Common Data Set 2019-2020
Credit hour: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester
system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements
ofadegree,diploma,certificate,orrecognizedpostsecondarycredential.
Cross-registration: A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may take courses at another institution without having to
applytothesecondinstitution.
Deferred admission: The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term
Degree: An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the
successfulcompletionofaprogramofstudies.
Degree-seeking students: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or
recognized postsecondary credential. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or
Differs by program (calendar system): A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational
programs of varying length. These schools may enroll students at specific times depending on the program desired. For example, a
school might offer a two-month program in January, March, May, September, and November; and a three-month program in January,
Diploma: SeePostsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.
Distance learning: An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes,
videotapes,correspondencecourses,orothermeans.
Doctor’s degree-research/scholarship: A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level,
including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project
demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A.,
D.Sc.,D.A.,orD.M,andothers,asdesignatedbytheawardinginstitution.
Doctor’s degree-professional practice: A doctor’s degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge
and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study
such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time
equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first-professional” and may include: Chiropractic (D.C.
or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O);
Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding
institution.
Doctor’s degree-other: A doctor’s degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor’s degree - research/scholarship or a doctor’s
degree-professionalpractice.
Double major: Programinwhichstudentsmaycompletetwoundergraduateprogramsofstudysimultaneously.
Dual enrollment: A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school.
Studentsarenotrequiredtoapplyforadmissiontothecollegeinordertoparticipate.
Early action plan: An admission plan that allows students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the
regular notification dates. If admitted, the candidate is not committed to enroll; the student may reply to the offer under the college’s
Early admission: A policy under which students who have not completed high school are admitted and enroll full time in college,
usuallyaftercompletionoftheirjunioryear.
Early decision plan: A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision (and financial aid offer
applicable) well in advance of the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of admission and, if admitted, to
withdraw their applications from other colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants: admitted, denied, or
notadmittedbutforwardedforconsiderationwiththeregularapplicantpool,withoutprejudice.
English as a Second Language (ESL): AcourseofstudydesignedspecificallyforstudentswhosenativelanguageisnotEnglish.
Exchange student program-domestic: Any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a semester or more at
anothercollege in the United States withoutextendingtheamountoftimerequiredforadegree.See also Study abroad.
External degree program: A program of study in which students earn credits toward a degree through independent study, college
courses,proficiencyexaminations,andpersonalexperience.Externaldegreeprogramsrequireminimalornoclassroomattendance.
Extracurricular activities (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admissions process given for participation in both
school and nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs, hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts,
First-time student: A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term
who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who
enteredwithadvancedstanding(collegecreditearnedbeforegraduationfromhighschool).
First-time, first-year (freshman) student: A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes
students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered
withadvancedstanding(collegecreditsearnedbeforegraduationfromhighschool).
First-year student: A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1 full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30
semesterhours(ina120-hourdegreeprogram)orlessthan900clockhours.
Freshman: Afirst-yearundergraduatestudent.
*Freshman/new student orientation: Orientation addressing the academic, social, emotional, and intellectual issues involved in
beginningcollege.Maybeafewhoursorafewdaysinlength;atsomecolleges,thereisafee.
Full-time student (undergraduate): A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more
clockhoursaweekeachterm.
Geographical residence (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admission process given to students from a particular
region,state,orcountryofresidence.
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