Definition of Academic Terms

Academic Credit Hour

As adopted by our accreditor, NECHE, Connecticut State Community College defines a credit hour in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education.

A credit hour represents academic work requiring the equivalent of:

  1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Matriculated Student

A matriculated student is one who has been admitted to the College and is enrolled in a credit certificate or degree program. A non-matriculated (or non-degree) student is one who is taking classes at the College but has not enrolled in a credit certificate or degree program. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for Financial Aid.

Associate of Arts (AA)

A degree designed to build a foundational education in a particular subject, typically focused on the liberal arts. Some emphasize general education credits for transfer to a bachelor’s degree.

Associate of Science (AS) 

A degree designed to build a foundational education, typically in the sciences, mathematics, or technology. Some emphasize general education credits for transfer to a bachelor’s degree.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

A degree that provides skills and knowledge, often in the form of a credential or qualification, that allow for direct entry into the work force; these degrees may serve as transfer degrees with or without a guarantee that additional credits will not be needed at the baccalaureate level within the CSCU system.

Credit Certificate

Credit certificate programs may be comprised of a single course or small groups of courses generally intended for occupational training, upgrading, or retraining. Regardless of their duration or composition, certificate programs:

  • require fewer than 60 credits. 
  • are comprised of courses for skills development required for employment or for career advancement and do not contain broad General Education requirements.

Catalog Year

The academic requirement for a student’s program are established by the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment at Connecticut State Community College. As students progress, they may elect to complete a program under a more current catalog but may not change to an older catalog’s requirement. All requirements stated in a single catalog must be completed,  more than one catalog year cannot be combined to earn a degree. Retaining a catalog year requires continuous enrollment. A student with a gap in enrollment of two or more years must apply for readmission and assume the catalog year in effect upon their return.