The Graduate College Handbook for Students, Faculty and Staff
Chapter I: Graduate Education at Illinois
E. Terms and Definitions
Terminology used throughout this Handbook:
- "department" or "unit" may refer to a program, school, institute, or similar type of academic unit,
- “fellowships” and “fellows” include traineeships and trainees except where specified,
- "head" or "department head" will be used to refer to unit executive officers,
- “students” refers to graduate students, and
- “thesis” may refer to a thesis or a dissertation.
Definitions:
- concentration - an area of specialization within a student’s major that is approved as a program of 24-32 hours; approved concentrations will show on a student’s transcript when properly completed
- conferral – the day on which the University officially records and grants degrees; there are four conferral dates in each academic year
- degree audit – a review to certify that a student has met all the requirements for graduation and the degree can be conferred
- degree-seeking or degree candidate - a student status in which the student is in the process of obtaining a degree
- dual degree – pursuit of two separate degrees at the same time
- Graduate and Professional Admissions and Academic Support Unit – GPASU, the unit within the Graduate College that oversees the graduate application process and supports graduate academic record services (petitions, registration, end of term processes); located on the 3rd floor of Coble Hall
- joint degree – a campus approved program in which a student pursues two degrees, and some courses fulfill requirements of both programs
- minor – an area of specialization outside a student’s major area of study of at least twelve hours; approved minors will show on a student’s transcript when properly completed
- non-degree – a student status in which the student is not seeking a degree, or applying credit toward a future degree
- Office of Admissions and Records – OAR, the unit that admits undergraduate students to the University, oversees campus registration processes, assesses tuition and fees, certifies degrees, and creates transcripts
- Reading Day – the designated period between the last day of classes and the first day of final examinations
- SEVIS - Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the Internet-based program operated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track all students and scholars who are in F-1 and J-1 status, along with their spouses and dependents
- UI Integrate Self Service – the interface that students use for registration and records, financial aid, billing, personal information, and to apply for graduation; faculty use this interface for course management and advising services
