming Courses - Classes meet off campus during regularly scheduled class times through a virtual meeting platform such as Google Hangouts. Shown as SY on your schedule.
  • Live Stream Blended Courses - Classes meet off campus during regularly scheduled class times through a virtual meeting platform such as Google Hangouts and meet on campus to complete any mandatory course work that cannot be completed virtually (i.e. labs/studio/clinicals/field experience or work). Shown as SY or HY on your schedule and both with LB for the campus labs.
  • Traditional, Face-to-Face - Classes meet on campus. If deemed necessary, the academic continuity plan may be implemented, and classes will transition to a Live Stream or Live Stream Blended format. These courses are limited to career technical courses such as welding or nursing. Shown as a alphabetic letter on your schedule.
  • Online- Classes are fully online with no on campus or virtual meetings. Some online courses may be required in-person or recorded proctored tests. S shown as OL on your schedule.
Course Load
The number of credit hours a student takes during a semester. SVCC has set a maximum course load per semester (see College Catalog). If a student wishes to register for more than this, he or she will need the approval of the Dean of Student Services.
Credit Hours
The amount of credit a student receives for completing a specific course. One lecture credit hour generally equals 50 minutes in class per week in a regular semester.
CRN
Course reference numbers are located in the schedule and are five-digit numbers that uniquely identify course sections. They are used during the registration and add/drop process.
Curriculum
All Sauk Valley Community College students are assigned a curriculum code that references their academic goal(s).
Dean's List/President's List
An honor's notation on a student's transcript identifying academic excellence for each term based on good academic standing and a minimum of 6 hours of college level coursework at a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Drop/Add
The procedure by which a student may change his or her class schedule by dropping or adding a course.
Electives
Classes a student chooses to take that are not specifically required for graduation but will increase the student's knowledge. Some electives may be required for graduation.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Fees
Course fees are assessed per credit hour based on the type of course.
Full-time Students
Anyone taking 12 credit hours or more during the fall or spring semesters, or six or more credit hours during the summer semester.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The total number of points per credit hour earned (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0), divided by college-level credit hours attempted. A 2.0 GPA cumulative is required to graduate.
In-district Resident
Someone who lives within the designated boundaries of Sauk Valley Community College District 506.
Internship
Provides an opportunity for a student to apply what he or she has learned in the classroom in a supervised work setting. If a program requires an internship, please contact the designated instructor early on so that they can assist in the process.
Part-time Student
Anyone taking 11 credit hours or less during the fall and spring semesters, or five credit hours or less during the summer semester.
Prerequisite
An introductory course that must be taken before the next level course. Prerequisites are listed in the catalog and in each semester's class schedule.
Registration
The process of enrolling in classes.
SaukFest
The welcoming celebration each semester. These events encourage students to learn about the activities and clubs on campus as well as student resources.
Semesters
The fall semester lasts between August and December. The spring semester is from January to May. There is an eight-week summer session which begins in May. Check the academic calendar for details.
Skyhawk
The SVCC mascot; a mythical bird said to be strong, fierce, and driven yet cooperative with others.
Syllabus
A document that lists a course's objectives and requirements. Each instructor distributes a syllabus at the beginning of the semester, which serves as a “contract” and guides students to successful completion of the semester by outlining student expectations for the course.
Transcript
This document is a complete record of all courses taken and grades received at SVCC.
Transfer Programs
Curriculum that can be applied toward bachelor's degree programs at four-year colleges and universities.
Transfer Credit to SVCC
Credit hours earned at another institution that can be applied toward a certificate/degree at SVCC. There is a maximum number of transfer credits that can be applied toward a Sauk certificate/degree. Please reference the College Catalog.
Tuition
The amount charged for a course. Additional fees may apply.
Withdrawal
The process of discontinuing enrollment in a class or classes after the registration change period. (see academic calendar). A grade of “W” is recorded on the student transcript. No refund of tuition fees is given. Student can initiate a withdrawal “W” from a class until a specified date in the semester (see academic calendar). After that time, only the instructor has the authority to grant a withdrawal from a class.

 

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